- Creatures of the Night album (performed in its entirety)
- Dynasty & Unmasked albums (select songs from each album)
- KISS Solo albums (3 songs from each solo album)
- The Elder album (performed in its entirety)
- Non-Make Era (various songs performed by Chris Jerico’s band, Kuarantine)
- KISS & Hotter then Hell albums (50th anniversary of both albums featuring select songs)
- Alive II album (entire album performed)
- Frehley’s Comet (salute to the music hosted by Tod Howarth)
- Deep Cuts (a performance of classic songs that have rarely been played live)
Category Archives: KISS News
KISS Australia 1980 Channel News Melbourne Mike Barrett
Vinnie Vincent (ex-Kiss) suggest users should have to show a real ID to use social media
Former Kiss guitarist and Vinnie Vincent Invasion guitarist Vinnie Vincent recently made a post on the Vinnie Vincent Invasion’s social media suggesting users should have to use their real names and show an ID in order to use social media.
Following the original post, Vincent would later clarify that the post was in reference to users using fake profiles, some with the photos and name of other musicians and recognizable notable people.
Vincent left the following comment on the above post:
This was intended for anyone using fake names and rock star photos as their ID. There’s a lot of fakes with multiple bogus IDs coming here from hate groups and I’m stopping it. I’m entitled to protect myself. That simple. ALSO THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE POSING AS ME TO TRICK PEOPLE. The disbelievers that questioned whether it’s the real me, should have departed. Real fan’s are far and few. The real action is in the hate propaganda groups where VV attracks huge audiences whose ritual is mockery and insult. FB and YouTube channels are “approval” based breeding grounds of left/right propaganda where brainwashed back-patting mobs control the narrative. It’s a bully platform to slander and discredit anyone for any reason. These mind controlled mobs attack everyone who disagrees, discouraging real fans to leave quickly. VVI FB was an experiment. It made no difference to me whether I did this or not. I don’t seek approval. My life, my rules. I make no money doing any of this. This was for your enjoyment and to see if there were many real fans left. I was happy to make you happy and I think many of you were. But as soon as I made a normal request, the haters who lurked here showed their fangs.
For those who think you can insult me or show disrespect, Access denied. I trusted no one to run my site. I did this to bring you music and chat and I was in the process of finally uploading good quality tracks for you to enjoy. So the timing to close happened on its own saving me the release of music. I treated everyone with respect and I gave you real answers to real questions. I would think you would enjoy experiencing a personal interaction with the real VINNIE VINCENT which I generally EXTEND TO NO ONE. Just so you don’t misunderstand I decided to close this over the venomous reaction of a good many here of my request for real ID. It no longer matters. It’s a big internet with tons of bands celebs and artists. This bar is closed.
Ace Frehley- “Rip It Out” Live. Nov. 16th, 2024. Des Moines, IA.
PEARL JAM’s MATT CAMERON Got A Cease-And-Desist Letter From KISS Management As A Teenager
In a recent interview on SiriusXM‘s The Howard Stern Show, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron shared a surprising anecdote from his teenage years involving none other than rock giants Kiss. Cameron recounted how, nearly five decades ago, he and his bandmates in a neighborhood Kiss cover band faced legal action from the legendary rockers.
Cameron reminisced about the early days of his musical journey, recalling his teenage band’s humble beginnings playing local gigs and crafting makeshift stage props in a garage. The pivotal moment came when Cameron, accompanied by his bandmates, presented a photo album of their amateurish Kiss tribute to none other than Paul Stanley himself during a soundcheck for Kiss‘s ‘Alive!’ tour in 1975.
“I was in a neighborhood Kiss cover band when I was 13, 14 or something like that. We played our local high school’s keggers, and whatnot. And my dad was friends with the head of the stagehand union in San Diego. So, when Kiss was playing there — it was during the ‘Alive!’ tour, so that was ’75 — we got to go see Kiss do a soundcheck at the San Diego Sports Arena. So I brought the two guys that I was in the Kiss band with, Tim and Dave Mahoney, to the soundcheck, and we brought our photo album from our stupid Kiss cover band. My mom made my costume, and Tim’s mom made his costume. We built these rickety plywood platforms in Tim’s garage. We made flash pots out of coffee cans and a light socket with a little flash powder inside of it. It was janky, low rent, horrible. So anyways, we took this photo album to meet Kiss frontman Paul Stanley. We got a photo with him. And so, we were sort of, like, ‘Hey man, we’re in a Kiss cover band. Here’s our stupid little photo album.'”
