Category Archives: KISS News

Own a Stage-Used Piece of KISStory — for $8,500

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ABC News Radio

Brian Lowe

It’s not news that Gene Simmons has seemingly endless ideas for how to separate KISS fans from their money.  The fire-breathing bassist has marketed KISS condoms, KISS cruises and KISS caskets, among literally hundreds of other items.  Now it seems some of his entrepreneurial spirit is rubbing off on one of his bandmates. Paul Stanley , who has ended every KISS show for decades by smashing a guitar, has announced that it is now possible for KISS fans to purchase those guitars directly from him.

At PaulStaneyGuitars.com , deep-pocketed KISS fans can choose from a smashed guitar for $4,300, an intact guitar that Paul holds for $5,000, or a stage-played guitar, which ranges in price from $5,500 to $8,000. Any of these purchases include a meet-and-greet with Paul before a KISS show and a personalized inscription of your choosing, plus Paul’s signature, on your new heirloom.

Beginning with the band’s current tour of Australia, Paul Stanley’s stage-used microphones are also available for purchase, for the relatively bargain price of $3,000.

KISS fans looking for a cool signed item without the take-your-breath-away price tag can look to former KISS member Ace Frehley .  Licensed replica pairs of the guitarist’s trademark silver space boots, signed in bright blue script, can be found on longtime KISS merchandise siteKISSMuseum.com for only $350 per pair — a steal in the KISS merch world.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

How I unwind: Gene Simmons

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Adam Fulton | SMH

He rose to fame in the ’70s as the blood-spurting, fire-breathing bass player from fantasy-rock visionaries Kiss. Along the way to selling an estimated 100million albums with the band, Gene Simmons has become an astute businessman, author and reality-television star. He reportedly renounced his renowned groupie-hunting ways after marrying his long-time partner, Shannon Tweed, in 2011. He has long dismissed flak for continuing to tour with a band that held its ”farewell tour” more than a decade ago, pointing to the continued enthusiasm of the band’s fans. Two of its original members have since been replaced by others using the same make-up. In October, Kiss released its 20th studio album, Monster. The band marks its 40th anniversary this year.

I’m listening to …

The Black Keys. A good kick in the pants for all of us to get back to basics. Meat and potatoes.

The last film I saw was …

Django Unchained – a tour de force. Edgy. Violent. Funny. Pure Tarantino.

The next film I want to catch is …

Oblivion with Tom Cruise. Radical [Studios] is producing that one and I’m partnered with them on two film projects.

The best thing I’ve seen on stage lately is …

Lady Gaga. Not really my kind of music, though Born This Way is a rock anthem, and should be done by a rock band. She’s the only new ”rock” star in 30 years.

Try this: name 100 superstars from 1960 to 1985 – 25 years. Elvis. The Beatles. The Stones. Led Zep. Jimi Hendrix. The Doors. Pink Floyd. Motown. Prince. Madonna. U2. Metallica. AC/DC and on and on. Name one superstar from 1985 until 2013 – 28 years. Who?

When it comes to reading …

Newspapers and paper goods will soon be obsolete. Simply because it takes too long to gather, edit, print and distribute to newsstands. The internet – though I hate the art of it, it’s Continue reading →

Crue Crude, but KISS not sloppy

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Michael Dwyer | Sydney Morning Herald

Wayne Taylor

Old dude in scary make up dribbling blood? Cool. Old dude in scary make up dribbling dribble? The horror, the horror.

 

Demonic bass player’s unsightly rivers of sweat and spittle aside, ’70s spandex metal monsters Kiss had several advantages over their ’80s successors Motley Crue, not least face-paint and girth-flattering superhero costumes.

 

Gene Simmons’ grimace and arthritic lumber were Frankenstein-esque as ever in plastic armour and dragontooth boots. Pouting, prancing frontman Paul Stanley had a very wide sparkly belt and lace-up man-bra to keep focus on his firmly packed butt.

 

The Crue were a slovenly mess by comparison. Cluttered stage, sloppy sound, pointless bondage stunts with bosomy bikini blondes and oh yeah, dreadful songs, f Continue reading →

KISS Delivers promised ‘baddest tour ever’ with Motley Crue

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Corey Stephenson | Sydney Morning Herald

They’ve been blasting audiences away for decades and haven’t toured Australia for seven years, but when it comes to putting on an unforgettable rock show, time and age are no barrier for KISS.

Kicking off their Australian tour in Perth, the band best known for their costumed characters, explosive stage shows and Gene Simmons’ freakishly weird tongue, not only thrilled established fans but also smashed away the fears of the uninitiated who may have thought they’re just a decorated gimmick for endless merchandise.

They are, of course, exactly that – and a whole lot more.

