Mitch Lafon
During our conversation, David discusses opening for KISS on their End Of The Road Tour, performance painting, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, charitable work, opening for Blue Man Group & Snoop Dog, winning over reluctant KISS fans, Paul Stanley – the artist, Denny Dent, how are his paintings inspired, KISS, the power of media, America’s Got Talent, and much more.
Former KISS guitarist and collaborator Vinnie Vincent‘s comeback couldn’t have gone worse, after he essentially canceled three comeback attempts in six months.
The mercurial shredder’s 30-year hiatus ended over a year-and-a-half ago when he began working the fan expo circuit in 2018, promising over and over again that he would return to playing live with a band.
After postponing, rescheduling and then cancelling his comeback shows with childhood friend and drum legend Carmine Appice — who offered a fascinating recollection of working with Vincent on the setlist — Vincent attempted to rebrand and rebook the shows as an astronomically-priced event called “Speedballjamm” with a new band.
Michael Brandvold
Fanni Kaszas | Hungary Today
Gene Simmons, musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor and television personality, guitarist and co-lead singer of the legendary rock band Kiss, whose turning 70 this month, talked to Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet about the band’s three-year-long farewell tour, where they also say goodbye to Hungarian fans. Simmons, who has been with Kiss for almost half a century, was born in Israel but actually has Hungarian origins.
In the interview with Magyar Nemzet, in addition to the planned Hungarian concert, Simmons talked about his Hungarian roots as well:
When I was little, I knew a lot of Hungarian songs. My mother used to sing Hungarian songs to me every day. One of my favorites was one that starts with Van nekem az égen egy kis csillagom (I have a little star in the sky)…
He added that sometimes he comes on business tours to Hungary and he always feels like he is back home, and usually try to speak as much Hungarian as he can. He added that he also loves Hungarian cuisine, such as pancakes, goulash soup – and he used to eat pancakes almost every day at home in his youth. Simmons said that the country should be respected as
Hungary was the only state in the communist bloc that rebelled against the Russians in 1956.
Jody Havenot
Michael Brandvold
Brett Buchanan | Alternative Nation
KISS was starting a tour, and it was their first headlining show in New York, their hometown. They sold out Madison Square Garden, and they asked me at the last minute to be the opening act for the ten-show, East Coast run. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were both fans of Montrose, and they liked my first solo record. I go on stage to open Madison Square Garden, but nobody knew who I was, or even that I was on the bill, because I was added last minute. I didn’t even have any fans yet anyway.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sammy Hagar!” The place immediately starts fucking booing. I was still green from Montrose, and I didn’t feel like I was anywhere near famous, so I just tried kicking as much ass as I could. During the third song, which was a Donovan-balled cover called Catch The Wind, people started flipping me off and really losing their shit. I was looking out at the crowd, and I stopped the song. I yelled, “You fucking assholes! You didn’t even give me a chance. You started booing me before hearing the music. Fuck you!”
Everybody in the audience was dressed up like KISS. As far as I could see, they had all the makeup on too. Since it was New York, I said, “I see they’ve flown in an audience from Los Angeles for this show.” That really pissed them off, and they started throw- ing cups at me. I pulled down my pants, dropped my drawers, and pulled out my dick. I shook it at the crowd, then smashed my 1961 Stratocaster to pieces, and walked offstage.
Matt Porter
Jody Havenot
Michael Brandvold
We have not done a big poster collection sale in awhile, so here’s one with a bit of everything, from the ’70s to the present!
KISS’ iconic singer and guitarist Paul Stanley had a recent interview with Finnish Kaoos TV and revealed what he thinks about his future music career.
Paul Stanley asked what he thinks his next move will be. Paul said that he believed that there are lots of opportunities for everyone and when the time comes, he will decide what to do.
Here is his statement:
“I believe that more will come along that I don’t even know about yet. That’s what makes life fabulous. It’s like when you read a book or when you watch a TV series — you don’t know what the next episode is; you don’t know what the next chapter is. That’s what my life is like. Twenty years ago, did I think I would paint? No. Twenty-five years ago, did I think I would star in ‘Phantom Of The Opera’? No.”
He continued:
“Ten years ago, did I think I would write a book? No, but opportunities come up, and then you decide whether they’re interesting to you. We all have so many opportunities that we either don’t take a minute to consider or we think we’re too busy, but there are opportunities all around us.”
You can watch the whole interview right below.
Michael Brandvold
From now until July 21, 2019, all KISS Magazines, Books and Tour Books are 10% off.
KISS legend Gene Simmons shared a new tweet and showed his followers the letter that he sent to Stan Lee in 1982.
Here is what Gene wrote:
“Here’s my 1982 letter to Stan Lee, regarding wanting to be cast as THE THING in the Fantastic Four movie.”
Here is Genes’ letter to Stan Lee:
“Dear Stan,
Everybody’s telling me about plans for a “Fantastic Four” movie. To make a long story short. I want to be the “Thing.”
Here are some scenes from “KISS – Attack Of The Phantom” which was a KISS co-production for television, and an Avco Embassy worldwide feature.
Either way, all the best of luck with the movie. I have been a fan since the beginning, and still, am.
Best of luck,
Gene Simmons.”
You can see the tweet below.
Gene Simmons
✔@genesimmons
Here’s my 1982 letter to Stan Lee, regarding wanting to be cast as THE THING in the Fantastic Four movie.
Jody Havenot
Michael Brandvold
Matt Porter
Jody Havenot
