Thanks to Chris Medek for sending this in. Awesome work Chris!

Ashley Baylen | Shalom Life

Gene Simmons achieved international fame as the front man for KISS, but in recent years, he’s made most of his dough through business and marketing efforts.

Considered the world’s best self-promoter, perhaps next to Donald Trump, Simmons and KISS have earned millions from themed golf courses, stuffed dolls, bobble heads, a casino, and much more.

At Wednesday evening’s Opening Day at California’s famous Santa Anita Park, Simmons promised to help out good friend and racetrack owner, Frank Stronach, by assisting with marketing and making Santa Anita “the coolest place on Earth”

In a filmed announcement, Simmons says, “The past is magical and the present is all going to change. We’re going to get Brad and Angelina out here. They’re all going to come here because it is going to be the coolest place on Earth.”

Simmons and Stronach have been friends and business partners for years. Simmons’ marketing company, Simmons Abramson Marketing, marketed an energy drink called ‘Franks Energy Drink’, inspired by Stronach. Additionally, Frank’s daughter, Belinda, helped Simmons revive his record label in 2008.

Natalie Ragus | Arcadia Patch

Ray Paulick

Not even early morning showers could dampen the spirits of Opening Day attendees at Santa Anita Park. The track’s 17-week winter/spring racing season began Wednesday and runs through April 21.

KiSS frontman Gene Simmons—who recently signed on board to help Santa Anita develop new marketing strategies—arrived at the festivities just as the sun began to peak out from the clouds.

Simmons’ presence at the track caused a minor stir on Twitter.

“Shook Gene Simmons hand and came home $210 richer. Great day at Santa Anita Park. #TheGoodLife” Twitter user @waka_flaka_vaca wrote. Meanwhile, @WatchoutJulian posted a photo of himself posing with Simmons, the track in the background.

Opening Day attendance hit 27,273 this year, compared to 55,000-plus attendees last year, track officials said.

Here are some images of Opening Day moments.

Michael Brandvold

Visit http://www.ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com and join the conversation. Three Sides of the Coin is a KISS podcast featuring Michael Brandvold, Mitch Lafon and Tommy Sommers.

In episode #3 we discuss the voices of KISS, the lead vocalists. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer, Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr.

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1980 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

COTN

Russell Hall | Gibson

Hard to believe four decades have passed since Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons first joined up with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley to form KISS. Through the years, with rare exceptions, the band has held firm to its explosive mix of riff-driven rock, arena ready anthems and the occasional soaring ballad. Along the way, several lead guitarists have stepped in to put their distinctive stamps on the KISS sound. Below, we offer profiles of each of those gifted players, and trace their tenures with the band.

Ace Frehley

For many fans, Ace Frehley will always be the definitive KISS guitarist. Starting with the group’s 1974 self-titled album debut and stretching to his initial departure, in 1982, Frehley inspired countless aspiring players to pick up the instrument. Moreover, his impact on his six-string peers during that decade was incalculable, as his thrilling riffs and incendiary solos – delivered on an ever-present Les Paul Custom – dovetailed perfectly with KISS’s pioneering theatrics. Fourteen years after leaving the band, Frehley, along with drummer Peter Criss, rejoined the group as part of a reunion of the original members. Their appearance at the 1996 Grammy Awards ceremony elicited a standing ovation. Two years later, the original KISS lineup released Psycho Circus, and Frehley remained a touring member for the next three and a half years. His last performance with KISS took place on February 24, 2002, during the closing ceremonies of that year’s Winter Olympics.

Vinnie Vincent

Vinnie Vincent’s apprenticeship, as a player, was far and away the most unusual of any KISS guitarist. Specifically, at the turn of the ‘80s, he served as a staff songwriter for the TV shows “Happy Days” and “Joanie Loves Chachi,” often writing tunes for both series on his acoustic guitar at the “Cunningham’s” kitchen table on the studio set. Joining KISS as the replacement for Frehley, in 1982, Vincent was integral to the success of that year’s Creatures of the Night album, and to 1983’s Lick It Up. Both albums marked a return to the hard rock sound that had fueled KISS’s best work in the ‘70s. Vincent’s tenure with KISS ended in March of 1984. Some say his departure was due to conflicts arising over his habit of overextending his solos during KISS’s live shows, but in a 1996 interview with Norway’s KISS Army Magazine, Vincent painted a positive picture of his time with the band. “We grew up with the same kind of bands, and we had the same influences,” he said. “So even though I was technical and Paul [Stanley] wasn’t, it wasn’t really about guitar playing. It was about the songs that we grew up with and that we all loved. And it was about sharing the same musical style. You know, we all loved The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. So the chemistry was there. I think we had respect for each other and I think we were really good friends.”