Blasting out tracks from new album Monster, along with crowd favourites like Shout It Out Loud, Calling Dr. Love and God Of Thunder, lead singer Paul Stanley led KISS fans Continue reading →

Paul Stanley Joins KISS Bandmate In Restaurant Venture

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Cameron | KFIX

It won’t be long before Sammy Hagar has rock star company in Mexico. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS – who are partners in the Rock & Brews restaurant venture – are opening a Rock & Brews location in San Jose del Cabo, just next door to Cabo San Lucas, home of Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Rock & Brews combines casual dining and a craft beer selection with the experience of being backstage at a rock concert.

The flagship venue opened last year in El Segundo, California, just south of Los Angeles International Airport, and after the Mexican location the company plans outposts in Southern California, LAX airport, Paia [pah-EE-ah], Hawaii and Kansas City.

Highlights of the restaurants include “The Great Wall of Rock,” where posters, album covers and other pieces of rock music-related art will be displayed.  Rock & Brews also will feature flat-screen TVs and a high-fidelity sound system on which a variety of classic live performances will be played.

Gene Simmons has been a partner in the venture from the beginning, along with L.A. restaurateur Michael Zislis and veteran concert promoter Dave Furano.

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Paul Stanley of KISS offers fans chance to buy personally-smashed guitar

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Michael Sin | Reuters

Jorge Adorno

Die-hard KISS fans looking for the ultimate in concert memorabilia from the group’s current Australian tour need search no more. Why not acquire a guitar smashed onstage “in your honor” by guitarist Paul Stanley — for a mere $5,500?

Stanley, also a singer in the U.S. hard rock group known for its garish makeup, will also be selling the microphone he sings into for $3,000, along with special microphone and guitar combination packages, his website said.

If you purchase a KISS guitar during the Australian tour, currently underway until March 16, you also get to meet Stanley before the concert and view your yet undamaged guitar, which will be smashed that night in your honor, according to Stanley’s website.

Not included in the price is your concert ticket.

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Peter Criss receiving American Cancer Society award

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93.3 Eagle

Getty Images

Former KISS drummer Peter Criss is being recognized for his efforts in the fight against cancer.  The rocker, who has successfully battled the disease, has been tapped to receive the Humanitarian of the Year award from The American Cancer Society New Jersey Shore Region.

He’ll be presented with the honor at the annual Hope Lounge gala, a fundraising event that will also include food, entertainment, dancing, casino games, and live and silent auctions.

Money from the event will be used to assist cancer patients and their families.

The Hope Lounge event will take place at the Encore Event Center in Freehold, New Jersey on March 9th.

 

Music review: KISS, Motley Crue provide high-octane finale to Adelaide’s Clipsal 500

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Patrick McDonald

HIGH-octane firepower, heavy metal machinery and outrageous manoeuvres are what V8 Supercar racing, KISS and Motley Crue are all about.

The two US rock bands provided the perfect pyrotechnic climax and soundtrack of fist-pumping, high-revving anthems to cap off the Clipsal 500 Adelaide weekend of motor sport.

With titles like Crue’s high-speed Kickstart My Heart and KISS’s classic car-crash opening song Detroit Rock City, they could hardly go wrong.

The concert delivered all the spectacle the 40,000 race fans who packed the parklands hoped for – and more, with KISS actually setting fire to the lighting rig, causing a momentary interruption.

For sheer stage antics, the Crue took the cake, with Tommy Lee’s drum kit mounted on a circular rollercoaster track and rotating above the stage, Nikki Sixx’s bass doubling as a flame-thrower, and a trio of leather-clad dancing girls bouncing from bungy cords.

There was so much going on at once, the crowd hardly knew where to look.

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KISS rocks Perth with Monster show

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Perth Now

FOUR decades after their original formation, KISS certainly still knows how to put on a Monster of a show.

In the first performance of their milestone 40th anniversary year, the rock ‘n’ roll superstars kicked off their Australian tour with metal band Motley Crue at Perth Arena last night.

It was a larger-than-life spectacle featuring all the KISS concert staples fans have come to know and love over the years including make-up, high heels, pyrotechnics, blood spitting, fire-breathing, guitar licking, sparking guitars and a levitating drum kit for the band’s first live show on Perth soil since 2004.

And age proved to be nothing but a number to co-frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who strutted around on stage oozing every ounce of the confident rock star persona they’ve always embodied.

Justin Benson-Cooper

The loyal KISS Army battalions were out in force, packing Perth Arena to the roof, rocking face-paint or official merchandise and screaming the words to every song.

It was a hit-packed two-hour set featuring the likes of Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, I Love It Loud, Psycho Circus, War Machine, an acoustic version of Shandi and Black Diamond.

