Sean Michaels | The Guardian

Kiss have announced that they will not perform at their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, blaming an ongoing “emotional situation” with two of their former members. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were apparently unable to reconcile with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, though they credited the two men with being “at the very foundation” of the band’s 40-year career.

“Kiss has always been a band unlike any other,” they wrote on theirwebsite yesterday. “Being unlike other bands also means making choices and decisions unlike other bands … To bring this [dispute] to a quick end, we have decided not to play [the concert] in any line-up and we will focus our attention on celebrating our induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

From the moment Kiss were announced as members of the Hall’s 2014 class, fans were asking questions about which previous band-members would appear at the ceremony on 10 April. Although Criss and Frehley were part of the group’s founding line-up, they haven’t performed with Stanley and Simmons in about ten years. “Both of these guys had three chances to be in the band and three times they fucked it up,” Simmons explained to Radio.com in October. “[And] when you have a cancer in your system, it’s best to cut it out as fast as you can.”

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Associated Press

Kiss won’t rock ’n’ roll all night — or at any point during the day, either — when it is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April, the band announced Sunday.

The 40-year-old group is unable to agree on which lineup should perform during the April 10 ceremony in New York City, and has decided not to plug in at all.

The dispute concerns whether original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss would join Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in a live performance, or whether the current lineup of Stanley, Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer would play instead.

In a message on its Web site, Kiss said it won’t perform with any lineup, calling it “an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone.”

“Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of Kiss and give credit to all members including longtime present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made this band what it is, regardless of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame’s point of view,” the band wrote on its site.

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VVN Music

Kiss will not perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.

Original guitarist Ace Frehley told New York’s Q104.3 “I don’t think KISS fans are gonna be too excited and happy about the news, ’cause at this juncture, Paul and Gene have decided to perform with Tommy and Eric and it looks like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is going along with it.”

Kiss will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April but once again the Hall of Fame will break its own rules to make it happen.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a history of bending its own rules. When AC/DC were inducted in 2003, the Young brothers refused to accept the award with bass player Mark Evans who was in the band at the time of its first major success and stayed with the band for the duration of the iconic Bon Scott recordings through to ‘Let There Be Rock’.

Instead the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame broke its own rule and inducted Brian Johnson along with founding members Angus and Malcolm Young into the Hall of Fame even though their own rule states that you are not eligible for induction until you have spent 25 years recording under that name. Johnson had been with the band 23 years at that point and had less hit albums in that time with AC/DC than Evans in the initial days.

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Roman Fernandez

We are delighted to announce that on March 11th, the Lyn Christopher album will once again be released through Universal Music Group after 40 years of obscurity. Lyn’s 1973 debut on Paramount  contains 11 classic tracks showcasing Lyn’s sultry and iconic vocals that reflect the mood of early 70’s pop and soul optimism. Unfortunately, her debut found itself out of print after Paramount’s demise only months after the album’s original release. Believed that the master tapes were all but lost, the album never had the opportunity to cross over into the digital realm, not to CD nor MP3.

The “Lyn Christopher” album marks the first ever appearance of KISS’s Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley on a major release as they lend their background vocals on the tracks “Celebrate II” and “Wedding”. Another KISS member, drummer, Peter Criss, also lent a hand in the form of hand claps on “Celebrate II”. The Lyn Christopher album also showcases the single, “Take Me With You,” a track which has seen a resurgence celebrated in a sample on LL Cool J and 50 Cent’s 2008 single, “Feel My Heartbeat”. “Take Me With You” was also recently sampled in 2013’s “Favorite Rap Stars” by Mobb Deep’s Havoc, featuring Raekwon and Styles P. 

Lyn Christopher fans, KISS fans, LL Cool J and 50 Cent fans, as well as fans of Havoc, can download the full Lyn Christopher debut everywhere on March 11th.

Mitch Lafon | Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

In ongoing celebrations of the 40th anniversary of KISS’ self-titled debut (originally released on February 18th, 1974), musician Bruce Stephen Foster – who played piano on the album – sat down with journalist Mitch Lafon and gave his impressions 40 years on about Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, producer Richie Wise, being in studio with KISS and much more during this exclusive interview.

Foster also went on to talk about his friendship with BON JOVI guitarist Richie Sambora, working with Richie on the SHARK FRENZY albums as well as writing with Richie on Sambora’s Aftermath Of The Lowdown album. The interview was recorded February 18th – the 40th anniversary of the album the band’s single Nothin’ To Lose (which Foster played on).

KISSmuseum.com

We have a little surprise for you today – the long anticipated KISS Alive action figures have been released early….TODAY!

