The Day KISS Rocked Cadillac

October 9, 2005

Rick Coates of Michigan's Northern Express has issued the following report:

Retired Cadillac High School teacher Jim Neff leans back in his living room chair each evening after dinner surrounded by his "15 Minutes of Fame." The plaque on the wall above him reads "Jim Neff Honorary Member of KISS." The guitar next to him is a Signature Model Paul Stanley given to Neff as a gift by the legendary KISS guitarist. There are photos, lots of memorabilia and news clippings from Rolling Stone to Billboard and numerous publications inbetween, all with Neff's name in them.

For the one-time assistant football coach/English teacher, seeking out his "15 Minutes" was never the objective. Neff was simply looking for a way to motivate the football team that had named their defense KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). But the results of one special 24-hour period on October 9, 1975 went beyond motivating a football team; it brought students and administrators together and inspired a whole community. It also helped to shape the legacy of one of rock music's all-time greatest bands, KISS.

"It brought the high school together," said then principal John Laurent. "For years, we had been trying to unite the student body and our faculty. KISS accomplished that in one night. It's also unlikely the impact the band had on Cadillac will ever be repeated."

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