July 2004 News

From: thesentinel.com
By Vincent J. Swanson
Long before the Seattle grunge crowd distorted its garage band amplifiers in the 1990s, producing American legends such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, two nice Jewish kids from New York City were experimenting with rock and roll like no one before them.

It was 1972—the year after the Beatles split—and rock was transitioning away from a political vehicle of protest, and farther away from its African-American roots—toward the post Vietnam generation of the mid-1970s. GENE SIMMONS, born in Israel as Chaim Witz, was a 6th grade teacher in Spanish Harlem at the time, and when he wasn't reading comic books or watching Dracula movies, he was practicing his bass guitar—hoping to someday become a rock star. After meeting Stanley Harvey Eisen, now PAUL STANLEY the other co-founder of KISS, Simmons' mother pleaded with him to plan his career conservatively—and not leave his teaching job—in the event that his rock idea failed. Thirty-two years later, and many millions of dollars later, GENE SIMMONS' rock idea is still thriving as his band has been indelibly etched into American culture, even affording the group an encyclopedia entry.

With all its fire and smoke—and very loud Marshall amplifiers—KISS came to the Nissan Pavilion this past Saturday with its basic rock power chords and theatrical show. Although the band's energy and soul is not what it was at its height in 1976—when the band toured the world over with its mysterious Japanese influenced kabuki makeup—the group still delivered an amazing set list spanning their over 30 years in rock and roll.

From: espmagazine.com
by Grant Britt
It's an unlikely pairing-one of the '80s biggest hair-metal bands with the kabuki-faced, campy, glam/arena rockers whose act is as much performance art as music. But there'll be no shortage of fans who'll pay to see Poison and KISS share a stage in the big arenas this summer.

Poison made it big on the strength of their brand of arena rock packed with big pop hooks. But their core group of fans signed up because of the band's raunchy hard rock. Brett Sychak, Matt Smith, Robert Kuykendall and Richard Ream took their hair sprayed, lipsticked, spandex-clad act from Pennsylvania to Hollywood. Reinventing themselves as Bret Michaels, Rikki Rocket, and Bobby Dall, dropping Smith and hooking up with transplanted Brooklynite Bruce Anthony Johannesson, who became C.C. DeVille.

The act developed as a hybrid of Def Leppard and Motley Crue. Big hair, screech weasel vocals and an act that was as raunchy backstage as it was on made the group superstars from the time their debut album, Look What The Cat Dragged In, was released in '86. "Talk Dirty To Me" became an '80s party anthem that helped the album sell over three million copies.

From: chartattack.com
by Stephen Petrick
Alright KISS fans: You've had a good summer. Your heroes are touring again (although their so-called world tour has no Canadian dates). And frontman GENE SIMMONS is releasing a motivational speaking CD and DVD this fall so that you can soon learn how to be as successful and sexy as him.

Now, there's more good news on the horizon. The makeup-wearing men filmed two recent shows for a DVD. But calm down, calm down. There's no word yet on when it will be released or even what it will be named.

The band had cameras set up at a performances in Washington, D.C. and Virginia Beach, VA this weekend. Based on the set lists for the shows, you might expect to see the hits "Detroit Rock City," "Deuce" and "I Was Made For Loving You" on the finished product.

From: sportsology.net
by Kathleen Oliver
The rock group KISS has always been larger than life to their fans, and their superhero likenesses have adorned many toys throughout their career. This August, McFarlane Toys will bring KISS's "Love Gun" album cover to three-dimensional life with the release of the Love Gun Deluxe Boxed Edition figures.

The set includes Ace, Paul, Peter, and Gene pre-posed in positions to match the Love Gun cover, and three white-faced, scantily-clad Love Gun ladies, all draped in positions of adoration with passionate expressions on their white faces.

What makes this set even more special is that it also includes a replica of the Love Gun staircase, complete with green marbled pillars and the moon rising in the background. The staircase and pillars are made of plastic, painted to match the Love Gun cover theming, with a corrugate mural spanning between the pillars. The top platform of the staircase has small holes that line up with the shoes of each KISS member, and with the enclosed pegs, you can attach the feet of the figures to the stage so that they stand on their own, precisely recreating the Love Gun album cover. (Incidentally, despite there being eight holes in the staircase, my set only included five pegs for the feet. Regardless, the pegs were sufficient to stand the figures up independent of one another.)

From: Columbus Dispatch
by Aaron Beck
Kiss might not be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but its marketing abilities might someday land founding members GENE SIMMONS and PAUL STANLEY honorary MBAs from Yale.

With 2,500 licenses for KISS products, images of the band's greasepaint-splattered faces have been emblazoned on everything from condoms and caskets to Visa cards and ceramic wall tile.

