Almost Human's KISS
A Fan Site
Gene Simmons * Paul Stanley * Eric Singer * Tommy Thayer
(This Site Is Dedicated To Joseph Kiss Sr.
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Last updated: March 15, 2024 / Open Since: Jan 12, 1997 / Email Us: Here / Free Email


Current members

  • Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1972–present)
  • Gene Simmons – bass guitar, lead vocals (1972–present)
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, vocals (2002–present)
  • Eric Singer – drums, percussion, vocals (1991–1996, 2001–2002, 2004–present)

Former members

  • Peter Criss – drums, percussion, vocals (1972–1980, 1996–2001, 2002–2004)
  • Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals (1972–1982, 1996–2002)
  • Eric Carr – drums, percussion, vocals (1980–1991)
  • Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals (1982–1984)
  • Mark St. John – lead guitar, backing vocals (1984)
  • Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, vocals (1984–1996)

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  • NEWS and Rumors

    (Click Here to submit news, articles & rumors)

    KISS launches first-ever makeup collection with Glamlite

    (3/15/24) KISS made their living wearing makeup onstage, so the fact that they’ve teamed up with a makeup company for a new line of products shouldn’t be all that surprising.

    The band has collaborated with Glamlite cosmetics for their first-ever makeup collection, which is available now. The limited-edition collection includes the KISS X Glamlite PR Box, which comes with an eye shadow palette, mascara, lip kit, black and white bases and a mirror, which all comes in a PR box. There’s also a collection without the box and a makeup bag that uses lenticular motion technology for a design with movement.

    Fans can also purchase items separately, including the eye shadow palette, “Lick it Up” lip kit and mascara.

    Items in the collection range in price from $14 to $120 and are available to purchase on the Glamlite website.

    ACE FREHLEY Releases Music Video For His New Song 'Cherry Medicine'

    (2/22/24) (Video) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has shared the official music video for the song "Cherry Medicine" from his upcoming solo album, "10,000 Volts". The clip, which was directed by Justin H. Reich of Three Thirty-Three Creative and produced by Reich and Steve Seabury, can be seen here.

    On "Cherry Medicine", a mean palm-muted chug underlines Ace's pensive vocals where he confesses, "I knew I had to change my ways for sure to keep you by my side." The track showcases another side of Frehley with its saccharine and sweet, soaring hook as he promises, "I love you, cherry medicine. You heal my every need and some." He seals the sentiment with another powerhouse solo.

    ACE FREHLEY Shares Music Video For 'Walkin' On The Moon'

    (2/2/24) (Video) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has shared the music video for the song "Walkin' On The Moon" from his upcoming solo album, "10,000 Volts". The clip was filmed last month with Wreck'd Productions at the company's studio in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. The entertaining visualizer was directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging.

    On "Walkin' On The Moon", Ace's voice rings out between towering distortion as a lovestruck hook echoes, "When I wake up, you're all I see. You got me walkin' on the moon!" His string bends practically engage in a call-and-response with the refrain while another celestial solo resounds.

    Bruce Kulick Announces Departure from Grand Funk Railroad After 23 Years

    (1/3/24) Since the late 1960s, Bruce Kulick has performed for audiences all over the world with bands like Meat Loaf, Union, and the famed KISS. While finding himself a part of several bands throughout the decades, in 2000, he joined the rock band Grand Funk Railroad. A part of the group for the past 23 years, the guitarist recently announced he was leaving after their final performance on December 14 in Marietta, Ohio. While stepping away from the band, the artist admitted he isn’t leaving music.

    Speaking exclusively to UCR, Kulick pointed to his birthday as a defining moment in his career. Turning 70 on December 12, the guitarist noted how much he loved performing with Grand Funk Railroad but explained how traveling became too much. “I really wanted to look at what I wanted to do personally and creatively. I’ve always loved playing with Grand Funk for all of those years, but all of that travel for most weekends of every month, all year, the time involved became more and more difficult.”

    Detailing the commitment to being part of Grand Funk Railroad, Kulick shared how much he traveled to perform. “The band, 80% of the time, was performing on the East Coast or in the Midwest, which meant I had the longest trips of all of the guys in the band. Whenever they came out to Vegas to perform, they were aware of the trip, from the East Coast, where most of the other guys live — and then going back — how it just kicks your a**.”

    Bruce Kulick Hopes To Honor His Legacy

    Although Kulick stepped away, he promised he wasn’t retiring. Instead, the guitarist wanted to focus on his legacy while not having a hectic schedule. “I’m not retiring. I just want it only to be about my legacy, my career and everything that means something to me. I mean, my Kiss fans have been amazing. They love my era.” He added later, “It’s just remarkable that I was involved with a band with that kind of fame and that kind of influence on the youth. Every generation going from there, that they haven’t forgotten me at all is wonderful.”

    With a new year here, it appears that Kulick is looking to the future, hoping to throw himself into both personal projects and potentially a memoir. “For me, I want to celebrate my years, but tell the backstory. I’d like to get into the things that only if you were there you could describe. For example, what it was like to be at a video shoot for 12 hours with Eric Carr doing ‘God Gave Rock and Roll to You II.’”

    First KISS Avatar Show Scheduled For 2027

    (12/22/23) Fans will apparently have to wait more than three years to see the first KISS avatar performance.

    Earlier today, KISS released a short video announcing that "a show" featuring the KISS avatars "is coming" in "2027". The band captioned the clip: "50 years is a long time, and what the future holds is in the making."

    The technology being used for the KISS avatars, originally developed for ABBA's "Voyage" show in London, will allow KISS to stay "on the road" in retirement.

    The KISS avatars were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and were financed and produced by the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment, which is behind "ABBA Voyage".

    Earlier this month, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons said that "about 200 million" dollars is being invested into the KISS avatar show.

    Unlike the "ABBA Voyage" show, which recreates a 1970s-era ABBA concert in a custom-built London arena, KISS's avatars that appeared at the band's final concert in New York earlier this month will not be as grounded in reality as ABBA's digital replicas. According to BBC News, the KISS avatars will see the band appear as fantasy-based superheroes who are eight feet tall, breathing fire and shooting electricity from their fingers, while floating above the audience.

    No further details have been announced yet for KISS's plan with the band's avatars. "We're going to figure it out after the tour," Pophouse CEO Per Sundin said prior to the final show at Madison Square Garden. "Is it a KISS concert in the future? Is it a rock opera? Is it a musical? A story, an adventure? These four individuals already have superpowers. We want to be as open as possible."

    The avatars will now be available for live shows around the world and in digital online settings, which some people collectively refer to as the metaverse.

    KISS will reportedly become the first American band to go fully virtual and stage its own avatar show.

    JOCOUP Creative, an experiential design firm co-founded by former Universal Creative director Thierry Coup and BRC and Universal Creative alumni Johanna "Jojo" Atilano, is also involved in the project. Coup has been announced as creative director of the KISS avatar show.

    KISS - Reflecting On The Past, Present And Future As A New Era Begins

    (12/5/23) (Video) After touring for half a century, KISS played their last show in Madison Square Garden on 2/12/2023. The band reflect on their experiences over the years and what KISS means to them - together with the team behind A New Era, they discuss everything from the band's early years to how their legacy will live on forever with the help of technology. Be part of the New Era only on www.kissonline.com

    KISS Avatars Go On Tour After Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons Retire

    (12/3/23) When KISS’s veteran rock stars take the stage for the last time after a 50-year career, they’ll hand their legacy over to three-dimensional avatars that will continue playing after they retire.