However, the excitement soon turned to shock when, several months later, the young musicians received a cease-and-desist letter from Kiss‘s management company, Aucoin Management. The reason? The band’s audacious decision to name themselves ‘Kiss’ without considering the legal ramifications.
KISSmas Snow Band Metallic Poster Signed by Ace Frehley at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Only a couple available!
Very cool poster on Metallic Paper. Hard to see in the photos but looks amazing in person. Ace signed a few of these for us in a private signing in Jersey City, NJ in July 2021. Measures 13 x 19 inches. Photo does not do this print justice. Includes our Certificate of Authenticity. Fun fact. When signing this Ace told the story that this was the night of his bachelor party.
The Story and Meaning Behind “Beth,” the Lush Ballad That Gave KISS Their Biggest Pop Hit
Remember the hair metal craze of the late 1980s? Well, there was a reason each of those bands almost invariably included an earnest ballad on their albums, usually with the intent of releasing it as a single. They’d seen the examples of so many of their hard-rocking predecessors, who often enjoyed their biggest commercial success when they slowed it down a bit.
For example, KISS, known for their crunching, unrelenting rock anthems, made their highest incursion into the pop charts with the tender “Beth” in 1976. Here’s how the song came to life and, almost against the band’s intent, turned into such a big smash.
A Rescued Ballad
Before he was a member of KISS, Peter Criss, the band’s drummer, was in a short-lived New York City group known as Chelsea. One of the other members, Mike Brand, had a wife named Becky. And Becky wasn’t all that crazy about the way that Chelsea practiced to all hours of the night.
It got to the point Criss and fellow Chelsea member Stan Penridge wrote a song mocking the calls this woman made to the studio in almost nonstop fashion. They never recorded the song with Chelsea. But years later, Criss, wanting to add something of his own creation to the KISS album Destroyer, brought the song to the band.
It’s at this point in the story we should inject the details behind the creation of “Beth” have been in dispute pretty much since the song became a hit. Penridge has maintained the version of the story told above, while Criss has claimed his loneliness about behind away from his then-wife Lydia inspired it. (Lydia has also claimed to have helped with some of the lines in the song.)
Meanwhile, both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, who were generally in charge of the writing for the bulk of KISS’ material, have denied Criss had much at all to do with the writing, suggesting Penridge was largely the writer of the original version. Keep in mind that relations between Criss and that duo have long been strained, so it’s difficult to know where the truth exactly lies.
What is certain is that Bob Ezrin, who had gained fame working with Alice Cooper and produced Destroyer, also served as a catalyst for the song’s success, helping with the lyrics and devising the lush orchestral score that would back up Criss’ vocal performance. (Approximately 19 people have claimed credit for changing the song title from “Beck” to “Beth,” so it’s perhaps best we don’t get too far into that.)
“Beth” found its way onto Destroyer to give Criss a showcase, and the band snuck it on as the B-side to “Detroit Rock City,” the third single released from the album. But a funny thing happened: DJs locked onto “Beth” and started playing it in favor of the A-side. KISS realized the opportunity and flipped the two songs in a rerelease, and it led to “Beth” hitting No. 7 on the charts.
KISS frontman Paul Stanley talks art ahead of Jersey shows
Merry KISSmas Puzzle at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
500 PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE: Enjoy piecing together this colorful 500 piece puzzle featuring KISS! This puzzle is detailed with your favorite characters from the iconic band. This unique puzzle measures 14 x 19 inches when fully assembled.
Dave Grohl On His Dream Rock Star Look, ‘I Wanted To Look Like Ace Frehley, And Now I Do’
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett appeared in a new Premiere Guitar interview and chatted about their inspirations. The frontman named his dream rock star and revealed that he wanted to look like him when he was younger — it’s the former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.