Mark St. John

Mark St. John’s tenure with KISS was the shortest of any of the band’s guitarists. Still, his contributions to 1984’sAnimalize, one of the best albums from KISS’s “unmasked” period, were dazzling. Formerly a respected guitar instructor based in Southern California, St. John brought a flashy style to KISS – replete with whammy bar pyrotechnics and tapping – that reflected the Van Halen-led battalion of wizard-like six-stringers emerging at that time. During the sessions for Animalize, St. John developed a rare form of arthritis that interfered
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Everything KISS

everythingkiss.com: The 100% Unofficial Biggest and Best Guide to Collecting KISS Merchandise in the World has had a facelift!

They’ve added 300+ new items and simplified the website so it’s more user friendly. It should be easier to find what you’re looking for in amongst the 3700+ licensed KISS items. Make sure you also check out the  revamped 88 KISS Kollectionsfrom around the world.

Kissmaster@everythingkiss.com

Michael Brandvold

In episode #2 we discuss Vinnie Vincent. Did Vinnie Vincent save KISS with his songwriting skills?

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1980 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

Cassius Morris

Cassius is joined by Mitch Lafon and Adam Smith to review what is arguably KISS’ most controversial album… Music From ‘The Elder’.

Jade Watkins | Daily Mail

They are often seen attending Hollywood events as a family unit on the red-carpet.

And now Gene Simmons, his wife Shannon Tweed and daughter Sophie are coming together all in the name of protest.

The famous family, as well as Shannon’s younger sister Tracy, were seen adorned with ‘NOH8’ stamps on their bodies as they stepped out on Hollywood Boulevard on Wednesday night.

The clan had earlier attended the NOH8 Campaign 4th Anniversary Celebration at the Avalon Nightclub along with LeAnn Rimes and her husband Eddie Cibrian.

The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality.

In 2008, Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

The NOH8 campaign is also a photographic silent protest created in response to Proposition 8.

Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolising their voices being silenced by Prop 8.

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COTN

ATTENTION COTN FANS! This Sunday there will be a very special live Creatures Of The Net episode exclusively available right here!

This special episode is a track-by-track review of what is arguably KISS’ most controversial album… “Music From ‘The Elder’”!

Joining COTN host, Cassius Morris, are two other KISS podcast hosts. Today’s program features Mitch Lafon of “Dropping The Needle” podcast and a brand new KISS show called “Three Sides Of The Coin”. Also in this episode, Adam Smith from the podcast,“KISStory Science Theater”!

The broadcast starts at 11:00 am Eastern time, 9:00 AM Mountain Time, 8:00 AM Pacific time (there goes most of our listeners!) and 12 noon Atlantic Time. Please give it a listen when it starts and SPREAD THE WORD!

Live stream by Ustream

Michael Brandvold | Three Sides of the Coin

In this episode we discuss KISS books… Gene Simmons “KISS and Make Up”, Ace Frehley “No Regrets”, Peter Criss “Makeup to Breakup My Life In and Out of KISS”, Chris Lendt “KISS and Sell: The Making of a Supergroup”, Lydia Criss “Sealed with a KISS”, Larry Harris “And Party Every Day: The Inside Story Of Casablanca Records”, Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs “Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History”. We discuss what we would like to see in Paul Stanley’s upcoming autobiography and if Bruce Kulick would ever write a book, what we would like to read in his book.

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1979 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

KISSonline.com

Something Else! Reviews

Your average rock fan might put on Kiss’ new album Monster, and specifically the track “Outta This World, and fail to hear how the Beatles and Journey impacted the band.

But drummer Eric Singer, in a new talk with Rock Music Star, says the tune was influenced first by George Harrison’s drone-rock tune “It’s All Too Much,” issued by the Beatles on 1969′s Yellow Submarine, and then by a subsequent cover version by Journey.

The second take, included on Journey’s 1976 sophomore release Look into the Future, pre-dates Steve Perry’s arrival. Gregg Rolie handles the vocals in a lineup that included current Journey stalwarts Neal Schon and Ross Valory, as well as Aynsley Dunbar on drums.

