KISS ASYLUM: December 2001 News Archive

From: GeneSimmons.com
The GENE SIMMONS DRAGONFLY clothing line is developing nicely. Ed Dada, my partner, has informed me that the line now includes "moneybag logo" ties, bathing suits, robes, hats, workout clothes and many more. We will be debuting the line at the MAGIC SHOW in Las Vegas on February the 19th through the 22nd. Additionally, ABC's THE VIEW, which I recently appeared on to promote my book KISS AND MAKEUP, will debut the clothing on one of their shows sometime in February. On January the 8th, I'll be doing a BOOK SIGNING IN LA at a place to be determined. Stay tuned for more as it develops. On January the 9th, Paul and I will be presenting at the AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS in Los Angeles. On January the 10th, I'll be pitching a new series idea to MTV with my partner DAN GORDON, who wrote Denzel Washington's film, THE HURRICANE. On January the 11th through January the 13th, I'll be attending TOY FARE in New York City to debut some great new KISS toys, including Art Asylum's new KISS line of toys. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Detroit Free Press via Uncle Deercamp
[Mitch Albom] - I've waited years to tell this story. But when I saw the rock star on TV, I knew the time had come. The rock star is Gene Simmons, the driving force behind Kiss, one of the most successful bands in history. Years ago, a friend called to say Simmons, who spit fire, posed with his tongue out, and hid behind that clown-like Kiss makeup, was looking for an author to help write a book. I was younger then. I loved music. Why not? A meeting was arranged at Simmons' home in a ritzy L.A. suburb. I drove up a winding hill, and pushed the buzzer at the gate. "Who is it?" a voice mumbled. Moments later I was at the door, waiting for someone to answer. No one did. Knock, knock. No one. I wandered around the back of the house. Still no one. I was about to leave when I noticed, by the swimming pool, a slightly flabby man with a Middle Eastern look, and a micro-mini terry cloth robe that unfortunately revealed -- how shall I put this? -- nothing underneath. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: cpelich2001@rogers.com
Just spoke to Marketing and Promotions for Chapters Indigo books in Ontario and it was confirmed Gene Simmons will be signing his book on Tuesday Jan 15 (no time specified) at the John St & Richmond Chapters location in TO, Ontario Canada. [Post Your Comments]

From: Yahoo.com
In his new autobiography Kiss And Make-Up, KISS co-founder Gene Simmons writes extensively about his upbringing in Israel, where he was born Chaim Witz in Haifa. Not surprisingly, he remains a Zionist, and Simmons tells LAUNCH that he approves of Israel's newly toughened stance against Palestinian terrorists. "Israel teaches you a sort of a different reality. Christians keep talking about this all the time, this notion of 'turn the other cheek.' Well, I don't know how to tell you this, but it doesn't work. Jews tried it in World War II--it didn't work out very well. Turning the other cheek doesn't work for anyone except the guy that's slapping you in the face. When you grow up in Israel, you quickly learn that talking is nice, but if somebody picks on you, you gotta take 'em out," he says. Simmons's mother survived the Nazi concentration camps in World War II. Besides Kiss And Make-Up, Simmons is busy promoting Kiss: The Box Set. He also says there will be more dates for Kiss's farewell tour in 2002, although none have been announced yet. [Post Your Comments]

From: KISSfaq.com
Demo Stories VIII is up featuring "Daily Planet", "Hot Lips", "Rock Your Mind", and "Island Of Lost Souls". The rough of Chapter 50 - "Detroit Rock City" of the KISS Album Focus has been uploaded.I've finished editting the first 10 chapters of the KISS album Focus, and will start looking for external proof-readers/critics/feedback providers shortly. The whole FAQ continues to grow, with plenty of new additions - WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN MISSING!? Development of the KISS F.A.Q. IV continues with the addition of several new sections: "KISS Video Chart Action" tracks the chart success of KISS' videos, 1985-; "KISS Singles Chart Action" tracks the chart success of KISS' singles, 1974-. "How Many? How Rare??" is a page dedicated to detailing how many of a particular CD/MC/LP/7"/12" or other musical distribution item were released to help fans judge whether it's worth having. There'll be further additions to that section. Additionally, the re-uploading of the large scans of the KISS Singles is continuing... Many countries discographies for this format have been completed this week... The "KISS F.A.Q. For Trade/Sale List" continues to get a load of items added to it, about 90 fanzines, some dating back to 1982, should start getting listed on this page soon. The Audio trading pages have been updated also. http://www.kissfaq.com/ Did you know? "Walls Of Blue" and "The Baldest Baby on the Block" have been rumored to be possible titles for a new Ace Frehley solo album. There is no official confirmation of this... [Post Your Comments]

