Stephen Cooke | The Chronicle Herald

Ted Pritchard

In my days as a young private in the Kiss Army, my favourite commanding officer had to be Ace Frehley, the mysterious Space Ace guitarist of the greasepaint-covered rock act.

For one thing, there was this childhood obsession with astronauts. For another, his image was less likely to cause nightmares compared to demonic, blood-spitting bandmate Gene Simmons. (Cut me some slack, I was nine when Destroyer came out.)

Plus there were some great songs credited to the silver lame-clad rock alien, like Shock Me, Rocket Ride and, the only hit from those ill-fated 1978 Kiss solo albums, New York Groove.

Cut to 30 years after Frehley’s initial departure from the band and Kiss remains a worldwide phenomenon.

Taking its theme park approach to rock ’n’ roll around the globe and bringing its new high-tech Spider stage to the Halifax Metro Centre on Thursday night, Simmons and the band’s Starchild, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, remain the only constants since they first put on the makeup four decades ago.

There’s still a Spaceman in the band, though, with guitarist Tommy Thayer wearing the shiny moonboots since becoming a full-time member in 2002.

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Free Britney | The Hollywood Gossip

Gene Simmons has rekindled his feud with Michael Jackson fans, refusing to dial down his previously-expressed belief that MJ was a child molester.

A fan group supporting Wade Robson – the dancer-choreographer who recently accused Jackson of child sex abuse – reached out to the KISS rocker.

Their Twitter exchange drew the wrath of Jackson fans, but Simmons, who was booted from an MJ tribute concert in 2011, would not back off.

The glam rocker retorted, “In 80s, i went out w/Diana Ross, we visited Michael Jackson. You don’t know me. Don’t make up things about me.”

Simmons then continued, “FACT, He paid a family $22 million to settle one case. FACT, He paid $3.5 mil to another family. I stand by my words.”

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Something else!

Gene Simmons speaks emotionally about the passing of Eric Carr, and Kiss’ last-ditch effort to include him in a video — an appearance that would ultimately be the cancer-stricken drummer’s last.

Carr followed founding member Peter Criss behind the kit, performing with Kiss from 1980 through his death in 1991 after a battle with heart cancer. Carr was just 41.

His final months coincided with Kiss being asked to contribute a song for the film “Bill and Red’s Bogus Journey,” a reworking of a 1973 song by Argent that the group dubbed “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You II.”

“We decided to do it, recorded it with Bob Ezrin, and Eric kept pleading to come in and record,” Simmons says at Fandomfest in Louisville, Kentucky. “The doctors said: ‘Absolutely not. I don’t care what you do, he has to stay in the hospital — whether he’s got a chance to live or not. You have to stay here under observation. The cancer could come back fast.’ So, he’s getting chemo, and staying in the hospital.”

With Carr incapacitated, Eric Singer (Kiss’ drummer to this day) sat in on the soundtrack single, which was to be issued by Interscope. Carr, meanwhile, made a final plea — this time to participate in the music video to accompany the track.

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Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

This week, KissFAQ launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. In conjunction with the first week launch, the site has published an interview with former Aucoin Management Director of Production Stephanie Tudor.

The following are excerpts from Byrd’s interview with KissFAQ’s Tim McPhate

On Bill Aucoin:

KF: When you were first hired, what were your general impressions of Bill Aucoin?

ST: Oh, he was a genius. He was a fireball, full of energy, full of creative ideas, and he loved what he did. He was a great businessman, a master at merchandising and marketing. And he was really just a joy to be around. He wore many, many hats. He was always considered, at the time, the fifth member of KISS. And he truly loved his artists and just did a fabulous job. I’ve never seen a manager quite like him, then or since then.  And he was my mentor. I was a young girl; I had worked at Columbia Records prior to working for Aucoin. I had never worked on a show or touring — I learned everything I know now basically from the 10 years I spent working under that man.

On Whether The Solo Albums Are A Success Or Not:

KF: In terms of results, Stephanie, do you quantify the KISS solo albums as a success?

