Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley of rock band Kiss perform during a concert on their Latin America tour.
Aleisha Orr/www.watoday.com.au
Perth rock fans should get their face paint ready because KISS are headed to Perth.
The band will play in Perth along with 80s metal group Motley Crue on February 28.
The two bands will perform at the Perth Arena.
The 2013 tour will mark KISS's 40th anniversary.
KISS will perform fan favorites from their treasure-trove of hits along with tracks from their recently released 20th studio album Monster, which debuted at number seven on the ARIA charts.
Motley Crue may have toured just last year but fans are still expected to be excited about the tour, with the band known for their entertaining live shows with elements such as Tommy Lee's 360 drum roller coaster.
Irish rockers Thin Lizzy and Brisbane up-and-comers Diva will open the shows on the tour.
KISS, Motley Crue with Thin Lizzy
Australian Tourdates:
Feb 28th – Perth - Perth Arena
March 3rd – Adelaide - Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar* without Motley Crue
March 5th – Melbourne - Etihad Stadium
March 6th – Melbourne - Etihad Stadium
March 9th – Sydney - All Phones Arena
March 10th - Sydney - All Phones Arena
March 12th – Brisbane - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
March 16th – Mackay- Virgin Australia Stadium
It is my honor, and it gives me great pleasure, to inform you The KISS Coffeehouse has been voted "Best Of The Grand Strand" once again in 2012! This now marks 4 consecutive years in a row (2009-2012)! With over 56,000+ total votes cast, by both locals and tourists alike, and over 1,000+ businesses competing for "Best Of" honors, in 68 unique, and special categories, The KISS Coffeehouse was 1 of just 68 overall winners, winning our respective category (Specialty Food & Drink - Best Coffee Shop)! The "Best Of The Grand Strand" competition is an annual competion, sponsored by Myrtle Beach's local NBC affiliate, WMBF News. The "Grand Strand" is a 60+ mile stretch of ocean front/beach along both the North and South Carolina coastlines.
Thanks again "KISS Army" for your votes, and for your continued loyalty and support, of both KISS and The KISS Coffeehouse!
Anthony Morgan/Metal Forces Magazine (excerpt) “My favourite early KISS material is the first three albums (February 1974’s Kiss, October 1974’s Hotter Than Hell, and March 1975’s Dressed To Kill),” Tommy cites. “The first four albums I should say, including Alive! (September 1975). Anything on any of those records is just phenomenal stuff. The band was new, the band was raw, and you can hear it in the singing. You can hear it in the guitar playing; Ace (Frehley) was at the top of his game on those first three to four albums. There’s no question about it.
“That’s really where I cut my teeth when I was starting to play guitar. I’ve been playing all of those tunes for almost 40 years now (laughs), and that’s why I know them so well. Really though, some of my favourite stuff is off of our new album Monster. The guitar playing on that and the guitar solos are something that I’m very proud of. I really came out of my shell on this. It’s very in-your-face, and the guitar playing and the album itself is something that we’re all very proud of and very excited about. I’m looking forward to everybody hearing that.”
Continue reading: HERE.
Montreal rock journalist and KISS fanatic Mitch Lafon (pictured here with his children backstage with KISS) is organizing the all-star A World With Heroes KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute Album to benefit The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Centre (All photos courtesy Mitch Lafon)
Montreal Gazette
Montreal rock journalist and KISS fanatic Mitch Lafon wanted to help raise some cash to
benefit The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence after his father-in-law James Stanley Droulis passed away from cancer last month. Within days of dreaming up his KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute Album for charity – the album will be called A World With Heroes – a who’s who of the hard-rock world have come on board, including members of such bands as Cinderella, Guns N’ Roses, Whitesnake and Montreal’s very own Slaves on Dope.
“I was very impressed with the staff and care given at the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence and I wanted to give back, but didn’t know how,” says Lafon, a West-Island native. “A couple of weeks after my father-in-law passed away, KISS – one of my favorite bands – celebrated their 40th anniversary, and that’s when the light in my head went off. Having been a rock journalist for over 20 years, I thought why not combine my love for KISS, the friends I’ve made in the rock world and do something spectacular for the palliative care unit? I could certainly raise greater awareness and funds this way than anything I could do on my own.”
The list of rock stars who have agreed to record tracks for the KISS tribute album is impressive: Eric Brittingham (bass – Cinderella) , Jeff LaBar (guitars – Cinderella) and Troy Lucketta (drums – Tesla); Terry Ilous (Great White), Bumblefoot (GNR), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Russ Dwarf (The Killer Dwarfs), Ron Young (Little Caesar), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Rex Brown (Pantera, Kill Devil Hill), Dery Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Phil Lewis (LA GUNS), Doro, Tommy Denander, Slaves on Dopes, Phil Naro (ex-Talas and Peter Criss), Ron Keel and Sean Kelly (Nelly Furtado’s band and Helix). Lafon expects to announce more musicians shortly.
Coninue Reading HERE.
Mandi Woodruff/ Business Insider Right on the heels of the Lohan family's brush with foreclosure, a former KISS rocker is the latest celebrity in mortgage trouble.
Ace Frehley (nee Paul), who played guitar for KISS throughout the 70s and rejoined the band on tour in the late 90s, is on the hook for $735,000 worth of missed mortgage payments on his Yorktown, N.Y. home, the The Journal News reports.
The news surfaced after his bank, U.S. Bank National Association, filed a foreclosure claim on feb. 15. And the mortgage issue is just the beginning. Frehley has neglected nearly two years' worth of unpaid property taxes, according to the Journal News. That includes a "2011 lien of $5,131.61 for town and county taxes, as well as $13,425.94 for unpaid 2012 county, school and town taxes."
If Frehley can't come up with the cash, chances are the bank (or the county) will wind up selling the home at auction. And from what little information we have on his case, we're willing to bet that's exactly what Frehley wants.
Frehley reportedly stopped paying on the home two years ago, just a few years after he took over the title on the 3-acre, 2,441 sq. ft. pad back in 2006. Many underwater homeowners –– those who owe more on their homes than they are actually worth –– choose to cut their losses, stop making mortgage payments and simply wait for their mortgage lender to foreclose.
In the meantime, they can start putting their resources into a smaller home or apartment they can afford.
The foreclosure process can take anywhere from under a year to more than two years to complete, so it makes sense we're only hearing of Frehley's foreclosure notice now.
Behind on payments: Frehley's house on 3.1 acres is worth about $735,000. The guitarist owes more than $700,000 on it, in addition to $20,000 in back taxes
KISS TOUR OF CANADA & SOME US SHOWS PLANNED FOR JULY/AUGUST 2013
According to GeneSimmons.com, a KISS tour of Canada and some US shows are set for July through August 2013. No dates have been officially confirmed nor are they listed on KISS' tourpage (other than shows marked with an asterisk *). Here are the dates:
JULY- Canadian Dates 05- Victoria, BC. 06- Vancouver, BC. 08- Penticton, BC. or Ketowna, BC. 10- Lethbridge, AB. 12- Edmonton, AB. 13- Calgary, AB. 14- Moose Jaw, SK. 16- Saskatoon, SK. 17- Estevan, SK. 18- Brandon, MB. 20- Cadott, WI. (US)* 22- Winnepeg, MB 25- London, ON. 26- Ottawa, ON. or Hamilton, ON. 27- Ottawa, ON. 29- Montreal, QC. 31- St. John, NB
AUGUST- Canadian and US Dates 01- Halifax, NS. 03- St. Johns, NL. 08- Verona, NY. 09- Uncasville, CT. 10- Atlantic City, NJ. 13- Simpsonville, SC. 16- Orlando, FL 17- Orlando, FL.*
Visit http://www.ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com and join the conversation. Three Sides of the Coin is a KISS podcast featuring Michael Brandvold, Mitch Lafon and Tommy Sommers.
In episode #11 we discuss Did Gene Simmons Lose the Demon Character. Has the demon character softened over the years? Does Gene do things on stage that are not characteristic of the demon?
Episode 6 finds your KISS army brothers discussing our own personal picks for what we're calling our 'Sweet 16 of the Solo Albums'...see if your faves match up to ours..Plus dig on our cover of 'Tomorrow'!
Kissonline posted these awesome KISS tattoos. The definition, color and detail of these pieces of body art is very cool, I had to share the photo with Mask readers this morning! The top left tattoo combining the famous Empire State Building shoot and the "Dynasty" album poster insert is one of the best I've ever seen. Check out the tat of Paul in and out of makeup and tats of Eric, Peter and Gene. The photos come from the Kiss Army Tattoo Club Facebook page.
Paul Stanley held a private fan Meet & Greet in Las Vegas February 16th. the event was an opportunity for fans to talk, take photos and have conversations with the legendary frontman.
Photo: Keith LeRoux
KISS @ 40 On this day, February 20, 1976, KISS did a photo shoot out front of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theater. KISS had finshed their fourth album and put the boots in cement in front of the theater.
www.TommyThayer.com Tommy Thayer recently held an invitational dinner that raised $150.000 for the Arnold Palmer Tradition Scholarship Fund. The dinner was held on February 5th in La Quinta, California.
Tommy and musician friends Robby Krieger, Danny Seraphine, Patrick Lamb and Will Champlin performed a private concert to the exclusive party capped at 100 attendees.
Pictured are Tommy Thayer and Golf Legend Arnold Palmer.
Ace Frehley All-Star Jam - "Cold Gin"
YouTube/Suzanne Kane
February 18, 2013
Here is part of the final jam at Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp in The Bahamas. "Cold Gin" featuring: Ace Frehley, Kip Winger, Rudy Sarzo, Sandy Gennaro, Mark Hudson, Richie Kotzen, Gary Hoey and George Lynch.
KISS will return to headline Rock Fest, July 20th in Cadott, Wisconsin. KISS headlined the festival in 2007 before a rocking crowd of 35,000. Opening for KISS will be Megadeth, Stone Sour and Warrant, among others.
For information go to http://www.rock-fest.com/
In the February episode, Matt Porter is joined in THE KISS ROOM by Chris Giordano, Mike Natalini, and our special guests DAVID SNOWDEN, KIM SNOWDEN, ALEX RICHTER, and CHRIS CZYNSZAK! Plus, we play some great "KISS LOVE SONGS"!
KISS' debut album, KISS, was released and unleashed on this day, February 18, 1974.
Track list:
Strutter Nothin' To Lose Firehouse Cold Gin Let Me Know Kissin' Time* Deuce Love Theme From KISS 100,000 Years Black Diamond.
*- Kissin' Time did not appear on the first pressing. The song was recorded at the request of Casablanca Records' founder Neil Bogart and ended up on the band's second pressing in July 1974. Check out this fan made video of the first KISS album.
Be a part of the KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute Album - with songs from every
era - and help out a cancer hospice.
To mark the 40th Anniversary of KISS, we have gathered some of the greatest
rock musicians for a KISS tribute album. “A World With Heroes” features unique
performances of incredible KISS songs.
Here at PledgeMusic, you can be a part of the creation of this album. Have a
look to the right —> to see how you can be involved.
Your pledge will PRE-ORDER this historic album.
And not only will we be making an amazing tribute to KISS come to life, but
your pledges will also benefit a cancer care hospice (my father-in-law passed
away there peacefully on Jan 4th 2013).
All basic tracks will be recorded by these incredible musicians: Eric
Brittingham (bass – Cinderella) , Jeff LaBar (guitars
– Cinderella) and Troy Lucketta (drums – Tesla). The vocalists
and other artists that will contribute to the CD include: Terry
Ilous (Great White), Bumblefoot (GNR), Russ
Dwarf (The Killer Dwarfs), Ron Young (Little Caesar),
Doug Alrich (Whitesnake), Rex Brown (Pantera,
Kill Devil Hill), Dery Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Bill
Leverty (Firehouse), Phil Lewis (LA GUNS),
Doro, Tommy Denander, Slaves on
Dopes (w/Jason Rockman) and Sean Kelly (Nelly
Furtado’s band & Helix). And more to be announced shortly.
Pledge to be a part of this amazing tribute and great cause.
Paul Stanley, along with his son Colin, were at last night's Lakers game in Los Angeles where they met with basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. February 12, 2013.
On this episode of the Talking Metal podcast Mark and John celebrate 40 years of Kiss. Also, Mark talks to Tommy Thayer of Kiss about his limited edition Epiphone signature model Les Paul, Black N Blue, Hunter S Thompson, Vinnie Vincent, Judas Priest, Stars, Angel, the first Metal Massacre album and various Kiss albums including Monster, Sonic Boom, Hot In the Shade and Revenge.
Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, David Grohl and Paul Stanley at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party at the Beverly Hilton,Beverly Hills, CA., February 9, 2013.
Paul Stanley and Alice Cooper have a chat at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party at the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA., February 9, 2013. Photos:WireImage
THE KISS ROOM is LIVE on February 15 from 3-5PM EST! Matt and Frank will be joined in-studio by Chris Giordano and Mike Natalini with special guests: THE KISS ROOM is LIVE on February 15 from 3-5PM EST! Matt and Frank will be joined in-studio by Chris Giordano and Mike Natalini with special guests:
* DAVID SNOWDEN from David Snowden Promotions * ALEX RICHTER, editor of HARD & FAST magazine! * DAVID SNOWDEN from David Snowden Promotions * ALEX RICOur guests in THE KISS ROOM have some great KISS stories!
DAVID SNOWDEN of DAVID SNOWDEN PROMOTIONS * did some of the doing the first "fan" interviews with any of the band members - Eric Carr, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, Gene Simmons, and Bruce Kulick! * did the official fan clubs for Vinnie Vincent, Ace Frehley, & Peter Criss! *ran the largest KISS merchandise site/mail order from 1994-2000 and much MORE!
ALEX RICHTER was the publisher and editor of the HARD & FAST Magazine and interviewed members of KISS as well as Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Ratt, Cheap Trick, Electric Angels, Kix, LA Guns, Y&T, Britny Fox, Doro, Soundgarden, Sabbath, EZO, Slaughter, Anthrax, The Ramones, Badlands, Europe, 4 Horsemen, DIO, Lillian Axe, Lizzy Borden, The Wildhearts, Dokken, Smashed Gladys, Michael Monroe, Motley Crue and many MORE! Listen 3-5PM Friday February 15, 2013 at www.montcoradio.comwww.thekissroom.com
Kiss star Paul Stanley says he’s never gone into depth over his life struggles because it would go against his job description.
Martin Kielty/ClassicRock.com
He’s finally poised to break his silence in an autobiography, which he describes as “three-quarters done.”It’ll be the first time he’ll have seriously discussed the ups and downs of his road to success.
Stanley tells Examiner.com: “I’m an entertainer, a performer. People pay me to entertain. People pay me to forget about their problems. You don’t want to hear my problems.”
Accepting there are some fans who’ll be desperate to read his story, he continues: “It’s not just about Kiss – although Kiss has been a big part of my life. I’d be cheating everybody if I didn’t talk about that.
“It’s a story with a happy ending, like a good massage. I want people to know life isn’t always easy, but if you believe in yourself you can come up on top.
“I think there’s a lot to be said for self-empowerment, for what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself.”
But he admits: “I think people seek fame and success to fill a void in themselves. Once they become famous they have to figure out what’s really the problem. They either go with drugs or they go another way.”
KISS Valentine's Day Sweepstakes: Get Married at the 'Hotter Than Hell' Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas!
By Noisecreep Staff
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Noisecreep has partnered with the 'Hottest Band in the World' to make KISStory together!
Late last year, the new KISS Mini Golf compound opened in Las Vegas. The indoor 18-hole course is a rock fan's dream, with giant black light KISS-themed sculptures, a stage with life-size animatronic KISS mannequins, and an 18th hole modeled after Gene Simmons's "Demon" character.
But it's the 'Hotter Than Hell' Wedding Chapel that truly takes the place over-the-top!
It's the ideal spot for a Rock & Roll Wedding, where invitations are concert tickets and rose petals are guitar picks. KISS fans can get married on a big stage fashioned after the Love Gun album cover, with theatrical lights and sound and the kinds of fog machines present at any arena concert.
In honor of Valentine's Day, Noisecreep is giving one lucky winner the change to get hitched for the first time or renew their wedding vows at the KISS 'Hotter Than Hell' Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas!
If that weren't already enough, the winner's Grand Prize package also includes: photos at the Wedding Chapel with a professional photographer; 'Hotter Than Hell' Wedding Lanyards + Laminates; 'Hotter Than Hell' Wedding Chapel certificate; (2) 'I Got Married at...' KISS t-shirts; (2) Passes to play KISS Monster Mini Golf.
Paul Stanley, along with his wife Erin, talked with a correspondent at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills the night before the big event. Paul said, "We're off to Australia in three weeks,so we got a sold out tour there. Then we'll be home for a couple of months, then we're off to Europe. Then this summer Canada and then Japan, and another Kiss cruise, and then another US tour." Check out the video HERE.
Ace Frehley Private Guitar Signing/Meet and Greet in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday,
February 17, 2013
Each fan will have the opportunity to meet with
Ace Frehley and have Ace sign their guitar in a "private" setting. Details will
be arranged with each fan on a one on one basis. Please include your mobile
phone number and e-mail address when ordering.
Features:
*ACE will autograph your guitar as displayed in
the photo, and he will personalize the signature if preferred.
*Includes photo of ACE with your guitar (please
bring your camera!)
Celebrate the one year anniversary of KISS by Monster Mini Golf with a special VIP Party on Saturday, March 23rd from 6pm - 8pm in Las Vegas! Special guest KISS drummer Eric Singer will be available for photos and autographs, and will also be doing an intimate Q&A!
Platinum and MONSTER ticket packages are available for the VIP Party. Sales are limited as we would like everyone in attendance to enjoy the party!
The day will kick off with a free KISS Expo outside in the parking lot of KISS by Monster Mini Golf from 10am - 6pm.
Special Expo Guests include Bob Kulick and Ken Kelly.
- Shop for KISS collectibles at a KISS venue!
- Get your Face "KISS" Painted!
- Get your Photo taken in the KISS boots!
Click KISS Monster Mini Golf for more details on tickets.
You have a
once in a lifetime opportunity to buy an exclusive collectible
& meet Paul Stanley before KISS' show!
2013
GUITAR + MEET & GREET OPTIONS:
Paul Stanley Washburn Starfire
guitar
Washburn Starfire guitar SMASHED onstage in
your honor
Stage-Played Washburn Starfire played for
one song during the concert YOU attend!