From: Chris Donohue / CNBC on MSN Money
Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that Gene Simmons is scheduled to chat on Thursday (12/13/01) at 2 p.m. ET/11am PT immediately following an appearance on CNBC cable. [NOTE: This chat was canceled and a rescheduling is in the works] [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Phil Elliott
Calling all KISS Fans to the Mother of all KISS Expos! The KISS Army will unite again at The 9th Annual Atlanta KISS Expo Sunday, February 24, 2002 11am-9pm at The Northeast Atlanta Hilton in Norcross Georgia. This year's Very Special Guests will include: ERIC SINGER, TOD HOWARTH, RON KEEL, and The Ultimate KISS Tribute Band "KISSTORY!" This year's show will feature Q & A sessions/Photo & Autograph sessions with ERIC, TOD, and RON! 2 separate live performances with TOD HOWARTH, and KISSTORY! Featuring over 100 KISS Dealer Tables from KISS Dealers all over the world! Makeup/Costume Contest show come dressed up for a chance to win $$$ and Prizes! Tickets again will be $10. (in advance), and $12. (at the door). Kids under 10 will be admitted "free" with paying adult. The Hilton Atlanta Northeast is offering our group a special discounted room rate of just $69. a night. You can make your reservations now by calling 1-800-HILTONS, and requesting "The Atlanta KISS Expo Rate." Admission: This time we're offering two levels of Souvenir Passes. 1st: The "VIP Souvenir Laminate" which works as your ticket. The "VIP Souvenir Laminate" is $20. and will allow one person admittance. This Laminate allows the holder early entry into the show at 10:15am (:45 minutes early). There will be a limited number of 100 "VIP Souvenir Laminates" available on a first come, first served basis. We decided to offer this option due to the increased number of collectors that wanted earlier admittance. 2nd: The "Souvenir Ticket" is numbered and will allow one person admittance at 11:00am. Kids under 10 are "free" and don't need a ticket. The "Souvenir Ticket" is $10. (in advance), and $12. (at the door). And don't forget-they make great "stocking stuffers!" Stay tuned to KISS ASYLUM for all the latest additions to "The Biggest KISS Expo" outside of New Jersey! Fans claim our Atlanta KISS Expo is The Best, so maybe it's time you came to the show that'll give you The Biggest Band for your KISS Dollar! The Atlanta KISS Expo is RUN BY THE FANS.....FOR THE FANS!!! Dealer info:Write/Fax/Email/Call us your complete mailing address, and we'll send you a "Dealer packet" with all the necessary info. This packet will include a table map where you can pick your table location. Our Phone: 678-455-7891. The address: Atlanta KISS Expo Dealer Info, PO Box 3456, Cumming, Georgia 30028. Ticket info: Send check, or money orders Payable to: "Kreatures of the South" The address: Atlanta KISS Expo Tickets, PO Box 3456, Cumming, Georgia 30028. You can also "Charge by phone" your tickets using any major credit card. Simply call Phil at 678-455-7891, leave a message (if no one answers) and we'll call you back. Call backs are only for ticket purchasers. You can Email us with any questions or request: KREATURESS@aol.com See you at THE Show February 24th! I-A! SO LET'S ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT...AND PARTY ALL DAY! [Post Your Comments]

