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

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.

iHeart Radio

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.

But that also didn’t happen.

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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. 

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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.

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Matt Porter