There were a handful of newer hits from their latest album Monster, which was released Continue reading →

Bob Kulick interview: Legendary guitarist, producer talks Kiss, Meat Loaf, more

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Rustyn Rose | Examiner

Julie Bergonz

Bob Kulick may forever be a man connected to the legacy of KISS, but his own legacy is far more intriguing and impressive. As a young boy Kulick found that he had a natural gift for the guitar and it paved the way for a lifetime of making incredible music and memorable performances starting at 17 with his first notable band, The Observation Balloon. This week the quiet and humble rock hero shared some of his career experiences with The Examiner, talking about the infamous KISS audition, the first Meat Loaftour, playing with Alice Cooper, along with his various bands and tribute projects.

On January 17, 1973, the day after his 23rd birthday, Kulick unknowingly placed in the rock and roll history books when he answered an ad in New York’s Village Voice looking for a guitarist in a “Led Zeppelin” style band. That band was KISS and the audition was interrupted by Ace Frehley who narrowly beat Kulick out for the gig. Paul Stanley was so impressed with Bob’s playing that the two remained in touch and in 1977 Kulick was tasked with playing lead guitar on three of the studio tracks from “Alive II“.

A year later Stanley again turned to Kulick as his principal guitarist on his first solo album. In 1982, Bob would once more lend his talents to four new studio tracks on the “Killers” album. The following year he would perform a few solos for “Creatures of the Night” but according to Kulick none of them ended up on the album. In 1984 Bob would recommend his younger brother Bruce as KISS’ new guitarist, a gig he’d eventually get. In 1989, Stanley would tab Bob to be his guitarist for his first ever solo tour. For all these reasons and more his history remains forever entwined with KISS, but that is only one part of Bob’s history.

In 1976, Kulick would perform on Lou Reed‘s “Coney Island Baby” album. The following Continue reading →

Decibel Geek Episode 73 – GPS: KISS Landmarks

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Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek

2013 marks the 40th year of existence for Hottest Band in the Land. So, it makes perfect sense for us to use episode 73 (as in, 1973) as a chance to time travel to numerous destinations that played a part in the overall history of KISS.

Joining on this global KISS trek is author Chris Epting. Chris is the perfect guest for this conversation as he’s written a number of travel-related books on different eras of pop culture as well as his recently-released e-book, ‘All I Need to Know I Learned from KISS: Life Lessons from the Hottest Band in the Land.’ This book is filled with stories of how being a KISS fan shaped Chris’ life and affects him even today. If you are a hardcore KISS fan, this book is definitely for you as it will certainly elicit some familiar emotions.

1. 10 E. 23rd Street – The Loft

The birthplace of KISS. This location is the spot where Paul, Gene, & Peter first auditioned Ace Frehley and the band took shape. The location is now next door to a comic book store that has an inventory that includes KISS comic books. Go figure.

2. 108 116 W. 43rd St. – Hotel Diplomat

The location that allowed KISS to secure management as Bill Aucoin, Sean Delaney, & Eddie Kramer all witnessed this hungry, young band that wore lots of makeup and electrified the audience in this downtrodden ballroom. A great history of the Hotel Diplomat can be found HERE.

3. 47-03 Queens Blvd. – Coventry

Site of some of the earliest KISS shows before they became a touring act. Coventry changed their name from ‘Popcorn’ just as KISS began their run playing the location. Footage of one of their Coventry performances is on the KISSOLOGY series of DVDs. A fantastic in-depth history can be found HERE

4. 4 Pennsylvania Plaza – Madison Square Garden

The site where KISS’ dream was realized. During the band’s earliest years, while performing at dive bars all over the country to sparse crowds, the band would psyche themselves up by imagining that that night’s venue was “the Garden.” This is also the site of this week’s guest Chris Epting’s first concert in 1977.

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KISS Guitarist Gene Simmons Charges up to $1500 to speak to fans

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Cameron Adams | News.com.au

KISS rocker Gene Simmons is charging fans up to $1500 to hear him talk about himself.

The 63-year Simmons has added a speaking engagement in Melbourne during Kiss’ tour next month.

Tickets to hear Gene Simmons range from $1500 for platinum seats to $285 for gold seats and $108 for the cheap seats.The speaking tickets are more expensive than those to see Kiss perform live with support acts Motley Crue and Thin Lizzy.

Only one hundred of the $1500 tickets will be sold, which include a lunch package with Simmons in attendance for two hours, a photograph with Simmons and one item signed as long as it is not a guitar.

Cashed up Kiss fans also get a t-shirt which reads “I had lunch with Gene Simmons” for their $1500.

The speaking engagement takes place at Etihad Stadium on March 5 from 10.45am, requiring many fans to take the day off work.

Fans have already been stung for Kiss Australian concert tickets which include a $600 VIP dinner package, $250 for the “Monster zone” and $125 for the cheapest seats.

The band sold a $1500 VIP ticket which includes a personal meet and greet with Simmons and bandmate Paul Stanley, as well as priority seating at the concerts.

Continue reading →