ST: Oh, absolutely. I think the project was received very well. I think there was such a buzz about it, and everyone was so excited. And I don’t think there was ever a moment when anyone thought, “Oh, this could really not work.” I think everybody was extremely positive about it. The group was psyched about it. You know, as a project moves along, of course the manager hears bits and pieces of it and Bill was always super positive about what the outcome was going to be. And he was right. And I don’t think it ever took away any of the mystery of the group at all. It stayed intact. KISS went on after the solo albums as a unit and it was just a creative outlet. I mean, there was a huge buzz back then.

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Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek

Original KISS road crew member, Peter “Moose” Oreckinto returns to the Decibel Geek podcast for a 2^nd week to continue discussing the early days of the band and the struggles they encountered.

In this long-form discussion, Oreckinto discusses pivotal early concerts for the band including the Fillmore East showcase for record executives in January of 1974, television tapings for ABC’s In Concert and the Mike Douglas Show, and a strange concert at an Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska in front of some very surprised soldiers.

This in-depth discussion also has Oreckinto recounting his return to the band after injury rehabilitation in a management role on the Destroyer tour and how playing baseball stadiums differed from the early club days.

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Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

Today, KissFAQ launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. In conjunction with the launch, the site has posted the retrospective’s first interview, a conversation with renowned artist David Edward Byrd. 

Any KISS fan who bought the KISS solo albums on vinyl will remember the cartoonish mural posters contained within each album. Many a fan placed these murals on their walls as part of their KISS shrine. Once the exclusive poster and program designer for Bill Graham’s new Fillmore East, Byrd recalls a tight deadline and “hellacious” experience in creating the mural posters.

The following are excerpts from Byrd’s interview with KissFAQ’s Tim McPhate:

On the timeline for creating the murals:

DEB: But the mural thing was just hellacious. I think they called me on Friday and they had to have all four murals done by Monday.

KF: No kidding. Wow.

DEB: Oh, it was horrendous. And fortunately, I had two assistants. One of them is a very famous artist now, Arthur K. Miller. And Rita [was the other]. And they both were students of mine at the School of Visual Arts. So we did this crash thing — I mean, I can’t tell you how fast we had to do these big paintings. We did them in acrylic and you know, and we had to do these montages of everybody. And then they had to interlock. And, Oy gevalt! It was like three days to do it. You know, they always call the artist, like, “Oh, he can do it.”

The concept:

KF: Was there a definitive concept explained to you in terms of what was required for this job?

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Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

Today, KissFAQ launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. In conjunction with the launch, audio of the original 60-second radio commercial has been uncovered, courtesy of the Rob Freeman Archive.

The original 60-second spot was created to promote the simultaneous release of four KISS solo albums in 1978. The commercial marks one component of the unprecedented $2.5 million advertising and promotional campaign for the KISS solo albums. Some audio from this spot was also used for related television commercials. The radio spot was recorded and edited by Rob Freeman who, together with producer Eddie Kramer, recorded and mixed Ace’s solo album, “Ace Frehley.” Both Frehley’s album and the radio spot were recorded at Plaza Sound Studio in New York. Production of the radio spot was overseen by Howard Marks of Glickman Marks, KISS’ business management office.

Link to original radio spot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBAbkjRuDGI&feature=youtu.be

About Back In The Solo Album Groove:
As KISS celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2013, KissFAQ.com has launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. More than 30 brand-new interviews were conducted with various individuals who either worked directly on the solo albums or have a strong connection of sorts. The

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James Reaney | The London Free Press

QMI Agency

Here’s the thing – KISS still makes an entrance like nobody else in rock and roll.

The U.S. rock superstars returned to a jammed Budweiser Gardens on Saturday night descending from a huge contraption. The KISS carrier looked like a giant spider or space walker made out of construction beams – and as it went down down down up up up went blasts of pyro hot enough to melt makeup on a fan or two

The crowd was volcanic from the start as Starchild Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and guitar hero Tommy Thayer stepped off the contraption.

