GENE SIMMONS DISCUSSES EX-KISS MEMBERS APPEARING ON UPCOMING TOUR: ‘WE TALKED ABOUT IT’
Last month, Gene Simmons revealed that a three-year long KISS tour is set to launch in January. Now, in a recent interview, he addressed whether any former members of the band would be taking part in the shows, saying that the subject has been discussed, though no plans have been set in stone.
“We talked about it. But we have not decided anything,” Simmons tells Imperiumi. “The problem is if you bring out a special guest, they come on without makeup. They do. We have not really gotten that far. You can not put on the makeup. You’ve been out of the band 20 years. It’s not going to happen. And it’s a difficult question because if we did bring anybody who was in the band, they could not put on the makeup.”
Simmons has been on the road as part of the celebration of his 50 years in rock and roll where he does meet and greets and delivers his 150 track box set The Vault to fans who have purchased the collection. At designated locations, buyers of the set receive a pre-pack and join a small group of other fans for “Songs and Stories” from The Vault and a Q&A with Simmons.
Original KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have taken part in recent Vault events; even long estranged guitarist Vinnie Vincent has joined the Demon in the intimate setting. Simmons has also co-written two songs for the next Frehley solo album.
NJ rock music: Remembering when future KISS members played a ninth-grade dance in Linden
LINDEN — The year was 1971. Students at the Linden school, which then housed grades 7 through 9 and was known as McManus Junior High School, were getting ready for their ninth-grade spring dance and needed a live band.
The instrumental music teacher at the time, Brooke Ostrander, offered up his band, which played original songs and some contemporary rock hits of the time from such bands as the Moody Blues, the Rolling Stones, and Jethro Tull. Ostrander, who had just started his career at McManus in January 1969, played keyboards and flute for the band, known as Wicked Lester.
While those names may sound unfamiliar, the names of two of Ostrander’s bandmates from that night may ring a bell: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley — founding members of the legendary rock band KISS.
KISS made its debut in 1974 and went on to be one of the biggest rock bands of the ’70s, known for songs such as “Rock and Roll All Nite.” KISS sold out stadiums to fans drawn by its ground-shaking sound, glam-rock costumes, and, of course, one-of-a-kind makeup, which kept the members’ faces hidden from the public for years.
But in 1971, Simmons and Stanley were in a small New York-based band that was known first as Rainbow and then Wicked Lester, playing small gigs at an armory, a college campus and a youth convention.
And at least one in Linden, according to multiple sources, with a keyboard and flute player whose full-time job was as a band teacher at McManus.
News of the McManus show resurfaced this year when Mark Kohut, art teacher at School No. 8 and School No. 9, was reading “KISS: Behind the Mask – Official Authorized Biography” by David Leaf and Ken Sharp, which was published by Grand Central Publishing in 2008. The book talked about the band’s early days, including Ostrander’s contributions to Rainbow and Wicked Lester.
The KISS Room – July 2018
Matt Porter
KISS ARMY – cool off in THE KISS ROOM! Matt Porter is joined by Bobby Dreher and Alex Richter with guests: * BOBBY ROCK, talking about his new book: “This Boy Is Gonna Rock, a drummer’s journey from Houston to Hollywood in search of hair metal heaven” * CHRIS CZYNSZAK from the Decibel Geek Podcast talking about the Nashville Rock Pod Expo 2 * THE KISS ROOM HOUSE BAND™ (Fran Galanti, Steve Foerst, Jim Zagiel, Bobby Dieckmann, with Diana Zagiel and KISS Kidz Miabella and Beth! and MORE! Originally broadcast live on Friday, JULY 13, 2018 via Montco Radio.
KISS Guitar Picks
We have well over 100 different designs of official KISS guitar picks from all eras and all decades of the band! Click below to see the entire collection for sale:
Podcast Rock City – episode 211 KISS in ’84
Jody Havenot
Gene Simmons of Kiss settles suit alleging sexual battery at San Manuel Casino
Ryan Hagen | OCR
Rocker Gene Simmons has settled a lawsuit brought by a broadcaster who alleged Simmons made unwarranted sexual advances during an on-camera interview at the San Manuel Casino near Highland.
Los Angeles County Superior court documents show that an attorney informed the court Monday, July 2, that the case was settled, but it doesn’t provide details of the settlement. Another hearing is set for Aug. 10 to dismiss the case.
A representative for Kiss band member Simmons couldn’t be reached Monday, July 9. When the suit was filed, Simmons said he “did not assault the person making these accusations in the manner alleged in the complaint or harm her in any way.”
“And I look forward to my day in court where the evidence will prove my innocence,” he added.
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 15, alleges Simmons reached over and grabbed the hand of the radio personality, identified as Jane Doe, and “forcefully placed it on his knee and held it on his knee” during a Nov. 1 celebration of the reopening of a casino restaurant. Rock & Brews, co-founded by Simmons and Kiss bandmate Paul Stanley, had finished months of remodeling at its San Manuel Casino location.
The lawsuit accuses Simmons of turning interview questions into sexual innuendos and grabbing the woman’s hand again and making a cooing sound as he said she “must use lotion” before making another sexual innuendo. He then “forcibly flicked/struck” the woman in her throat and provided an “incoherent explanation” for doing so, the lawsuit alleges.