From: Gregg Aldana

I attended the taping of ABC's The View today with Gene Simmons. I happened to be sitting in the center isle in the second row. It was great. I brought KISS and MAKEUP in hopes of snagging an autograph, but Gene ducked out quickly. Gene was accompanied by an extremely gorgeous red head from the publishing company. One minute before Gene took the air the made one of the people in the front row give up their seat to this woman. Barbra Walters came over and chit chatted with her before hand and asked whether or not she wanted to be show on TV - clearly she didn't want to be, but Ms. Walters insisted they must show her because of how beautiful she is. The Segment was great, Gene giving his canned comments about the book and his life as usual. But during the commercial break, the women couldn't stop talking about how disgusted they were by this guy, especially when he stuck at his tongue - You gotta love it! Here are some pics I took today. [Post Your Comments]

From: KISS ASYLUM
KISS ASYLUM along with the rest of the online KISS fans would like to wish Bruce Kulick a very happy and healthy birthday today. Fans are encouraged to post their birthday wishes and comments to Bruce on the KULICK.net Bulletin Board. [Post Your Comments]

From: MSNBC.com via Jon Romanovich
Before there was a Gene Simmons there was Chaim Witz, a boy from Haifa, Israel, who had no inkling of the life that lay ahead of him. Now KISS bassist Gene Simmons reveals the inside story about the girls, his tight bond with cofounder Paul Stanley and the affection of the ever-loyal KISS fans around the world. He also talks about his love life, including his relationships with Cher and Diana Ross and with Shannon Tweed, Playmate of the Year, mother of his son and daughter, and his companion of 18 years. Read an excerpt of "KISS and Make-up" by Gene Simmons below. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Ken Gullic / KISS ASYLUM / KULICK.net
Hello fellow ASYLUM-IZERS...and I do mean Kings Of The Mountain(s)! While you're all busy thumbing through your copy of KISS AND MAKE UP, I thought I'd take a minute to not only wish BRUCE KULICK an early happy birthday (same day as Sinatra!) - but to also, as the author, update all of you on the progress of THE WORLDS FIRST AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF ANY KISS MEMBER!! How's that? Well, first off - Gene's is an autobiography (gotcha)! And then it wouldn't be wrong to presume that KISS & TELL wasn't authorized, right? Ah yes, the glory of technicalities! ANYWAY: the target release date for "FAREWELL KISS" and/or "HONORABLE DISCHARGE" (we haven't decided!) a.k.a.: The Bruce Kulick Biography? December 12, 2002!! What day does that fall on? Hell if I know. Will it be a little more thorough (yet engaging) than some of the KISS books you've read? Absolutely!! The beauty of the Bruce situation is that he has so much to say, and yet he hasn't been repeating himself, ad nauseum, answering the same questions all these years - because he laid so low in the media. Let's just say he wasn't stoned everyday, and remembers some key things in GREAT detail! As a matter of fact - I'll lay down the gauntlet now...THIS will be the best KISS book ever! (Ok...there will probably be a cool book about some movie they made in 1978... hi Mr. A!) but this book is written by a fan (hey, that's me!) for the fans (hey, that's you!) - so please trust that I am as curious about what Bruce did or didn't do on ANIMALIZE thru PSYCHO CIRCUS, what he did or did NOT play on (some surprises!); what really happened with Eric Carr - not to mention Bruce's first heated argument with the KISS hierarchy (Paris; 1984!); how many times he TRIED to get into KISS; what it was like playing with Meatloaf as his career was breaking; why he threw a foot pedal at Michael Bolton (yes Bruce has a temper!) and much, much more! Bruce has many cool photos on file - including everything from a geeky shot of him playing guitar in the Catskills of NY in 1970 - to an awesome shot of him on the ASYLUM stairs at Madison Square Garden! No topic will be ignored. So far some great interviews have been completed with the likes of: Bob Kulick (an intense guy!); Michael James Jackson (a total gentleman!); Larry Mazer (did an AWESOME interview with him this past weekend); Bruces parents (a very sweet sitcom like couple who don't listen to each other when they talk [at the same time] - and wondered if I had ever seen Bruce in the Tears Are Falling video?!?! LOL! They were so sweet and proud!); and I am VERY happy to announce that I will be interviewing Sir Bob Ezrin (if he isn't a sir, he should be!) on Bruce's birthday! (Maybe as you are reading this!). So once again, having written 24,906 words/2,871 lines/792 paragraphs so far... we clock in about 6 chapters worth of text! The book starts when Bruce is down and out - in a post Blackjack funk, living back at home with his parents in 1984. And where does it go from there? Onwards to a forgotten KISSTORY that's rarely if ever explored...and soon YOU WILL BE THERE!! Have a great KISSMAS everyone! See you in 2002! [Post Your Comments]