NEW for 2013: Acoustic set-played fan meet
& greet guitars for Australian shows!
All options
include a personal meet-and-greet before the KISS show with Paul Stanley for
you and one guest! Your guitar will be autographed and personalized with
the inscription of your choice. Bring your camera, as you’ll want your
picture with the Starchild too! Go to www.paulstanleyguitars.com for info on all guitar options and meet & greets for KISS' 2013 MONSTER TOUR
KISS' "Beth" wins the People's Choice Award, February 10, 1977. Peter's wife Lydia Criss accepted the award for the band as they were on tour.
Here's video:
Paul Stanley of Kiss talks on the red carpet at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party
By Phyllis Pollack
At the Annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party held in Los Angeles, California at the Beverly Hilton tonight, Paul Stanley of Kiss stopped on the red carpet to discuss his latest project, his upcoming book.
In an interview on the red carpet, Stanley stated, "My book is about three-quarters done. It should be pretty terrific."
He noted, "I think there’s a lot to be said for self-empowerment for what you can accomplish, when you believe in yourself, and go against all the odds and adversity."
"So hopefully, it will be a book that is more than just a lot of smut, and a tell-all, or braggadocio," he said. How’s that for a word? "
What revelations will Stanley's fans find out about him as a person? He joked, "That I’m an exceptional guy. It’s a book that my kids will be able to read. Not right now, but it's a book that will show where I started and that the road really isn’t that easy."
So far, Stanley has not been very open when discussing hardships he has been through. There is a reason for this, Stanley explains, "I’m an entertainer. I’m a performer. People pay me to entertain. People pay me to forget about their problems."
"You don’t want to hear my problems. You don’t want to hear about mine," he said.
Maybe there are some rock fans that do. "Okay. Let me get a chair and sit down. Let me get a couch, I'll lay down," he joked.
I smile and offer, "I’ll be your analyst. I could do a good job."
"I’m sure you would," laughed Stanley.
Has the Kiss guitarist become more secure as a person over time? "There is no substitute for time," he responded.
Many recording artists have written books, revealing their personal problems, whether they are addiction issues or other problems. After getting into music, they find it isn't a cure-all for their issues.
"That’s true," said Stanley. "I think people seek fame and success to kind of fill a void in themselves. And once they become famous and successful, then they have to figure out what’s really the problem. And they either go with drugs or they find another way."
He noted, "The book is not finished yet. The first draft is almost done. I give it about four or five months. It's my life story."
"It's not just about Kiss, although Kiss has been a big part of my life. So I'd be cheating everybody if I didn't talk about that," he conceded.
Stanley said, "It's a story with a happy ending, like a good massage."
He added, "I want people to know that life isn't always easy, but if you believe in yourself, you can overcome adversity and come up on top."
The Annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party is held the night before the Grammy Awards every year, and is sponsored by The Recording Academy.
KISS TO HEADLINE ARENABOWL XXVI WEEKEND in Orlando
(Kissonline)
Legendary Rockers 40th Anniversary Celebrates with Champions of AFL
CBS Sports Network and the CBS Network partner in success
BIG NEWS with BIG PARTNERS. AFL, CBS and KISS Unite for major Entertainment Weekend
Legendary rock band KISS will perform during ArenaBowl XXVI weekend this August 16th in Orlando, Florida, as this unprecedented partnership with The Arena Football League and CBS Sports was proudly announced on Tuesday.
KISS, known for their elaborate and explosive stage shows, iconic black and white face paint, and never ending love of helping their KISS Army Fans to remember to “Rock and Roll All Night and Party Every Day” are returning to Orlando for the first time since 2006. KISS, lead by the original founding partners of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide over the last four decades and notched eight Top 10 albums, highlighted by hit songs such as “Rock And Roll All Nite” and “Calling Dr. Love”. The recently released Number 1 MONSTER Album from KISS has been hailed by critics as the bands greatest studio album in years. Go to KISSONLINE.com for more.
ArenaBowl XXVI is set to be played at the Amway Center in Orlando on Saturday, August 17. The game will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 1 p.m. as part of the 3 day weekend celebration.
About the AFL and CBS partnership
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased their fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and postseason through the semifinal round. The ArenaBowl XXVI Championship Game will air on the CBS Television Network on August 17, 2013.
Paul Stanley will appear on Alice Cooper's nationally syndicated radio show, "Nights with Alice Cooper," set to air Wednesday February, 13 and Thursday, February 19. The show's producer thought Paul was "so great" that they had to cut the show into two parts. For more information on times and channels go to www.nightswithalicecooper.com.
In order to carry on the work begun a couple of weeks ago your humble servant now offers up a similar treatment to the solo work of former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, who has been and always will be my favourite member of Kiss. His contributions to the Kiss catalogue are stellar with a rare exception or two - Torpedo Girl from the “Unmasked” album being one ’worthy’ of mention in that regard. Ace ‘s first solo release from ’78 (while still with Kiss) is, some would say unfortunately, the best work Frehley has ever done, his penultimate achievement. His subsequent solo albums are uneven affairs, particularly the late ’80′s albums “Second Sighting” and “Trouble Walkin’” – hence their scant representation in this list.
It’s been well publicized that Ace and Peter were the bad boys of Kiss, embracing that title to the extent that they toured under the slogan together with their respective solo bands in the mid-nineties, just prior to the reunion goings-on. I was at that that show in a Toronto rock bar – a friend suffers hearing loss to this day from the volume of Ace’s set.
For those of us that continue to harbour strong feelings for Ace’s work the question we are dealing with today is this: What are the ten Ace Frehley solo tunes that you absolutely must hear, either again or for the first time?
Read/Listen on Rock Soldiers.
10. “Fox On The Run” from Anomaly, 2009
Like most fans I was practically salivating by the time Anomaly was released in ’09 – the first studio album from the legendary Spaceman since ’89′s disappointing Trouble Walking. A definite highlight for me is a cover of the 1975 Desolation Boulevard era Sweet song, “Fox on the Run”. I have to admit to feeling slightly queasy when I first saw the track listed on the CD back. Mid ’70′s Sweet to me is sacrosanct and I thought that Ace, particularly with his style of singing, would make a mess of it.
