Michael Brandvold

U Discover Music

KISSmuseum.com

We have listed over 200 new KISS Guitar Picks to our site this week. Some amazing stuff from A to Z – from the rare to not-so-rare, we have it all…

KISS Guitar Picks at KISSmuseum.com

Ultimate Classic Rock

Previously unseen stage-design sketches for a Kiss Music From ‘The Elder’ tour that never happened highlight a new 1,200-item rock-memorabilia sale from Backstage Auctions.

The band can be seen clustered around a glowing orb and performing in front of a lighthouse and wishing well in the below sketches. They were drawn by Mark Ravitz, who created the first-ever Kiss stage logo as well as the stage for their tour in support of 1976’s Destroyer. He has also worked with David Bowie, Frank Sinatra and the Who.

In a new interview with Three Sides of the Coin, Ravitz explained that he was approached by the band in early 1982 to come up with ideas for a new stage show. Even though he said he was unaware that Kiss had released their first-ever concept album the previous November, several of his sketches match up with the medieval setting and myth-based lyrics of The Elder.

“I had no relationship to that album at all,” he said. “I created the first-generation Kiss tour. And now I [was] creating the generation that I wanted to see. There was no music involved. I didn’t hear about any album or anything like that.”

Unfortunately, nobody else really heard about Music From ‘The Elder’ either. The album was a spectacular flop. In 2004’s Kiss: Behind the Mask, singer Paul Stanley said the LP was “probably the biggest misstep of our whole musical career.”

The lack of sales and fan interest torpedoed any chances of Kiss mounting a successful tour, so the band instead quickly regrouped to record four new straight-ahead rock songs for the face-saving 1982 compilation Killers.

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KISS ARMY – meet meet us for the October issue of THE KISS ROOM! Bryce Lypz, drummer from Australia’s SISTERS DOLL, calls in to talk about the band, his own KISStory, and what it was like to work with Bruce Kulick and Peter Criss! The PodFather Ken Mills calls in to talk KISS with us and share some info about the latest release from Eric Carr, KISS talk and MORE! We premiere a new, Halloween themed track from IRON FIST! Joe D’Angelo calls in with a Kruise Fest update! And of course THE KISS ROOM HOUSE BAND rocks an amazing live set of KISS classics that you will only hear in THE KISS ROOM! It’s a Kruise pre-game, it’s the Halloween kick-off, it’s a party and everyone is invited! Originally broadcast live via Montco Radio on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Michael Brandvold

Lunar Moth

Icon Coins has announced plans to release an officially licensed Eric Carr Commemorative Collectors Coin.  Eric Carr, KISS drummer from 1980 until his untimely passing in 1991,  contributed his talent to the bands many gold and platinum albums during his tenure, and can be heard on the bands many hit songs from the 1980s including Lick It Up, Heaven’s on Fire, Crazy Nights, Tears are Falling, and Forever, to name a few.  In addition to his musical contributions, Eric Carr was equally known for his inviting personality and genuine love for the fans. From the time he joined the band to this very day, Eric Carr remains one of the most beloved members of the KISS family.

Each Eric Carr Commemorative Collectors Coin in die struck in heavy solid brass  with an antique silver finish. The front design features a beautiful sketch portrait of Eric Carr while the back design features his name, birth and passing years, Fox and Chikara icons representing his musical personas, over a shattered glass background reminiscent of the Crazy Nights album cover.

Each coin will also include an EXCLUSIVE backstage pass style laminate that will act as the coins Certificate of Authenticity featuring design elements from the coins themselves as well as an Eric Carr mini-bio.

This addition to the Icon Coins family is limited to 100 coins minted.

Each Collector Will Receive:

• 1.75″ Die Struck Eric Carr Coin w/Antique Silver Finish
• Velvet Coin Pouch
• Exclusive Laminate/C.O.A.

These coins will begin shipping in early/mid November and are currently available for pre-order at
http://www.IconCoins.com

Icon Coins is a division of Lunar Moth Entertainment dedicated to bringing you high quality collectible
coins celebrating the icons of pop culture. Previous releases include coins honoring the 40th anniversary of
JAWS, Bigfoot, Eddie Munster, and more.

Blabbermouth

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer recently spoke with Australia’s Heavy magazine. The full conversation can be streamed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the band’s ongoing “End Of The Road” farewell tour:

Tommy: “We feel good. I’m still getting used to this being the last tour. In North America and Europe, we’ve done 95 shows this year already, with about 20 more to go. I’m still loving being out there. Most all shows are sold-out. We’ve been packing them in, and the response has been incredible… It’s something else. It’s over the top. It’s definitely the biggest show we’ve done, and I know that sounds very cliché — you’ve heard it before — but literally, it’s the biggest and best show we’ve ever done. There’s no doubt about it.”

Tommy: “It is emotional. Every night, we go out there and see the smiles, and actually the tears in a lot of people’s eyes. It kind of surprises me sometimes, because I’m not ready for that. You see people with tears, but also tears of joy, loving this band for as long as it’s been around. It means a lot to us, and to be on stage each night is just phenomenal. Seeing the response, we just couldn’t feel better about it.”