From: Eddie Trunk
Hello All and happy holidays. Had the one and only Gene Simmons live in my studio last night for over 2 hours, taking calls from fans and fielding any and all questions. You will be able to hear the audio from this excusive visit on www.eddietrunk.com starting this Monday. Gene was very honest and talked about all things Kiss. Your gonna love it, just thought I'd fill everybody in. Thanks. [Post Your Comments]

From: Crown Publishing Group
KISS & MAKE UP

On December 11th, look for Gene Simmons to appear on: NBC's The Today Show, ABC's The View, NPR's Fresh Air, WNEW's The Opie and Anthony Show, MSNBC's The O'Reilly Factor. On December 12th, Q104.3 will do an interview with Gene Simmons live from his Barnes & Nobles Astor Place book-signing in New York City. The signing starts at 6pm. Get to Barnes & Nobles Astor Place (4 Astor Place / off Broadway) early to ensure a good spot on line. Leading up to the December 12th Barnes & Nobles Astor Place signing, Q104.3, New York's only classic rock station, will be giving copies of KISS AND MAKE-UP, as well as some other really amazing KISS AND MAKE-UP surprise V.I.P. prizes including The KISS Box Set. [Post Your Comments]

From: Launch.com
Kiss just released Box Set, which contains some of the band's biggest hits and rare demos. The group's Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley readily admit that it was the Beatles that got them into rock 'n' roll. The band was saddened by the news that Beatles guitarist George Harrison had succumbed to cancer earlier this month. Stanley told LAUNCH about Harrison's legacy. "Everybody knows that George Harrison is part of the fabric of rock 'n' roll and he's been an influence on everybody no matter what kind of music they play," he said. "Probably more so then they even know. He's been an influence on every kind of music that exists at this point because the Beatles are woven into everything that rock 'n' roll is about." [Post Your Comments]

From: KULICK.net
With the release of his first solo album, Audiodog, Bruce Kulick, lead guitarist of Kiss from 1984 to 1996 is returning to Australia for concerts in Melbourne and Sydney in February. Bruce will be performing with a full band and will play songs from his solo album as well as celebrating his 12 years with Kiss. Since departing Kiss in late 1996 after the band re-applied the make up, Bruce has released three albums with his new band UNION and also performs lead guitar in the classic American rock band, Grand Funk Railroad. Bruce is no stranger to Australia having performed as lead guitarist on the Bat out of Hell tour with Meat Loaf in 1978 and Kiss on their sell out tour in 1995. He has also toured Australia in 1996 doing a series of guitar clinics (he is endorsed by THE rock amplifier, Marshall) and again in 1998 as part of the all-star band, ESP, featuring Motley Crue vocalist, John Corabi and fellow Kiss drummer, Eric Singer. "I'm excited about playing some of my solo songs for the first time and also about playing many Kiss songs from my time in the band. The Australian fans have always been so supportive of me and my projects and I know that they will enjoy the set list that I've put together � there's not much I'm leaving out," Bruce said. In his Kiss years, Bruce sold over 15 million albums with the band and has also recorded and or toured with some of the most successful performers over the years including Meat Loaf, Billy Squire, Michael Bolton and even Don Johnson! As per previous tours, Bruce is looking forward to meeting the fans and after each show, he will be signing autographs and selling copies of his solo album, Audiodog. Melbourne - The Corner Hotel, Friday 1 February, 2002 (www.cornerhotel.com). Sydney - Bar Broadway, Sunday 3 February, 2002 (www.barbroadway.com.au). Tickets will be on sale from the venues in advance. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: bwbk.com via Sean Cowie
Brave Words Bloody Knuckles has a cool interview with Ace Frehley at their website, http://www.bwbk.com. The interview was done just before the NY Steel Benefit, and features Ace's thoughts on the KISS Box Set ("I haven't seen the box set. I looked over the track listing and I thought it was ok. Paul and Gene put the whole thing together. They didn't run any of the artwork by me. Basically, Paul and Gene make their own decisions and do what they want. I hear about it afterwards. I would have wanted more involvement; that would have been nice."), his other benefit works ("I was thinking of knitting them a pair of socks..."), his connection to NYC's finest ("I've had about six fires and been arrested numerous times..."), and a few other things. [Read The Interview...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Spawn.com

When millions of fans put you on a proverbial pedestal for decades, it might be hard for a band like KISS not to consider themselves heads and shoulders above the rest. Heads and shoulders? Pedestals? KISS? Why not? Todd and the designers at McFarlane Toys liked the idea and they created a set of KISS mini-busts that places each of the four-who-are-one on themed pedestal bases uniquely portraying the on-stage personas of Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter. Each heads and shoulders figure features the makeup that has made KISS famous for the nearly 30 years. Here's the skinny:
Gene Simmons, aka, The Demon, will sit atop a base that features demon skulls, chains and horns. It will stand 7 5/16" inches tall.
Paul Stanley, The Star Child, and his stars, roses and jewels base stands 7 1/2" inches tall.
Ace Frehley, The Space Ace, stands 7 7/16" inches tall. His base features lightning bolts and planets.
Peter Criss, The Catman, stands 7 5/8" inches tall including the base, which features a tiger and jungle theme.
The busts will be available on store shelves in March. And, according to spawn.com's inside sources, there may be more news yet to come on this line. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: RockOnline.com
RockOnline.com will be hosting a special KISS chat December 27th at 10pm EST in support of the KISS Box set. Paul Stanley will be there to take your questions. Click over to RockOnline.com for more details. [Post Your Comments]

From: GainsvilleSun.com
Gene Simmons stands more than 7 feet tall in his platform boots, and it's his image -- the blood-spitting, bass-humping demon with the lasciviously wagging tongue -- that more than anything else has defined the hard-rock franchise of KISS. Simmons looms even larger this month, with an autobiography, a spot as a tell-all host on Court TV, and a five-CD box set of music from the million-selling quartet. "I don't know how to tell you this, but here comes the truth," he said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. "The raging demon is really kind of a milk 'n' cookies guy, never been high or drunk in his life. And won't have anything to do with people who smoke or drink or want to waste his time." The 52-year-old Simmons has written his autobiography, "KISS and Make-Up," and it's full of sex 'n' sin escapades -- he claims to have slept with 4,600 women on the road (he keeps a scrapbook of Polaroids). He also talks about his romantic relationships with Cher and Diana Ross in the 1970s. The book, published by Crown Publishing, is due for release Dec. 4. Yet his greatest candor is reserved for KISS itself -- it's a business, first and foremost, owned by Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: WireImage.com
KISS fans can click over to WireImage.com and do a keyword search for "KISS" to see an array of photos with Gene and Paul at the recent New York Tower Records In Store appearance. [View The Photos...] [Post Your Comments]

From: SonicNet.com
The first line of Gene Simmons' autobiography, "Kiss and Make-Up," which comes out December 11, seems to confirm the rumor that his band's farewell U.S. performance will be at Shea Stadium in New York. But considering the abuse he flings at original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss throughout the rest of the book, it wouldn't be surprising if half of his bandmates chose not to join him that evening. The two are portrayed as ignorant and irresponsible parodies of rock and roll whose dependence on drugs and alcohol has repeatedly jeopardized the band's existence. This alone shouldn't come as a surprise to the faithful fans who have followed the group over the years, but the personal nature of the attacks are unflinching. "The whole James Dean lifestyle had never appealed to me. Because after that guy dies in a car crash, I'm going to sleep with his girlfriend." � Kiss' Gene Simmons Simmons says that both Frehley and Criss were sometimes left off studio recordings because they either didn't show up to the sessions or were too out-of-practice or inebriated to play. He claims there were numerous occasions when they have crashed cars, and describes how the photographer of the cover of Hotter Than Hell had to superimpose the left side of Frehley's made-up face over the right side because the guitarist had badly scarred his mug in an auto accident. Toward the end of the band's last reunion tour, Simmons alleges that Frehley and Criss were so out of it they were unable even to play the songs. "People were crying in the audience, but maybe it wasn't because they were never going to see us again � maybe it was because Ace and Peter were playing so badly," he writes. "As the tour went on, it became clear to me that the decision to make this tour the last one was not only smart but maybe inevitable."[More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: BestBuy.com via Jon Romanovich
If you click over to the BestBuy.com website you can download digital KISS music from KISS' Box Set. They are complete songs! Check it out. [Post Your Comments]