Much to my surprise Frehley pulls of what is probably the best cover of the tune ever. Even his voice, a concern mentioned previously, is perfectly suited to the big chorus. I am however willing to admit that the tune’s selection to this list may be the result of impaired judgment due to warm and fuzzy feelings about the original Sweet version.
9. “Pain In The Neck” from Anomaly, 2009
Sadly, Anomaly as a whole wasn’t as strong a release as many of us would have liked. One music blogger used words like, ‘harmless,’ and ‘underwhelming’ to describe it and I would tend to agree. Anomaly features some strange chord progressions that don’t tend to work long-term but “Pain In The Neck” is an example of Ace’s sometimes odd, staccato style working perfectly.
While not quite up to the lofty heights of Frehley classics this is one of the standout tracks of the Anomaly release. The album’s opener, “Foxy and Free” and the second track, “Outer Space” which was released as a single, deserve honourable mention.
Click Here to see the rest.
Just added! Paul is now donating a Gene Simmons AXE bass guitar signed by Gene!
Receive a Phone Call from Paul Stanley of KISS, a Signed Washburn PS 150 Electric Guitar & Signed Guitar from Gene Simmons!
Have you ever wanted to talk to Paul Stanley personally? Would you like to own a Paul Stanley PS150 autographed guitar?
You have the chance to win both when you bid on this new CharityBuzz auction! The winner of the auction will own a Washburn Paul Stanley model PS 150 electric guitar that was signed by Paul Stanley! The winner will also have the exclusive opportunity to speak with Paul when he or she receives a 5 minute phone call from the legendary rock frontman! The winner will also receive a Gene Simmons AXE bass guitar signed by Gene!
The auction ends on Thursday, February 14th at 1:16PM EST.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the Voice Health Institute. The Voice Health Institute is a federally-approved non-profit organization (501-C-3) that was established in 2003 by patients with voice loss to advance voice restoration and breathing impairment as a result of throat and larynx problems through the support of innovative research, education and outreach programs. Learn more about the VHI at this link.
Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS (1972-1975) - New Release Date - August 20, 2013 By Ken Sharp, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
Amazon.com
"Nothin' to Lose" chronicles for the first time the crucial formative years of
the legendary rock band Kiss, culminating with the groundbreaking success of
their classic 1975 album "Alive!" and the smash single "Rock and Roll All Nite",
a song that nearly four decades later remains one of the band's most enduring
anthems. Drawing on more than 200 interviews, the book offers a captivating and
intimate fly-on-the-wall account of their launch, charting the struggles and
ultimate victories that led them to the threshold of superstardom. Constructed
as an oral history, the book includes original interviews with Paul, Gene, Ace,
and Peter, as well as producers, engineers, management, roadies, costume and
stage designers, fans, and musical contemporaries from the time, including:
original manager Bill Aucoin, Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, rock
photographer Bob Gruen, promoter Ron Delsner, Ted Nugent, Dick Clark, Alice
Cooper, Marshall Crenshaw, and Bob Seger, as well as members of Aerosmith, Black
Sabbath, Rush, Styx, Nazareth, Slade, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, Mott the
Hoople, the New York Dolls, the Ramones, and the Quattros, among others. The end
result is an indelible and irresistible portrait of a band on the rise and the
music scene they changed forever.
Cover to be revealed.
Washburn Guitars is proud to introduce the Washburn PS10 Starfire. Designed in conjunction with KISS' Paul Stanley, it is based on his Washburn PS12 model.
The PS10 is a sleek, classically inspired design that features a carved "raised center" solid mahogany body and mahogany neck for warm tone and lots of sustain. A bound ebony fingerboard is fitted with 22 easy playing jumbo frets and features dot inlays. The high quality hardware includes a Tune-O-Matic bridge with stop tailpiece, graphite nut and diecast tuners for precise tuning. The white pickguard ties in nicely with the headstock shaped truss rod cover. Both contain a silk screened variation of the Paul Stanley Starfire logo. Electronics include 2 chrome mini humbuckers, each controlled by separate top hat volume and tone knobs and a 3-way pickup selector.
The high output mini humbuckers produce a tone all their own that is both versatile and will sit front and center in a stage mix. Judicious use of the volume and tone controls will reward the player with a wide selection of biting and/or creamy sustaining tones to choose from. The PS10 Starfire is available in black or white, includes a gig bag and carries a retail price of $712.90.
For more information on Washburn Guitars, visit Washburn.com.
Three Sides of the Coin Podcast with Drummer Kevin Valentine
Visit http://www.ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com and join the conversation. Three Sides of the Coin is a KISS podcast featuring Michael Brandvold, Mitch Lafon and Tommy Sommers.
In episode #9 we talk with special guest Kevin Valentine. Kevin talks about the three KISS albums he played drums on in the studio; Hot In The Shade, Revenge and Psycho Circus. He talks about recording demos with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Working with Bob Ezrin and Bruce Fairbairn. How he had to audition for the Psycho Circus album. And MUCH MORE!
Music Star and Businessman Will Give Keynote Address at ProVenue Exchange on
April 30, 2013
COSTA MESA, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 5, 2013) -
Singer and bassist of the famed rock group KISS and star of the
7-season-running Reality TV show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" has
agreed to be a Keynote speaker at the Tickets.com
ProVenue Exchange conference being held April 29-May 2 at the Hard Rock
Hotel in San Diego.
The conference is an annual gathering of Tickets.com clients and industry
professionals. Focused on education, it also explores key topics and business
opportunities for executives of sports teams and live entertainment venues
around the world. Simmons' extensive experience as a performer as well as his
insightful perspectives on how to control a brand and leverage it for profit
will be invaluable material for attendees and be the highlight of the
conference.
"Gene is an absolute ideal fit for our event," said Doug Lyons, Vice
President of Marketing and Communications for Tickets.com. "ProVenue Exchange is
all about the business of live entertainment, and nobody -- and I mean NOBODY --
can talk to this topic better than Gene. We are so excited to have him join
us."
In addition to being co-founder of one of the most successful and unique
performing acts of all time, Simmons has built a reputation for excellence in a
wide array of ventures including movies, television shows, publishing,
merchandising, live event promotion -- even smartphone applications and
financial services. His reputation for directness, superb business judgment and
making money is legendary, and his presentation skills and style are
unparalleled.
"The fact that we are using a Rock and Roll theme for this year's event --
and holding it at the ultimate Rock and Roll property, The Hard Rock Hotel --
was the clincher," continued Lyons. "Gene was by far our top choice and we know
he will inspire our attendees and raise the overall conference experience
tremendously."
Tickets.com, provider of both the www.tickets.com
online "ticket exploration engine" and ProVenue,
the leading in-house ticketing platform for sports and live entertainment, has
been a pioneer in technology since entering the Internet ticketing space in the
late-1990s.
Mark St. John, KISS' third guitarist, replacing Vinnie Vincent, Lead Guitarist on the band's 1984 Animalize album would have been 57 years oldtoday. Born Mark Norton, born February 7, 1956, was a well respected teacher and guitarist from Southern California. Mark developed Reiter's Syndrome, a form of arthritis affecting his hands leaving him unable to play. As the band was ready to tour in support of Animalize, Mark played two shows with KISS before being officially replaced by Bruce Kulick on December 8, 1984. After KISS, Mark formed White Tiger with former Black Sabbath vocalist David Donato and released one album.
In 1990, Mark entered the studio to cut demos with former KISS drummer Peter Criss, Brian Fox and David Donato, both ex-members of White Tiger, forming the Keep. The band played only one show together at the Guitar Center in Lawndale, California, for a drum clinic on May 2, 1990. The Keep eventually became CRISS after friction between St. John and Criss became more intense.
Mark released an all instrumental album, The Magic Bullet Theory, in 2003. Mark also appeared at the NJ/NY Kiss Expo in 1999. It had been widely reported in the years leading up to Mark's death that he had been battling drug addiction. Mark passed away on April 5, 2007 of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Casablanca Records and Polygram Records always produced television ads for KISS albums. Here is what we found. Enjoy!
Hotter Than Hell (1974)
Rock And Roll Over (1976), Love Gun (1977), KISS Alive II (1977):
Double Platinum (1978) , KISS 1978 Solo Albums (1978 ), Dynasty (1979):
Hotter Than Hell (1974), The Originals (1976), Rock And Roll Over (1976), Love Gun (1977), Double Platinum (1978), KISS Alive II (1977), KISS 1978 Solo Albums (1978), Dynasty (1979), Unmasked (1980), (Music From) The Elder (1981), KISS Killers (1982), Creatures of the Night (1982), Animalize (1984), Asylum (1985), Smashes, Thrashes and Hits (1988), Hot In The Shade (1989), KISS My Ass (1994), KISS MTV Unplugged (1996), You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best (1996), Greatest KISS (1997), Psycho-Circus (1998), The Very Best of KISS (2002), KISS Alvie IV (Symphony 2003).
Here in Australia – in the latter half of 1980, I would devour Kiss Ice
Blocks at my local milk bar. Often these were consumed whilst queuing up to play
Space Invaders or – the Bally Kiss Pinball. Unmasked or Dynasty were stacked in
the record racks…and promoter Kevin Jacobsen was about to bring the masked ones
here for a tour.Yes folks, things were indeed kissterical back then. You could
even buy Kiss Ice Blocks. Over the years – this rare Australian Kiss item
(official Aucoin) has long been sought after by Kiss collectors, shelling out
big money for an old wrapper or two.
In a bizarre marketing move – 33 years after the final box of frozen Kiss
treats left the Peters warehouse – they are about to be sold again. In the Press
Release today – Peters’ Alicia Munday states “The original KISS ice block was
such a hit when it first launched that we knew we had to bring it back at some
stage. When KISS announced that they were starting their global KISS ‘Monster’
tour in Australia, we knew we had to make it happen.”
Which makes Mr Rockbrat ask the bleeding obvious : Why wouldn’t you do it
back in 1997 for the re-union tour ? Kudos to Stanley and Simmons for not
re-editing the packaging and keeping the Fox on the box !
Although my youthful looks have held – a lot has changed in Australia since
1980. Malcolm Fraser is no longer in power – although you wouldn’t know it the
way he annoyingly pipes up in the media (political Rockbrat) – Lindy Chamberlain
has been jailed, freed and exonerated - and Kiss, well Kiss – keep on chasing
the dollar and show no sign of retiring.
So what do they taste like ? Well this morning I headed into my local Caltex
Outlet (actually a petrol station) to purchase my first Kiss Ice Block since
those krazy krazy days of 1980. The teenage attendants knew nothing about it and
shrugged their shoulders. I yelled ‘Kiss ice blocks ?’. Nothing. I whipped out
my tongue and hummed ‘Rock n Roll All Nite’. Yep.
KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer was on hand at the 2013 NAMM show in Anaheim, Calif. over this past weekend to visit the Gibson guitar booth and give the capacity crowd an up close and personal look at his spectacular new signature Epiphone "Spaceman" Les Paul.
It's a silver sparkle beauty that Thayer is clearly very proud of, as he should be. He's now been in KISS for over a decade, and he's slowly but surely carved out his own unique sound and approach, all the while being sensitive to the legacy of the "Spaceman" character originally created by original guitarist Ace Frehley.
As Tommy tells us, he didn't want to rock the boat too early in the game, but with the last two KISS albums, Sonic Boom and Monster, he took the opportunity to begin putting his personal stamp on the sound of the "hottest band in the land."
In just a few weeks, KISS are off to Australia to bring some thunder down under and then hopefully after they have their way with Europe, we'll get some KISS here again in the U.S.
Aside from being a fantastic guitarist, Thayer (formerly of Black 'N Blue) is also one of the most down-to-earth guys in the business and it's always a pleasure when Noisecreep gets a chance speak to him.
On this edition of PodKISSt we are joined by Joe Casey (writer, creator of “Ben 10″), Cassius Morris (host and founder of the Creatures of the Net podcast), and Matt Porter (PodKISSt staffer and host of the KISS Room radio show) as we round out 2012 with an in-depth look at side 2 of the thunderous new KISS record “Monster!” Plus, another “Fan of the Month” feature, along with the discussion and rare audio you’ve come to expect from PodKISSt… the KISS fanzine for your ears! Thanks for six great years!
The full set of Kiss performing live in Sao Paulo on November 17th, 2012.
