Kiss and Tell: The Journey of Mr. Speed Ep 005

Get ready to rock! This week on Tribute Band Sessions, we hang with Rich Kosak, frontman of Mr. Speed—the Kiss tribute that’s been igniting crowds for 31 years. Rich shares his journey from early influences like Cat Stevens and Peter Frampton to the first Kiss concert that lit the fuse. Hear how Mr. Speed was born from a record-show encounter and a shared love of guitar—and how the band evolved into one of the world’s most authentic Kiss tributes. Rich reveals the dedication behind the spectacle: a custom 1979-style Kiss drum riser built by the son of the original craftsman, fire-breathing shows, blood-spitting, and confetti storms. He opens up about the grind of keeping a pro tribute band alive, the Vegas highs and nightmares, and his unshakable mission to honor Kiss with heart, hustle, and detail. We talk authenticity, business smarts, costume investments, and his personal motto: passion first, profit second. Whether you’re a die-hard Kiss fan or just love rock history, this is a 31-year odyssey of sweat, makeup, and pyro you don’t want to miss. 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube Find Mr. Speed https://www.mrspeedonline.com/ ⏱️ Clickable Chapters 0:00 – The Dynasty Drum Riser & Meeting KISS0:52 – Welcome to Tribute Band Sessions w/ Rich Kosak2:33 – Early Musical Roots & New England Connection4:23 – Working in Music & Paul Stanley’s Acknowledgment5:35 – Vegas Dreams & Dedication7:29 – Mr. Speed’s Philosophy: One Day at a Time8:49 – Accidental Genesis of a Tribute Band10:14 – The Pursuit of Perfection: Sound, Sight & Spectacle11:35 – The Business of Rock & Staying Top-Tier13:06 – Setlist Challenges & Fan Expectations15:53 – The Drum Riser Saga Revisited17:15 – Investment in Illusion: Props & Pyro19:40 – Vegas Competition Victory20:30 – The Vegas Debacle Story22:29 – Career Highlights: Freedom Hall & NBA Arenas24:39 – Policing the Tribute Scene26:27 – Cost of Commitment & The Look28:16 – Cadillac Cards & KISS’s Corporate Shift30:03 – Booking Challenges & Fighting for the Dream31:45 – Building the Mr. Speed Lineup34:10 – Physical Demands & Paul Stanley’s Inspiration35:07 – Honoring Eric Carr with Sister’s Blessing37:30 – Advice for Aspiring Tribute Musicians38:45 – Beyond the Music: Look & Business Sense40:00 – Mr. Speed’s Success Formula41:29 – The Future: Vegas and Beyond ⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices