WENN | Contact Music

The band’s guitarist, Gene Simmons, has revealed they are teaming up with Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson, who worked on acclaimed 1988 drama Rain Man as well as hit TV show Breaking Bad, for a new film.

Gene has refused to give away many details about the project, but reveals the bandmembers probably will not feature onscreen.

“There’s a motion picture that’s scripted that is being planned by a guy called Mark Johnson, who produced the Narnia movies, and also produced the Breaking Bad series – so legitimate, high-end stuff,” Gene tells Australian newspaper the Courier-Mail.

“We (the band) are involved, but if you’re gonna tell the story of somebody who’s 22 years old, it’s better to get an actor.”

Gene goes on to confirm they are also working on a TV project with the Warner Bros. studio.

“I can’t say more about it except that Warner Bros. is doing it,” he adds.

The stars of Kiss previously appeared onscreen in 1978 TV movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, and they also made an appearance in KISS-themed 1999 comedy Detroit Rock City and animated adventure Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery.

Damian Fanelli | Guitar World

In the world of bass guitar, Carol Kaye is a legend.

Kaye, who turned 80 earlier this year, was a member of LA’s legendary “Wrecking Crew” and is known as one of the most prolific and widely heard bassists, playing on an estimated 10,000 sessions in her 55-year career.

Kaye’s fretwork can be heard on several Phil Spector and Brian Wilson productions from the Sixties and Seventies; she even played guitar on Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and is credited with the bass tracks on several Simon & Garfunkel hits

Among her greatest achievements is her bass work on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.

Below, Kaye can be seen giving an impromptu bass lesson to Gene Simmons of Kiss at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood. The clip is actually an outtake from a 2012 documentary calledSample This. The film, which was directed by Dan Forrer, stars Simmons, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson and Roosevelt Grier.

“No, no, no, you’ve got to do it with the beat, though, Gene,” Kaye tells Simmons. “No, no, up, down, up, down, up, down, up … .”

Below (bottom YouTube player), for your listening pleasure, we’ve included a vintage Carol Kaye recording called “BassCatch” from her Picking Up on the E String album, which happens to feature Joe Pass on guitar. Enjoy!

Joe Polo

KISSmuseum.com

Here it is – our latest private KISS Collection we have acquired! No need to explain, just click the link below to check it out before it’s all gone!

Click HERE for the ’70s Sale at KISSmuseum.com

ORDER TODAY AND WE WILL SHIP TOMORROW!

News 3

Scott Gries

KISS stars Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are to offer free meals to soldiers to mark Veterans Day.

The bandmates are launching the scheme at their Rock & Brews restaurant chain to celebrate the holiday on Nov. 11, and U.S. military personnel, veterans and first responders will be given a free meal at branches across the States throughout the day.

“As proud Americans, it is important to salute the men and women who protect and serve our country,” says Michael Zislis, a representative of Rock & Brews. “November 11 is devoted to our veterans, active military and first responders at Rock & Brews, and we hope that they will come in with friends and family to give us a chance to say thank you.”

The rockers’ chain has a history of supporting veterans since it was set up in 2012 – to mark the launch of a branch in California in 2013, the pair hosted a special luncheon for former servicemen and women and even served up the food themselves.

The first Rock & Brews venue opened in El Segundo, California, in 2012.

WAAF

With the next group of modern rock bands looming over the horizon, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was asked if there will be a new band that could parallel KISS or The Beatles, and he doesn’t believe that there ever will be.

Although he says that he admires modern pop stars like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Simmons says that their longevity will not match artists that have attained such a high level of greatness, also commenting on the ‘10,000 hour’ concept for a full concert arena experience.

Simmons explains the 10,000 hour concept as this: “Before The Beatles went into the studio to become The Beatles, they played clubs for ten thousands hours. That’s years. You have to do something for thousands and thousands of hours before you get any good on it. Nowadays, instant gratification means you can hum in your shower, then wind up on ‘The X Factor’ and you’re on television and you get a recording contract. But almost none of these singers who get recording contracts become huge.”

In regards to there being a modern-day version of The Beatles, Simmons said: “The next KISS or the next Beatles or whoever it is is not gonna come along, because there’s no infrastructure. Here, let’s play a game. From 1958 until 1988 is thirty years. What have we got? We have Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The [Rolling] Stones, Jimi Hendrix, the biggest bands of all time. And then in disco, you had Madonna, Donna Summer, all that. The biggest of all. And then in pop, you had Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, all that stuff… and U2. And in heavy metal, you had Metallica and Iron Maiden and all that stuff. And Prince and all that.”

“From 1988 until today… give me the new Beatles and the new Stones. Give me just one. You can’t. Rock is dead. And the reason for that? Downloading and filesharing. When you stop charing for things, it becomes worthless. And there;s gonna have to be a business model that’s gonna have to change.e ‘Cause there are great bands out there, but there’s no support system.”

Joe Polo

John Rutherford

I work at the Holiday Inn Cedar Bluff in Knoxville, TN and everyone there knows I’m a huge KISS fan.  When I showed up for work on my Birthday this weekend this cool cake was waiting on me!!

Cindy Capitani | Wilton Daily Voice

WILTON, Conn. – KISS guitarist Ace Frehley lived and recorded music in this Wilton home, and Jerry Garcia is said to have jammed in the studio, too. There’s a a luxury chicken coop, a media room, a waterfall and a stone bridge. But those are just some of many features this 3-plus acre estate offers.

Ace Frehley’s former mansion as it looks today – Photo credit: Ryan Cornell

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty announced that this contemporary home once owned by Frehley is represented by Wilton agent Ryan Cornell, and offered at $1.15 million

Owned by Frehley during the height of the band’s emerging popularity, this spacious, modern residence has striking angles and multiple glass walls and windows to embrace the natural light.

Fully equipped with updated amenities, the property contains an attached recording studio that was built by Frehley, and rumored to have been used by other iconic musicians, including Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. The space has since been converted but could still be used as a recording studio, yoga studio, workout area and more.

Ace Frehley mansion as it looked in 1981 – Photo credit: Peter Arquette

There is also room for up to seven cars on over 3 acres of lawns and surrounding woods. Visitors are greeted by a pillared iron gate, stone bridge and a long drive that leads to a circular courtyard featuring a water garden and waterfall.

A 70-acre vegetable farm neighbors the grounds, adding to the home’s private, tranquil atmosphere. The five-bedroom residence is strategically structured with bedrooms on one side of the house and leisurely spaces on the other.

The lower level offers a media room with an automatic retractable theatre-size screen, HD projector and powerful surround sound, a colorful playroom, separate office and homework or music room.

The former studio space where Music From the Elder was recorded in 1981 – Photo credit: Ryan Cornell

The residence is both highly efficient and high-tech, featuring LED lights, solar powered skylights, radiant floor heating, as well as smart phone control capabilities.

A luxury chicken coop containing a solar-powered exhaust fan, electric fence and automatic door that opens at dawn and closes at dusk, completes the property.

For more information on the property, located at 29 Tito Lane, visit its website .

NZ on Screen

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Eric Heemsoth | National Rock Review

On October 9-10, 2015, Cadillac, Michigan celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the KISS Homecoming at Cadillac High School with a number of community activities.

Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan made rock n’ roll history when the flamboyant rock band KISS played at their homecoming in October of 1975. According to “The Story Starts Here” article by Jim Neff, the Cadillac High School Vikings football team finished undefeated in 1973 with a perfect 9-0 record. The Vikings, unfortunately, lost the first two games of the following 1974 season.

As one of the coaches, Neff knew that the team was talented, but the pressure of living up to the accomplishments of the previous year was causing them to play below their abilities. The coaches were looking for something to lighten the mood and playing rock music in the locker room beforehand was suggested. Head coach Dave Brines gave Neff the task of picking the music. He chose KISS, a new and outrageous band at the time. They were wild, bold and loud, plus, Neff says, their name invoked an old football credo; Keep It Simple Stupid. Neff says it was a match that was meant to be.

With KISS as their inspiration, the 1974 team went from worst to first by winning its final seven games, eventually becoming conference co-champs for that season. The band heard about the comeback and, says Neff, adopted the Vikings as their team.

On October 9th, 1975, KISS came to Cadillac High School to connect with their football team and played a homecoming concert in the high school gym. KISS arrived at a football field full of people with their faces painted in KISS inspired make-up. The band signed autographs, took pictures, and then played their concert in the school gym.

The next morning, the band received the key to the city while having breakfast with city council members and the mayor who also wore full KISS make-up during the meal. The guys in KISS rode through downtown Cadillac on the renamed “Kiss Boulevard” for the homecoming parade. Right before the game, KISS flew away using a helicopter that made a surprise landing on the 50-yard line of the football field. As they rocketed away, they showered the fans with flyers that read “Cadillac High, KISS loves you!” It’s an event that has become a cornerstone of KISStory and a legendary event in the world of rock music, which people still talk about 40 years later.

On October 9-10, 2015, the small Northern Michigan community of Cadillac celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the KISS Homecoming at Cadillac High School. This year’s homecoming coincided with the 120th Anniversary of Cadillac Viking football. The Cadillac community put together a slew of events that included the homecoming football game and KISS-themed additions to their homecoming parade. Walking tours of KISStorical markers at significant spots around town, encouraged visitors to learn the history. The city unveiled the permanent black granite monument to commemorate the iconic 1975 event next to the football field. To cap the event, the KISS tribute band, Mr. Speed, played a re-creation of the original concert in the high school gymnasium.

Continue reading…

Grant Smithies

On the eve of his band’s first New Zealand gig in seven years, Gene Simmons doesn’t want to talk about music. Not really. He’d rather focus on his two favourite subjects: himself and money. Really, rock’n’roll was merely a way to make a star of the former and a mountain of the latter.

Not that I’m complaining. What better way to spend a fine spring afternoon than getting an economics lesson from this self-styled “God Of Thunder”, best known as the blood-spitting, tongue-waggling bass player from Kiss.

“Hey, what can I say?” drawls Simmons, his accent as New York as a lox bagel, the voice deep as the Mariana Trench.

“I’m rich, and it’s great! People say I’m a ruthless businessman, but in reality, capitalism is very good for the world. Even the most selfish rich asshole still creates jobs when he buys the private jet or builds a million square foot house. Capitalism benefits everybody, because that money gets spread around.

Continue reading…

KMPH News

CADILLAC, Mich. (AP) – In October 1975, Kiss visited a small northern Michigan community where the high school football team had credited the rock band’s music for its success on the field the previous year.

Now residents in Cadillac are giving something back to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers known for wearing makeup that masks its members’ faces: a black granite monument celebrating the 40th anniversary of the visit.

The Cadillac News and WWTV reported that the monument was unveiled Saturday, although members of the band weren’t able to attend. A tribute band performed some Kiss hits as part of the event.

The monument reads in part: “The renowned bond between Cadillac and Kiss endures to this day.”

It also says the event on Oct. 9, 1975, “attained worldwide acclaim as one of the most iconic stories in rock and roll lore.”

“On that day, Kiss came to Cadillac, and a legend was created,” the monument says.

Kiss rode in the homecoming parade and performed in the school gym. The group ultimately departed Cadillac from the football field in a helicopter, showering fans with hundreds of “Kiss Loves You” cards.

“I think we were stunned,” Lucy Best told WWTV. Best was a student at Cadillac High at the time.

“I think we didn’t believe it at first … and as it got closer and people started making plans to paint faces and it started to become real and then they showed up and it really was real,” Best said.

Then-assistant football coach Jim Neff spearheaded efforts in 1975 to get Kiss to town. In 1974, the football team played Kiss songs before games. It had a seven-game winning streak and became conference co-champions, according to the monument.

Neff and former head football coach Milo Brines pulled away the tarp from the monument Saturday at the school’s football stadium.

alive75.com

Their relentless drive to deliver the ultimate classic KISS Tribute experience continues to reach new heights, as Alive! ’75 announces a HUGE event planned for their return to the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA, on Saturday, December 5th, 2015.

“This represents a pinnacle of growth and maturity for Alive! ’75″, says Anthony De Lucia, Jr., the show’s creator and producer.  “This event will be our biggest and most complete package yet.  Once again we are taking Alive! ‘75 to a whole new level and this show will provide even more excitement and opportunity for the classic KISS fan!”