SET LIST:
1. Detroit Rock City
2. Shout It Out Loud
3. Calling Dr. Love
4. Hell or Hallelujah
5. Wall of Sound
6. Hotter Than Hell
7. I Love It Loud
8. Outta This World
9. Bass Solo
10. God of Thunder
11. Psycho Circus
12. War Machine
13. Love Gun
14. Black Diamond
15. Lick It Up
16. I Was Made for Lovin' You
17. Rock and Roll All Nite
In 2009 KISS did what a number of classic rock acts had just done, were about to do or continue to do – re-invent themselves for the resurgence in hard and melodic rock by recording an album that emulates the sound and style of the band from their classic or most successful era.
In the case of KISS that album was Sonic Boom and, while it was a predictable success for the band and unarguably had the sound, it didn’t have the songs.
’Modern Day Delilah’ was an instant Kiss Klassic and ‘Say Yeah’ was geared to be a strong live number, but as an album Sonic Boom was never going to send Love Gun or Destroyer to the back of the queue.
Monster however is a different story, but based on a similar plot-line…
Founder members and purveyors of the KISS brand, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, wanted a musical successor to Sonic Boom but with even more attention to classic song and classic sound detail. In production terms? Take a holiday Mr Digital and come right in, Mr Analog.
Prior to the album’s release Gene Simmons confirmed the recording was very much old school: “The recording process was 24-track tape and an old Trident board. And as many tubes as possible. You need tubes, electricity and thick wood to make that thick sound.”
Add y to analog and you have the analogy just described by Simmons, but that “thick sound” is more than a descriptive term for the Monster production done by Paul Stanley and Greg Collins (who were also the producers of Sonic Boom). It’s also a hard and heavy musical fact, confirmed by the opener and lead off single ‘Hell or Hallelujah,’ which comes rollicking and rolling out the speakers.
Reminiscent of ‘Detroit Rock City’ in its vibrancy and rattling pace, ‘Hell or Hallelujah’ proves loudly and clearly that twin guitars, drums, bass and vocals is all you truly need to be a heavy but harmonic rock and roll band. And that thick sound.
Paul Stanley may not have the vocal range he once did, but his reaching yet never screeching deliveries fit the rock and roll profile of ‘Hell and Hallelujah’ perfectly.
Gene Simmons steps up to the microphone for ‘Wall of Sound’ and the heavy vibe of the mid-tempo number produces just that.
The in your face energy of ‘Wall of Sound’ continues through songs such as ‘Freak’ and ‘Shout Mercy,’ while riff 'n' roll fun is supplied by ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ and ‘Outta This World.’ The latter features lead guitarist Tommy Thayer on vocals, lyrically playing on his Spaceman persona inherited from original KISS guitarist Ace Frehly. Thayer however is very much his own (space)man and throws some great rock and roll guitar around the album. Drummer Eric Singer takes lead vocal on the typically KISS kitsch ‘All For the Love of Rock & Roll’ and it wouldn’t be a KISS album without a so crass it’s funny, innuendo laden raunch and roll number. ‘Take Me Down Below’ is guilty as charged.
The band go back in time for the tongue-in-cheek, heavy caveman rock of ‘Back to the Stone Age,’ with Simmons declaring he’s “back where I belong!” (I couldn’t possibly comment, Gene) over a pounding Eric Singer beat and incessant riff.
The staccato rhythm of the Stone Age verses recall the Kiss classic ‘Deuce,’ but this is not an album rewriting past glories – Monster may take its lead from the past but it’s a big and beefy rock and roll album for the 21st century.
Collectively, the twelve tracks (thirteen on the iTunes bonus track version) confirm what the band said Monster would be – heavier than Sonic Boom and a record that reflects their rock and roll origins.
It’s also a clear declaration that KISS is still one of America’s greatest guitar-led rock and roll bands. And, based on recent musical events, perhaps the greatest…
Just prior to the release of Aerosmith’s Music From Another Dimension! (the band’s first studio album of all new material in eleven years), Aero front man Steven Tyler made a few all make-up and no substance remarks about KISS during an interview with a Florida radio station.
Those remarks met with both a shaking of the head and genuine Laugh Out Loud moments here at FabricationsHQ.
“They've got a couple of hits, but they’re more comic-book – you see them in their spackled faces” said the ex-American Idol judge. “A Kiss lick and a Joe Perry lick – two different worlds. And that's why I think Aerosmith has been around forever, we really do take ourselves seriously.”
You might want to take a look in the mirror, Steven, and as regards longevity Aerosmith’s debut album was released in 1973, only a year before the first KISS album.
Joe Perry was also interviewed and the Aero guitarist added “It’s two different animals. They went the theatrical way and used rock ‘n’ roll as their soundtrack. For Aerosmith, the music is our show.
And therein lies the greatest rock and roll irony.
Monster is the best KISS album in decades. A ballsy, big 'n' brash, in your face, high energy, bona fide rock and roll record. No sign of theatrics, melodic thrash, power ballads or bubble-gum glam.
The new Aerosmith album was hyped to the absolute max (including an intentional delay) but, outside of the Aero hard-core, it met with very mixed reviews and failed to match all that hype. It also turned out to be Music From the Usual Aerosmith Dimensions, but this particular Aero release fell between two stools and went for quantity over quality (control).
A rock and roll Monster it isn’t.
The 20th studio album from KISS however, very much is. Ross Muir
KISS turn 40 in 2013. They played their first show in January 1973 in Queens, New York. Since then KISS have become adored and derided in equal measure, but their influence on a generation of guitar rockers has been huge, and they have proved themselves time and time again to be masters of marketing and self-mythology.
Below are some fun facts. If you want to read about KISS’s Gibson guitars, check out: Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom, Gibson.com’s 2012 interview with KISS’s Tommy Thayerand Tommy interviewed recently at NAMM 2013.