“I really liked Ace Frehley,” the rocker said when Shiflett asked who his guitar influence was. “I had a Beatles chord book and that’s where I was learning to play chords and stuff but I never saw footage of The Beatles playing when I was eight or nine or something like that.”
“But I had KISS posters and then I had seen KISS concert, stuff online. I just thought Ace was so f*cking cool-looking. I loved the way he stood and I loved his Les Paul. I thought he was kind of my first… If I could be a guitarist and look like him without all the f*cking heels and the makeups and sh*t, current day, which I think I do,” he added.
Grohl is known to be a showman on stage, and he credits that part of his guitar-playing style to not just Frehley, but all of KISS. It all happened when the rocker got a copy of KISS’ 1976 album ‘Destroyer’ when he was younger.
“With nuclear anticipation, I let the needle drop on that legendary intro to ‘Detroit Rock City,’ perhaps the greatest introduction to any rock ’n’ roll album ever recorded. It filled my speakers and my imagination. Thirty-four minutes and 27 seconds later, KISS had filled my soul. I was now a member of the infamous KISS army,” Grohl told the audience while presenting the band with the ASCAP Founders Award in 2015.
He added, “Before long, my room had become a fucking shrine. Posters of these four musical monsters lined my walls, action figures filled my shelves and KISS albums overtook my once AM-friendly record collection. I was converted.”
The influence of Ace Frehley’s guitar style can be heard in Foo Fighters tracks like ‘The Pretender’ and ‘Monkey Wrench.’
Nikki Sixx and Gene Simmons Weigh in on Tyson vs. Paul Fight
One of the most highly anticipated boxing matches in recent memory will take place tonight, as Jake Paul takes on Mike Tyson live on Netflix.
There are many layers to the hype surrounding the bout. Tyson, as most people know, is one of the most decorated – and feared – fighters in boxing history. However, he’s also 58 years old and hasn’t had a professional match since 2005.
Fans around the globe are excited for the Tyson vs. Paul fight, including some of rock’s biggest stars. Surprisingly, they are overwhelmingly backing the 58-year-old former champ.
Gene Simmons and Nikki Sixx Among Mike Tyson’s Supporters
On X (formerly Twitter), Gene Simmons lent his support to Tyson. “My sincere best wishes tomorrow night to the one and only Champ, Mike Tyson,” the Kiss bassist wrote, his words accompanied by a photo of the rocker alongside the boxer.
Similarly, Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx predicted the former heavyweight champ would reign supreme.
“Mike Tyson is looking stronger and faster than I’ve ever seen him,” Sixx declared on social media. When a fan responded by pointing to Tyson’s advanced age, Sixx replied: “I see you know a lot of boxing and Mike’s style versus an amateur. There will be blood.”
PAUL STANLEY Open To Possibility Of Future One-Off KISS Concert: ‘KISS Is So Far From Over’
In a recent interview with Michael Christopher of Daily Times, KISS frontman Paul Stanley expressed that he’s open to the idea of performing a one-off KISS show, whether it’s part of a Kiss Kruise or a reunion with his former bandmates for a few songs.
“Anything’s possible,” he said. “KISS is so far from over, though KISS as we know it is done. But having our hands and our ideas and our fingers in what KISS continues as makes all the sense in the world. So, I look forward to whatever comes next without knowing what comes next. But I’m open to it all.”
Stanley previously discussed the possibility of KISS performing a one-off show during a January 2023 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment music editor Lyndsey Parker. When asked whether the final concert of KISS‘s “End of the Road” tour would truly be the band’s last performance or if there might be opportunities for one-off shows or a Las Vegas residency in the future, Stanley responded: “I really can’t say. But it is the last of any kind of regular shows or touring.
“It’s just time. And in the same way, it’s time consuming. And physically, it’s grueling to do what we do. Hell, if I could go out on stage in my jeans and a t-shirt, give us another 10, 15 years easily. But what we do is a whole different sport. I mean, we’re athletes; we’re running around on stage with 30, 40, pounds of gear, and it’s not possible to do it that much longer. So we’re not like other bands.
