A group of Ohio Northern University students and their professor are researching the concert and how it impacted the Ada community, according to Harry Wilson of ONU's management and information systems.
This May 9th marks the 40th anniversary of the event at ONU’s newly-built King Horn center. This was during KISS’ Dressed to Kill tour and they were on the verge of becoming very famous.
"We have reason to believe that KISS played Rock & Roll All Nite for the first time ever live at the ONU concert," said Wilson.
"Rush was scheduled to attend but did not. Instead a band called The Flock filled in and were not well received. The James Gang was on their Newborn tour and are pictured playing at ONU in that year’s yearbook," he added.
Those interviewed by ONU students include someone on their first-ever date at age 14, someone who rode to the concert with four others in their mother’s station wagon, a professor who remembers the anger expressed by the university president because of the damage done by KISS to the King Horn facility, someone who worked security who remembers the smoke from all the marijuana being smoked during the concert, and many others.
Those researching the event are seeking more people who remember the concert or related events who are willing to be interviewed. The groups welcome those who wish to be interviewed anonymously.
A copy of the final edited video will be given to all who participate and also to local libraries. Any information you have will be useful.
"To help with this project please contact Jimmy Wilson at 419-772-2608 or email him at [email protected]"
Photos with this story are from the ONU 1975 yearbook.
