Interview with Vincent DiGerlando
by
Nils Brekke Svensson / Kiss Fanzine.com
As I wrote in the intro for the the Dennis Woloch interview I have always been fascinated by all the design done for Kiss in the 70′s and 80′s. A time that everything Kiss related seemed to be real quality stuff when It came to design. I have always thought everything was done by Dennis Woloch. But I was wrong. So I must admit I have been wrong all the times I have been asked who made the Kiss Army logo. It wasn’t Dennis Woloch, It was Vincent DiGerlando.
It’s really cool to be able to present a new person in Kisstory. At least for me. The first time I heard about him was when Dennis Woloch mentioned him in the interview I did with him earlier this year. So It’s a pleasure to present Vincent DeGarlando who worked for Howard Marks Advertising as and Art Director.
Q. Please tell us a little about your background before you started working at Howard Marks Advertising.Donʼt know how far back youʼd like me to go, but in retrospect, art and music have always been a part of my life. I was inspired by an artistic uncle, had an Italian mother that would sing to me, and my brother, and sister, also had an aunt that became a well known opera singer.
I grew up in a neighbourhood where doo wop groups such as the Plurals, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were discovered. Did a lot of drawing, and painting during my early childhood while being encouraged by my grade school art teacher, who suggested that I attend Arts High School of Music and Art. After high school/college I had jobs in small studios, creating ads, working on magazine designs, creating some logos/letterheads, and doing a few illustrations.
Q. Did you know Dennis Woloch before you started at Howard Marks?
I first met and befriended Dennis Woloch in grade school. We both were fairly good artist, accomplished enough to pass the tests to be accepted in to Arts High School in Newark NJ, as well as have exceptional portfolios to get into Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn NY.
We went our separate ways, after college, me getting a job in a graphics studio in NYC. and Dennis working at Howard Marks agency. After the studio I worked for folded, Dennis hired me to work with him as a freelance designer, and I was soon after hired for a position as art director. When Howard was offering me the job, he explained his point of view to me, as having a dream team with “two star quarterbacks”. Although Dennis was a little hesitant about me working on staff for fear it would have a negative affect on our friendship, I did not feel that way myself, and think it turned out well, considering we worked together for over 14 years.
Q. How was a day at the office for you at Howard Marks Advertising? From what I heard It was a pretty special place to work?
I found working at HM very pleasant, in that I could pretty much express my creative ideas with very little interference or direction being necessary. There were times when input was very helpful, and in general we all worked together well. The only pressure might have come when we had deadlines to meet, other then that it was fun working with a good friend like Dennis.
An interesting side observation noted when I first started working there, was that the fridge was always well stocked with beer for the clients of rock and roll, and the staff could indulge too if they wanted. I did have one or two on occasion, when the day for me, needed a different perspective.
Q. What was your first impression/thoughts about Kiss?
I was not into heavy metal, more liking the Beatles, Stones, Bob Dylan, some blues and doo wop sound. So I honestly felt Kiss was not my choice of music and did not think they were going to be as popular as they turned out to be. Gene did mention to me at one time that he thought Kiss was going to be “as big or bigger than the Beatles”. I think in general, “rock and roll” became very diversified, in that so many sounds were listed under that category, taking it away from itʼs original roots and expanding the definition of that genre.
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