    The band has agreed to let avatars created by George Lucas’s visual-effects company Industrial Light & Magic perform God Gave Rock and Roll to You as a final song at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.

    In this vein, lead singer Paul Stanley and bandmates Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer have something in common with Swedish pop group ABBA. The group is in discussions to let their avatars continue to tour in a deal with Pophouse Entertainment Group AB, the company behind ABBA Voyage. Details are yet to be ironed out.

    The band is known for its electrifying live performances, having recorded 44 albums that have sold more than 100 million copies combined.

    “What we’ve accomplished has been amazing, but it’s not enough,” Stanley said in a taped video shared with Bloomberg. “The band deserves to live on because the band is bigger than we are.”

    Their digital personas are featured as younger-version fantasy-based superheroes with spectacular powers — including a fire breathing Simmons with dragon wings.

    ABBA Voyage has sold more than 1.9 million tickets, according to Pophouse Chief Executive Officer Per Sundin. The shows rake in more than $2 million a week for performances featuring three-dimensional renderings of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, which perform the group’s past hits including Dancing Queen and Fernando.

    A KISS avatar tour will likely take two-to-three years to organize. Before a show materializes, the avatars may also appear on other platforms like gaming, metaverse or “a totally new vehicle in the entertainment business,” Sundin said.

    “We couldn’t do this with any artist. It needs to be a band with legacy, with really dedicated super-fans,” Sundin said in an interview. What also makes Kiss so well suited for an avatar version are the members’ strong characters, he said. “Their makeup. They have their personalities. There are even Marvel magazines about them where they have superpowers.”

    Kiss say farewell to live touring, become first US band to go virtual and become digital avatars

    (12/2/23) (Video) On Saturday night, Kiss closed out the final performance of their “The End of the Road” farewell tour at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden.

    But as dedicated fans surely know — they were never going to call it quits. Not really.

    During their encore, the band’s current lineup — founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons as well as guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — left the stage to reveal digital avatars of themselves. After the transformation, the virtual Kiss launched into a performance of “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.”

    The cutting-edge technology was used to tease a new chapter of the rock band: after 50 years of Kiss, the band is now interested in a kind of digital immortality.

    Paul Stanley of KISS performs during the final night of the "Kiss Farewell Tour" on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

    Gene Simmons, left, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley of KISS perform during the final night of the "Kiss Farewell Tour" on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

    The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter of which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the “ABBA Voyage” show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band — as performed by their digital avatars.

    Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this new technology allows Kiss to continue their legacy for “eternity.” He says the band wasn’t on stage during virtual performance because “that’s the key thing,” of the future-seeking technology. “Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this.”

    In order to create their digital avatars, who are depicted as a kind of superhero version of the band, Kiss performed in motion capture suits.

    Experimentation with this kind of technology has become increasingly common in certain sections of the music industry. In October K-pop star Mark Tuan partnered with Soul Machines to create an autonomously automated “digital twin” called “Digital Mark.” In doing so, Tuan became the first celebrity to attach their likeness to OpenAI’s GPT integration, artificial intelligence technology that allows fans to engage in one-on-one conversations with Tuan’s avatar.

    Aespa, the K-pop girl group, frequently perform alongside their digital avatars — the quartet is meant to be viewed as an octet with digital twins. Another girl group, Eternity, is made up entirely of virtual characters — no humans necessary.

    “What we’ve accomplished has been amazing, but it’s not enough. The band deserves to live on because the band is bigger than we are,” Kiss frontman Paul Stanley said in a roundtable interview. “It’s exciting for us to go the next step and see Kiss immortalized.”

    “We can be forever young and forever iconic by taking us to places we’ve never dreamed of before,” Kiss bassist Gene Simmons added. “The technology is going to make Paul jump higher than he’s ever done before.”

    Gene Simmons of KISS performs during the final night of the "Kiss Farewell Tour" on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

    Paul Stanley of KISS performs during the final night of the "Kiss Farewell Tour" on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

    And for those who couldn’t make the Madison Square Garden show — stay tuned, because a Kiss avatar concert may very well be on the way.

    A look back at 50 years of Kiss-tory as the legendary band prepares to take its final bow

    (12/2/23) Fifty years ago, four young New Yorkers dragged their guitars, amps and drums to a loft on 23rd Street in New York, dreaming of becoming the biggest band in the world.

    This weekend, Kiss, the band started by those four — albeit with two different members currently in the fold — will say its goodbyes about 10 blocks north of that loft. Kiss will play Madison Square Garden, having become if not THE biggest band in the world, certainly one of the biggest, one that’s redefined expectations for the live concert experience.

    Here is a look back at major events in Kiss’ history, taken from Associated Press interviews with Kiss members, quotes they gave to other media and material from band members’ autobiographies:

    1973: Gene Simmons, who worked briefly as a teacher and loved horror films and comic books, and cabbie Paul Stanley, who once dropped passengers off at Madison Square Garden to see Elvis Presley and vowed someday he’d be on that same stage, exit their band Wicked Lester and begin searching for bandmates to put together a true spectacle: an act where the show and the visuals were as important as the music. They find drummer Peter Criss, who had placed an ad in a music paper looking for a band, and Ace Frehley, who showed up at auditions with one red sneaker, one orange sneaker and a guitar.

    Each member adopts a specific stage identity: Simmons the demon; Stanley the starchild; Frehley the spaceman, and Criss the catman. The band hones their act with tiny club gigs, and by New Year’s Eve, lands a support slot on the bill with Blue Öyster Cult. Simmons accidentally sets his hair ablaze that night while breathing fire. (It would happen many times over the years, to the point where they stationed a roadie with a sopping wet towel nearby.)

    1974: Kiss releases its self-titled debut album, and its follow-up, “Hotter Than Hell.”

    1975: The band releases its third album, “Dressed To Kill,” which includes a catchy song called “Rock And Roll All Nite.” But it isn’t until that track’s live version comes out later that year as the anchor of Kiss “Alive!” that the band has its first major hit.

    1976: Kiss releases what is considered by many fans to be its best studio album, “Destroyer,” which includes the orchestral ballad “Beth” that would, quite accidentally, become one of their biggest hits. “Beth” was the B-side of the hard-rocking single “Detroit Rock City,” but radio disc jockeys began playing the ballad instead and it took off.

    1977: The band releases “Love Gun” and a second live album, “Alive II.” The Gallup Poll names Kiss the most popular band in America. The band plays Madison Square Garden for the first time.

    1978: In a move unheard of in the music industry, the four members release solo albums simultaneously, each selling over a million copies. But Frehley’s is the only one to spawn a hit, with “New York Groove.” NBC airs a two-hour TV movie starring the band, “Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park.” Kiss floods the globe with band-themed merchandise far beyond the usual T-shirts and posters, including lunchboxes, vitamins, transistor radios, trading cards, and pinball machines. Later offerings include Kiss Kondoms and Kiss Kaskets.

    1979: Kiss releases “Dynasty,” with the disco-inspired “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.” By this point, their live show features Simmons seeming to fly into the air and land atop speakers above the stage, in addition to the usual fire-breathing and blood-spitting.