Three Sides of the Coin, episode 291 – Benny Doro, managed by Paul Stanley for 7 years
Michael Brandvold
Episode 291, July 10, 2018. This week we are joined by Benny Doro who was in a band that was managed by Paul Stanley from 1987 to 1994. Benny goes into great depths to share this amazing story… how they were discovered by Paul, signing a contract with Paul, going into the studio with Paul, having to replace their lead singer and so much more. Benny also shares some great KISS stories from his many years of being around Paul and KISS… including the period from Revenge and Carnival of Souls. Very few people can say they were managed and worked this closely with Paul Stanley… you need to hear these stores.
Podcast Rock City, episode 210 – Peter Criss 78 Solo review
Jody Havenot
Vinnie Paul to be buried in KISS casket, just like brother Dimebag
WIMZ
Vinnie Paul will be buried in a KISS -branded casket, just like his brother “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was after he was killed in 2004,TMZ reports.
According to the gossip site, the late Pantera co-founder will be buried on Saturday in Arlington, Texas, in the same cemetery where Dimebag and their mom lie. As previously reported, a public memorial for Paul will be held Sunday, July 1 at the Bomb Factory concert venue in Dallas.
Following Paul’s death, KISS’ Paul Stanley tweeted , “So sad to hear of the death of Vinnie Paul. Loved when Pantera did shows with us and in later years Vinnie was always front and center at all KISS shows. RIP and condolences to his family.”
Gene Simmons added , “Rest in peace, Vinnie. Our prayers and good wishes go to his family, friends and fans.”
Paul died last Friday at age 54. An official cause of death has yet to be announced.
Podcast Rock City, episode 209 Gene Simmons Vault Review disc one!
Jody Havenot
Three Sides of the Coin, episode 290 – The Songs Remain the Same
Michael Brandvold
KISS on 20/20, Full Interview 1979
KISS Autographs at KISSmuseum.com
KISS autographs from a recent private collection we recently purchased. Includes some really unique items!
KISS Norman Gunston Australian Interview, 1980
New Official KISS Magazine, 2018
Three Sides of the Coin, episode 289 – The Goddess of Thunder joins us this week
Michael Brandvold
Podcast Rock City, episode 208 – Sweet 16 Extravaganza part 2!
Jody Havenot
Gene Simmons: ‘I was a jackass and self-centered guy’
Jane Rocca | Sydney Morning Herald
My 92-year-old mother, Flora Klein, is my hero. She was sent to a Nazi concentration camp at the age of 14 and survived, but all the members of her family were wiped out – she saw her mother walk into a gas chamber. Despite the tragedy, she is a positive person who sees the goodness in people’s hearts. I wouldn’t be that forgiving if I had lived her life.
She raised me as a single mother in Israel – I was an only child. My father [Feri Witz] abandoned us when I was six. Mom had relatives living in America and so we relocated there for a better life when I was eight.
When we arrived in America neither of us could speak a word of English. My mother worked in a factory that was like a sweatshop – six days a week, no lunch breaks and there was no minimum wage. She was a button and buttonhole worker, handling 1000 coats a day. She made half a penny for every button sewed.
My father was her one true love. She went to Israel 25 times to visit him, even though he was a scoundrel who had remarried. I later found out that I had five half-brothers from my father’s five other marriages. He died in his early 80s and at that time he was living with a 35-year-old woman. He was who he was to the end.
I lost my virginity at 14 while delivering newspapers on a cold winter’s day in New York. I had to knock on doors and fight snow to get my three dollars for each delivery. An attractive and drunk housewife in her 20s asked me in. She went to get changed and came out in a negligée. You can imagine what happened next.
Gene Simmons advocates dog rescue!
KISS Front man Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Lee Tweed Simmons made a surprise visit to local Los Angeles dog rescue Wags & Walks on Tuesday June 19th 2018.
Their visit was to help raise awareness about dog rescue and deliver hundreds of toys and treats to loving dogs in need of homes. The toys and treats were provided by iHeartDogs.com.
The couple brought George, one of their 4 rescue dogs with them. Shannon Simmons said “I think adopting dogs is good for people’s health. It’s good for the dogs and good for people and not just adopting 1 but adopt at least 2 because then they have a herd so they can be together. So you don’t feel guilty when you go to work. My daughter and I rescued 10 dogs, and we now have 4 with us and my daughter has 2. We have to put 2 down last year because they were too old. One was 19 and another one was 20 and we adopted them since they were 2 years old so it was really hard to let them go. They got cancer and went blind and many other problems.”
Gene Simmons added “They are less like pets and more like members of the family. It’s difficult to let your dog go. You cry for days. It’s just heartbreaking. We go on 4-5 mile hike and Shanon, just by looking at George (their dog), she knows if he’s thinking about pooping, and she can tell if he needs to sit down in the shade and not wants to walk anymore.”
Marshall Morris of iheartdogs.com said “We are supper excited to partner with Gene to deliver to the shelter much-needed toys and treats and things that the dogs need to find their happy homes.” iHeartDogs.com is the leading “profit for purpose” pet goods manufacturer and e-commerce retailer, supporting animal shelters and rescue organizations around the nation. Veteran-owned and operated, iHeartDogs was founded in 2014 as a Facebook page inspired by a rescued Siberian Husky named Splash, and has grown to over 20 million online followers and 1 million loyal customers. Through each customer purchase, iHeartDogs is able to fund millions of meals for shelter animals, provide hundreds of thousands of safe toys to shelters and helps fund service and companion animals for veterans. Named one of the nation’s fastest-growing companies by Inc. 500, iHeartDogs runs on the simple belief that every dog matters.