Kiss, which was on the cover of Forbes magazine in 1996, has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide since it played its first concert in 1973 in the New York borough of Queens.

From: calgarysun.com
by Jane Stevenson / Sun Media
It has been 26 years since GENE SIMMONS' previous solo album. And while the public hasn't exactly been clamouring for the followup — in this case, ***hole, released June 8 — Simmons says the time was right for his sophomore solo effort.

"The truth is I've been busy," the 54-year-old blood-spewing bassist for KISS says during a stop in Toronto. "You know I'm in a band that wears more makeup and high heels than your mommy ever did. And we've also been touring along the way."

On this day, however, Simmons is in solo mode as he promotes ***hole. "I am concerned that it won't get radio airplay, but here we are talking about it," Simmons says refering to the album's cheeky title.

From: sun-sentinel.com
by Annie Yahinian
When KISS Ruled the World: Explore the phenomenon that changed the face of rock. Featuring founding members GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY, PETER CRISS and ACE FREHLEY. 11 a.m. Sunday on VH-1.

Kiss also is scheduled to perform Friday, July 30 at Sound Advice Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansbury's Way, West Palm Beach, FL. Tickets $20-$65 through Ticketmaster.

Full schedule for VH1's "When KISS Ruled The World"... 07/24/04 - 06:00 pm ET
07/24/04 - 11:00 pm ET
07/25/04 - 01:00 am ET
07/25/04 - 11:00 am ET
07/26/04 - 02:00 am ET
07/28/04 - 01:00 am ET

From: cadillacnews.com
By Kelli Cooley
CADILLAC - Jim Neff is certain when the VH1 special "When KISS ruled the world" airs this Saturday, his e-mail will be flooded from KISS fans all over the world asking questions and wanting him to relay the story of Cadillac's own KISS visit.

After all, Neff is the resident KISS expert in Cadillac and the person behind the band's visit to Cadillac in 1975.

The story of KISS' visit has been magnified to mythical proportions over the years, sometimes into a tiny, "po-dunk" town that had a down and out football team and after playing KISS music won a state football championship. While that story has the makings of a movie, Michigan did not have state football championships in 1975, according to Neff.

From: VH1.com
PAUL STANLEY On KISS Apparel
Paul claims that KISS was one of the first rock groups to wear studded leather. There were dog collars from pet shops, and full leather outfits made by S&M stores.

GENE SIMMONS NYC Social Life
Gene tells of a story where he brought a girl to his rat infested loft...needless to say it didn't end very well.

ACE FREHLEY Recalls A Near Death Experience
After a night of drinking and falling in a pool, Ace tells us he was clinically "drowned" and would have died if it weren't for GENE SIMMONS.

From: chartattack.com
by David Missio
Who's that guy up on stage, how did he get so rich, why has he slept with more women than most guys have seen in their entire lives and how do the rest of us get in on this action? Meet GENE SIMMONS, motivational speaker.

Of course, it all started with KISS. While KISS could grab a sold out stadium by the balls and rock them all night (after partying all day), could a lone GENE SIMMONS be anywhere near as successful? Musically, no. His first solo effort (released in 1978) was arguably the weakest released by any member of the band (ACE FREHLEY and PAUL STANLEY made decent efforts and PETER CRISS gave it his best shot) but at least on that album he provided some comic relief with his heartfelt rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star." With some carefully constructed lyrics for his recent solo album, Asshole (like, "You got a personality, yeah, just like a bucket full of pee") it doesn't take much to thank Stanley for much of KISS' greatness.

Still, when it comes to business (and, if you believe his claims, the ladies), Simmons is about as successful as one can get. Now rock 'n' roll's ultimate sell-out is about to release both a DVD and CD of his motivational speaking tour to encourage every last one of us to live life the Simmons way.

From: 1010wins.com
The new KISS is like Dad's new wife: Younger, undoubtedly hotter, but still leaving you missing the one you grew up with.

In the midst of their third tour since telling audiences they were calling it quits in 2000, KISS had the crowd at the PNC Bank Arts Center on its feet and roaring for two hours Tuesday with a mix of new and old.

Drummer ERIC SINGER is back for his third go-round with the band, and TOMMY THAYER, the band's former personal assistant and glorified gofer, assumed lead guitar duties last year. Singer, who has also bashed the skins for Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper, is 20 times the drummer original KISS member PETER CRISS is, and Thayer is the one who re-taught original guitarist ACE FREHLEY his solos for the 1996 reunion tour.

From: VH1.com
Costumes. Make-up. Tongue-wagging. KISS. A phenomenon that changed the "face" of music forever.