    1980: They release the pop-y “Unmasked” and later hire drummer Eric Carr to replace Criss.

    1981: The band releases “Music From The Elder,” a concept album that evokes “Harry Potter” 20 years before that phenomenon began. But the album, with its medieval theme and departure from their typical musical style, does not appeal to many fans.

    1982: Reacting to backlash against “The Elder,” Kiss releases “Creatures Of The Night,” a bombastic, drum-heavy masterpiece that remains one of its heaviest albums to date. Frehley is replaced by Vinnie Vincent on lead guitar.

    1983: Deciding it’s time to forsake the trademark makeup, Kiss reveals what they actually look like on an MTV special, timed to the release of the “Lick It Up” album. They remain without makeup until a 1996 reunion tour with the original members.

    1984-1990: Kiss releases the albums “Animalize,” “Asylum,” “Crazy Nights” and “Hot In The Shade” as MTV embraces their new look. Guitarist Mark St. John replaces Vincent in 1984, but a painful nerve condition in his hands soon renders him unable to continue. He is replaced by Bruce Kulick.

    1991: Carr dies of heart cancer.

    1992: Eric Singer, a well-respected drummer for Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Badlands and Lita Ford, is hired, having toured with Paul Stanley’s solo band in 1989. The band releases “Revenge,” and records the album “Alive III” on that tour.

    1995: The lineup — Stanley, Simmons, Kulick and Singer — is joined by Frehley and Criss during the taping of an MTV “Unplugged” show, telegraphing an upcoming reunion.

    1996-1997: “Carnival Of Souls,” a grunge-inspired album that had leaked and was already widely bootlegged, is officially released. The original members of Kiss reunite for what would become the top-grossing tour of the year.

    1998: The reunited Kiss releases “Psycho Circus.”

    2000-2003: Kiss announces its first farewell tour. Soon after it ends, Stanley and Simmons change their minds. In 2002, Frehley is replaced by Tommy Thayer, a longtime band assistant. The band releases “Alive IV” with a symphony orchestra in 2003. Singer rejoins, cementing a lineup that has remained steady since then.

    2009-2012: Kiss releases “Sonic Boom” and “Monster,” their final studio albums. They begin a series of annual autumn “Kiss Kruises” with fans to tropical destinations.

    2014: Kiss is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but do not play at the ceremony.

    2019: Kiss begins its “End Of The Road” tour, 19 years after its first “farewell” tour. Its final two shows are scheduled for Dec. 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden, a five-minute subway ride from where they started.

    PETER CRISS On KISS's Final Shows: 'It's Hard To Believe It's Over'

    (12/1/23) Original KISS drummer Peter Criss has weighed in on the fact that his former band will play its final shows ever this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He told Sal Cirrincione at Premiere Radio Networks in an exclusive statement: "It's hard to believe it's over. I'm truly touched by it.

    "There were so many glorious years and the four of us created some really fun tunes and have the most incredible fanbase a band could ever have. We are truly fortunate to have our fans all these years. Thank you KISS Army for the life that you gave me and the life that you gave all of us in KISS."

    Peter went on to say that while he is "disappointed" that he and fellow original KISS member Ace Frehley "weren't asked to come out and do a few songs for their fans" in New York to show their appreciation for all their love and support all these years, he added that he is "in a good place in his life and very happy and very proud of what the four founding fathers of KISS created.

    "It's truly a blessing," he said. "There's not much more a musician or artist could ask for then what God has blessed us with. And now the end is here. To quote our dear late manager Bill Aucoin, 'onward and upward.'"

    ACE FREHLEY On KISS's Final Shows: 'I Don't Really Believe They're Ending Their Touring Career'

    (12/1/23) During an appearance on yesterday's (Thursday, November 30) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was asked how he feels about the fact that his former bandmates are calling it quits after completing the "End Of The Road" farewell tour this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, to be honest, I don't really believe they're ending their touring career. How many times have they said they were gonna retire? How many times have half a dozen groups said they were gonna retire and still come back? Personally, I don't know what their plans are."

    Asked if he personally has any emotions about KISS coming to an end as a touring entity, Frehley said: "Not at all. I'm so happy I'm not involved. Last night I watched [video of KISS's] Indianapolis show [from the current tour] from front to back on YouTube. They had 10 comments and maybe a couple of thousand views, but compared to what I'm doing right now, you can't hold a candle to it."

    He added: "It's probably better they retire, and hopefully I won't have to listen to them put me down anymore."

    Ace was also pressed to clarify that he won't be making a special guest appearance at the Madison Square Garden shows. He said: "Look, if Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] calls me up and offers me a million dollars to come up and play a couple of songs, obviously I'll show up. But I really doubt that's gonna happen because pretty much Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist] runs the band and he's already made a statement that if me and Peter [Criss, original KISS drummer] got up on the stage, we would mar their performance — ironically."

    Asked what prompted him to watch a full KISS performance online from the band's ongoing tour, Ace said: "I was on YouTube looking to say how well my new single was being received, and it's going through the roof. And then I was just curious, so I clicked on KISS [playing in] Indianapolis. And I think they had 10 comments, 2,000 views or something like that. And it just made me realize how karma works, you know?"

    LIVE from the Empire State Building - KISS Visits ESB

    (11/30/23) (Videos: KISS at the Empire State Building, Light Show) On November 30th, 2023, KISS lights up the Empire State Building in honor of the band’s 50-year history and origin in New York City. The commemorative show was part of the band’s weeklong celebration in The Big Apple, all leading up to their FINAL SHOWS EVER at Madison Square Garden on Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd Tune into the show Saturday 12/2 @ PPV.com

    KISS To Light Up Empire State Building In Honor Of Band's Final Shows Ever

    (11/29/23) In advance of KISS's final live shows at Madison Square Garden on December 1 and December 2, several exciting activations will take place troughout New York City, including a music-to-light show on the world-famous Empire State Building on November 30.

    For KISS, celebrating alongside the historic Empire State Building ahead of their final two shows is fitting as they took one of their most iconic photos on the building's 86th floor observation deck almost 50 years ago. Since then, it has become one of the ways KISS has portrayed the band's deep legacy and history with New York City.

    Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons gave their recollections of the 1976 photo shoot to KISS's official web site.

    "It's pretty awesome to be up there," Paul said. "We climbed the ladder in those boots. It was a pretty interesting time."

    Added Gene: "We were nuts! We would do anything you could imagine. Let's go on top of the Empire State Building and hang over the side for a photo. That'll look cool. Let's go!"

    The ceremonial lighting display will illuminate the building on Thursday, November 30 from dusk until 2 a.m. ET. This can also be viewed online on the Empire State Building live cam. The illumination will show silver to represent the KISS logo and red, purple, blue, and green to honor each band character's iconic color. The music-to-light show set to the band's 1975 hit "Rock And Roll All Nite" is timed to a 7 p.m. ET broadcast that evening on iHeartMedia New York's Q104.3. The show can be experienced in-person while using the iHeartRadio app, or fans around the world can enjoy the show through KISS's and ESB's social channels.

    The Empire State Building's world-famous Observatory Experience recently underwent a $165 million reimagination. Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive information about each Empire State Building tower lighting.

