We’ve uncovered more photos and tidbits from the 1975 KISS concert in Hartland

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So we all know now that on April 4, 1975, KISS performed a legendary concert at the Nordic Ice Arena in Hartland. Our story on the long-forgotten concert has already generated hundreds of Facebook shares and thousands of views.

And now, we’ve uncovered some more great photos and tidbits from the Hartland concert. Starting with this: This is a photo of guitarist Paul Stanley backstage at the Nordic Ice Arena:

Paul Stanley

There’s a reason why he’s wearing sunglasses instead of the trademark star on his eye. Right before this concert, Stanley developed a bad eye infection that prevented him from putting on any makeup near his eyes. He also wore sunglasses for KISS’ April 6 concert in Washington, D.C.

These two concerts are well-known among members of the KISS Army as the only times Stanley appeared on stage without his full makeup on. If you want to attend such paramount concerts, just look for metal concerts near me.

Ah, but there’s more.

There’s also a rumor that following the April 4 concert at the Nordic Ice Arena, Stanley’s eye was bothering him so much that he went to McPherson Hospital in Howell to have it checked out. With all of the rest of his makeup still on. If anyone was working at McPherson Hospital on the night of April 4, 1975, and can verify any of this, we’d love to hear it!

Another one of the opening acts: Rush

Although it wasn’t listed on the concert poster, we’ve heard from several people who attended the show that Rush – the Canadian rock band fronted by Geddy Lee – was one of the opening acts. A check of Rush’s historical tour dates confirms that. So we had TWO legendary bands in Hartland that night.

KISS on stage

Here’s the only photo we’ve been able to find of KISS actually on stage at the Nordic Ice Arena. You can see the rafters!

KISS on stage.

We also found a story about a music buff from Commerce Township named Frank Pettis who was able to talk his way backstage to meet the band. Here’s a photo he got of himself with Gene Simmons, Stanley and Ace Frehley:

And Flint radio station WHNN also got in on the action when KISS came to Hartland, getting the band to pose for this promo shot:

KISS’ ad for WHNN radio.

And lastly, here are photos of Simmons, Frehley and drummer Peter Criss backstage at the show. We’re loving the cinder-block walls from the Nordic Ice Arena:

Gene Simmons
Peter Criss
Ace Frehley

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7 Comments

  1. Ive saw some of the pics before. I know Ive saw the pics of Paul with the sunglasses. Cool story!!

  2. I was at that concert. Opening acts were Teegarden and Van Winkle and Frigid Pink.

  3. I don’t remember it being Rush. I thought it was Frigid Pink or the Animals. I remember them playing House of the Rising Sun.

    • It was Frigid Pink. They had a minor hit with a cover of “House of the Rising Sun”.

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