Ahh the old KISS pinball.
I've been a lifelong and diehard KISS fan since 1975, when I first heard "Rock and Roll all Nite" on the radio. I saw the clip on countdown, and I was hooked. I have tens of thousand dollars worth of merchandise. Signed albums, signed bootlegs, signed T-Shirts and I also have a tattoo of the "Rock and Roll Over" album cover on my arm - signed by Gene and Paul - and inked for prosperity. Literally grown up around pinball and KISS.
The KISS pinball is the most sought after piece of KISS merchandise. Now think of it this way - KISS "invented" band merchandising to the level that no band has ever matched. Who would buy an Emerson, Lake and Palmer lunch-box ? KISS lunch boxes from the 70's fetch prices in the US$100 all the time. A lunch box for US$100 ? That's crazy - But the casual observer that either does not like the band, or the pinball - needs to know that the "pinball machine" may not be much to play - but it has the KISS logo on it. You could put the KISS logo on "Supersonic" - no KISS fan cares about the layout - It's KISS ! The most "collectible" KISS merchandise on the planet.
Even the casual cashed up KISS fan will pay mega bucks for a KISS machine. I get asked at least once a fortnight for a KISS machine. Tell a KISS fan that a really nice KISS will set you back $5000 - $7000. The usual response is "when can you get it".
The mythical $10,000 KISS does exist, and I know of one collector that will pay more for a fully restored KISS. When I mean "restored" - I mean EVERYTHING will be replaced to original specs. I will start this machine when I believe my restoration skills are at their pinnacle. This will be the best KISS on the planet. I will do two - one for my collection - and it will be the centrepiece. When I look at the claim "Best KISS I've ever seen" on eBay or other sites, I just snigger and rub my hands - because I love a challenge and I want these machines to be the best.
I believe that the constant flood of eBay KISS machines are sellers hoping to take advantage of the inflated prices. Just wait until they disband, they will be worth more. You could buy three titles from the same era that play better for the same price as one KISS. But they are not KISS..
That's a bit of background of a KISS fan and the KISS pinball. Inflated price for a pinball - absolutely. The most demanded SS machine for the era - absolutely.
Side note - My favorite album of all time is "KISS ALIVE!". I wore out the double casette in 1980 and had to buy a new set. After CDs were released, I wore out the double CD. I have a virtually unplayed THIRD double casette of "ALIVE!". Today - The market value of this cassette is US$100 minimum. I bought it from Coles in Reservoir for $1.99.