    Bravado, KISS's long-time merchandising agency worked closely with the Empire State Building to make this event possible.

    "As a longtime fan of KISS, it is thrilling to see everything come full circle since the 1976 legendary photo shoot at the Empire State Building to this week's music-to-light spectacular," said Matt Young, Bravado president. "As the final two shows approach, Bravado is honored to celebrate the past, present and future of KISS, the band and the brand."

    ACE FREHLEY Shares Title Track Of '10,000 Volts' Solo Album

    (11/28/23) (Video) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will release his new solo album, "10,000 Volts", on February 23, 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music). The official music video for the LP's title track — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — can now be seen above.

    "10,000 Volts" track listing:
    01. 10,000 Volts
    02. Walkin' On The Moon
    03. Cosmic Heart
    04. Cherry Medicine
    05. Back Into My Arms Again
    06. Fightin' For Life
    07. Blinded
    08. Constantly Cute
    09. Life Of A Stranger
    10. Up In The Sky
    11. Stratosphere

    Last month, Frehley told Jeff Napier of Nuvo about "10,000 Volts": "It's probably the best record I've ever done. I'm very excited about it. It's the fIrst time I ended up writing most of these songs with a good friend of mine, Steve Brown. He used to play in TRIXTER and has a group called RUBIX KUBE. Anyway, we live 40 minutes from each other, and my fiancée Lara hooked us up. I'd met him several times over the years, but just briefly, but she knew him when she was in her twenties, and she said, 'You've gotta get together with Steve.' He's a great songwriter and guitar player. He sent me a song, and there was one line that just jumped out from his chorus, and it was 'Walking On The Moon'. So I said, 'Listen, let's get together and rewrite this song, and the hook will be 'Walking On The Moon',' because it wasn't the end of the chorus he had prepared. So, we rewrote the song, and it came out great. We were actually gonna call the album 'Walking On The Moon' until we recorded a song called '10,000 Volts', which came out amazing. I got Anton Fig, my old drummer, who played on my original '78 solo album and most of my solo stuff, to play drums on that. So, working with Steve has made a huge difference in my playing and writing because when he and I put our heads together, it just clicks. If I'm at a loss for a chord or a verse or a line, he comes up with it and vice versa, and within three or four hours, we write a song.

    "So that's how the record's been going," Ace added. "Then, once you record the basic track, you gotta do the overdubs and double and triple the vocals, harmonies, and stuff. He's an excellent engineer. So I didn't have to pay an engineer to engineer this record. So I saved money on that, working with Steve as well, which is nice."

    Asked if making "Origins Vol. 2", the sequel to his 2016 collection of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist, affected the way he put together the new record, Frehley said: "It's one thing doing an 'Origins' record because you don't have to write the songs. Basically, I was picking songs that influenced me that were written by other people. So it's a lot easier to do than when you do a regular studio record where all the songs are original. On this record, all the songs are original except for one. I did one cover of a song called 'Life Of A Stranger', written by a gal named Nadia. When she did the song, it was Europop, and it was very sparsely recorded. I listened to it and loved the melody, and I loved the lyrics. I played it for Steve, and he said, 'We could kill this song with heavy drums and power chords and stuff and keyboards even.' It came out great. All the other songs did as well. There's really not a weak song on the record. Most people do a record, and they concentrate on three or four songs that they think might be singles, and then the rest of it is a lot of filler. But every song on this album I can hear on the radio. I hope DJs agree with me."

    Frehley previously spoke about the recording process for his new album this past March during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". At the time, the 72-year-old rocker marveled at the amount of material he was able to complete, saying: "Within six days I had written and recorded five new songs, which is unprecedented for me."

    Ace went on to say that he had also been working on his new LP with Peppy Castro of the BLUES MAGOOS. He added: "Back in the '60s, [the BLUES MAGOOS] had the big hit '(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet'. I grew up with him in the Bronx. He inspired me to become a rock star. I remember going to Orchard Beach in the Bronx, and all of a sudden I hear Peppy's song on the radio. I go, 'Jesus Christ. If he can do that, I can do it. I'm better looking than him.' [Laughs] He actually taught me how to play bar chord in the basement of an apartment building… But we've been friends ever since, and we've followed each other's career. And he's been in my studio a half dozen times. And he also hooked me up with Tommy Denander. He wrote three songs for me that I'm probably gonna rearrange at least one or two of them and add vocals. But me and Steve have been doing a song a day. It's insanity."

    Peppy previously collaborated with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons as a songwriter and performed on Frehley's and Stanley's solo records.

    Ace's next all-original album will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne.

    "Origins Vol. 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down", DEEP PURPLE's "Space Truckin'", LED ZEPPELIN's "Good Times Bad Times", THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression", among others. A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track. Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

    Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Gene's bass playing.

    ACE FREHLEY To Release New Single '10,000 Volts' Next Week

    (11/22/23) Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will release "10,000 Volts", the title track of his recently completed new album, on Tuesday, November 28. The LP is tentatively due in February 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music).

    Earlier today (Wednesday, November 22),Frehley took to his social media to write: "I've been in the studio working hard on my upcoming album. I can't wait to share the first song '10,000 Volts' - so be sure to tune in on Tuesday, November 28. #acefrehley #10Kvolts #newmusic".

    PAUL STANLEY's Flu Forces KISS's Toronto Concert Cancelation

    (11/22/23) KISS has been forced to cancel its concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Wednesday night (November 22) at Scotiabank Arena after frontman Paul Stanley came down with the flu.

    The latest show cancelation came after one day after KISS scrapped its gig in Ottawa due to illness.

    Earlier today, Stanley shared a a photo of him in bed with an IV saying: "Toronto And Ottawa … I've done everything possible to get onstage and be a part of the incredible 2 1/2 hour celebration we planned but this flu has made it impossible. I along with Gene, Tommy and Eric couldn't be more disappointed and send our deepest apologies.”

    The Toronto and Ottawa shows are not expected to be rescheduled, since KISS is planning to end its farewell tour in early December.

    KISS Announces Epic New York City Takeover To Celebrate The Band's Final Shows Ever

    (11/21/23) Rock legends KISS have announced an epic New York City takeover in honor of their final live shows ever, taking place at Madison Square Garden December 1 and December 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET. To celebrate this historic moment for the most merchandisable band of all time, various takeover activations and experiential events are scheduled across a five-day period. KISS, in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group's industry-leading merchandise and brand management company, have carefully curated and developed these events to pay tribute to the band's deep legacy and history with New York City.

    KISS said: "We're thrilled to be performing our final shows at MSG since the band originated in New York City over 50 years ago. We are thankful for our long legacy of fans, the KISS Army, and excited to be celebrating through these activations."

    Bravado president Matt Young said: "I've been a fan of KISS since I was seven years old, and our team has enjoyed being a part of the KISS franchise for the last 10 years. Bravado is honored to commemorate this extraordinary moment in the band's legendary career by partnering with them to execute this massive NYC Takeover."

    The takeover will kick off on November 29 with the following activations:

    * Kisstore Pop-Up (November 30 – December 3) - This immersive KISS experience which will feature memorabilia, apparel, accessories and collectible items from partnerships with Ed Hardy, Oxford Pennant, Trick Or Treat Studios, Funko and exclusive KISS popup store merchandise. Located blocks away from MSG at 248 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018.