In the back, Eric Singer, the drummer with the cat’s whiskers makeup and the big hands, pounded away as KISS crunched through Psycho Circus, the 1970s’ hit Shout It Out Loud and Simmons at the mic for Let Me Go, Rock ’N’ Roll.

Thayer shredded and posed in the early going. Stanley had his sweet pout working.

Full disclosure: These comments are being shaped by rock and roll hero and former Londoner Joe Chertkow, who is at the Bud, too. Back in the day, Joe & I reviewed an early KISS album chiefly by comparing it to bands we liked. Joe noticed we talked about Grand Funk Railroad. Could have fooled me.

Being the true expert, Joe reviewed KISS for the Western Gazette in one of their many visits to London in the 1970s. Joe knows. So we’re in good hands & ears.

On Saturday, with the pyro and the crazed fans, it was going to be a night at the downtown London arena.

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Wobblehouse

From the Encyclopedia Britannica: PUNK, also known as punk rock, aggressive form of rock music that coalesced into an international (though predominantly Anglo-American) movement in 1975–80. Often politicized and full of vital energy beneath a sarcastic, hostile facade, punk spread as an ideology and an aesthetic approach, becoming an archetype of teen rebellion and alienation”

Maybe rock history has it (relatively) wrong? No doubt staunch critics of KISS (IE ‘music critics’) will scoff at the suggestion that KISS were originally essentially a punk act. If so, perhaps the most influential one of all time, just a few years too early and simply too singular to be part of the traditional discussion.

Suspend your disbelief, the proof is in the pudding. Like the punks and every movement in rock, KISS created their own thing, their own look and their own sound. Both gravitated to shock value and, like the punks, KISS had zero shame, eventually drawing you in with their sheer will, devotion and spectacle.

Sure, if they ever were punk, they didn’t remain it for long and, sure, they were far from political, although the assertion that they wanted to “Rock & Roll All Nite & Party Everyday” left little for the establishment to condone or moms to embrace. And, yeah. of course they ultimately totally sold out in a way that is perhaps the very anti-thesis of a punk ethos that demands failure by definition. It was Johnny Lydon who summed up punk fatalism most succinctly in the Pistols’ “God Save The Queen” with the ever-enduring refrain” no future, no future, no future for you”.

Perhaps we miss the analogy just because KISS became way too successful to be remembered as punks? I submit that they may have been classified as something slightly other than classic rock had they folded in 1975 before ALIVE! saved them. Decked out originally in black leather, studs and white face, the bands presentation was as raw as a fist fight and far from glam or glamorous.

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Kulick.net

After his Grand Funk Railroad performance in London, Ontario, Bruce met up with his old bandmates backstage last night at the KISS monster show that evening. Read more at Kulick.net.

Joe Polo | Podcast Rock City

Bruce Kulick | Facebook

I get asked often about certain early KISS guitars that I have toured with and used in videos. Sadly THREE of mine used during the Animalize and Asylum eras were stolen from the KISS warehouse in NJ, sometime back in the mid to late 80s. The thieves cut a hole in the ceiling and got away with these three guitars of mine, as well as some others. At least one of Paul’s that was stolen was recovered years ago when someone sold it to the Hard Rock Cafe. If any of you have seen these, I’d like to have them back. I don’t have serial numbers, but they are very identifiable to me. Please contact brucekool@aol.com if you have any information. Thanks for reading!! [Click each photo for details on the individual guitars.]

Tim McPhate | KissFAQ

vvforums.com

Vinnie shows you his unique approach to soloing. Topics included are: Major and Minor scale patterns, chromaticism, arpeggio shapes, sweep picking, hammer-ons and pull-offs, intervals and altered, diminished and whole-tone scales.

Vinnie also teaches you his Pick-Finger combinations for playing super fast scales, arepggios and licks along with right hand tecniques to create rhythmically accented picking. This video will enable you to expand your melodic range and develop state of the art Rock techniques.

Vinnie Vincent first established himself as a guitar player and writer in one of the most

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Peter Hodgson | Gibson

Guitar legend Ace Frehley is in the studio working on a new album, the follow-up to the critically-acclaimedAnomaly.