In stock NOW. We ship all orders out within 1 business day. Postage is only $3.95 for any size order.

Series 6 in the long line of KISS action figures from Figures Toy Company which has produced series after series of incredibly detailed high-quality product time and time again!

See more photos and all the details HERE at KISSmuseum.com.

Richard Horgan | Fishbowlla Music

If you’re not familiar with the radio.com interview series “Not Fade Away,” be sure to check it out. At critical anniversary junctures, the column revisits enduring music albums. This week, on the occasion of KISS’s 1974 debut album turning 40, reporter Brian Ives spoke with Gene Simmons.

All sorts of things are happening these days at the KISS end. AMC-TV is planning a reality series about the LA Kiss, an Anaheim arena football team co-owned by Simmons and Paul Stanley; at Barclays Center in April, the band will finally be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and their allure had a certain Washington Post columnist recently delighted to have been mistaken for Simmons on Twitter.

Simmons also continues to actively stick out his tongue. Here’s what he had to say about the music critics who failed to get the KISS message:

“We completely ignored critics, they meant nothing to us. I buried them in my backyard, they’re fertilizer for my greenery! They’re the guys who never got laid in school who have pus-filled pimples who still live in their mother’s basement. They’re not even journalists! It’s a completely unnecessary life form. If critics cease to be, nothing changes.”

Simmons has definitely earned the right to gloat. For the most extensive explanation of why that is, turn to Nothing to Lose, the fall 2013 book written by Simmons, Stanley and music journalist Ken Sharp.

Krazy Knights

On this weeks episode of Krazy Knights we are talking to none other than former Kiss member Bruce Kulick. We talk about his latest projects, his thoughts on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and we congratulate him on his wedding. 

Metal Underground

Three classic Kiss songs are the latest in hard rock or metal to be featured as Rocksmith downloadable content. Learn to play 3 great songs by rock legends KISS on guitar or bass! Get “Detroit Rock City,” “Heaven’s On Fire,” and “I Was Made For Loving You” on Rocksmith via Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Network, or Steam.

VVN Music

Paul Stanley of Kiss is threatening to boycott the Kiss Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in April.

For years, fans of KISS have been clamoring for their band to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even though the members insisted it wasn’t important to them. On April 10, the fan’s dream will come true even though Paul Stanley remains unimpressed.

Stanley talked with Britain’s Classic Rock, saying that the induction ‘was done begrudgingly and because it had become absolutely ludicrous that they were choosing to ignore us.’

He also stated that he has no plans, at the moment, to play at the awards ‘Honestly, I have no plans at the moment to do anything, and that includes playing with Ace and Peter or anyone else. My plan at the moment is to go and accept the award.’

Paul also indicated that some of the members of KISS over the years will not be inducted along with, we assume, the original four:

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AXS TV

Joe Polo | Podcastrockcity.com

Bruce Kulick

Wedding memories from the union of Bruce Kulick and Lisa Lane on January 4, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

Song: “I Dreamed of You”

Vocals by Lisa Lane-Kulick

Guitars by Bruce Kulick

Keyboards by Andrew London

Photos by Rick Gould, with additional photography by Lisa & Gary Bandfield. 

Scott Rowley | Ultimate Classic Rock

Words: Jon WiederhornKiss singer Paul Stanley has called the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame “tainted, corrupted and distorted” on the eve of the band’s induction. The New York band have been eligible for the last 15 years, but were only accepted after a huge push from their fans. Speaking exclusively to Classic Rock, Stanley explains just why he’s unimpressed by the accolade – and whether Ace Frehley and Peter Criss are invited.

Did you feel honoured at being inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame?
No, it was done begrudgingly and because it had become absolutely ludicrous that they were choosing to ignore us. At the end of the day most people don’t realise that the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was a privately created establishment and that it has a self-appointed board. It’s a perfect case of perception becoming reality. People heard ‘Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’ and gave it credibility. So whether it deserves the title has to be weighed against who it inducts. So was it an honour to be nominated? No. It means a lot to the fans and I understand it because it’s validation for them. So for that reason I accept graciously and accept on their behalf.

My feelings and my ambivalence about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame hasn’t changed any. Their attitude is elitist and it doesn’t reflect the public. It reflects a small group who dictate who meets the criteria that they set up as ‘rock and roll’. I’ve always felt the spirit of rock and roll meant not only ignoring your critics, but ignoring your peers and going your own way. I think we’ve done that pretty much with few exceptions for forty years. So that same criteria that kept us out has not gotten us in. I scratch my head a little and I also take issue with a certain arrogance within that group.