Vinnie Vincent “is the worst person I ever dealt with” – Interview Alexx Michael
Amazing interview!
This is a full in bloom interview with producer, Shameless bassist Alexx Michael. Alexx talks about what it was like dealing with Vinnie Vincent, Vinnie’s wives, Vinnie’s arrest, traveling with him in Europe, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick, and more.
10 Songs from Kiss’ 1978 Solo Albums That Would Have Made a Killer Kiss Record
One of the ideas behind all four of Kiss‘ original members issuing their own solo album on September 18, 1978, was to help rekindle and unite the band that was breaking off into different factions.
However, looking back on it today, it did the complete opposite: Peter Criss would exit the band two years later, while Ace Frehley would follow suit four years later.
And with ’78 being the first year in Kiss’ recording career up to that point that not a single studio album of original material was issued, we’ve assembled tracks from all four of the solo albums, resulting in what could have been a single kick-ass Kiss album.
SIDE ONE
Gene Simmons – Radioactive
Featuring one of the spookiest sounding openings of any Kiss-related tune, this Gene Simmons rocker also features a short but sweet guitar solo by none other than Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry.
Ace Frehley – Rip It Out
One of Ace Frehley’s hardest-rocking tunes would have served as the ultimate one-two punch if it had followed “Radioactive.” It features some great drumming from Anton Fig years before he became a member of Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band and the house band for David Letterman‘s late-night TV shows.
Ace Frehley solo that is as devastating as that incredible break in Slade’s Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Episode 596. We discuss Creem Magazine’s review of Rock N Roll Over… you need to sit through seven paragraphs of “what the hell is he talking about” before we get to the actually album review, but it is worth it!
KISS – Rock And Roll Over by Billy Altman
Creem Magazine Feb 1977
In the last few years we’ve seen the notion of image stretched beyond belief, because most of our biggest stars turn out to be all too ordinary offstage and off the record. If pop music reflects the times, and it usually does, then we’re all in the middle of one huge personality crisis. Which is why Kiss makes perfect sense. Their image, their act, is no more or no less an image or act than Elton John or Lou Reed or Rod Stewart. Rock ‘n’ Roll Over’s one concession to the need for an AM follow up to “Beth” is “Hard Luck Woman”, a hilarious compilation of four Rod Stewart songs roiled into one with Peter Criss singing in perfect Stewartian tones. It will probably annoy a lot of people and I like that. Because Kiss’s masks are as valid as Rod’s Sam Cooke vocal mask, aren’t they?
Rock ‘n’ Roll Over does what it says. It rock ‘n’ rolls over. And over. And over. It is loud. It is simple. And it is fun. “Mister Speed” has an Ace Frehley solo that is as succinct and devastating as that incredible break in Slade’s song “Mama, Weer All Crazee Now.” “See You In Your Dreams” is a primer in tongue-consciousness, creating spaces and then filling them with exactly what you anticipated. “Calling Dr. Love,” on the other hand, leaves all of the spaces open, causing a buildup of tension that doesn’t get resolved until the beginning of the next song Ladies Room.”
Add to this a little Hendrix overtone on “Baby Driver” and some Led Zep thump on “Makin’ Love” and you’ve got an amazing album from a band that knows just what rock ‘n’ roll is, and they don’t just like it, they love it. And I love it. And the little girl from Paterson loves it. And what the hell is wrong with fantasies, anyway?
KISS Logo Christmas Light Set Limited Supply at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Great looking KISS Logo Christmas light set. 10 logos lights in each set. Limited Supply!
KISS Cancer Goodbye III to offer world-class lineup of rock musicians
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. (except for skin cancers), accounting for one-third of all new female cancers each year. In 2024, the ACS estimates that about 42,250 women will die from breast cancer.
To support the ACS’s efforts to save more lives from breast cancer, prominent community member Neil McCurry is putting together a major fundraising event in December: KISS Cancer Goodbye III is a three-day KISS-themed music festival and fan fest that will feature numerous world-class rock musicians, including co-headliners longtime KISS drummer Eric Singer (1991-2023) and former KISS guitarist (1984-1996) Bruce Kulick, who will appear and play all three days.