From: KULICK.net

Now that you have just visited my site, KULICK.net, you have seen my new FLASH video for a song from Audio Dog, my solo disc, called "Strange To Me". I love this technology, and I hope you dig all the pictures the creator crammed into the video. Thanks to my friend Craig DeFalco and his partner Deb, for doing this for me! Craig is from the band Laidlaw, and for info on his work in web design click here. Now for the exciting info on Audio Dog. For those of you who do not want to order by mail etc, the disc can be bought in certain stores! Perris Records is distributing the disc to Tower, Best Buy, CD Now etc. Now this does not mean it will be easily found though. They have a good amount out there, but if you will have to ask someone that works at your store that seems to know Rock and Roll and KISS so here is the info. The bar code # is 670573009429. It is listed under Perris Rec/Select-O-Hits number PER 94. With this info, any store can order it as well if they dont already have it in their system. So support the rock stuff and ask for the music you want!

As a bonus to those of you that want to order directly from me, I will be offering while supplies last, a FREE Audio Dog signature guitar pick with your order. I have been trying to get these for a while now, and they are finally in. I may offer them for sale if the pick collectors bother me enough!! But for now, a free one with each order. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Joe D. / KISS Hell Online
There's some new KISS cards out. These come in black boxes w. a 1975 photo & old style (ALIVE!/You Wanted The Best) logo. Card packs have the Y.W.T.B. faces & logo. (7 cards per pack + 5 different randomly inserted bonus Gold record cards in each box of 36 packs). Boxes come w. only 1 bonus card. The binders for the cards include 1 bonus card. The binder itself is easily the least attractive KISS card binder ever. It has cut out looking faces from the Y.W.T.B. cover & a nice logo, besides the logo it's pretty much black & white. The photos on the cards are mainly live shots f. the ALIVE & DESTROYER tours, w. a few from tours of R&R Over, Love Gun, Dynasty & Creatures. The last 3 cards of the set say 'preview card' on the backs of shots f. LOVE GUN, DYNASTY & CREATURES tours. This has me wondering if there's card sets coming out from those tours or what, I don't get the 'preview card' thing since it doesn't mention any upcoming card sets. The photos on the cards are very cool, but not the quality of recent card sets by cornerstone (or 77/78 ones), these shots have less digital clarity, but it seems back then photographers usually didn't use the kind of camera technology that produces the amazing digital photos of KISS you see today. These shots document the black & silver look well & offer many unreleased shots from 75/76. The coolest thing about this series is its focus on those tours. No other card set has done that. KISS seems to be focusing on the ALIVE era on recent merchandise (lunchbox, figures, box set ads, etc..) & it seems like an era that (untill now) never got these merchandising possibilities & I agree that if they're gonna release new stuff, it should be of costumes & eras that haven't been done already. The only other complaint is the back part of the cards are the same, w. the same 4 shots repeated on the backs of all cards (the text is different on each one & includes trivia ?'s & short stories.) Just a review, I'm not advertising, but these are cool. [Post Your Comments]

From: Crown Publishing Group
KISS & MAKE UP

KISS AND MAKE-UP (Crown), Gene Simmons's autobiography explodes into bookstores across America today, December 4th, 2001. The larger-than-life rock n' roll icon is set to do a number of book-signings and high profile television and radio appearances to promote the critically aclaimed book. On December 11th, look for Gene Simmons to appear on: NBC's The Today Show, ABC's The View, NPR's Fresh Air, WNEW's The Opie and Anthony Show, MSNBC's The O'Reilly Factor. On December 12th, Q104.3 will do an interview with Gene Simmons live from his Barnes & Nobles Astor Place book-signing in New York City. The signing starts at 6pm. Get to Barnes & Nobles Astor Place (4 Astor Place / off Broadway) early to ensure a good spot on line. Leading up to the December 12th Barnes & Nobles Astor Place signing, Q104.3, New York's only classic rock station, will be giving copies of KISS AND MAKE-UP, as well as some other really amazing KISS AND MAKE-UP surprise V.I.P. prizes including The KISS Box Set. Also, look for excerpts from KISS AND MAKE-UP in the new issue of Playboy and Guitar World. KISS AND MAKE-UP (Crown) is available online or at your local bookstore. [Post Your Comments]