KISS founding members GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY, PETER CRISS, ACE FREHLEY come together on VH1's "When KISS Ruled the World," premiering on July 24 at 11:00 PM* as they intimately chronicle the band's successes and downfalls as well as the group's influence on their fans, and the entire music community through over-the-top looks and wild antics.

During the hour-long episode VH1 reveals the greatest moments in "Kiss-tory," including the band's performance at The Diplomat Hotel, their first Top Ten single, "Beth" and group's 1996 reunion tour.

From: buffalonews.com
By JEFF MIERS

REVIEW
WHO:
Kiss with Poison and ZO2
WHEN:
Wednesday night
WHERE:
Six Flags Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

In the 1970s, you either loved KISS, were terrified of the band - or both.

From: genesimmons.com
Simmons Audio Visual/Sanctuary Records Group is proud to announce the DVD & CD release of GENE SIMMONS' SPEAKING IN TONGUES, on August 10, 2004.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES chronicles GENE SIMMONS' first ever, no holds barred "lecture tour" of Australia, shocking and tantalizing his audiences by speaking his mind on his favorite topics – Money, Success, Fame, KISS & of course - Women! Other highlights from SPEAKING IN TONGUES include a fascinating in-depth look at one of rock 'n roll's most legendary icon's private life including his home, his family and his various business dealings. Additionally, the DVD & CD includes for the first time anywhere, over ten unheard and never-before-released GENE SIMMONS songs from the seventies through the nineties. 

SPEAKING IN TONGUES, is an intimate and revealing portrayal of SIMMONS' personal philosophies of life. SIMMONS (arguably the most opinionated man in music) states, "I decide things for myself, convention in society says I'm supposed to get married, I'm supposed to do this…I refuse. I'm a contradiction to all this stuff…I'm willing to bear all the criticism and I'm willing to take all the rewards. All the blame, but all the credit." A brave statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and dealing with the consequences.

From: www.glam-metal.com/kiss.html
by Thomas S. Orwat, Jr
Darien NY-You wanted the best and you got the best!!! The hottest band in the world-KISS!!! Yes, even after all these years- thirty to be exact, KISS still remains as one of the hottest bands in the world. Well, at least as far as their stage show, merchandising and fan dedication goes. The 7,000 plus audience worshiped their heroes on this night (many in attendance have been fans for the full 30 year history of the band and others were witnessing their first concert ever) with their rapid reaction to every note that the band played and by stocking up on merchandise. Yes, with KISS it doesn’t matter if a t-shirt costs $35.00, it’s a necessary purchase for legions of die-hard fans referred to as the KISS Army. It’s KISS and Sell baby, that’s what it’s all about. GENE SIMMONS, bassist/singer/co-leader of KISS, is Rock n’ Roll’s Donald Trump. He takes advantage of every avenue for merchandising and making money. Hell, you can even buy KISS condoms, tongue lubricated by Gene himself, or so that’s what they claim. Well, I’m a fan, but I think that my wife and I will pass on that one.

Anyways, KISS, who currently consists of original members Simmons and partner PAUL STANLEY, are now joined by guitarist TOMMY THAYER (who has worked on various projects with the band for almost twenty years) and drummer ERIC SINGER (who was in a non make-up version of the band from 92-96). Thayer and Singer replaced original members ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS to the dismay of some loyal fans. However, on this night, no one in the audience seemed to mind the fact that Frehley and Criss were no longer aboard. The new version of KISS is the band’s best line-up ever. Singer is argumentatively one of the greatest drummers in rock right now, a big difference from Criss who struggled nightly on previous tours. And Thayer plays Frehley’s licks better than Frehley could ever play them. The band now has musical muscle, which is something that the original line-up never really had. They have even been changing their once stagnate set-list and throwing in some songs that haven’t been played in decades.

On this evening KISS stormed the massive, elaborate stage with the typical pyro-explosion and kicked off the night with a fan favorite from 1977, " Love Gun." It was obvious that the band had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the very first note. KISS looked great with their vintage era costumes and seven-inch heel platform boots. The KISS Army pumped their fist in the air, ecstatic to see their heroes. Simmons then took the mic for the classic " Deuce" from the band’s debut 1974 release. Stanley then told the audience " it’s time to go old school" and then proceeded into " Making Love." Then Stanley asked " How many of you like to be licked?" Of course everyone knew that the 1983 classic " Lick It Up" was next. Stanley’s stage banter at times was just down-right funny, in a Spinal Tap type fashion. " Hey People" was one of his more often used phrases and it’s funny how a born New Yorker can have such a southern drawl. But, regardless, there will never be another Rock front-man like him, the mold was broken.

From: Cincinnati Enquirer
by C.E. Hanifin
Thirty years after KISS first recruited its millions-strong army of fans, the band keeps on marching.

