KISS collection concerns College Libraries

When John Downs Jr. was 17, he and his brother drove from their home in Charleston to Columbia, where they squeezed into the top row of the Carolina Coliseum as well as saw his favorite rock band-- KISS.

Downs' romance with the band, recognized for its costumes, deal with paint, pyrotechnics as well as skillful marketing, has actually lasted more than four decades. In those years Downs, a Charleston local business owner, has actually amassed a collection of KISS souvenirs that consists of guitars, pictures, original artwork and costumes.

Which collection now comes from the College of South Carolina.

Downs as well as his wife, Margaret Norris Downs, provided the greater than 400-piece collection to University Libraries after discovering of the university's purchase of the Gary Lee Watson Comics Collection.

" I'm almost 62. I had all this KISS stuff in a wardrobe in my home," Downs states. "I functioned my entire life putting it with each other. I want to maintain it with each other."

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College Libraries assured him it would do simply that-- and also it would display a few of the 26 guitars that were initially possessed by the band, signed photographs as well as other souvenirs. Plans are underway for a large display case in the College of Songs Library to hold the KISS collection.

Libraries Dean Tom McNally claimed special collections, whether it is the works of Ernest Hemingway or an unique guitar from a Rock & Roll Hall of Popularity band, assistance attract scholars as well as students to the university.

" A trainee or professor researching in contemporary American songs can go in the collection and also we can hand them a guitar that came from KISS," McNally claims. "We strive not to be a collection that locks its stuff away-- we desire individuals to see it. More importantly, we desire children to clinch that guitar as well as see what it feels like. And even plug things in as well as play it."

KISS, established in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Genetics Simmons, Peter Criss and also Ace Frehley, remains to trip. The band also takes a trip on KISS Kruises, where hundreds of fans can connect with their musical as well as marketing idols on a cruise ship on the open seas.

Downs got on among those cruises when he saw among Simmons' managers wheeling a cart of guitars down the ship's corridor. He clarified the band would be doing "meet-and-greets" with followers and that guitars would certainly be marketed. Downs bought one and also had the possibility to satisfy Simmons.

That began his relationship with Simmons that has actually lasted for decades. Downs also prepared to contribute a bass guitar from Simmons to the Smithsonian museum, where it is currently housed.

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" Desires do come true if you strive for it," Downs says.

While Downs is an University of Georgia graduate, his daughter is a pupil in UofSC's Institution of Music. He's thrilled that his collection will certainly soon have a home in the school's collection.

" I was a little sad when the trucks [from College Libraries] drove away, however it's going to a much better residence, and now individuals are in fact mosting likely to have the ability to see it," he claims. "All I desire is for people to see and appreciate it. And also if it assists USC, even much better."

Downs likewise hopes various other enthusiasts as well as artists will certainly follow his lead and give away things to the university for display, training or study.

" A college education and learning requires to consist of moments that you'll never forget," states McNally, the Libraries dean. "I can guarantee you that a student who studies contemporary American songs or guitars, who can be available in and hold as well as play among these guitars-- that's a minute they'll always remember."

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