Rock Legends Cruise XIII
The floating rock festival with a cause, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Liberty of the Seas February 23rd-27th, 2026
KISS-THEMED ROCK & BREWS CLOSES LUTZ/WESLEY CHAPEL LOCATION AMID CHAIN STRUGGLES
Fans of rock-themed dining in the Tampa Bay area will have to look elsewhere, as Rock & Brews in Lutz/Wesley Chapel has permanently closed. The State Road 56 location, situated across from the Tampa Premium Outlets, shut its doors earlier this month. The closure is part of a larger trend for the KISS co-founded restaurant chain, which has faced multiple shutdowns recently. The Plantation, Florida, location closed on January 13, 2025, and restaurants in Oklahoma City and El Segundo, California, have also ceased operations—with the latter filing for bankruptcy.
Despite these setbacks, several Florida locations—including Orlando, Oviedo, and Kissimmee—remain open and operating. Rock & Brews was founded in 2012 by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, along with Michael Zislis, Dave Furano, and Dell Furano. The vision? To create a family-friendly restaurant that blended American comfort food with a concert-like atmosphere. The concept was first sparked during a casual brainstorming session over “a cold beer” with restaurateur Michael Zislis and the Furano brothers.
The restaurant quickly gained traction, expanding to 17 locations across the country, offering an immersive rock-and-roll experience featuring memorabilia, an extensive craft beer selection, and a casual, music-infused vibe. With Rock & Brews in Lutz/Wesley Chapel now closed, the space won’t stay empty for long—a Portillo’s restaurant is set to take its place. Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, Portillo’s continues to expand in Florida, bringing a different kind of nostalgia to the location.
As Rock & Brews faces mounting closures, questions arise about the future of the chain. Will the remaining locations in Florida and beyond be able to keep the brand alive, or is this the beginning of the end for the KISS-fronted venture? Only time will tell.
From Tampa Bay Music News
Kiss is filmed by the German TV program Szene ’76
Chris Jericho’s KISS Cover Band Releases New Music Video
Turn On The Night – @Kuarantine3 pic.twitter.com/yT6LXpYWf2
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) March 27, 2025
Hard Luck Woman Video
Kiss details Vegas fan experience
The event will feature a live “unmasked” performance by the band and more
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends Kiss announces, in conjunction with co-producers Pophouse, creators of the boutique music vacation Topeka, and music-led destination experience company Vibee, the epic experience Kiss Army Storms Vegas set to take place at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas November 14-16, 2025.
The “everything Kiss” paradise will take place in celebration of Kiss Army’s 50th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the first Kiss fan convention. Since retiring from touring in December 2023, this will be the first time Kiss has performed together and will be a one-of-a-kind Kiss “unmasked” electric show featuring Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and special guests. A full schedule of activities will be announced soon, but fans can also expect exclusive Q&A sessions with members of the band, a panel with longtime manager Doc McGhee, a special live performance from former Kiss member Bruce Kulick, along with sets from Kiss tribute bands, other special guests, interactive activities, exclusive experiences and more.
Details will begin to roll out shortly. On March 8th selected fans from around the globe were invited to a panel discussion to help shape the event in conjunction with the Kiss production team. The fan feedback and ideas will be incorporated in the weekend’s festivities.
Experience packages, starting at $999 (without taxes) for the three-day event, will go on-sale to the general public on April 7th at 7 am PT. Kiss Army VIP Fan Club members receive pre-sale access starting March 28th at 7 am PT, with the Kiss Army & Fan pre-sale beginning April 2nd at 7 am PT.
UNION live at The Crossroads – Complete show
Gene Simmons Says No One Looked at KISS Twice When They Shot the Dressed to Kill Album Cover in N.Y.C. 50 Years Ago
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Gene Simmons is always dressed to kill — even if the clothes don’t totally fit.
The KISS bassist said in an interview with the New York Post published on Tuesday, March 25 that when photographing their Dressed to Kill album cover in 1975, no one was fazed by their appearance.
Simmons, 75, and bandmates Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss were posing on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 23rd Street in their signature black-and-white makeup and voluminous hairstyles.
“There we are on a street corner, and the people who are walking by are going on about their day, not even looking at us twice,” he recalled.
Photographer Bob Gruen, who was behind the iconic album cover, said that the band wasn’t known at the time, which might’ve contributed to the band going unnoticed.
“And in New York City, you have to be more than weird to get attention. So we were standing on the corner, and basically, nobody stopped to talk to us or look at them or anything like that.”
Simmons also shared that there were no tailors or stylists on site for the photoshoot — and he didn’t own a suit or tie at all.
“I did not own a suit or a tie, so I had to borrow our manager at the time Bill Aucoin’s suit,” he recalled.
Added Simmons: “He was a much smaller man … So I put on his suit and nothing fits. If you look at the album cover, the sleeves were short, and the pants didn’t go all the way down.”
He also didn’t have dress shoes — hence the clogs that graced the album cover. “[Kiss guitarist] Ace Frehley had a pair of white clogs that he used to walk around with,” he continued, “and for no reason at all, I put on the clogs that are on the cover.”
Ace Frehley LIVE at SeaWorld Orlando 🎶 | Seven Seas Food Festival 2025 | Full Show 4K UHD
KISS – I Was Made For Lovin’ You – 12″ Extended Edition Music Video
John 5 KISS Museum
McG In Final Talks To Direct KISS Biopic ‘Shout It Out Loud’ As Project Lands At STX Entertainment
EXCLUSIVE: McG (Way of the Warrior Kid) is in final negotiations to direct Shout It Out Loud, a biopic about Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and their superstar rock band KISS, which will be produced by STX Entertainment, sources tell Deadline.
STX declined to comment, but we hear the studio is in discussions with Lionsgate to distribute the film worldwide and co-finance. The project previously had been set up at Netflix, following a bidding war, with Joachim Rønning attached to direct, as we first reported in 2021.
No word on the framing the film will take in looking at KISS’s decades-long musical journey. Financed by Polygram Entertainment, the most recent draft of the script is written by Darren Lemke (Shazam!, Gemini Man). The project is based on a prior script by Ole Sanders, who was involved with Rønning’s incarnation. William Herron was the first writer on the project.When the deal makes, McG will produce alongside his Wonderland producing partner Mary Viola. Other producers and executive producers for the project include Mark Canton, Leigh Ann Burton, Doc McGhee, Polygram Entertainment’s Jody Gerson and David Blackman, David Hopwood, Courtney Solomon, and Dorothy Canton, along with Simmons and Stanley. Christa Campbell and Annie Herndon are overseeing for STX.
Do Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Detest Mark? Mark is primed and ready, we put a quarter in him and let him go. Plus, updates on the ever changing KISS Asylum tour Off The Soundboard… where you can purchase the CD and the merch featuring only Gene and Paul are pulled. Pophouse is listening and reacting.
“It’s something younger players would do well to learn from”: John 5 on the one thing no one does better than Ace Frehley
What makes a guitar solo truly great? Is it sheer speed, jaw-dropping technicality or the kind of melody that lingers in your head long after the song is over? According to John 5, when it comes to crafting a solo you can sing along to, no one does it better than Ace Frehley.
In a new interview with Ultimate Guitar, the former Rob Zombie guitarist and current Mötley Crüe shredder explains why the original Kiss lead guitarist remains his favourite. For him, it all comes down to the power of early inspiration.
“It’s just when you’re little and you see something, it could be a sports figure, it could be a race car driver or a hockey player, baseball or basketball. But mine was Kiss, and that’s what inspired me to do what I’m doing today,” says John 5.
“And I’m glad because I think inspiration is one of the most important things in the world. Because it stays with you forever, and it can change your life forever, as well.”
He adds that Frehley’s melodic style – featuring those solos you could sing along to – is something younger guitar players would do well to learn from.
“I was inspired by… I always liked things ‘to the limit.’ To the pinnacle, to the absolute most,” says the guitarist. “Like, the fastest race car driver, the best this, the best that. And with guitar, I wanted to take it to the absolute top, top, top. And that’s why I like all the crazy shredding.”
“But I love Ace and I love all that stuff. You know, like, with the melodic solos. No one does it better than him. I’m just so happy I got to be inspired by all these great players.”
KISS Alive II Stage 1:20 Scale Action Figures Deluxe Box Set #1 Convention Exclusive at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Product Description
- This one is numberd 1267 out of 1500!