More excitement and opportunity indeed; just consider for a moment what their December 5th show at the Sherman Theater plans to deliver:

• Full KISS-Mart merchandising event, on-site the day of show, courtesy of KISSMuseum.com.
• The Alive! ’75 “Time Warp” 1975 pre-show experience, complete with emcee monologue, live actors, audio-visual reels, poster art gallery display – a complete package of sensory-stimulation!
• Complete Alive! ’75 concert performances, including live fire-breathing and the recreation of a real-life 1975 KISS concert moment – and other new surprises!
• Opportunity for fans to meet, greet and hear directly from the following people WHO WERE THERE in 1975:
  • JR Smalling – the VOICE of the Alive! Album!
  • Len DeLessio – photographer working with KISS in 1974 & 1975
  • Lydia Criss – wife of Peter Criss (1970 – ’78), and author of “Sealed with a KISS”
• With special guest opener – Afterimage: A Tribute to Rush

“We challenged ourselves right from the start to make Alive! ‘75 something different – something more than just another KISS tribute act” says Anthony.  “We wanted to clearly differentiate ourselves in the KISS tribute market and bring something new and interesting to the table.  Something that KISS fans would want to see.”

Anthony continues: “We wanted to do more – capture and focus on the 1975 theme and deliver a complete experience for the fans.  More importantly, we’ve continued to challenge ourselves to make our theater shows bigger and better every time out, and we are so excited about our upcoming Sherman Theater show.  This will be our biggest event yet”.

And with the current planned line-up, it surely appears to be a complete smorgasbord of joy for the classic KISS fans, who will not only get an exciting, period-specific tribute-concert experience in Alive! ’75, but a whole host of classic KISS fun and excitement throughout the day – before, during and after the main event.

As unbelievable as it seems, Alive! ’75 has managed to go from KISS Tribute “newbie” to KISS Tribute phenomenon in just one short year.  The project that admittedly was built as “a bucket list item” by four lifetime KISS fans has proven to be a top-tier production worthy of every KISS fan’s attention.  JR Smalling himself has referred to Alive! ’75 as “the closest that you’re gonna get to the real glory days of KISS!”.  The show has performed throughout the northeast, visiting NY, NJ, PA, RI & MD in 2015, and continues to expand its reach with additional shows in DE, CT, MA, NH and Montreal planned for 2016.

With so many KISS-tribute bands in the marketplace,  Alive! ’75 – A Tribute to KISS continues to be different by providing a complete package, including the period-specific 1975 experience.  For die-hard classic KISS fans (those who appreciate their early works), as well as general fans of rock ‘n roll nostalgia, this is definitely an experience not to be missed!

Tickets ON SALE NOW for their Stroudsburg, PA, performance on December 5th.  Complete details on this one-of-a-kind experience may be found at www.alive75.com   Contact ‘info@alive75.com‘ for more information.

Enzo Soliman | Kpopstarz

While Gene Simmons is writing new songs, he hinted that he might have new songs lined up that are perfect for KISS. Does this mean he is writing a new album from KISS?

Talking to Loud Wire, Simmons revealed that he has been working on a few songs that he thinks Paul Stanley might consider as a hit that could bring the band back together on stage.

He also revealed that it might just be a matter of talking together to possibly bring KISS back on the spotlight with a potential new album release.

“Paul may think there’s not going to be another record; I suspect there will be,” Simmons said. “We never force the issue. There is no one to answer to except our own gut. I recently wrote a song called ‘Your Wish is My Command’ and it feels like KISS. It came out pretty easy. When there’s enough material, we’ll look at each other and say, ‘You wanna?'”

Furthermore, Stanley also talked to Classic Rock about a potential new album from KISS, wherein he revealed releasing one now would be different and more liberating, as they now away from any record label that could potentially give them a different sound, without an entity stating to what they should sound like.

“There has to be a purpose to us doing an album,” the KISS frontman said. “There was a time when we did albums because the contracts said so. But I only want to work now when it’s justified. Sonic Boom was an album that was very much needed to be done and Monster just felt like, ‘Well, we did Sonic Boom – let’s see where we go from here.'”

“Having accomplished that, I feel we can move forward without new music. There are enough things going on in KISS that right now it doesn’t feel utterly necessary to make a new album.”

Loudwire