---

Dear Gene,

I recently attended the Old Dominion University Film Festival here in Norfolk, VA and I saw a documentary by a woman named Colette Shaw. She made a movie about her dual life as a college dean and a KISS fan. She inspired the students, and by the end of her presentation, even the most skeptical professors in the audience had realized how positive the KISS community can be. I don't know if you've heard of Colette, but she's pretty amazing!

-Sandra

Sandra Adams
Area Coordinator, East Campus
Old Dominion University

Response from Gene:

Please send us a copy.

---

Hi Gene:

I'm a gay man and I keep hearing this term "DIVA" thrown around like it's a frisbee. In your opinion, as far as entertainment goes, who is the ultimate DIVA from the following list, and why?:

Ms. Barbra
Ms. Madonna
Ms. Britney
Ms. Christina
Ms. Jessica (Simpson) &Mac247; she's hot, I just might change lanes...LOL!
Ms. Aretha
Ms. Celine
Ms. Whitney
Ms. Ross (aka Diana, no favoritism please)
Ms. Cher (ditto)
Ms. Patti
Ms. Janet
Ms. Oprah

(Not your Mom or Shannon, just the above list please.)

Thanks.

Response from Gene:

Cher and Diana.

---

Hey Gene,

First off, I would like to say that I am a huge fan and love what you stand for. The reason I am writing to you is because I just saw a picture in the Ladies In Waiting section and I wanted to bring something to your attention. The "Lady" that is under the name of "Lidia Vasquez" is using pictures that are not of her! The blonde in the pictures is named Roxana Martinez and she is very famous in the hispanic celebrity world and was even featured in the Spanish issue of Playboy last year. She is from Argentina and I find it rather pathetic that this person would actually take the time to submit pictures of someone else and put her name on them. This is not fair to all the other Ladies in Waiting that have actually submitted their own pictures and I think that this there should be credit given to the real person in those photos. I thought that I ought to let you and everyone else know.

A huge fan of yours, with lots of love and hot, wet kisses,
Lisette

---

JOURNEY OF 1,000 YEARS

I just rediscovered this toon after a few years. I guess it caught me at the right moment (as songs sometimes do) and I was moved enough to write you a quick note.

Other than the obvious callback to your solo record of '78 (vocals) the orchestration reminded me of something that Jim Steinman (MEATLOAF, CELINE DION) would do. Have you ever worked with Jim?

Response from Gene:

No. Jim and I have never worked together. But, as an interesting side note, Jim took over my penthouse apartment in New York once I moved to the West Coast.

---

Gene,

First of all i would like to say that you are the most Gorgeous man alive :-) and you are an awesome performer and artist.. and one of the most dedicated men ive ever heard of..but i didnt always think that.. my dad was (and still is) a HUGE kiss fan.. it all started for him way back in the 70s.. then he let me and my siblings hear yall but me and my sister were like no.. we thought yall were just some freaky gay band.. but we sure dont think that now.. my sister (who just got her letter posted recently) was able to go to yalls concert here in Knoxville on December 10.. and she fell in love.. so she bought the "BEST of KISS"cd and.. let me listen to it.. i heard forever..and i was like WOW.. i didnt know yall had actually good voices... i was amazed.. then i heard lick it up.. and it became a regular thing for me, her and our friends to bump that repeatedly while driving around.. we were like hell yeah.. KISS ROCKS..there were other things besides awesome music that drew me towards KISS..my papaw died and that was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to me because i was very close to him.. but KISS gave me something to keep my mind off of everything.. yall helped me so much with your music and i really appreciate it..you rock!


marci strange
knoxville, tn

p.s....are yall gonna do a big US Tour this summer? or just a few locations?
thanks!!!!!!

You Wanted The Best. You Got The Best. The Hottest Band In The World, KISS!!!!!!!!!

---

Hey Gene,

---

Hello Gene,

Sometimes I think I know what you are going through and how you must feel sometimes when certain fans only want you to do what they want you to do. Anyway, I tried to get into your mindset and write a song from your perspective.

At a young age
I chose to get up on stage,
and you put me on a pedestal higher.
I'll tell you the truth to your face,
yet you call me a liar.

I don't want to be owned by you
and I don't owe you anything
So why can't you see
you won't let me be me
I want to be free
I'm just being me..... but you don't like that about me. Do ya? Do ya?

When I have blood and fire flowing from mouth
you all stand up and shout,
but when I have something to say you tune me out.
Cause you don't like what you hear.
Expect me to be the same year after year.
Truth is what you fear.

Don't get me wrong
I love what I do
But I have bigger dreams than you
And I'll see them through, unlike you.

So what if I have a few side projects and other deals
should I be concerned how that makes you feel
Why can't you see
I have to be me
but you won't let me be
I have to be free.
I gotta be me.

o yeah, o yeah
And I will,
just wait and see.

---

Dear Gene!

---

Have you really co-wrote song titled TEET on Melvins' Houdini album?

Thanx for answer,

Zoran - Czech Rep.

Response from Gene: