An interview with 'Mr. Kiss-collectibles' himself, Ingo Floren (Engelsk tekst)

There has been released several books about Kiss collectibles during the years. Some have been good and some have been not quite so good. But the definitive Kiss collectible book had still to be written. Until Ingo Floren's 'Official Price Guide To KISS collectibles' was released in July last year. This was the book all us collectors had been waiting for. The first collectibles book that did much more than scratch the surface. Kiss Army Norway had a little 'chat' with Ingo about his book and himself.

First of all tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 32 years old and live in Berlin, Germany where I work as a project leader in a marketing agency. As a dedicated KISS fanatic and collector since 1979/80 I enjoy looking around on the net for some vintage KISS stuff to see my collection growing. I’m focussed on original paper stuff fom the 70s like magazines and promo stuff. I also started to collect radio shows and interviews from the classic era. Just check out www.flaming-youth.com to see what I’ve up for trade.

A project of this magnitude must have taken ages to put together. How did it start out and how long did it take you to gather all the information and write the book? Was it difficult to get a publishing deal for the book?
Everything started in summer of 2003. I got a mail from a guy of the Random House publishing group looking for someone crazy enough to write a book about KISS collectibles. Random House scanned the internet for some fan-related sites and came across my site www.flaming-youth.com. So we did some correspondence and I was finally asked to write a proposal. As I did some researches for my own collection for many years I was able to fall back on some info already on hand. So after a few weeks I sent over my ideas for the book’s structure and one chapter to New York in August 2003. I’ve nearly forgotten about the project as I was contacted by an editor from Random House in October. He said that they liked my ideas and invited me over to New York to discuss further steps and come to a contractual agreement.
Everything was very exciting and it was like a dream come true to me... first, I got the chance to do a book with one of the biggest publishers in the world and most importantly, it was about my favourite band! Finally, I got one year for the whole project including researches, writing, doing pictures, interviews and stuff. This was kinda hard as I did everything besides my proper job at the agency...

It is clearly that this was more a 'labour of love' than a project to earn a lot of money from. How much was this a way for yourself to find out what kind of collectibles there were/are 'out there'?
It’s alyways amazing to see how much stuff is out there. E.g., you realize how many variations exist of album and single pressings worldwide. After the book’s release I got a lot of feedback from all over the world. Most of it very constructive and useful. Like errors in serial numbers, dates of releases, ... I hope I get the chance to use the input for a revised second edition.

With so much different kind Kiss merchandising was there any type of merchandise you really didn't know anything about before you wrote the book? And was there anything you found to be difficult to get information about?
Most amazing stuff was from the so-called “inner circle” of the band like branded travel bags and other accessories from KISS, Aucoin, Rock Steady and/or Casablanca. I really enjoyed discovering such stuff like “Hotter Than Hell” matches from 1974 by Casablanca, promo shirts, rulers, lighters and on and on... they really made this stuff big.

Your book starts out with a great introduction about yourself and how you became Kiss fan in 1980. Tell us a little about how it was beeing a young Kiss fan in Germany in the early 80's?
As you will know, KISS was covered in every European media in 1979/80. “I Was Made…” was a huge hit and the Unmasked Tour rouse a lot of attention. My brother, who is 5 years older than me, brought editions from the German BRAVO mags into our kid’s room and played KISS records over and over. As I was rather young (8 years) at the time, I soaked everything up and the guy’s faces and costumes burned into my brain. It’s funny, but I always knew that I will be involved in a KISS-related project sooner or later.

Your older brother seems to have had a big influence on you. Is he still a Kiss fan? And what does he think about your Kiss collecting today?
My family thinks I’m crazy.. my brother is still a little bit in collecting. But none of the vintage stuff… he prefers the latest figurines and sets from McFarlane, SMITI and the like. It’s amazing to see that his kids start to grow into KISS. They enjoy watching the “KISS Symphony” DVD and sing along with RNR All Nite.

In your book you call the collecting an 'obsession' and it seems like a very private thing. Have you found it difficult to find acceptance for your collecting during the years?
Have you? ; ) My girlfriend is a big supporter of my collecting mania. Therefore, I dedicated the book to her... I really never expected any appreciation from people around me - this is mine.

Still as a grownup I get the same feeling that I did as a kid when I get a new Kiss item for my collection. Is reliving those small magical moments important to you?
Definitively, it’s easy for me to switch into fantasy worlds and relax… still I get a rush whenever I discover some old magazine or other vintage stuff that connects to my childhood. I think my motivations would be interesting for any psychologist… ; )

You say in your book that there is really not enough room to fit all the Kiss mechandising in any book. Is there any type of Kiss merchandise you really wanted to explore further and is there anything you really wanted in the book that could not fit because of space?
Honestly, I compiled so much stuff that it was very hard to decide what to use in the last minute. Random House wanted to have around 350 pages but fortunately I was able to convince them that we would need at least 460… I’m not that happy with the layout as pictures got pretty small. I had photos for nearly every item mentioned but couldn’t use most of them due to lack of space. Maybe a possible second edition can be more extensive with the usage of way more pics.

As a designer myself I have always has a lot of respect for Michael Doret and Dennis Woloch contribution to 'Kisstory'. How did you get them to contribute to your book?
I just called them and I was surprised how collaborative they were! Both are professionals. Michael was surprised to realize how much his painting for Rock And Roll Over would be worth… So I introduced him to Jacques van Gol, owner of the great auction site Backstageauctions.com. They will come up with some of his stuff this years… Dennis has very good memories of his work in the seventies. He was able to remember every little aspect on how a famous album cover came to life. It’s always a pleasure to do some correspondence with them.

Myself I find much of the mechandise that were put out after the reunion looking quite cheap and in some kind quite repetive when it comes to design. Do you have any thought about that?
Simply put, I really don’t care that much for products released after 1980.

Were do you think the prices for Kiss merchandising will go in the years to come?
I think prices will rise constantly for original, vintage stuff. Products released after the reunion will land in discount bins…

Have you had any comments on your book from anybody 'inside' the Kiss camp?
I gave a copy to Gene after the concert at Jones Beach at the Rock The Nation Tour 2004. My publisher messed it up so I couldn’t get backstage. Gene didn’t respond personally to me but put a statement on his website saying “Ingo’s book is pretty good… you may want to pick up a copy.” I regard it as quite an honour as the book wasn’t authorized and Gene doesn’t make any profit from it.

Do you have any plans for Kiss related projects in the future?
YES! But won’t tell you know…. just watch out! You will be one of the first to hear.

Thanks for taking time to answer our questions and we will be looking forward to your new Kiss related projects. And all fans who hasn't picked up the book yet. Please do so. It is the perfect companion to books like 'Kiss Alive Forever', 'The Kiss Album Focus', 'Behind The Mask' and 'KISSTORY'. All Kiss books every Kiss fan should have.

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Av: Nils Brekke Svensson