- “You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!”
- KISS action figures with stage playset!
- Rock out to your tunes with included mini wireless speaker!
- The stage features adjustable rising platforms and a KISS light up logo.
What’s the next best thing to seeing KISS live in concert? It’s having their official action figures rock out on a replica stage to your custom playlist of course! That dream is now a reality thanks to the KISS Alive II Stage with 1:20 Scale Action Figures – Deluxe Box Set #1 – Convention Exclusive from Bif Bang Pow!.
This one-of-a-kind set features each of the KISS band members in 1:20 scale form. Each action figure has 9 points of articulation and they are wearing their character-specific outfits. The Demon even comes with a fabric cape! The Demon, Starchild, and Spaceman each come with a guitar while The Catman comes ready with a pair of drumsticks and a premium paper-craft drum set!
Like any great concert, the centerpiece of this incredible set is the stage itself that measures approximately 13 x 11 wide x 9.5 inches and includes manually adjustable platforms on each of the lower corner stage panels. In addition, the center stage platform is removable to allow for placement of the included mini wireless speaker so you can stream the classics to the stage (music not included)! Also, the stage’s backdrop feature graphics inspired by the band’s Alive II album and if that wasn’t enough, the prominent KISS logo is animated and lights-up for the ultimate mini-concert experience!
Every set includes a full sheet of reproduction of KISS themed temporary tattoos, similar to the ones that came with the original KISS Alive II album. Last but certainly not least, the set comes packaged in a deluxe box with Alive II album artwork with a 4-color wrap with distressed artwork. This is a limited edition of 1,500 pieces and each set is individually numbered with a holographic sticker. Fans and loyal supporters of the KISS Army alike will want to Shout it Out Loud with this incredible collectible inspired by one of the world’s most renowned rock groups! Prototyping by 3D Systems and Gentle Giant. Ages 14 and up.
This collector’s set contains all of the following items:
1x The Demon action figure (variant with horned cape and blood spattered mouth!)
1x The Catman action figure
1x The Spaceman action figure
1x The Starchild action figure
1x KISS Alive II inspired stage
1x Mini wireless speaker
1x Full sheet of reproduction KISS themed temporary tattoos
Dee Snider Slams KISS Vegas Show Following Recent Farewell Tour
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider voiced strong criticism about KISS’s newly announced Las Vegas reunion show on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement emerged 14 months after KISS completed their farewell tour.
“So I was told today that a KISS reunion in Vegas has been announced. 14 months since their last farewell,” Snider said. “That may be a new record for them.”
“I can’t believe people still put up with their sh*t,” he continued. “To me it’s insulting.”
KISS recently announced a special performance featuring former guitarist Bruce Kulick in Las Vegas to mark the band’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Snider’s criticism draws attention to KISS’s pattern of farewell performances and subsequent stage returns. This history raises questions about the finality of such announcements.
KISS Plot Live Return With Unmasked Las Vegas Concert
Just 15 months on from their final performance, veteran rockers KISS have announced their return to the live stage with a one-off ‘unmasked’ concert.
The show was announced via an email sent to fans, confirming that the group would be performing as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event, which runs from Nov. 14 – 16 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Though a full rundown of activities are said to arrive shortly, the headline of the message is KISS’ intention to perform a makeup-free show as part of the event. The performance will be the band’s first since December 2023, where they wrapped up their End of The Road Tour with a two-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Despite their large-scale farewell tour (their second, after 2001’s fittingly-titled KISS Farewell Tour), fans had speculated that the band could indeed take to the stage again at some point. Bassist Gene Simmons was quick to nix that claim, clarifying the band’s plans in an interview with Rolling Stone in November 2023: “I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.”
Kiss filming the “Land Of Hype And Glory” NBC Documentary
Legendary rock band returning to stage 2 years after farewell tour
KISS wrapped up its farewell tour two years ago.
Turns out, it wasn’t a farewell at all, though, because the legendary rock band is returning to the stage in 2025. The news comes just days after frontman Gene Simmons announced without explanation that most of his solo 2025 tour was being postponed to 2026.
Loudwire.com reported that the performance is set to be an unmasked live show to take place as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event which is slated to take place Nov. 14-16 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.