The Monument

Here are excerpts from a great story written by John Hogan at WZZM-13 out of Grand Rapids, Michigan on the details of the KISS Cadillac Monument.

A 4,300 pound granite monument was unveiled at the 40th anniversary of the Kiss concert at Cadillac High School, capping a journey that began eight months earlier from the other side of the world. The slab of black granite was shipped from India to Long Beach, Calif. before making the 1,860 mile journey to Patten Monument Co. in Comstock Park, Mich.

“It arrived in excellent condition, not a scratch,” said Andrew Bolt, president of the 98-year-old business specializing in bronze and granite monuments quarried in the United States and across the world. A laser engraver worked non-stop for four days etching the black slab, which measures 6 ½ feet tall by 5 feet wide and is bolted to a poured concrete slab. 

A crisp, clear Saturday morning provided the backdrop for the official unveiling attended by several hundred people – including nearly two dozen players from the storied 1975 Vikings football team. The slab sits on a corner of the high school’s Veterans Memorial Stadium overlooking Lake Cadillac. The $20,000 monument was financed by eight major civic and corporate sponsors, along with the Cadillac High School Class of 1976. It served as a backdrop for thousands of photos taken by legions who attended the Homecoming parade and the tribute band concert Saturday in the school gymnasium.

Information about the slab – including inscriptions, was kept under wraps so it would be a surprise. Even employees at Patten Monument Co. were sworn to secrecy. “It’s fun to be part of something that creates a real buzz and it makes me proud of the skill our employees put forth for the city of Cadillac,” Bolt added. “When people think of granite, they don’t think of an image that crisp.”

One side has the band’s iconic name and etched signatures of the four original Kiss members. There’s also a 153-word summary of the band’s connection to Cadillac High School and an iconic photo of the group posing on a city fire truck. On the flip side are the words “Cadillac High – Kiss Loves You!” surrounded by five photos from 40 years ago. The upper left and lower right corners lists the football team’s win-loss record for the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

The monument sits outside the fenced football field for easy access. The vista affords views of the high school football field from one side and Lake Cadillac on the other.