Chris Epting | Decibel Geek

One of the most popular KISS-related shows we’ve done was our GPS: KISS Landmarks episode with special guest host Chris Epting. Chris is well-versed in KISS, pop culture, and travel as he’s written books on all three. He also now hosts a great new music talk show that you can accessHERE.We had such a great response to that episode that we knew we had to do a part 2 for this year’s KISSMAS in JULY. We’re fortunate that Chris was equally enthusiastic about coming back to discuss KISS Landmarks. So, let’s crank up the engine and hit the highway!

1 Washington Blvd  Detroit, MI 48226 – Cobo Hall

A  very pivotal location in KISS’ history. Most well-known for a sold-out 3 night stand in January of 1976, Cobo was one of the hosts of the Alive! album and was a meeting place for the blue-collar faithful that made up KISS’ early fan base.

It’s also worth noting that it was the host venue for 1984’s Animalize Live/Uncensored performance as well as the venue chosen for the kickoff of the Alive 35 tour in 2009.

238 Bagley Avenue, Detroit, MI – MichiganPalace

Another well-known marker of KISS’ early Detroit dominance, the Michigan Palace was built in 1926 as a movie theater and hosted KISS on their earliest American tours.It was also a beneficial presence for KISS’ promotional efforts as it was utilized for the videos for Rock N Roll All Nite and C’mon & Love Me as well as the cover photo for the Alive! album shot by Fin Costello. The majority of the structure was torn down but the ornate ceilings can still be seen above the parking garage that sits in its place today.

Corner of 23^rd & 8^th, NYC – Dressed to Kill Cover site.

The only non-structure on our list, this street corner will always big popular in the annals of KISStory. In 1975, a then-struggling KISS was working on a creative photo shoot with legendary New York photographer Bob Gruen.

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Click HERE to visit the other KISS GPS sites.

Tom Zillich | The Province

Jacob Zin

A Surrey-based charity has been KISS’d with $10,000.

Makeup-wearing members of the rock band were in Vancouver Thursday to hand a five-figure cheque to operators of Sophie’s Place, a facility for kids who have been physically, mentally or sexually abused.

The money will help fund an expansion of the centre, which opened in February 2012 at The Centre for Child Development on 140th Street in Surrey.

The facility is named after Sophie Tweed-Simmons, daughter of KISS bassist Gene Simmons and former Playboy model Shannon Tweed.

In addition to the $10,000, a percentage of profits made at a KISS Army-operated “pop-up” store on Granville Street last week are destined for Sophie’s Place.

“It’s really very generous of them and will make a huge difference in helping us serve kids who have been abused,” Dr. Brian Katz, director of Sophie’s Place, told the Now during a noon press event in Vancouver.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts was on hand to accept the donation, along with staff of the facility.

Simmons said the donation was “a beginning, a small token from us,” with more coming. “(The centre) helps thousands of abused kids every year, and it’s a great place.”

KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley said Sophie’s Place is “a charity we know well and believe in 100 per cent. And we hope everyone here, everyone getting this news-media coverage, does what they can. It’s never about giving until it hurts. You give until it feels good.”

Tweed-Simmons said plans are to open other Sophie’s Place facilities in Canada at a later date. “We’re working on getting this one absolutely perfect before we move on,” she said.

In Surrey, the expanded facility will be roughly four times its current size, Katz told the Now. Construction is already underway.

“It’s in the works, and we’re looking to raise $500,000 for the expansion, to have all of our team members under one roof,” he said. “Research has shown that it’s a better outcome for kids when all professionals are working together and kids don’t have to tell their story over and over again. Each time they do that, it can be traumatizing.”

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