    * KISS NYC Takeover Google Map - An immersive Interactive map, built in partnership with Google Maps platform, will let fans easily locate the KISS activation spots pinned throughout the city

    * KISS Metro Cards – Penn Station and Herald Square Station will have 50,000 limited-edition KISS-branded metro cards available for purchase starting Monday, November 27.

    * New York Rangers KISS Game Night At MSG (November 29 @ 7:30 p.m. ET) - The Rangers match-up against the Detroit Red Wings will feature special KISS-themed activities and limited-edition KISS x Rangers merchandise.

    * New York Post Activation (November 29 - December 1) - Find the KISS-branded trikes and brand ambassadors passing out commemorative newspaper wraps and custom KISS cookies.

    * Penn Station Digital Ads (November 30 - December 2) - KISS's branded digital adverts will run throughout the area.

    * KISS Taxi Fleet (November 30) – One-of-a-kind KISS-wrapped taxis will be driving throughout the city.

    * Taxis Digital Ads - 800+ taxis will feature KISS digital tops and special KISS TTV content.

    * Peloton - KISS is Peloton's newest Artist Series with classes on the Bike, Tread, Row and App dropping on the Peloton platform November 30.

    * Prince Street Pizza - KISS-themed pizza and collectible KISS pizza box available with all orders of KISS pizza.

    * Inked NYC (12/1-12/2) - Complimentary KISS flash tattoos will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and face painting from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Inked NYC, located at 150 W. 22nd St.

    * RIPNDIP - Exclusive KISS x RIPNDIP merchandise will be available for purchase at the RIPNDIP NYC store at 620 Broadway beginning November 29.

    In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons insisted that the band's final show on the "End Of The Road" tour, scheduled for December 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, will be the group's last.

    "My hand on the Bible," he told the magazine. "And I should know because my people wrote that book. In fact, my people also wrote the follow-up book, the New Testament. And so I'll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance."

    Regarding KISS's reasons for hanging it up at this time, Simmons said: "It has nothing to do with ticket sales or anything. It has to do with Mother Nature. And at a certain point, you have to understand that it's going to be a point of diminishing returns because of the kind of band we are. I wear seven-inch platform dragon boots, each weighs as much as a light bowling ball, armor, studs, leather, all that stuff, and that weighs about 40 pounds in total. And I got to spit fire, and fly through the air, and all that, and you got to do it for two hours."

    The 74-year-old Simmons also opened up about the emotional weight of the his touring days with KISS coming to an end.

    "When I was a kid going to school, my nickname was Mr. Spock," he said. "I've never been much for emotion and stuff like that. I remember my Uncle George, who I loved dearly. I remember standing over his grave, and being sad, but I didn't cry. Tears don't come easy for me. But the few times they have is when I look out at the audience and I see a 50-plus-year-old fan who's been with us ever since he was a kid, wearing KISS makeup. And next to him is his late 20s/early 30s-year-old son wearing makeup, and sitting on the shoulder of his son is his grandson, five-year-old, six-year-old, whatever, wearing our makeup. And that little kid putting up my hand gesture, with the two horns and the thumb out, which actually in sign language means 'I love you,' and sticking his tongue out for the first time. Well, that gets me going every time."

    Gene was also asked if there was possibility of a one-off KISS show in the future.

    "Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist] has his SOUL STATION band," Gene said. "I'm sure he'd love to play some shows. I've got the GENE SIMMONS BAND. At some point, I may want to jump up onstage and do some tunes. But the physicality of being in KISS says that this is the right thing, at the right place, at the right time. Because B.B. King played until his late 80s. He was sitting onstage. We can't do that. We don't sit down."

    KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

    In a separate interview with Dan Savoie of 519 magazine, Gene stated about "End Of The Road": "This tour is the end of the road for the band, not the brand. KISS is a universe of its own — movies, merchandise, maybe even Broadway. The band will end, but the KISS experience… it's immortal." He then clarified: "It's the end of touring."

    Simmons went on to detail some of the ways in which the KISS brand will be kept alive.

    "KISS will continue," he said. "There's a KISS museum in Las Vegas at the Rio called KISS World, and oh my goodness, we have KISS cruises, a movie coming out, and we're working on a cartoon show, a lot of stuff. And of course, all the fun toys and games that will continue."

    As for the future of KISS performances, he said: "The KISS show will live on in different ways. Yes, that's being planned. It'll also be four to ten different travelling shows. So, you'll be able to be in Japan and have Japanese actors, musicians being us, and at the same time you could go to Vegas or New York or London."

    Earlier this year, KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee said that a biopic based on the band's early years is tentatively scheduled to hit Netflix in 2024. McGhee also said that while Gene and fellow KISS co-founder Paul Stanley are ending KISS as a touring entity, he didn't see it as the end of the brand, which he compared to the Marvel universe. "Will there be other forms of KISS maybe in the future after I'm gone and after they're gone?" he told "The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn" show. "I don't see that KISS goes away."

    KISS Cancels Ottawa Concert Due To 'Illness'

    (11/21/23) KISS has canceled tonight's (Tuesday, November 21) concert at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    Earlier today, the venue shared the legendary rockers' statement on social media saying that the show was called off because of "an unforeseen illness in the band party." It is not clear if the gig will be rescheduled. KISS is slated to play Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday, November 22.

    KISS last played at the Canadian Tire Centre in April 2019.

    KISS's final runs of shows will wrap up in early December with a massive concert in the city where it all began for the legendary rock act. New York City has been a part of the band's ethos and storyline for more than four decades, so they felt it fitting to culminate an iconic Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-worthy career on stage at New York's famed Madison Square Garden.

    KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

    KISS's current lineup consists of original members Paul Stanley (guitar, vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass, vocals),alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

    Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

    KISS Announces Pay-Per-View Event For Final Show

    (11/9/23) (Trailer) KISS's last-ever concert, set to take place on Saturday, December 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, will be streamed worldwide, live on pay-per-view, exclusively on PPV.com. It will also be available on PPV via cable and satellite operators in the U.S. and Canada. The live show begins at 8 p.m. EST / 5:00 p.m. PST.

    PPV.com, which does not require a subscription, will offer the concert for $39.99 in the U.S. and Canada ($14.99 outside North America). iNDEMAND, the parent company of ppv.com, will also carry the event through its network of cable, satellite and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, DirecTV, DISH, Rogers and Telus.

    iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S. — Charter Communications, Comcast Cable and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 80 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies.

    In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.com, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports. With the addition of PPV.com to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turn-key PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.

    KISS's final runs of shows will wrap up with a massive concert in the city where it all began for the legendary rock act. New York City has been a part of the band's ethos and storyline for more than four decades, so they felt it fitting to culminate an iconic Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-worthy career on stage at New York's famed Madison Square Garden.

    KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

    In September, KISS frontman Paul Stanley told Australia's "The Project" about "End Of The Road": "Well, it's interesting because we can see the end now. When we started to plan this, it was probably about five years ago and the pandemic came into play and we lost a few years. We've done 250 shows on this 'End Of The Road' tour, because it's a long road, and they kept paving more road. But this is it for us. And intellectually, yeah, we go, we can't continue doing this. We're in our 70s; hard to believe. But for us, it's just reached a point where we realize we can't do this indefinitely. We're really at the top of our game still. And now's the time to do a victory lap and go out there with our heads held high and say thank you to everybody and do a show that really encapsulates and really pays tribute not only to us but to the fans."

    KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley (guitar, vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass, vocals),alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

    Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

    In a separate interview with Gulf News, Stanley addressed the fact that he and his bandmates have never allowed their concert theatrics to overshadow the music.

    "I always say this: a crappy band with a big show is a crappy band," he explained. "We didn't start as a band with everything. We started as a band making music we listened to. When I was young, I saw LED ZEPPELIN, I saw Jimi Hendrix twice and I saw all the greats. They inspired me. And it was never about being a part of a band with make-up and [fireworks] … Our music doesn't need intellectualizing or philosophizing."

    Stanley added: "I know there are entertainers right now who can draw bigger crowds, but I don't know if they are going to in the next 50 years. We have done that. Our devoted fan base is almost like a tribe … We don't make art that is intellectual; we make art that's emotional … That's why people remember their first KISS concert, their first KISS song, and they remember when KISS first came on the radio. It's a powerful connection."

    Two years ago, Stanley told Classic Rock magazine that "one of the best things about early KISS songs is that they really were uninhibited and very much from the gut: we had nothing to live up to, except doing what turned us on."

    "Over time you can learn too much: you might become a better songwriter, but sometimes it's the freedom of naivety that makes for the best result," he concluded.

    ACE FREHLEY To Release New Solo Album '10,000 Volts' In February 2024

    (11/1/23) In an interview with Jeff Napier of Nuvo, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley discussed his recently completed new album, "10,000 Volts", which is tentatively due in February 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music). He said: "It's probably the best record I've ever done. I'm very excited about it. It's the first time I ended up writing most of these songs with a good friend of mine, Steve Brown. He used to play in TRIXTER and has a group called RUBIX KUBE. Anyway, we live 40 minutes from each other, and my fiancée Lara hooked us up. I'd met him several times over the years, but just briefly, but she knew him when she was in her twenties, and she said, 'You've gotta get together with Steve.' He's a great songwriter and guitar player. He sent me a song, and there was one line that just jumped out from his chorus, and it was 'Walking On The Moon'. So I said, 'Listen, let's get together and rewrite this song, and the hook will be 'Walking On The Moon',' because it wasn't the end of the chorus he had prepared. So, we rewrote the song, and it came out great. We were actually gonna call the album 'Walking On The Moon' until we recorded a song called '10,000 Volts', which came out amazing. I got Anton Fig, my old drummer, who played on my original '78 solo album and most of my solo stuff, to play drums on that. So, working with Steve has made a huge difference in my playing and writing because when he and I put our heads together, it just clicks. If I'm at a loss for a chord or a verse or a line, he comes up with it and vice versa, and within three or four hours, we write a song.

    "So that's how the record's been going," Ace added. "Then, once you record the basic track, you gotta do the overdubs and double and triple the vocals, harmonies, and stuff. He's an excellent engineer. So I didn't have to pay an engineer to engineer this record. So I saved money on that, working with Steve as well, which is nice."

    Asked if making "Origins Vol. 2", the sequel to his 2016 collection of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist, affected the way he put together the new record, Frehley said: "It's one thing doing an 'Origins' record because you don't have to write the songs. Basically, I was picking songs that influenced me that were written by other people. So it's a lot easier to do than when you do a regular studio record where all the songs are original. On this record, all the songs are original except for one. I did one cover of a song called 'Life Of A Stranger', written by a gal named Nadia. When she did the song, it was Europop, and it was very sparsely recorded. I listened to it and loved the melody, and I loved the lyrics. I played it for Steve, and he said, 'We could kill this song with heavy drums and power chords and stuff and keyboards even.' It came out great. All the other songs did as well. There's really not a weak song on the record. Most people do a record, and they concentrate on three or four songs that they think might be singles, and then the rest of it is a lot of filler. But every song on this album I can hear on the radio. I hope DJs agree with me."

    Frehley previously spoke about the recording process for his new album this past March during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". At the time, the 72-year-old rocker marveled at the amount of material he was able to complete, saying: "Within six days I had written and recorded five new songs, which is unprecedented for me."

    Ace went on to say that he had also been working on his new LP with Peppy Castro of the BLUES MAGOOS. He added: "Back in the '60s, [the BLUES MAGOOS] had the big hit '(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet'. I grew up with him in the Bronx. He inspired me to become a rock star. I remember going to Orchard Beach in the Bronx, and all of a sudden I hear Peppy's song on the radio. I go, 'Jesus Christ. If he can do that, I can do it. I'm better looking than him.' [Laughs] He actually taught me how to play bar chord in the basement of an apartment building… But we've been friends ever since, and we've followed each other's career. And he's been in my studio a half dozen times. And he also hooked me up with Tommy Denander. He wrote three songs for me that I'm probably gonna rearrange at least one or two of them and add vocals. But me and Steve have been doing a song a day. It's insanity."

    Peppy previously collaborated with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons as a songwriter and performed on Frehley's and Stanley's solo records.

    Ace's next all-original album will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne.

    "Origins Vol. 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down", DEEP PURPLE's "Space Truckin'", LED ZEPPELIN's "Good Times Bad Times", THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression", among others. A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track. Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

    Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Gene's bass playing.

    ZackAttack Interviews Ace Frehley

    (10/29/23) (Audio) ZackAttack chats with Ace Frehley about his upcoming album, his current tour, and his upcoming stop at the historic Paramount in Anderson, IN!

    GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY SUED OVER GUITAR TECH'S COVID DEATH

    (10/11/23) KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are being dragged to court over the COVID death of one of their longtime guitar techs ... and his family say it all started with Paul.

    According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the family of late KISS guitar tech Francis Stueber says he died a couple days after contracting COVID while on tour with the band back in October 2021.

    The family says COVID started spreading amongst tour personnel in August 2021 when Paul contracted the virus ... and they say COVID kept spreading due to lax safety policies on the tour.

    In the suit, Francis' family says anyone on tour who came down with COVID was instructed to quarantine in a hotel room in whichever city the band was in ... but they say the protocols offered little else.

    Francis, the suit says, got COVID while in Detroit and was told to hole up in a Sheraton hotel ... and the family says KISS longtime manager Doc McGhee failed to arrange for medical personnel to visit and examine Francis at the hotel, despite Doc promising to do so.

    It's pretty sad ... the docs say Doc asked another tour member to check on Francis at the hotel but Francis was dead when the person arrived, dying only 2 days after testing positive for the virus.

    Francis' family is going after Gene, Paul, Doc, Marriott hotels and Live Nation for damages.

    We reached out to reps for KISS ... so far no word back.

    Piers Morgan Uncensored, joined by Rock Royalty GENE SIMMONS

    (6/9/23) (Video) Piers Morgan Uncensored is joined by rock royalty Gene Simmons to talk about 50 years of Kiss, politics, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters controversy, and much more.

    Piers Morgan asks the musician his thoughts on his illustrious career - with Gene telling him: "Even the Pope doesn't get knickers thrown at him!" Plus, he reveals he thinks Donald Trump will win the next election.