Ace is recording with members of his live band, drummer Matt Starr and bass player Chris Wyse. Starr posted a pic of himself and Ace in the studio on his blog with the caption: “Had a great week in the studio with Ace Frehley and Chris Wyse making some great new music Ace’s new record. Stay tuned.”

Wyse added “Had a blast these last few days playing with Ace Frehley and Matt Starr!!! Exciting new record coming from Ace!”

When pressed for further details on his official Facebook fan page, Starr said “No details yet. Just that we’re working on it & it’s gonna ROCK!”

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Emma Swain | Mercury

Does anyone happen to have Paul Stanley’s boots?

The Australian arm of the worldwide KISS Army is on a nationwide search to find a pair of boots belonging to he of the excruciatingly tight pants and painted face.

And it’s a search that has led right here to Maitland.

During a KISS tour to Australia in 1979, a pair of Stanley’s knee-high boots was given away on Donnie Sutherland’s hit music show Sounds Unlimited. As it turns out the lucky winner of the boots was a fresh-faced young man from Maitland.

“We’re desperately trying to find his man (who was about 19 years old at the time) because these boots are highly sought after,” Steve Corbett, 5 Star Sergeant Major with the KISS Army, said.

“At this stage we have a few leads but nothing substantial.

“There is definitely some footage somewhere locked away on an old VHS cassette so we’re on a mission.   I can actually remember watching that particular episode.”

If the boots are unearthed, Mr Corbett said they will feature in an exhibition of KISS memorabilia.

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NJkissexpo.com

The New Jersey KISS Expo is set to go Saturday September 28, 2013 at the Raritan Center in Edison NJ – Mark your calendars!

Like the year before, we will have special guest, all-day special events and most of all, wall to wall KISS merchandise for sale, old and new! A very family-friendly rock and roll event – look forward to seeing everyone there!

All general info for the 2013 New Jersey 2013 KISS Expo is AT THIS LINK.

Dealer tables are now on sale. Info is AT THIS LINK

The Cardboard Connection

KISS will go down in history as one of the best bands ever when it comes to marketing and putting on a show. Part of their early merchandising blitz included trading cards. 1978 Donruss KISS is split between two series. And while it’s simple on the surface, things are a little more complicated for completists.

1978 Donruss KISS trading cards has a 132-card checklist, 66 for each series. Donruss was making a big push with music cards at the time, releasing sets for Elvis Presley and the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band around the same time. The design of the KISS set is very similar to the Elvis set. Card fronts have a large photo surrounded by a thin, somewhat ornate border. The card number is in the bottom corner of the card. Running along the bottom is a line of copyright info. Cards have no captions.

Most card backs double as puzzle pieces, although a handful have short bios.

1978 Donruss KISS gets a little more complicated with 19 variations that were added to the mix later down the road. When Peter Criss left the band, his cards were replaced with ones featuring new drummer Eric Carr. It also meant some cards have the same front but different backs to created an updated puzzle. These variations are not

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Jeff Giles | 103.7 The Loon

Kyle Hansen

Kiss descended upon the Midwest last weekend for the Rock Fest in Cadott, Wis., and their set Saturday (July 20) included more than the classic hits and a giant, fireball-spewing spider fans have come to expect.

Working in conjunction with the festival, Military Warriors Support Foundation and co-sponsors Impact Gel, the band paused its show to introduce a wounded military veteran named Ramon Rivera to the crowd — and present Rivera and his wife with a brand new, mortgage-free house.

“We have special guests with us tonight I’d like to bring out,” singer Paul Stanley told the crowd. “Roman Rivera and his wife Michelle, and Ken from Military Warriors Support Foundation, please join me out here. Roman is a Wisconsin native, everybody. He is also a decorated veteran. He was severely injured during his combat tour in Iraq by an improvised bomb. He is a tried-and-true hero.”

Continued Stanley, “We have the privilege of presenting Roman and his family with a mortgage-free, two-story, four-bedroom, three-car attached garage home in Janesville,

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