Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

Ali Cooper | Metal Hammer

John 5 has worked with everyone from Marilyn Manson to Rob Zombie. We got him to show off his favourite and most unique guitars.

John 5 moved to LA at the tender age of 17, after a meeting with Whitesnake‘s Rudy Sarzo, the young virtuoso wound up playing with Lita Ford and opening for one of his biggest inspirations: Kiss (who wound up being some of his closest pals).

From there the colourful shredder’s career would only get brighter – he worked with Rob Halford and Trent Reznor and later, David Lee Roth. Then, after Zim Zum left Marilyn Manson, John 5 took his place.

Now, the guitar maestro plays for non other than horror rocker Rob Zombie, while simultaneously working on his own solo project (where he often collaborates with other incredible shredders, such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Jim Root).

In his spare time (and there must not be much of it!) the guitarist is an avid Kiss collector (all showcased on his instagram) and of course, boasts a pretty incredible hoard of guitars. We caught up with him to find out all about his collection and discover his favourite and most unique guitars…

When did your obsession with guitars start?

“I got my first guitar for Christmas in 1977 and I started taking lessons right away because that was part of the deal with my family. I had a really good teacher and he taught me some of my favourite songs at the time. It was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, that’s what made me never want to put it down.

“I got into Kiss at the same time, when Love Gun came out, and I have a Kiss collection as well as my guitars – my collection is the rarest of the rare, I probably have a lot of stuff Gene Simmons doesn’t have!”

So how many guitars do you currently have?

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Michael Brandvold

Matt Porter

Joe

Alternative Nation

KISS icon Gene Simmons revealed that his lovely wife Shannon Tweed Simmons sang with big names including Slash on a video for his 70th birthday party. Gene Simmons’ daughter rejected a man hitting on her a few days ago online.

“Thank U Shannon, Soph, Nick, Paul, Tommy, Eric, Doc, Slash, Duff McKagen, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Paul Rodgers, Tom Morello, Jon BonJovi & band singing The Beatles ‘Birthday’, & Ringo Starr!!! for wishing me good birthday wishes in our video 😎.”

Gene Simmons’ wife recently sent a touching message to Paul Stanley. dglaize posted a review of KISS’ show on Sunday in San Antonio on the KISSfaq.com forums, “So now with KISS. First observation I noticed was the stage. It’s one thing to see it on video. It’s another thing to see it in person. By far I enjoyed this stage more than any other. Excellent job with stage design and lighting. I will also say this is the most pyro I have ever seen them use. I have heard people knock them for not doing anything different with the stage show. Where there are certain things they do tour to tour they have tweaked it somewhat.

Much of the tweaking deals with the lighting system they are using I would say. I mean what are you wanting them to do? A KISS show is a KISS show… If it’s not broken don’t try to fix it. Yes I have been a dedicated fan since 75. Does not mean I am a kiss-ass because I am not overly critical? NO! I just look at this way… Would I have regretted not going to this show? The answer is yes I would. I know people are also critical of the set-list.

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Anti Music

KISS cofounder Gene Simmons revealed some of his thoughts and ideas that he shares on his speaking tours during a recent radio interview with 91.7 Giant FM in Niagara Falls.

“What I do is I grab the mic, I go into the audience and really talk to people about the choices they’ve done in life and how they can make more money,” he said. “How you can make more money predominantly comes down to one, being selfish. Me first. We’re not taught that. Two is having the right thing at the right place at the right time. If you can help yourself, you can help others.

“People who start businesses make sure that they pay taxes, and there’s people who work for the company, and you’ve got to rent and buy equipment and insurance, and everybody gets paid first, and then the guy that owns the company gets paid last if there’s any profit.

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Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

KISSmuseum.com

The line of KISS Gold Records will no longer be available for purchase after the end of this month. The company’s license is expiring and you will never be able to order them after September 30, 2019. These are unusual items as they are made-to-order and there is no extra stock produced. When the license expires, they will produce no more, ever!

KISS Gold Records are HERE until Sept. 30, 2019

Michael Brandvold

Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

Blabbermouth

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons celebrated his 70th birthday last night (Saturday, August 24) onstage during the band’s concert in Saratoga Springs, New York. Fan-filmed video footage of the crowd singing ‘Happy Birthday” to the iconic rocker can be seen below.

Earlier this year, Simmons — whose actual birthday is August 25 — admitted in an interview with Australia’s “Sunday Night” that he gets “exhausted” while performing with KISS, but denied that it was a factor in his band’s decision to call it quits after the comption of the “End Of The Road” farewell tour. “It’s because of the pride that we have,” he explained. “Remember, we introduce ourselves with ‘You wanted the best. You got the best. The hottest band in the world: KISS.’ I want those words to mean something, even until the very last show. I’m gonna be 70. Bitch, you wanna get into my outfit, you wanna step into my shoes? Ten pounds each. There’ll be about 42 to 45 pounds of gear. Oh, yes, you have to shoot fire out of your mouth, sometimes out of your ass. And you’re exhausted at the end of it. So, could I be in a band until my late 70s? Sure. But I’d have to join U2 or THE [ROLLING] STONES, put on a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt and just strum. But in terms of physicality, we’re the hardest-working band on earth.”

The rest of 2019 will see KISS playing an additional 14 concerts in North America, nine final shows in Australia and New Zealand, and five more in Japan.

KISS‘s current lineup consists of Simmons and fellow original member Paul Stanley, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

KISSmuseum.com

We have listed of 100 new KISS magazines from all eras – Mags, Comics, Fanzines, Tabloids, Newspapers…it goes on and on. Most are singles, so grab what you want when you can.

KISS Magazines available at KISSmuseum.com

WRIF

Guitarist, Bruce Kulick is on Talkin’ Rock today. He has a busy weekend in Michigan with stops at Rock City Music in Livonia Friday night from 6-8 pm, the off to Michigan Speedway for a gig with Grand Funk Railroad on Saturday night.

Bruce was great, willing to discuss many topics, including lots about his time in KISS. We talked about the final tour and the Revenge album for starters. He told me about an audition for a legendary rocker, the upcoming KISS Kruise – where he’ll play with Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz and Zack Throne – his connection to Detroit/Michigan, social media and more.

Al Beck brings the rock news….after he talks about nerding out over the weekend with a true American icon. We talk about new Tool, a Jack & Jack rock connection, and more…but mainly about Al’s geek weekend. LOL

Listen to the Pod Cast HERE

Michael Brandvold

Matt Porter