    Gene Simmons And Arclight Films Chair Gary Hamilton Launch Production Label & Set Shark Thriller ‘Deep Water’ As First Project

    (5/15/23) Kiss rocker Gene Simmons and Gary Hamilton, Chairman of sales and production company Arclight Films, have launched a new production company called Simmons/Hamilton Productions.

    The production banner will produce 25 movies over an initial five-year period, with a focus on action, thriller, and genre titles. In a statement announcing the news, the company said it is backed by a “multi-billion dollar fund manager” who is providing slate financing through a “revolving finance facility.” Arclight Films’ CFO Brian Beckmann was responsible for closing the slate funding deal. All films created under the banner will be produced by Simmons and Hamilton.

    The first greenlit project is Deep Water, a survival thriller directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2). Scheduled to go into production later this year, the pic tells the adventurous tale of an eclectic group of international passengers whose plane, en route from LA to Shanghai, is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.

    The film is produced by Simmons, Hamilton, Arclight Films’ Ying Ye, and Rob Van Norden (Martin Campbell’s The Protégé), with Arclight launching world sales this week at Cannes.

    “Throughout my storied history in the music business, I’ve met all sorts of characters, but Gary Hamilton is the real deal!” Simmons said. “He’s a remarkable film executive and a great collaborator who, along with the fantastic team at Arclight Films, brings his expertise and outstanding knowledge of the film industry to this partnership. I am pumped and excited to be launching Deep Water as our first project together with the action maven Renny Harlin at the helm.”

    Harlin added: “I’ve had my greatest success when working with planes or sharks. Getting to combine those two of my favorite thriller elements in a character-driven action-adventure is a dream come true. I can’t wait to take the audience on the scariest plane ride of their lives. Gene and Gary both are my old friends and I’m excited to rock n roll through the friendly skies with them.”

    DESMOND CHILD's Memoir 'Livin' On a Prayer' To Include Foreword By KISS's PAUL STANLEY

    (4/13/23) Radius Book Group has set a September 19, 2023 release date for Desmond Child's first memoir, "Livin' On a Prayer: Big Songs Big Life". The book will include a foreword by KISS frontman Paul Stanley.

    Child is the ultimate hitmaker, contributing to some of the biggest smash global hits that helped ignite the success of music icons KISS, BON JOVI, AEROSMITH, Alice Cooper, Ricky Martin, Katy Perry, and countless others. In "Livin' On A Prayer", he reveals how he climbed his way to the top and beyond amid extraordinary circumstances and shares his very personal and unbelievable journey that shaped him into an artist of international renown.

    For over half a century, Child has collaborated with the world's most celebrated artists creating timeless hits, such as BON JOVI's "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name" as well as Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "The Cup Of Life" amongst his vast catalog. But in "Livin' On A Prayer", Desmond himself takes center stage to share his transformational story from misfit outsider to cultural pacesetter.

    In collaboration with legendary music biographer David Ritz, Child recounts his unconventional upbringing as his colorful family fled Cuba in the 1960s and fell into poverty. He details his shocking discovery at age 18 that the man he called "dad" was not his biological father after all, and he courageously bares his soul about navigating the trials of being a Latino gay man in the macho world of rock and roll. His is a story of willing himself to succeed and overcome impossible odds to establish himself as one of the most influential composers and lyricists of all time.

    Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter Desmond Child is one of music's most prolific and accomplished hitmakers. From AEROSMITH to ZEDD, his genre-defying collaborations include KISS, BON JOVI, Cher, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett, Michael Bolton, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Cyndi Lauper, Christina Aguilera, Ava Max, Mickey Mouse and Kermit The Frog, writing and producing more than eighty Billboard Top 40 singles and selling over 500 million records worldwide with downloads, YouTube views, and streaming plays in the billions.

    Child was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2008 and serves on its Board Of Directors as well as the Board of ASCAP. In 2018, he received ASCAP's prestigious Founders Award celebrating forty years in the music industry. In 2012, he co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame where he serves as Chairman Emeritus. In 2022, "Livin' La Vida Loca" was inducted into the National Archives of the Library of Congress for its global impact and cultural significance to America. In 2023, "Livin' On A Prayer" was certified to have reached one billion streams on Spotify.

    Back in 2019, Desmond said he was hurt when KISS publicly badmouthed his collaboration with the band, "I Was Made For Lovin' You".

    Although "I Was Made For Lovin' You" was a huge chart success for KISS more than 40 years ago, it was maligned by many of the group's fans who didn't appreciate the track's disco beat.

    During an appearance on the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast, Child said that he wrote "I Was Made For Lovin' You" with Stanley after befriending the KISS frontman in the late '70s.

    "I was experimenting then with a drum machine, and the idea of having dance beats with rock had occurred to me," Desmond recalled. "So I kind of hoodwinked him into this idea of four-on-the-floor dance beat with these heavy guitars. Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] never bought it — he never liked it, [and] he [still] doesn't.

    "I remember when they made a record — I think it was [1981's] '[Music From] 'The Elder'' — and they started doing hundreds of interviews saying, 'Well, this time, we're putting guards in front of the door to keep Desmond Child out,'" he continued. "And I was so hurt. I called Paul and I said, 'Paul, why don't you criticize your enemies, not the friends that put money in your pocket?' And he says, 'Well, you know, that's Gene — it's not me.' So, the next day I came home and there was a message on my answering machine. And it was, like, 'Hi. It's Gene. Sorry.' And he hangs up. [Laughs] That was his apology."

    According to Child, he and Simmons eventually reconciled. "After all these years, he's been an amazing friend and supporter and, actually, mentor," Desmond said.

    "I Was Made for Lovin' You" originally appeared on KISS's 1979 album "Dynasty". It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single reached No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard singles chart. The song also became a Top 10 hit in Australia, reaching No. 6 on the ARIA charts in 1979. The song fared the best in Western Europe (Where it became a Top 20 hit in Sweden, a Top 10 hit in Norway, made it to the No. 2 position in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and in Holland it became a No. 1 smash).

    In 2018, Simmons said that he hated performing "I Was Made For Lovin' You" because he is forced to sing like his grandmother. Asked in an interview with OK! magazine to name a song that he wasn't initially crazy about that ended up becoming a hit, Gene said: "Well, Paul Stanley comes in and he says, 'Did you write any songs?' I go, 'Oh, yeah. I've got one called 'Almost Human'.' 'Yeah? How does it go?' 'I'm almost human. I can't help feelin' strange.' 'Yeah, that's cool. That's a Gene song.' 'How about you, Paul?' He goes, 'I've got one. [It goes] 'Tonight.'' "Ooooh. That's cool. What's the next line?' 'I'm gonna give it all to you.' 'Oh, yeah. I know what 'it' means — I know exactly what you mean.' 'In the darkness.' [Claps] 'Love that!' 'There something I wanna do.' 'Yeah, I know what that 'something' is. Wow! That's a cool song. Okay, what's my part?' [Sings] 'Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do.' 'You're killing me. Really? I'm gonna sing like my grandmother?' [Sings] 'Do, do, do…' I hate playing that song to [this] day. Stadiums full of people jump up and down like biblical locusts — they go nuts — with tattoos and grills on… 'Ahhhh!' They're all jumping up and down, and I'm going, 'Do, do, do, do, do, do… Kill me now.' Still — still to this day I hate that song."

