Cleveland's The Plain Dealer has issued the following report:

Eric Singer first saw KISS open for the NEW YORK DOLLS at the Allen Theatre in 1974. Seventeen years later, he was the drummer in the band. He's had several stints with KISS, including a tour last year, but is also the regular drummer for ALICE COOPER. He has his own band, ESP, and has played with LITA FORD, Brian May (QUEEN), BLACK SABBATH, BADLANDS and others. He'll be in town this weekend to visit family, attend the Cavs-Lakers game Sunday and appear at a KISS expo from 1 to 8 PM Saturday at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Airport, 4181 West 150th St.

Q: Tell us about your Cleveland roots.

A: "I graduated from Euclid High School in 1976 and moved out to California in 1983 or 1984. Cleveland was such a good music scene and produced a lot of good players, but at some point you've got to go where things are happening. All the Cleveland musicians I know went to New York or L.A.; L.A. has warmer weather so I headed out there."

Q: KISS is notorious for calling it quits, then reuniting for yet another farewell tour. Any plans for this year?

A: "Not that I'm aware of. We played some shows last year in Japan and a few on the West Coast. I have begun work on a new album for Alice Cooper and I think we'll tour in support of that later this year."

Q: To what do you attribute the longevity of KISS?

A: "Whether we like it or not, KISS is a part of Americana. They're like Coca-Cola or Chevrolet."

Q: How do you feel about KISS tribute bands, like MR. SPEED, which will be playing at tomorrow's expo?

A: "If anything is done well, then it's cool."

Q: What's Alice Cooper like in person?

A: "Just the nicest guy in the world. He has an incredible amount of energy for a guy his age. He works so hard he puts me to shame. When he comes onstage, he'll whack me with his riding crop and ask me how I'm doing."

Q: Do you enjoy expos like the one you'll be attending tomorrow?

A: "I do. A lot of times on tour you don't get the chance to meet many of the fans. You're always on the move. This is nice because you get a chance to answer questions and mingle with the people."