From: WireImage.com
KISS fans can click over to WireImage.com and do a keyword search for "KISS" to see an array of photos with Gene, Paul and Peter at the New York Heroes Awards presentation. [View The Photos...] [Post Your Comments]

From: GeneSimmons.com
I'm happy to report we've just hired Steve Appleford to be the editor of GENE SIMMONS TONGUE magazine. Steve was former editor of BIKINI and RAY GUN magazines. We hope to have our first issue out on the stands by Spring. We already have 300,000 preorders and, with a little luck, we might have a hit on our hands. I've also been quietly involved in a proposed new television show, maybe to be called the GENE SIMMONS SHOW or SEX WITH GENE SIMMONS. Yes, I know the names sound silly, but this is still a work in progress. My partners are the producers of the COURT TV documentary (SECRETS OF ROCK AND ROLL) I recently hosted. Babette Perry from ICM is taking us around. The reaction has been great. So far, we've gone to Paramount Television and E Entertainment. When I return to California, we will hit all the other players. The premise of the show is going to be very loose. Great conversation. Great looking girls. And, great looking girls. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: GregManning.com
We would like to remind everyone that over 100 items of KISS memorabilia from the personal collections of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley go under the hammer on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 9:00 p.m. ET. All items have been reserved to sell, with over $100,000 in bids already received - some lots have up to 20 bids! Items are priced from $100 up to $12,500 with many in the $200-$500 range. To find out more, go to: http://www.lelands.com/ or telephone 516-409-9700. [Post Your Comments]

From: EddieTrunk.com
Gene Simmons of KISS, live in the studio this Friday night at 11 for Friday Night Rocks! Eddie Trunk will play music with Gene and ask the KISS questions you want to hear. [Post Your Comments]

From: Phoneman68@aol.com
Playboy magazine, Holiday Anniversary Issue, January 2002. It says on the cover: KISS Superstar Gene Simmons Tells The Rock 'N' Roll Tales You Dreamed About! On page 5 in the Playbill section, there is a small b&w picture of Gene with a goatee and wearing a tuxedo. The caption reads: As for the photo to the right, the guy who looks like a chauffeur? Don't worry. It's just Gene Simmons, minus a few layers of greasepaint. The outrageous rocker gives us a sneak peek at his autobiography in KISS and Makeup. On page 7 under the contents/features page it says: 122/KISS And Makeup: This is our idea of Gene therapy. It involves plenty of recombination- with gorgeous groupies and Shannon Tweed. By Gene Simmons. On page 10 there is a very cool, color advertisement for the new box set. Finally on page 122 starts an 8 page-long article/interview, totally written by Gene himself. It is way too long for me to type out, so if you want to read it for yourself, you will have to spend the $6.99. But, I will give you a brief description as to what is included. Gene briefly speaks about a final show, "someday soon" at New York's Shea Stadium. He talks about being a Jewish kid who lived in Queens, New York (same place as I live), and being a poor boy growing up in Haifa, Israel. He talks about how KISS was started, the idea, how they transformed from Wicked Lester to KISS, how they placed ads in local papers to find Ace and Peter, how they took the subway to see Peter play at a local club in Brooklyn (which is where I work), how they came up with the name KISS, Bob Kulick, life with Cher, and being a father figure to her children and living in Malibu with her. He talks about auditioning Eric Carr and how he (Eric) posed naked in a bathtub for some British newspaper, how he banged some girl from Phoenix that Eric was very fond of. It was by total accident, and Gene apologized to him, but how to this day, Gene feels Eric never truly forgave him for that occurrence. He talks about Hef's mansion parties and meeting Shannon Tweed, and how she is the "girl of his dreams. She never asked me where I was going, and when I was coming back." He mentions the KISS cartoon and theme park coming soon, and of course, the new KISS casket. **The pictures included with this article are amazing. There are pictures of Gene as a little boy with his mom, naked girls at KISS concerts, Gene with Cher, Tommy Lee, Alice Coper, Shannon, and some really cool live photos of the band throughout the years. As an added bonus, on page 196, there is a color photo of Shannon wearing a KISS babydoll tee shirt. The caption reads: Rock Star Red Carpet- "Rock is sex," said Gene Simmons at the premiere of Rock Star. "The only way to achieve godhead and godhood is to become a rock star. Then, even an ugly guy like me can get a woman like Shannon Tweed." [Post Your Comments]

