THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608020050
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 63 lines
JOB PERKS just don't get any sweeter.
When their boss at WNOR-FM99 needed someone to fly to Detroit for the kickoff of the KISS reunion tour, he didn't exactly have to ask around the office. He only had to ask sports guy Rod Fitzwell and ``Chuck the Intern'' - morning-show producer Chuck Cooney.
Did they want to go?
Do Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter rock 'n' roll all night?
Officially, Fitzwell and Cooney were escorting the winners of a contest put on by the radio station. Unofficially, the KISS Army troopers were holding the keys to the kingdom.
``The really special thing about this concert was the coming together of the diehard fans,'' Cooney said. ``They had to see the first show. If I never understood what the Deadheads were all about or what the Trekkies were all about, I can relate now.''
Both guessed that fans from all 50 states and several countries showed up; they know for certain a young lady from Israel took off her blouse and flashed Gene Simmons. And the celebrities. Adam Sandler, The Smashing Pumpkins . . .
``I can't swear,'' Fitzwell said, ``but I think I saw William Shatner with Adam Ant.''
Chalk up another chapter in the KISS experience, big, boisterous and, by all accounts, almost as memorable as that first taste. Like first cars and first loves, Cooney and Fitzwell, both 28, remember it vividly.
Fitzwell, Brooklyn-born, was 9 when he saw the band in New Haven, Conn. His parents gave him tickets for Christmas; his older brother was the chaperone.
``It was overwhelming. I was in awe,'' he said. ``It was a hard ticket to get, and I was able to invite one friend. One of my friends I didn't choose threw such a fit his father had to buy him tickets.''
Air Force brats, Cooney and his twin brother were 15 when they saw KISS in San Bernardino, Calif. So did their mother, father and aunt.
``I thought it was great that they wanted to experience it with us,'' he said. ``They've seen every tour since then. They're not like hippie parents who never grew up. They just had such a good time that first time.
``I remember when my brother and I were able to drive ourselves. We would be up front (at a show) and we'd turn around and see them sitting in the back.''
Both got hooked on KISS for the same reason: outrageous theatrics and savvy marketing. ``Dolls, trading cards and comic books are totally appealing to a 10-year-old,'' Cooney said. Fitzwell's album collection started with ``Dressed to Kill,'' which had the band in makeup and civvies. ``It was pretty addictive.''
That's not why they keep coming back.
``You can have a pretty package,'' said Cooney, who drove nine hours to Pittsburgh for the July 21 show, ``but if KISS didn't have good music, I wouldn't have stayed.''
``You don't have to rely on moshing to have fun at a KISS show,'' Fitzwell added. ``KISS takes all that pressure away from you. You don't have to entertain yourself, it's just going to happen.''
``It's OK to rock 'n' roll all night,'' Cooney said.
Cue Fitzwell: ``And party every day.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
WNOR's Chuck Cooney, left, and Rod Fitzwell, both 28, became KISS
fans at early ages: Cooney was 15, Fitzwell was 9.
[Photo appears on p.B1] by CNB