FAN FIGHTS TO BRING KISS TO BELLEVILLEBy W. Brice McVicar The Intelligencer
Marcel Dubé can still remember the first time he saw the rock ‘n roll band KISS.
“My first introduction was when I saw them on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special,” said Dubé, who was six at the time, of the 1976 television special. “I remember seeing them and I thought they were amazing and I wanted to be like them.”
Today, at 39, Dubé is as close to being a member of the band as one can — he is the drummer in the KISS tribute band Fried Alive. The group features four members performing classic KISS hits in full makeup.
Wearing his makeup and sitting behind his drum kit, Dubé only sings one major KISS song — Beth — but will be singing the praise of his favourite band this Friday at his workplace. Dubé said he plans to go to Stream on Dundas Street West at this week’s end in full makeup and encourage his co-workers to visit kissonline.com where people can vote to bring KISS to their city. The city that gathers the most votes — Belleville is currently sitting at No. 93 — will be rewarded by having the band play there.
For Dubé, bringing KISS to Belleville would be a major accomplishment.
“I’m spreading the word to the KISS Army and trying to figure out how I can get as many people as possible to vote,” he said. “I’d love to see them here. They’re almost like superheroes the way they’re dressed up and the make-up and there’s lots of theatrics. You just don’t see bands today who are anything like them.”
It’s not just Dubé who is spreading the word and trying to have more people cast their vote online. The Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce has also come on board as a promoter.
Angela Genereaux, the chamber’s chief executive officer, said a notice had been sent out to all members encouraging them to cast their vote.
“It’s exciting. Anything we can do to bring KISS to Belleville is great,” she said. “We have already witnessed the benefits of Big Music Fest and the Classic Rock Festival so just imagine the excitement we’d see in a city of 46,000 if we brought KISS here.”
Votes can be cast at www.kissonline.com or visit www.intelligencer.ca and follow the link.