From: KISSFreaks.com
Recently Britney Spears in Las Vegas appeared on HBO. The poster ad kind of inspired me to give her the KISS makeover. No real connection to KISS, I just liked the poster. Here she gives her impression of an Elvis/Ace. Complete with Ace's Gibson with a little blue treatment. [Post Your Comments]

From: Tommy Thayer
Gold Box Set

The "KISS Premium Gold Edition Box Set, Guitar Case" is now available! Features 6 hours of newly digitally remastered recordings, including 94 career-spanning tracks on 5 CDs, drawn from the KISS archives, including 30 previously unreleased demos, outtakes and live recordings. The Premium Gold Edition Box Set features an official RIAA certified KISS "Alive!" gold record award fitted in a full size 46" x 16" x 4" custom guitar case, along with special reissue "Alive!" hand-written liner-notes from the band individually printed in gold ink on parchment paper. Set also includes a 120-plus page Gold Edition hardcover color book featuring track by track commentary by the KISS band members, detailed track info, rare photos and essay. $750.00 within USA, $850 outside USA. To order, call 1-866-KISS-BOX. [View The Sales Sheet...] [KISS Box Set News Page...]

From: Gapp97@aol.com
KISS EXPO Indianapolis, IN 2002 Saturday February 2nd 11 am to 8 pm at The Sheraton Four Points Hotel 7701 E. 42nd St Indianapolis, IN Guests are Eric Singer, Mark St. John and Bill Aucoin. Special guests will do question and answers, photo and autograph sessions. Live performance from MR. SPEED. Raffles, trivia and costume contests. Dealers from around the US will be selling all KISS merchandise and collectables. Call for KISS Expo hotel rate of only $69.00 317-897-4000. Tickets are $16.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door. Children 12 and under FREE. To order tickets or for info go to www.kissexpos.com [Post Your Comments]

From: Lelands.com
The December 2001 Lelands auction is now live! Come and check out what's up for bidding, in what looks to be an auction filled with the most amazing collections we've ever offered. We're offering more KISS stuff than you could possibly imagine. So don't be the one to miss out! Click now to start your browsing and bidding. If you've never bid with us before and need to register. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: VH1.com via Steve Araki
If the Who, Elton John and Abba can be glorified on the theater stage, Gene Simmons sees no reason why he and Kiss can't get a piece of those Broadway bucks. He plans to work with some of the top names in musical theater to put together a musical about Kiss. Next week, the Kiss bassist will meet with "Beauty and the Beast" director Rob Roth and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" co-writer Stephen Trask about creating a story for the musical. At this point Simmons is unsure whether Kiss will pen new songs for the project, whether someone else will write show tunes, or whether the musical will include actual Kiss songs. One thing he does know is that neither himself nor vocalist and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley (who has musical theater experience) will be in the production. And don't count on seeing "Jekyll & Hyde" and "Rocky Horror Show" vet Sebastian Bach either. "We're going to take four young guys who just finished being embryos, who are entering their early 20s. It's all about this wild-eyed innocence," Simmons said. "To me, the most interesting thing about 'Peter Pan' is not when the kids go to Never Never Land and meet the pirates, it's when they're in their bedrooms and Peter Pan first comes in and they're learning how to fly. That's the most wondrous moment. After that, you sort of know where you're going." [More...] [Post Your Comments]