KISS celebrate 50 Years of their anthem “Strutter” with an ultra-rare “Pure Gold Edition” and limited “Gold-Plated Edition” playable 24-Karat gold records.

Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2025 – The #1 most Gold-awarded U.S. artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame© Inductees KISS, proudly present “Strutter” on a limited-edition, playable gold records in honor of 50 years of the single available now. KISS partners with Precious Sound to produce two versions—the ultra-rare Pure Gold Edition and the Gold-Plated Edition.

As the ultimate KISS precious metal collectible, the world’s first-ever Pure Gold Edition playable disc will be limited to only 5 copies worldwide pressed from eight ounces of pure .999 24-karat gold. These 5-inch records are specifically remastered for gold playback on any manual turntable system. The A-side boasts the playable grooves, a rim engraving with each record’s unique edition number as well as the KISS logo adorned with Swarovski crystals and the B-side celebrates the original Casablanca single label etched into the gold with proof-quality finish. The package features a luxurious coffee table display case bound in sustainable faux leather with gold foil accents and a Swarovski crystals KISS logo. The two-drawer case is hand-crafted to preserve this everlasting record for a lifetime. One drawer houses a protective sapphire crystal glass capsule and the other holds an exclusive book signed by Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley. Other accessories in the set range from the gold-accented pen utilized to sign the respective book, a laser-engraved and numbered metal certificate of authenticity, a custom-made cork record mat for optimal playback, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Each pressing is made-to-order.

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Kiss is one of the biggest and most recognizable rock bands in the world. Their farewell tour and final shows drew millions of fans to venues around the world. However, not everyone is a fan. Some don’t like the music they create. Others can’t get past the band’s space-age costumes and face paint. Those people see the band’s gimmick and dismiss them before looking into the music. Legendary guitarist and songwriter Carlos Santana is in that camp.

The co-founder of Santana has been wowing fans with his blend of rock and Latin American jazz since the late ‘60s. His guitar chops have inspired countless players to pick up the instrument and gave them goals for their sound. While he has collaborated with several other musicians over the years, fans likely won’t see him teaming up with Gene Simmons or the other members of Kiss.

Carlos Santana once fired shots at Kiss in general and Gene Simmons in particular. “He’s not a musician, he’s an entertainer,” Santana said of Simmons. “A musician is John Coltrane, Bob Marley. Kiss is Las Vegas entertainment, so he wouldn’t know what music is anyway. That’s why he wears all that stuff,” he added

Then, Santana explained his position. “A musician doesn’t need the mask and the mascara so there’s a difference between an entertainer and a musician,” he explained.

Gene Simmons heard Carlos Santana’s criticism of Kiss and responded. Initially, he was understanding. “Not everyone likes the same meal,” he said, comparing music to food. Later, though, he was a little less kind in his comments. He fired shots at Santana as well as other musicians who didn’t have over-the-top stage shows.

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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley built KISS from the ground up in 1973, turning it into one of the biggest rock bands in history. For over 50 years, they’ve been the band’s backbone, handling songwriting, business deals, and licensing rights as equal partners. But despite this shared control, Simmons has amassed a significantly larger fortune than Stanley. So what’s behind this financial gap?

As the frontman and rhythm guitarist, Paul Stanley helped define KISS’ sound and stage presence. He played a major role in writing some of the band’s biggest anthems, including ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ and ‘Detroit Rock City.’ His contributions solidified his place as the face of KISS alongside Simmons.

Outside of the band, Stanley has explored various creative and business ventures. He released a self-titled solo album in 1978, followed by ‘Live to Win’ in 2006, which peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard 200. In 1999, he stepped into musical theater, starring as the Phantom in the Toronto production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ He also found success in the art world, selling paintings for substantial sums. These endeavors, combined with KISS’ massive earnings, have built Stanley’s net worth to an estimated $200 million.

Gene Simmons is more than just KISS’ bassist—he’s a businessman through and through. While the band’s record sales, exceeding 100 million worldwide, contribute to his wealth, his real advantage lies in branding and marketing.

Since the ‘70s, Simmons has been the driving force behind KISS’ merchandising empire. With over 5,000 officially licensed products—including action figures, pinball machines, and even KISS-branded coffins—he helped generate more than $1 billion in licensing revenue.

Beyond KISS, Simmons has built multiple revenue streams. His reality show, ‘Gene Simmons Family Jewels,’ ran for seven seasons, bringing in substantial income. He also dabbled in film production, launching ‘Detroit Rock City’ in 1999, and made countless TV appearances. On top of that, he’s made millions from high-paid speaking engagements and consulting work. With all these ventures combined, Simmons’ net worth stands at an impressive $400 million—double Stanley’s fortune.

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