A little band called The Beatles and Elvis invented merchandising 
KISS took it a step further where they had total control and got all the cash from it.
No where near, not even 5% of where KISS took the Merchandising junket. The "Mamas and Papas" had a T-Shirt too. However once KISS had pioneered merchandising in the late 70's, everyone had a lunch box and a choker. I think KISS made more money from merchandising than concert and record sales combined. Now the music means nothing - just look at MTV - It is now considered a "product" - Music counts for nothing - it is all image and merchandising.
Nowadays - the bands from the 50's and 60's that missed out out the income of merchandising are more than making up for it. But still, KISS are kings. FFS - You can even buy and be buried in a KISS Koffin - Dimebag Darrel was buried in one. Thats just crazy.
There was an interview during the Iron Maiden tour where Bruce mentioned that half their earnings come from the merchandising stand.
Yet the KISS pinball is not worth as much O/S !
Now why is this?.
Back in 1979/80 the popularity of KISS in the US was fading fast. But over here it was just beginning to take off!
I remember hearing or reading back in the mid 90's when they came back for the conventions, that they had wanted to tour Australia during the 80's but were told by the Australian promoters that there wasn't any interest here.
I think the going rate for KISS over here reflects a couple of things. Firstly the huge number of fans in this country, and secondly the price for working generic titled games over here is over the odds compared to other countries anyway. So if decent working EM's or early SS sold on eBay in Australia every day of the week for $300 - $500, You'd imagine most Kiss machines here wouldn't crack $3k tops.
They wanted to tour here in 1977-78 - at the peak of their career - but no promoters would book them due to the logistical nightmare of shipping in the stage equipment. Back then, eight semi trailers of kit was considered outrageous. Most bands were performing on stages the size of verandas !
Is the KISS pinny really the ultimate KISS collectable? I am just interested to know how it attained such status. I dunno, sometimes you just want to know the why of things.
I'd say it would be these days. Realistically, it is easier to buy a KISS pin if you have money, because it is accessible. Although stuff like Gene's bass or Ace's Les Paul from 1975 would be much more collectible - it would be difficult to track down. I know a guy who has Paul Stanley's tour guitar he used in 1979. He regularly gets calls from the USA from collectors offering obscene amounts of dollars.
yeh i dont get it - is an average game to play and not liking the band one bit - i can barely look at this machine - even the colour scheme irritates me....id keep my Bally LOST WORLD over a KISS any day (unless i was reselling of course! )
Every time I meet people at social functions - I get introduced as a "Pinball Guy". The next question usually is " Have you got a KISS Pinball ". I've NEVER been asked for a CFTBL, ST TNG or Mermaid. These days, I get asked if I have a KISS... daylight .. Playboy, Addams Family, Eight Ball, Star Trek, Fathom, Wizard and Fireball - something like that.
Bottom line - It is not the Pinball Machine - it is a crap title to play !! It is all about the KISS fan !