The group will take over Riverbend Music Center on Sunday with two of its original four members (PAUL STANLEY and GENE SIMMONS), and all the hard-rock anthems, black-and-white face paint and onstage antics with fire and dry ice that landed KISS biggest-band-in-the-world status in the '70s.

This isn't the same old show, though, says Stanley. (He's the guitarist and vocalist with the black star painted over his right eye). Along with monster hits such as "Detroit Rock City," KISS will rock 'n' roll all night with songs that haven't been performed live in decades or, in some cases, ever, he says.

From: The Wilkes-Barre, PA Times Leader
by Alan K. Stout
Any doubts about whether a certain legendary rock band made the right move in continuing on, despite announcing its 2000 "Farewell Tour" would be its last?

Take a look at the devoted fans coming out in droves to catch the current tour, vocalist/guitarist PAUL STANLEY says.

Feel the love. And the wisdom of the decision.

From: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
By John Young
It was only two songs into the band's Post-Gazette Pavilion set, and KISS singer PAUL STANLEY felt obliged to recognize that it was Independence Day.

"Whadda ya say we play good rock 'n' roll and blow stuff up?" Stanley said. Of course, KISS didn't need the July 4 holiday as an excuse to host a fireworks night -- that's every night for the band as they continue to revel in glorious concert excess.

Twenty-one onstage video monitors brought everyone in the audience close to the action, and there was plenty of it. GENE SIMMONS spit fire and blood at various points and even rode a harness to a platform at least 30 feet above the stage where he led the band through "Unholy." Stanley performed a similar feat by riding a rope swing above the pavilion crowd to a small square stage behind the sound board. Thus folks in the back and on the lawn got a closer look at Stanley's sweaty, uncovered upper body and tight black pants during "I Was Made for Lovin' You." And there were pyrotechnics throughout, from columns of fire that threw heat more than 20 rows back to spinning sparklers on ERIC SINGER's drum riser.

From: Film Magic
PAUL STANLEY and GENE SIMMONS of the legendary rock group KISS were on hand Tuesday (June 29) at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia to unveil new paint schemes that feature their likenesses for three cars that will race in the NASCAR series at RIR on September 9 through 11. Check out pictures from Film Magic.

From: ChicagoInnerview.com
by Melanie Falina
Few people conjure such extreme ambivalence in others as GENE SIMMONS. He's an icon of both sex and wealth, as if he's the love child of Donald Trump and Ron Jeremy - but cooler due to that whole face-painting rock and roll gig. He's a marketing genius, an axe-slinging, tongue-wagging, eloquently spoken musical hero. And aside from the millions of worldwide fans known as the KISS Army, who have amassed for more than three decades, there are others as vehemently cynical of Simmons' wide-ranging capitalistic endeavors. One must admit though, saying that GENE SIMMONS has got staying power is the understatement of the century, and for those who do like and do purchase the KISS shirts, KISS toys, Kiss wine, and KISS condoms - they wouldn't have it any other way.

While currently on tour with KISS, the legendary rock band that has bypassed the 80 million mark in album sales, co-founder Simmons also has, as always, a few new tricks up his sleeve - one of which is the recent release of his second solo album, Asshole. A surprisingly diverse effort that includes collaborations with artists like Bob Dylan, Dave Navarro and Frank Zappa, it spans musical genres, flirting with not only rock music but also thrash, pop, country, and neo-psychedelia.

"That's what a solo record is for," explains Simmons in an earnest conversation with Chicago Innerview. "You know when you're in a band - or when you're marching in a marching band, for instance, you have to have the cadence and rhythm of a group of people because you're dealing with other people, it's this sort of group philosophy, group identity. And then on your own, you can march to the beat of your own drummer, if you get my inference."

From: Richmond.com
By Robb Crocker
PAUL STANLEY and GENE SIMMONS of the legendary rock group KISS were on hand Tuesday at the Richmond International Raceway to unveil new paint schemes that feature their likenesses for three cars that will race in the NASCAR series at RIR on September 9 through 11.

"Richmond International Raceway, we're ready to rock and roll!" said a jubilant Doug Fritz, president of RIR. "We have the leaders of the industry with Chevy, KISS, Warner and Performance Action."

For the second year in a row, the fall NASCAR race at RIR will be called the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Last year's race mixed rock and pop stars with the drivers of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck, Busch and the then-Winston Cup (now known as NEXTEL) Series. Frankie Perez, Hootie and the Blowfish, Sugar Ray, Trapt and Uncle Kracker rocked the racetrack before and after the races. The lineup for the next Chevy Rock & Roll 400 will be announced later this summer.