Cadillac Celebrates 50 Years Since KISS Concert with Reunion Weekend Oct. 9-12

Highlights Include KISS-Themed Cadillac Vikings Football Game with Drone Show and Sing-Along, Rockumentary, Mr. Speed Tribute Concerts and More

On Oct. 9, 1975, the iconic rock band KISS came to the northern Michigan town of Cadillac to play a private homecoming concert for students at Cadillac High School. Half a century later, Cadillac is celebrating that legendary visit with a KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Oct. 9-12 – featuring everything from a Cadillac Vikings football game with KISS-themed drone show and “Rock and Roll All Nite” sing-along, to a KISS50 Cadillac Rockumentary, to Mr. Speed KISS tribute concerts.

"Fifty years ago, Cadillac welcomed KISS to their homecoming, leaving a lasting impression on the band,” said KISS Manager Doc McGhee. “I'm happy to see the bond forged that day continues to resonate in an extraordinary way."

The anniversary weekend is the culmination of months of KISS50 Cadillac displays and activities that started in July, including KISS-themed light pole banners along Mitchell Street and KISS-decorated storefronts downtown, a KISStory Self-Guided History Tour, and a KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit at the Wexford Historical Society Museum. These new attractions have already brought countless KISS fans to Cadillac. 

“For 50 years now, Cadillac has embraced its long-standing connection with the band, and we thought a final celebration for this milestone anniversary weekend would be a great nod to the legacy by drawing fans from all over the world,” said Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau Marketing Manager Lindsey Westdorp. “We welcome residents, alumni and visitors to join us for the latest chapter in the Cadillac KISStory.” 

Cadillac “KISStory”

Cadillac’s KISS connection dates to fall 1974 when the high school football team lost its first two games after finishing the 1973 season undefeated. Assistant Coach Jim Neff picked KISS music to play before practices and games to lighten the mood, and the team won the next seven games and captured the conference championship. Neff contacted the band to thank them, and KISS surprised the town by visiting Cadillac High School during homecoming, Oct. 9, 1975 for a private concert in the gym.

“Not only were they wild, bold, and loud, their name invoked an old football credo — Keep It Simple Stupid. It was a match that was meant to be,” said Neff, also a retired teacher and journalist who has worked to keep the legendary KISS visit to Cadillac alive. 

KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Events - Oct. 9-12

Anniversary-related events and information can be found at kisscadillac.com. Net proceeds from paid events support Cadillac Area Public Schools (CAPS), Cadillac Area Festivals and Events, and other local charities. Events include:

Thursday, Oct. 9

• KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit – Wexford Historical Society Museum, 127 Beech St. A new temporary exhibit showcases memorabilia related to KISS’ visit 50 years ago, including original newspaper and magazine clippings plus firsthand accounts, photos and artifacts from local KISS fans and alumni. KISS50 Cadillac Reunion tee-shirts are available for sale during business hours ($20 apiece; limited quantities). Open Wednesday through Saturday,  10 a.m. - 4 p.m. wexfordcountyhistory.org

• KISStory Self-Guided History Tour – Throughout Cadillac. This self-guided tour retraces steps the band took in 1975 – each with a commemorative plaque featuring photos and an explanation of why the spot is significant. It also includes a stop at the eight-foot, 5,000-pound granite KISS Monument on the grounds of Cadillac High School (the only KISS monument in the world) that was erected on the 40th anniversary. 

Friday, Oct. 10

• Ongoing – KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit, KISStory Self-Guided History Tour – See narrative above

• Cadillac Vikings Football Game and KISS50 Alumni Tailgate presented by WKLT followed by KISS-Themed Drone Show and Community Sing-Along – Veterans Memorial Stadium, 400 Linden St. KISS fans can cheer on the Vikings (the reason behind Cadillac’s KISS connection) sporting custom uniforms inspired by KISS’ Destroyer album in the stadium where the band departed via helicopter Oct. 9, 1975, with special acknowledgements throughout the game and a Cadillac Marching Band halftime show featuring KISS selections.  After the game will be a “Rock and Roll All Nite” sing-along,  community photo and KISS-themed drone show over Lake Cadillac. Cadillac’s classes of 1975, 1976 and 1977 also will host reunions. Football game tickets for purchase here for $6 each. Activities and timing:

  • 4:15-5:45 p.m. – Alumni and community pre-game tailgate party by WKLT ($9.75 per-person brat dinner payable at the door

  • 4:30 and 5 p.m. – KISS concert site/gymnasium walk-through (KISS 1975 concert site)

  • 7 p.m. (gates open 5:45 pm) - Cadillac Vikings football game and halftime show

  • Post-game/9:30 p.m. – Sing-along, community photo and KISS-themed drone show

Saturday, Oct. 11

• Ongoing – KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit, KISStory Self-Guided History Tour – See narrative above

• Run It Real Fast KISS50 5K – 8:30 a.m. Starts in Cadillac City Park. $20/$25 entry for youth and adults. KISS50-themed prizes and swag for racers. KISS dress encouraged. Find event and sign-up information on Facebook.