But here’s some fun… 1. Before changing their name to KISS, the quartet were called Wicked Lester. As Wicked Lester, they even recorded an album’s worth of demos for Epic Records in 1971-‘72 that never got released. Some of these songs would show up on later KISS albums. Drummer Peter Criss joined around April 1972 and Ace Frehley followed in January ’73. Two weeks later, they debuted as KISS. 2. Before they decided on KISS, they also considered the names Albatross, Rainbow (before Ritchie Blackmore’s post-Deep Purple band of the same name), and Crimson Harpoon. Gene Simmons was once quoted as saying that he wanted to call the band F***, but he was joking. Simmons is smart enough to know that would be uncommercial. 3. In the 1970s, some anti-rock preachers suggested KISS stood for Knights in Satan’s Service – that’s not true. 4. The Rainbow connection doesn’t end there. Ken Kelly, the artist who painted both the Destroyer and Love Gun album covers also painted album covers for Blackmore’s Rainbow. 5. Former Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French auditioned for lead guitarist of Kiss in late 1972/early ‘73, when they were still called Wicked Lester. But Ace got the gig. Even though Ace auditioned wearing mismatching sneakers, one red and one orange. 6. Their fervent fans are known as the KISS Army, and started in Indiana when a local radio station refused to play any KISS songs in the early ‘70s. Protesting fans marched outside of the radio station and referred to themselves as the KISS Army. 7. Original pressings of debut album KISS did not include "Kissin' Time". The album was reissued in July ‘74 to include the cover, "Kissin' Time," originally a hit for Bobby Rydell. 8. For the cover of KISS, the band wanted their debut LP to resemble Meet The Beatles. Oh, and Warner Bros. Records initially threatened to end the band’s deal if they did not remove their makeup.
9. To get the silver “Spaceman” look for his hair on the KISS artwork, Ace Frehley applied commercial spray-paint that he assumed would wash right out afterwards. Ace was wrong. 10. Ace began using blue eyeshadow in the late ‘70s – he also developed allergic reactions to his silver makeup. 11. “Dimebag” Darrell (Pantera/Damageplan) was buried in a “KISS Kasket”, as he had requested in his will. Gene Simmons said, “There were a limited number made and I sent mine to the family of ’Dimebag’ Darrell. He requested in his will to be buried in a KISS Kasket, as he sort of learned his rock’n’roll roots by listening to us for some strange reason.” For those who favor cremation, KISS urns are also available. 12. In the early 70's Peter Criss flew to England to audition for Elton John's backing band. He failed the audition. 13. Ace Frehley was once known for liking a drink, but his classic “Cold Gin” wasn’t based on his preferred adult beverage. “I didn't drink gin: didn't drink liquor of any kind very often,” he writes in his No Regrets memoir. “I was a beer man then, and not even a connoisseur. Gimme a can of whatever you had in the fridge! I was happy. I wanted to write a drinking song, and "Cold Gin" sounded like a great title.”
14. KISS were offered the part of the Future Villain Band in the 1978 movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The band declined, as they were afraid of damaging their image. The role was taken by Aerosmith. 15. The hand on the cover of Music From The Elder is not that of Paul Stanley, as some fans presume. It’s that of a hand model, according to ex-manager Bill Aucoin. 16. The door pictured on the cover of …The Elder is the door for a Methodist church on Park Avenue in New York City. 17. Gene Simmons is one of the world’s top fire breathers. The bassist’s fire-spitting is a KISS stunt, but Simmons is actually good at it. He’s reached 15ft. Not as good as the 2011 world record held by American Antonio Restivo of 8.05m (26 ft 5 in) but impressive nonetheless in what can only be described a “minority” pursuit. 18. Ace Frehley sings horizontally! He says, “Every time I ever record a lead vocal, I've had to do it on my back. If I stand up and try to sing, I can't hit the notes sometimes.” 19. Paul Stanley wrote a number of early Kiss songs, including "Firehouse" and "Let Me Know" while in high school. 20. Stanley was later an art major at the Bronx Community College, before devoting his time to KISS. But he still paints - see Paul Stanley paintings. 21. Kiss have never had a U.S. number one single. But "I Was Made for Lovin' You" hit Number 1 in Canada and Holland. 22. KISS’s late drummer Eric Carr’s collar on his 1980 “fox” costume was made out of real fox fur. 23. Most of the songs featured on Peter Criss's 1978 solo album were originally written in 1972 for an album by his then-band, called Lips. 24. In 1986, Paul Stanley was close to getting the producer's job for Guns N’ Roses' Appetite for Destruction album. But Stanley eventually changed his mind, and declined. 25. For his solo album of 1978, Gene Simmons wanted guest appearances by Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Shore, Chaka Khan and Liberace. Other obligations meant they couldn’t take part. Simmons also asked Paul McCartney. “Scheduling problems” also stopped that happening. 26. According to Peter Criss, Ace Frehley played bass on a lot of early Kiss songs. 27. Early in their careers, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss all recorded vocals on commercial jingles, including some for AMC trucks. 28. Sammy Hagar was thrown off as the opening act of a Kiss tour during the late ‘70s due to using foul language on stage. 29. The “newscast” heard at the beginning of "Detroit Rock City" on the Destroyer album was read by producer Bob Ezrin. 30. Immediately after leaving Kiss in 1982, Ace Frehley flew out to Los Angeles to produce the first demo tapes for W.A.S.P. 31. Despite Stanley being the serious art student, Ace Frehley designed the KISS logo. 32. When Eric Carr recorded his vocal for the re-recording of "Beth" in 1988, he sat on the same drum stool that Peter Criss used during the original recording of the song in 1976. 33. In his early years, Gene Simmons entered a Jewish Rabbinical school with the intention of becoming a Rabbi. 34. Ace Frehley was a drum roadie for Mitch Mitchell during Jimi Hendrix's final Band of Gypsys New York performance in 1970. 35. All instruments on the song "Little Caesar" off the Hot in the Shade album were played by Bruce Kulick (all guitars) and Eric Carr (drums and bass). 36. Immediately before joining KISS in 1982, Vinnie Vincent was a staff songwriter for the TV program Happy Days – he reportedly wrote all the songs that characters Joanie and Chachi sang on the show. (We so hope this is true!) 37. The guitar solos on the songs "All American Man" and "Exciter" were played by Rick Derringer (of "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" fame.) 38. In 1977, Kiss became the first band since The Beatles to have four albums on the Billboard Hot 100 album chart. Alive, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, and The Originals were all in the Top 40 at the same time. 39. In 1983, Gene Simmons says he turned down the romantic male-lead role in the movie Flashdance, for fear of hurting his image. Apparently. 40. In the early ‘90s, Gene Simmons claimed to have written a song with Bob Dylan. It has yet to surface.
As is always the way with KISS, some of the above “facts” may be more true than others. Thanks to all the fine KISS fansites, biographies and member autobiographies for their own version of some krazy events…