On the band’s wide demographic:

Tommy: “The multi-generational thing, it’s very bizarre, actually. Sometimes I ask kids, ‘How did you get into KISS nowadays, and what makes you want to come see this band?’ A lot of times, it’s because their parents were into it, and they kind of pass the torch. Maybe it’s just because the world’s a smaller place, interconnected with the Internet. People have been seeing the show on YouTube and online, and I think that’s really helped us, even though a lot of times in the YouTube era, bands don’t like that because they feel like it gives away the surprise or the secret about what we’re doing. It’s really spread the word. I think we do a lot of things outside the box. We did a KISS/‘Scooby-Doo!’ movie a couple years ago. I know a lot of kids got turned on to KISS seeing that movie. There’s a lot of things like that. It’s a strange phenomenon, but it blows me away.”
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The Onion

Jody Havenot

The Onion

DETROIT ROCK CITY—The Kiss Army, long respected for its traditions of disobedience, insubordination and guitar-fueled mayhem, is the subject of a federal investigation following recent allegations of widespread propriety among its ranks.

The investigation, which implicates a number of high-level Kiss Army members, cites numerous reports of “highly inappropriate behavior among Kiss Army members, including marriage, steady employment and child-rearing,” said Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN), chair of the Kiss Armed Services Committee.

The Senate called for hearings after securing testimony from an unnamed Kiss Army insider stating that Kiss Army Commander Doug Haines—best known as the screaming concertgoer in the 1978 made-for-TV movie Kiss Meets The Phantom who wears a mesh shirt and holds up a “God of Thunder” sign—is now a 41-year-old, San Diego-area certified public accountant and father of three.

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KISSmuseum.com

See the New KISS Collectible Additions at KISSmuseum.com

The Wrap

Who knew great white sharks were rock music fans?

Kiss are taking their live show to depths even they haven’t explored before with an announcement on Thursday that they’ll perform an underwater concert off the coast of Port Lincoln, South Australia, for eight “lucky” fans — and a group of great whites.

The bizarre stunt will take the rockers literally down under as part of a promotion for Airbnb’s new Animal Experiences travel option.

Kiss and their crew will travel on Nov. 18 in separate boats off the coast of southern Australia, and while the band stays above board on one vessel, the accompanying fans will be lowered beneath the surface of the water from a second boat into a viewing submarine in an area known for shark activity, according to the Associated Press.

Blasting from underwater speakers, Kiss hits like “Hotter Than Hell” will also be enjoyed by the largest predators in the ocean. Kiss will be in full makeup and costumes for the concert, which will be at least four songs.

“I was a little taken aback by it, but they explained that sharks are attracted to low frequencies and so they’re attracted to rock ‘n’ roll,” singer and guitarist Paul Stanley told the AP. “Since we’re going to be in Australia, it gives a whole new meaning to doing a concert down under

“I’m not sure how much of us the sharks can take,” Stanley added. “I’m hoping they know ‘Rock And Roll All Nite.’”

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The Onion

AKRON, OH—Citing growing tensions between bandmates, Harvey Shapiro—aka “VeeVee,” the guitarist for KISS cover band Destroyer—left the group Monday to create VeeVee’s Occupying Force, a Vinnie Vincent Invasion tribute band. “I felt I had hit a creative ceiling with the cover-band experience and was ready for the challenges of a tribute band,” Shapiro said. “VeeVee’s Occupying Force will debut Dec. 3 at Rubber City Lanes. We’re opening for Second Sighting, my brother’s Frehley’s Comet cover band.” As a part of his new band’s act, Shapiro said he is contemplating suing Destroyer for $6 million over damage to his reputation following some badmouthing at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl.

Ultimate Classic Rock

Gene Simmons is battling kidney stones, which may explain why Kiss were forced to end their most recent tour leg a little early last month.

According to TMZ, the bassist was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital this morning and had a stent inserted during a noninvasive, hour-long procedure.

Kidney stones are small pebbles of salt and minerals that can build up when a person doesn’t have enough liquid in their system. They make urinating very painful. The stent is designed to help Simmons expel the stones more easily on his own. The report notes that the device will be removed, along with any remaining stones, in about a week.

On Sept. 13, Simmons tweeted that the band was postponing the last three dates of the most recent leg of its farewell End of the Road tour so that he could “do a medical procedure.” He assured fans the issue was “nothing serious,” but it needed to be attended to promptly.

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Jody Havenot

Blabbermouth

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is up for a reunion of the original band, but only if the price is right. Speaking exclusively to Rock Candy‘s Dave Reynolds for a 12-page cover story in the latest issue of the magazine, Space Ace discussed a wide range of issues, including his “bad boy” reputation and his current relationship with KISS leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. But the really exciting news for KISS fans is that Frehley is still ready and willing to perform with KISS as the band continues with its “End Of The Road” tour.

“It would be nice to go back out again with them,” Frehley said. “But it’s not my call. I think we have a really good relationship now. I text Paul back and forth and we’ve worked together, as I have with Gene. I would seriously consider it, but the money would have to be right. I’m not gonna take Tommy Thayer‘s salary.

“It would certainly sell more tickets with me involved,” Ace added. “I have a gut feeling it will happen.”

Ace acknowledges that he wasn’t always the easiest to work with in KISS, given his acknowledged problems with drink and drugs.

“I know that I put those guys through hell in the past,” he conceded. “Sometimes I was too drunk at soundchecks, but sobriety has made me more dependable and reliable.” Frehley says he’s been sober for 13 years now and would be fighting fit to rejoin the self-styled “Hottest Band In The World” for what would be an unforgettable experience, especially if original drummer Peter Criss were to come back into the fold.

“It would be really exciting,” he said. “Not just for me, but also for the fans. I’m ready. I feel reborn.”

Read the whole of this revealing article, and many more fascinating features, in issue 16 of Rock Candy, available in shops worldwide or direct online at this location.

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KISSmuseum.com

A great set of KISS 8-Track tapes from the ’70’s. We have some rare ones that are at auction on eBay, ending this Sunday – Check ’em out!

KISS 8-Track Tapes at KISSmuseum.com