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Kiss had to pull out of the October 21 United We Stand benefit concert in Washington, D.C., because of singer-guitarist Paul Stanley's need for hip surgery. However, Stanley tells LAUNCH the surgery has not yet happened. "I wound up postponing my hip surgery and, you know, it's like reading in the newspaper your own death, you know, when you keep reading about your hip surgery, and I haven't done it, but I'm just postponing it for awhile. I have, you know, every intention of continuing doing what I've been doing, but little by little I'm turning bionic," he says. Stanley says the hip has simply degenerated from years of high-energy performances with Kiss. Stanley adds that, as a native New Yorker, he was disappointed the band couldn't play at a concert dedicated to helping victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks there and in Washington, D.C. "We had originally spoken about playing in Washington, D.C., and there are times when, lately, my hip has just been too painful. I mean, I've done shows with a busted rib, but this was just not something that was doable, and there are many other ways to make contributions," he says. The band is preparing for the November 20 release of Kiss: The Box Set, as well as the December 11 publication of singer-bassist Gene Simmons's memoir, Kiss And Make-Up. In addition, Stanley and Simmons will be on hand at the Homestead-Miami (Florida) Speedway this weekend. On Saturday (November 10), the duo will ride in the pace car and act as grand marshals for the GNC Live Well 300, part of NASCAR's Busch Series of races. Sunday (November 11) brings the debut of driver Sterling Martin's Kiss-adorned #40 car in the Pennzoil 400, a NASCAR Winston Cup event. The car's hood features the faces of Stanley, Simmons, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and former drummer Peter Criss on a black background.
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