John 5’s KISS collection is next level—so much so that he’s opening it up to the public in May for a special museum-style walkthrough in Los Angeles. But don’t expect a little shrine in a basement somewhere. We’re talking full-blown KISS history from 1973 to 1983 when the band was under Bill Aucoin’s management and before they ditched the makeup for Creatures of the Night.
“It’s priceless,” John 5 says. “There’s stuff in here that even Gene didn’t know existed because it was made in places like South America, Australia, and Japan.”
Oh, and speaking of Gene Simmons—I had to ask: how much would he charge Gene to see his own memorabilia?
John laughed. “Oh my God. Gene really enjoys this stuff. There’s so much he’s never seen before.”
John 5’s first meeting with Gene Simmons? Not exactly what you’d expect from a die-hard fan.
Picture this: a 14-year-old John 5, waiting outside the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, hoping to meet his rock god before a KISS show at Joe Louis Arena.
Gene walks past. No autograph. Nothing.
“So I jump in the elevator with him,” John says. “I hold out my booklet and marker, hoping for a signature.”
The elevator doors open to Gene’s floor. Gene finally looks at him.
“You want me to sign that?”
And what does young John 5 say?
“No, it’s okay.”
WHAT?!
“I was just so mad that he walked past me,” John laughs. “But yeah, that really happened.”
March 19 marks 43 years since we lost Randy Rhoads, and John 5 had nothing but praise for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist.
“Randy was an anomaly. He changed the game. It was like seeing the invention of the microwave or an electric car—something totally different that blew people’s minds.”
Randy didn’t just step into Ozzy’s band and carry on the Black Sabbath sound. He redefined it.
“That riff in Crazy Train? It’s gonna live forever.”
It’s always great to get “5” on the show.