The event takes place December 6-8, 2024 on the Harvest House campus (3650 17th St., Sarasota). Times and programming vary each day; visit kisscg.com for detailed information.
Some of the musical highlights will include: the performance of select songs from KISS albums “Dynasty” and “Unmasked,” featuring legendary drummer Anton Fig; The Handsome Devils performing the “Creatures of the Night” album in its entirety; a salute to the four original KISS members’ solo albums, performed by various guest artists; the performance of the “Hotter Than Hell” album on its 50th anniversary; Chris Jericho’s band Kuarantine, featuring special guest Kulick; the performance of the “KISS Alive II” album by the all-star band and special guests; the music of Frehley’s Comet, presented by legendary guitarist/keyboard player – and former Frehley’s Comet member – Tod Howarth; and much, much more.
There will also be a Fan Expo, open all three days, that will include some of the biggest names in KISS memorabilia – including KISS Army Warehouse, KISS Replicas, KISS Army Spain and more – as well as opportunities to meet and get autographs from and pictures with many of the visiting musical artists, including Kulick.
‘IT’S OVER’: KISS’ Paul Stanley urges fans to accept election outcome, move forward
LOS ANGELES (TNND) — Rock star Paul Stanley told his fans it is time for them to accept the outcome of the presidential election whether they like it or not.
He also advised them not to be bitter and to work on looking toward the future.
“IT’S OVER. If your candidate lost, it’s time to learn from it, accept it and try to understand why,” he wrote on X Monday, marking nearly a week since Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The KISS star went on to note it’s best for people to stop arguing with each other.
“There will be no building bridges to those you don’t agree with by being condescending, insulting, talking AT them or removing yourself. If your candidate won it’s time to understand that those who don’t share your views also believe they are right and love this country as much as you do,” Stanley wrote.
He finished the post by saying it’s time to end the division.
Gene Simmons Had A Tactic To Prove KISS Was Better Than Bon Jovi And Aerosmith, Desmond Child Explains
According to Desmond Child, Gene Simmons thought KISS wrote better songs than Bon Jovi and Aerosmith.
“When they made this album called ‘The Elder,’ where they didn’t use any outside songwriters, he [Simmons] said, ‘We don’t need outside songwriters like Bon Jovi and Aerosmith. We can do it ourselves and in fact, we put two guards at the front of the studio door to keep Desmond Child out,’” the producer recalled about his time with KISS.
Child went on, “He didn’t say it once. He said it like a hundred times in a global publicity tour and I started getting… Everybody was sending me this quote. He said it the same way every time and my feelings got hurt. So I called Paul [Stanley] up.”
“And I said, ‘Paul why would he slag, why would he attack someone who puts money in his pocket, who loves KISS? There’s so many enemies of KISS that he could attack. Why me?’ He said, ‘Oh, well you know Gene. I can’t… You know Gene.’ I said, ‘Well, I don’t and I don’t understand it,’” Desmond shared the conversation between him and Paul Stanley.
The producer continued, “I said, ‘Paul, you were there when he were saying this stuff. Why didn’t you speak up?’ He said, ‘I can’t control Gene, you know.’ I said, ‘Well, you can tell him to go f*ck himself. All right?’ So, it was not a very nice conversation.”
“Paul wasn’t defensive at all. Well, a few hours later when I got back and checked my answering machine when we had answering machines, there was a four-word message that said, ‘Hi, it’s Gene, sorry.’ Click [laughs], ” Child lastly said.
“I never wrote with Gene Simmons. I didn’t know him until much later. My relationship was always with Paul Stanley, and Paul would bring Gene the songs that we co-wrote. The only time I became aware that he didn’t like ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ was when KISS started doing an album called ‘The Elder,’ produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin,” Desmond also previously said of working with KISS.
The producer worked with KISS on their following albums, ‘Dynasty,’ ‘Animalize,’ ‘Asylum,’ ‘Crazy Nights,’ ‘Smashes, Thrashes & Hits’ and ‘Hot in the Shade.’