In both instances, though far more prominently on the Journey cover from the mid-1970s, “All Too Much” ends with a trippy echoing effect. Called “flanging,” it was first developed by Abbey Road engineer Ken Townsend in 1966, as part of the Beatles’ on-going experiments with sound.

[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Potent and fun, ‘Monster’ strikes the perfect balance between the sounds of Kiss’ co-founding members, featuring just the right mix of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.]

When Kiss convened to work on Monster, its long-awaited studio follow-up to 2009′s Sonic Boom, Singer remembered how cool it sounded.

“That was a suggestion that I had made,” Singer tells Rock Music Star. “I basically got that idea from the Beatles song, “All Too Much,” where at the end of the song, it goes into a flanging thing. On one of the early Journey records — before they had Steve Perry — they did a version of “All Too Much,” and on the outro, they elaborated further on the whole flanging thing, and I thought it was a cool effect. When they (Journey) go into the outro of the song, they go into double time on the drums, and it goes into this flanging effect on the whole mix.”

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Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek

The Decibel Geek podcast has released Episode 62– VINNIE VINCENT SPECIAL Vol. 4.

Included in this special is an interview with Hirsh Gardner, drummer for late 70’s band NEW ENGLAND. Hirsh has direct ties to both Kiss and Vinnie and worked creatively with Vinnie on a number of occasions.

Also included in the show is a discussion with Tom Silver who was a National Marketing Representative for Chrysalis Records in the 80’s while Vinnie Vincent Invasion was on their roster. Tom shares his memories of working with the Invasion as well as the incarnation of Slaughter.

The Decibel Geek Podcast was launched in June of 2011 by Chris Czynszak, a former rock journalist and webmaster. With co-host Aaron Camaro, the Decibel Geek Podcast is quickly earning a reputation as one of the go-to music commentary podcasts on the internet. All episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, as well as the official Decibel Geek Podcast website.Direct Link to Episode:  http://www.dbgeekshow.blogspot.ca/2012/12/episode-62-vinnie-vincent-special-part-4.html

To access the Decibel Geek Podcast visit www.dbgeekshow.blogspot.com .

Ed Masley | azcentral.com

Bryan Bedder

Kiss drummer Peter Criss can now add New York Times Best Seller to a list of accomplishments that may have peaked with the writing and singing of “Beth,” the highest-charting Kiss song ever, in 1976.

And that’s a mighty happy ending for a guy who sets the tone for “Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss” with “Have you ever tasted the barrel of a .357 Magnum that’s halfway down your throat?” — recounting the time he almost killed himself in 1994.

We caught up with Criss to talk about the memoirs he’ll be signing on Thursday, Dec. 6, at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.

Question: What was it like reliving all these memories?

Answer: Thank God I made a lot of tapes through the years of things that happened because it’s a lot to remember (laughs). I’m 66. So there’s a lot. We have enough to do three more books. But it was an emotional roller coaster. A lot of restless nights. Should I write that? Shouldn’t I write that? What do I want to leave behind when I’m gone off this planet for my relatives and my daughter to read? Did I get enough of the honesty?

I talked about things I didn’t want to but my co-writer (Larry “Ratso” Sloman) convinced me. He said, “I think you’re a guy from the heart.” Which I am. I’m a Catholic kid. I don’t believe in lying. Never did. It gets you nowhere. And I pound myself in this book. I’m not easy on me at all. I’m right in your face about my addiction, my insanity, my two bad

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KISSopolis, Hits Entretenimento

Damian Fanelli | Guitar World

Epiphone has announced one of its most anticipated new models, the Tommy Thayer “Spaceman” Les Paul.

The new model, which is named after — and designed for — the longtime Kiss guitarist, will be available in January.

Thayer recently commented on the guitar on his website:

“I’m psyched to be playing my new guitar onstage as we embark on the 2012 Kiss Kruise and South American stadium tour in the weeks ahead,” Thayer wrote.

“My signature axe will soon be available in guitar shops everywhere. In the meantime, the first guitars off the line are ready for you through some very special offers on my new site, tommythayerguitar.com. Keep it rockin’ and remember to turn it up loud!”

Epiphone.com recently posted a demo video featuring Thayer. You can check it out below.

We’ll have more details about the guitar in the weeks and months ahead.