Nonetheless I look at some of the inductees and any club that has Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and The Who and the Beatles and the Stones is company I don’t mind being in and my feelings have nothing to do with any of them, it purely has to do with a system which I think is tainted, corrupted and distorted.

Are you looking forward to playing it?
Honestly, I have no plans at the moment to do anything, and that includes playing with Ace and Peter or anyone else. My plan at the moment is to go and accept the award. Anything else, we’ll see how it unfolds or unravels. It was interesting to me, or offensive to me, that when the question was broached with the hierarchy about inducting additional members it was shut down immediately as ‘a non starter,’ which to me is arrogant. People who sit behind desks need to respect the people who are actually either inductees or possible inductees into this so-called hallowed organization. So the fact that there are 30 or 40 or 50 or some absurd number of Grateful Dead members all inducted, the fact that all of the Chili Peppers, including people who played on early albums that never amounted to very much are not inducted, the fact that John Rutsey, the drummer on the first Rush album is not inducted, the fact that Rob Trujillo, who’s a great guy but didn’t play on any of the classic Metallica albums, was inducted after being in the band six years makes me wonder exactly what are the rules? If the rules don’t apply to everybody then they’re not rules.

Do you plan to bring Ace and Peter up on stage with you?
Of course it goes without saying that Ace and Peter deserve this moment in the

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Bobby La Luna

My wife Tina is in the Urology business, brought home the new ” MR P ” 2014 Calendar. Well August, which is Gene’s Birthday month spotlights “MR P” that looks like Gene……and the words,  KISS your expectations goodbye….Too funny NOT to share, Rock On!

GA Daily News

Iconic ’70s rock photographer Lynn Goldsmith tells of how she convinced Gene Simmons to ride the city bus in full regalia. No one seemed to take notice… These and other stories about this photographer’s amazing career can be seen here.

WIXI Radio

KISS rocker Gene Simmons is heading back to reality TV for a new show about his efforts to build an arena football team in Los Angeles.

The bass player and his bandmate Paul Stanley became owners of new sporting franchise, Los Angeles KISS last year and now Simmons’ first attempt at running a team is to be captured on camera for cable network AMC.

The untitled series will be the rock star’s first reality TV show since “Gene Simmons Family Jewels‬” ended after seven seasons.

– See more at: http://wixy.com/news/030030-gene-simmons-turns-football-team-into-reality-tv/#sthash.NJCgY5Yn.dpuf

Blabbermouth.net

KISS frontman Paul Stanley is in the studio recording an audio verion of his memoir, “Face The Music: A Life Exposed”.

Stanley tweeted a photo from the session earlier today (Friday, February 5), writing, “Recording spoken word version of my autobiography ‘Face The Music’. 180 pages done and 230 left to go!”

“Face The Music: A Life Exposed” will be released on April 8 via HarperOne The 432-page hardcover will feature rare photographs of the legendary rocker and detail his hard-partying lifestyle as one of the co-founders of the heavy rock band who has sold over eighty million albums and performed more than two thousand shows around the world.

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Dave Lifton | Ultimate Classic Rock

Jim Dyson

With the L.A. Kiss set to begin their inaugural Arena Football League season on March 15, the team’s owners, Kiss members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, have signed a deal with AMC to film a reality show based on the team. The show will debut in the summer of 2014.

“We look forward to capturing all the trials and tribulations of launching a sports franchise in a great sports city like Los Angeles,” Eliot Goldberg, AMC’s Senior Vice President for Unscripted Programming, told the Hollywood Reporter. “These are incredibly dedicated athletes, coaches and management who want to win, and the fact that the team has rock and roll royalty in the owners box just adds another great dimension to the series.”

The 10-episode series, which does not yet have a title, will be produced by Thinkfactory Media, the same company responsible for Simmons’ previous foray into reality programming, ‘Gene Simmons Family Jewels.’ Stanley and Simmons are expected to be featured in the show.

“We are thrilled to partner with AMC in bringing our show to the viewing public,” Stanley said. “Anyone who knows Gene and I knows we have never played by the rules. This opportunity to see the making of our team of rebels, the L.A. Kiss, from behind the scenes will once again show everyone that we play to win.”

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KISSTorian.com

For me the best Paul tunes are the mid-to-up-tempo simple rockers. No list like this could ever be complete or right but these are the kind of Stanley steamers I find myself popping on to shut up any friends in doubt of Paul’s sheer rock prowess or his singular knack for crafting groovy rockers with hooks that endure. Bottom line, Paul’s material has its own cocksure feel illuminated by great arrangements, sharp guitar lines and well-honed, commanding vocals. Re-acquaint yourself with his style.