• “Unmasked: My 50-Year Journey with KISS” Book Signing – 9:30-11:30 a.m., Horizon Books, 115 S. Mitchell St. Michigan native Thad Zylka will sign his new fan memoir, “Unmasked: My 50-Year Journey with KISS,” chronicling his five-decade journey filled with his once-in-a-lifetime fan moments – impersonating the band in the 1970s, collecting stage-worn outfits, buying a guitar from KISS, and even having dinner with Gene Simmons. Zylka also will show the original key to the city of Cadillac that Gene Simmons received in 1975, which Zylka bought in 2000.

• KISS50 Cadillac Rockumentary  – 3 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.), Cadillac Area Public Schools (CAPS) Performing Arts Auditorium, 500 Chestnut St. Produced by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau, this hour-long film reflects on the 50-year legacy featuring interviews with Jim Neff and others who experienced the KISS visit firsthand. $10 ticket can be purchased online. 

• Mr. Speed KISS tribute concert – 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT), The Venue, 902 W 13th St. This highly acclaimed KISS tribute band has been performing for more than 30 years and will play all the favorite hits, in full costume.  (NOTE: The Sunday show still has tickets.)

Sunday, Oct. 12

• Ongoing – KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit, KISStory Self-Guided History Tour – See narrative above

• KISS50 Cadillac Rockumentary – 10 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.), GQT Cadillac 4, 202 S. Mitchell St. Produced by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau, this hour-long film reflects on the 50-year legacy featuring interviews with Jim Neff and others who experienced the KISS visit firsthand. $10 tickets can be purchased at the door.

• KISS50 Cadillac Golf Outing – 10 a.m., Evergreen Resort, 7880 Mackinaw Trail. Sign up your foursome (KISS dress encouraged) for a day of golf, fun, and rock ’n’ roll history. Shotgun start, four-person scramble. Fee is $70 per person, which includes golf, food, KISS50 swag bag, awards, putting contest, and prizes for best dressed. Call (231) 942-7021 to reserve a spot.

• KISS50 Bingo – 2-4 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.), MI Mezcal, 214 N. Mitchell St. $250 cash jackpot along with special bingo rounds, KISS swag bags with limited-edition VIP KISS50 Cadillac anniversary merch, and more. KISS dress encouraged. Fee is $10 at the door.

• Mr. Speed KISS tribute concert – Oct. 12, 5-9 p.m., The Venue, 902 W 13th St. This highly acclaimed KISS tribute band has been performing for more than 30 years and will play all the favorite hits – and in full costume. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online.

“I realize what this story means to the city and people of Cadillac,” said Rich Kosak, founder and ‘Paul Stanley’ of KISS tribute band Mr. Speed. “I can promise you that our KISS tribute band reveres your story, and we’re honored and humbled to have been asked to return for the party.”

Ongoing KISS50 Cadillac Experiences 

The following KISS activities are taking place around Cadillac now through the end of October and can be experienced beyond the Oct. 9-12 reunion weekend. (see full list at kisscadillac.com):

• KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit – Now through October, Wexford Historical Society Museum, 127 Beech St. A new temporary exhibit showcases memorabilia related to KISS’ visit 50 years ago, including original newspaper and magazine clippings plus firsthand accounts, photos and artifacts from local KISS fans and alumni. Open Wednesday - Saturday,  10 a.m.-4 p.m. wexfordcountyhistory.org

• KISStory Self-Guided History Tour – Throughout Cadillac. This updated self-guided tour retraces steps the band took in 1975 (Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cadillac High School Gym, Old City Hall/ Firehouse and Mitchell Street/homecoming parade route) – each with a commemorative plaque featuring photos and an explanation of why the spot is significant. It also includes a stop at the eight-foot, 5,000-pound granite KISS Monument on the grounds of Cadillac High School (the only KISS monument in the world) that was erected on the 40th anniversary. 

• KISS50 Displays, Experiences and Photo Opps – Now through October, throughout Cadillac. More than 15 businesses give fans ways to enjoy KISS-related products, such as “Clam Lake Party Every Day Hazy IPA” and “Rock and Roll All Nite Session Light” at Clam Lake Beer Co., “Dark & Roll" custom-blend coffee at Owl Eye Coffee Roasters,“Cadillac Rock City” (Rocky Road) Moomers ice cream flavor at The Sweet Shop, and KISS cut-out sugar cookies at Wildflour Bakery, among other KISS-themed products. A printed tour guide of participating businesses can be picked up locally at many of the featured stops (also look for Caddy Bear’s “KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Tour Stop” sign in windows of participating businesses) and is also available online. Fans can even stay in a KISS-themed cabin at Mackinaw Timbers Cabins. Photo opps can be found throughout downtown, including KISS band cut-outs, banners, decorated storefronts and selfie stations.

*Pophouse Entertainment, together with its direct and indirect affiliates, is the exclusive owner of the KISS brand and associated intellectual property, including but not limited to the KISS logo. Any reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of these assets without prior written authorization is strictly prohibited. The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau and Cadillac Area Festivals & Events have obtained the necessary rights and permissions for the use of KISS-related content displayed. All other rights are expressly reserved.