KISS Day in South Dakota

As we told you before, KISS is playing the Sturgis Rally this year. The venerable rock n’ roll band, in its 35th year, will take the Rock ‘n the Rally stage at the Glencoe Campground tonight.

But there’s a new twist: Gov. Mike Rounds, who you wouldn’t take to be a KISS fan, has proclaimed today, Aug. 4, as KISS Rock and Roll day in South Dakota. Sturgis Mayor Maury LaRue will make the presentation backstage prior to tonight’s concert.

“KISS has tirelessly supported the United States military, and has visited numerous American military bases around the world to meet the troops, sign autographs and show their support for the military,” Gov. Rounds proclaimed.

While Rounds might or might not be a KISS fan, he is certainly attuned to the importance of the Sturgis Rally to South Dakota tourism. As I write this in my Deadwood office, I can hear the bike s roaring past on Sherman Street. Music to my ears.

And KISS, with its legions of fans going back 35 years, seems like it could be a good fit for the Sturgis crowd. but I’m not expert when it comes to matching bands with bikers. It’s a finely tuned artform that promoters such as the Buffalo Chip Campground have perfected.

It seems like ’70s bands play well, as well as country acts, contemporary stars like Sheryl Crow and newer groups such as Puddle of Mud. ZZ Top, which plays the Chip Thursday night, is a sure-fire ticket-seller. I remember when they rode in from Rapid city airport one year in a vintage car followed by hundreds of bikes.

Kid Rock, whom I wouldn’t have guessed as a good rally match, what a huge hit his first year at Sturigs. He played the Chip, and caused what the South Dakota DOT told me was the biggest traffic jam in Sturgis Rally history. There was a line of bikes and cars running from the Buffalo Chip all the way through Sturgis and out to Interstate 90.

I also know who doesn’t work with the biker crowd: Elton John.

Harley-Davidson Motor Co., celebrating its 90th anniversary with a big event in Milwaukee, promoted the heck out of its unnamed, big-name concert performance. Rumors spread through Milwaukee about who the mystery musician would be. Bruce Springsteen’s name was mentioned often. Some people thought the Rollings Stones might take the stage.

When Elton John showed up, the crowd absolutely hated him. According to my cousin, who was there, said a lot of people simply walked out in search of a bar band somewhere.