IT’S ALRIGHT – One of his very best, this blues-based rock’n’rolla is arguably the most KISS-like cut on Pauls ’78 solo debutPaul Stanley and yet at the same time shows Paul tipping a decidedly Stonsey honky-tonk hat.  It also recalls Rod Stewart classics like “Hot Legs and “Every Picture Tells A Story”.  Pauly had already proven an ability to cop a Rod vibe on “Hard Luck Woman” and “It’s Alright” is the rocking flip side to my ears however, unlike Maggie Mays’ lover, Paul will give you “breakfast in bed” and not “kick you in the head”. This ain’t metal and this ain’t no disco. This is fooling around at the very least and definitive Paul Stanley; ever cavalier and never desperate.  ”If you want me to stay for the night, it’s alright”.

DOWN ON YOUR KNEES – One of four new Paul-penned KISS songs on the Killers compilation, “Down On Your Knees” is still one of my favorites all time, hits included.  It’s a well-timed DON’T FREAK OUT PEOPLE! to core fans dismayed by the poppy Unmaskedand decidedly left-of-centerThe Elderalbums. Killers made it clear KISS had no plans to slow down or, as some feared, pack it in altogether.  Backdrop aside, the track has a tight, almost ACDC-like guitar hook that showcases Paul at his raw vocal best with a post-solo section bridge that has him sounding every bit the ‘All American Man’.  Plus this is Paul at perhaps his most sexist (yes, ‘ist’) since ‘Makin’ Love” offRock & Roll Over.  ((( I couldn’t help but PARTNERS IN CRIME to this list – A kinky bed-mate off Killers, this tune has also always had my ear and gets better with time. Sure, it’s slightly 80′s land-locked with the repeating wang-bar dives in the chorus but everything about it just works so well, like it could not be improved even if Gene had showed up. Built around a bluesy Deep Purple-esque riff, it’s a welcome divergence to me and happens to have one of his cooler 80′s lyrics: “You’re coveting abuses, tripping with excuses, I know you got a lover at home”))))

BULLETPROOF – Off Paul’s long-awaited 2nd solo outing Live To Win, “Bulletproof” is a sturdy well-crafted near hit, the kind that keep KISS fans like me believing everyone else is crazy. Ultra-slick mix aside, it’s got it all and even if the held-back verses may cause a slight cringe among the faithful, the pay-off of the eventual guitar n’ drum break as it launches into the “Bullet Proof” chorus riff proves ample evidence Stanley can deliver a current sounding hit in an era. If only there were still classic rock stations playing new rock instead of the constant retread that dominates the format and has for 20 years (thanks Clear Channel).

GIMME MORE – An uptempo rocker the band toyed with live only on theLick It Up tour, “Gimme More” may be my  favorite 80′s Paul rocker. Sure, he would attempt the land speed record several times in the 80′s but even the frantic”Under The Gun”can’t hold a flash pot to the clever fusion of metal, classic rock, and punk that is “Gimme More”.  It showcases Paul’s old-school Robert Plant vibe and an expanding vocal range. New members of the band also shine on the recording with Eric Carr executing bitchin’ rapid-fire Bonham-like double bass fills in the whistle-stop breaks and, when given the nod, co-writer Vinnie Vincent ripping balls off with urgent screaming lead fills. “Gimme More” is only one of the reason’s the Lick It Up album is way underrated by KISSTory. I am of the steady opinion that the record is a close 2nd only to Creatures Of The Night as their 80′s best and vastly superior to any of the other non-makeup releases.

MR. SPEED – An oft forgotten southern-fried golden oldie off Rock & Roll Over  I am happy KISS had the moxie to attempt and Paul the inclination to write. A lot of folks complain that their chief problem after the 70′s was that KISS followed trends instead of making them but “Mr. Speed” is more proof that Paul has always had an ear to the radio.  Sure, they never intended a hit with it, but the Lynyrd Skynyrd inspired intro riff strikes me as a prime example of how Paul’s tunes generally have more cohesion with what else is happening musically with other acts at a given time. Certainly more so than with any of Gene’s tunes every tried to but, again, Paul has always been the more rooted one of the two and, as a result, makes a perfect complement to Ace Frehley’s Jimmy Page-like lead work. “Mr. Speed” also has a wonderful turn-around complete with KISStastic descending harmonies and another great Peter Criss pocket for the Starchilds’ reply to the Demons’ “Calling Dr. Love” epiphany. It is my assertion that anyone who has not heard “Mr. Speed” could never really understand the band or what Paul Stanley is all about: a riff, a groove and a chorus ….timely classic rock & roll.

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