    After the female interviewer pressed him on whether the song ever grew on him after performing it for the last four decades, Gene said: "Well, how about you sing that song? You're a girl. I wanna sing guy stuff."

    Stanley admitted in 2017 that the success of "I Was Made For Lovin' You" was "a double-edged sword, because it became such a massive hit but it was also so contrary and contradictory to what we had done before." He added: "The funniest thing is when we do festivals sometimes in Europe where it's very much… the bands are quite heavy, well, when we do an encore of 'I Was Made For Lovin' You', you suddenly have all these people with spikes in their eyeballs or bones through their noses singing along. So it's a song that seems to transcend everything — although it went through a period, certainly, of a big backlash against it."

    David Ritz is the cocomposer of "Sexual Healing" and is a prolific ghostwriter and published author in his own right. He collaborated on the life stories of, among others, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Marvin Gaye, Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, B.B. King and Smokey Robinson.

    GENE SIMMONS Is Doing 'Okay' After Falling Ill During Concert, Blames Dehydration And Humidity

    (4/13/23) Gene Simmons is doing "okay" after he had to take a break and play sitting down during Wednesday night's KISS performance in Manaus, Brazil. Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley told the crowd that the bassist/vocalist was sick. Simmons's illness reportedly forced the band to halt the show for several minutes, but that he was eventually able to finish the performance.

    Earlier today, Gene issued the following update on his condition via Twitter: "Ok, kids. Not a big deal. Thanks for your kind wishes. Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song. We got back on stage in 5 minutes & finished the show."

    Christina Vitagliano, the founder of KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas, as well as the coordinator at Gene Simmons Axe Ltd., wrote in a separate post: "Hey everyone, The big guy is ok! Apparently, extreme humidity, bad food, and a stage full of fire don't mix well when you're dressed head-to-toe in a Demon costume. All is good. Gene's tough!"

    According to the Brazilian news site G1, Simmons asked at one point during the show for a member of the road crew to bring him a chair. From that point on, he performed the set while sitting down.

    Before KISS took a short break during the concert, Stanley told the crowd: "We're gonna have to stop to take care of him, 'cause we love him, right? Let's give Gene a really loud 'Gene'." He then added that he and his bandmates would return to the stage "a little bit later."

    According to Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda, KISS came back on approximately five minutes later, with Gene greeting the audience in Portuguese: "Manaus, all right!", adding "Thank you."

    Some media outlets and fans had speculated that heat exhaustion contributed to Gene feeling unwell. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET),the temperature in Manaus at the time of the concert was between 26.9 degrees Celsius (80.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

    KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

    KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

    Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

    GENE SIMMONS Falls Ill During KISS's Manaus Concert, Performs Part Of Set While Sitting Down

    (4/13/23) (Video) Legendary rockers KISS briefly halted their concert in Manaus, Brazil on Wednesday (April 12) after Gene Simmons fell ill. Video posted on social media show the bassist/vocalist seated during part of the performance, which marked the opening concert of the Brazilian leg of the band's "End Of The Road" farewell tour, with SCORPIONS and SEPULTURA also on the bill.

    According to the Brazilian news site G1, Simmons asked at one point during the show for a member of the road crew to bring him a chair. From that point on, he performed the set while sitting down.

    Before KISS took a short break during the concert, KISS frontman Paul Stanley told the crowd: "We're gonna have to stop to take care of him, 'cause we love him, right? Let's give Gene a really loud 'Gene'." He then added that he and his bandmates would return to the stage "a little bit later."

    According to Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda, KISS came back on approximately five minutes later, with Gene greeting the audience in Portuguese: "Manaus, all right!", adding "Thank you."

    Some media outlets and fans have speculated that heat exhaustion contributed to Gene feeling unwell. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET),the temperature in Manaus at the time of the concert was between 26.9 degrees Celsius (80.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

    KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

    KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

    Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

    KISS Handwritten 'Alive!' Letters Could Fetch $150k!!!

    (4/11/23) Some KISS memorabilia is hitting the auction block and expected to fetch a pretty penny -- upwards of hundreds of thousands, in fact -- and this stuff isn't even musical, per se.

    Instead of music, it's letters ... handwritten by each OG band member, for their fourth album "Alive!" ... and featured in the gatefold of the groundbreaking live album. They're up for grabs through GottaHaveRockandRoll.com, which is expecting these personal notes to reach bids between $50k to $150k.

    Like we said, the KISS rockers put pen to paper ahead of the release of "Alive!" ... writing separate pieces of correspondence to their fan base in pretty descriptive and unique terms.

    There are notes from Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, respectively.

    The content is quite different in each letter -- Gene's talking about punishing/pleasuring listeners, Ace is on another planet, Pete's feelin' feline-ish and Paul's getting into voyeurism. The letters match each rocker's stage persona ... The Demon, The Spaceman, The Catman and The Starchild.

    The soon-to-be owner will get the 4 pieces of paper -- inheriting them from a lucky then-15-year-old, who initially copped them in 1976 -- complete with the glue an art department applied way back then as well.

    They're all certified legitimate through multiple authentication agencies ... so we're talking one of a kind.

    The current highest bid is $20k and the auction ends April 14 ... so there's still plenty of time to rock and roll all nite, if you're into it.

    Former FREHLEY'S COMET Bassist JOHN REGAN Dies

    (4/7/23) Acclaimed rock bassist John Regan has died. No cause of death has been revealed.

    Regan had performed with Tod Howarth, drummer Anton Fig of "Late Show With David Letterman" fame and original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley in the band FREHLEY'S COMET. His recording credits also include Peter Frampton, THE ROLLING STONES, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, David Lee Roth, Robin Trower, Billy Idol and many more.

    According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Regan met Frehley in the mid-1980s at a friend's recording studio in White Plains, New York. The two got together for a jam session, playing Jimi Hendrix and LED ZEPPELIN tunes, and that led to Regan's involvement with FREHLEY'S COMET. His tenure with that band lasted until about 1990.

    Asked about Frehley, Regan told the Poughkeepsie Journal: "He's a kook, in a good sense. In a world full of copies, he's a one-off. He's an original."

    And regarding the allure of KISS, the hard rockers known for outlandish costumes and makeup, Regan said: "It was almost like getting a rock band and a circus on the same night. It was an event ... It was a multi-sensory experience ... It was a total immersion in this spectacle that nobody else was doing."

    In a 2016 interview with Songfacts, John stated about his approach to working with big-name artists: "I have been fortunate to have worked with artists that did not dictate on any level. Keeping in mind, that I have always approached my contribution to a recording or live performance as one of 'facilitator.' By that I mean it is always in the forefront of my mind to try and play my bass parts to best serve the song, singer and my fellow musicians. Peter [Frampton] in particular is a pleasure to work with in that regard. For the better part of 31 years, from 1979 through 2010, it was an honor to compose and perform his music."

    Regarding his studio work with other artists, John said: "Spending time working in studio with the likes of Frampton, Billy Idol, Mick Jagger and David Bowie, THE ROLLING STONES, Michael Monroe and legendary producers such as Eddie Kramer and Nile Rodgers, just to name a few, has been nothing short of awe inspiring and profoundly enjoyable. Suffice to say, each project had moments that I was pinching myself, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

    "One experience that became a high-water mark was getting the call from Nile Rodgers, through my dear friend Rob Sabino, to stop by and replace a bass part on the track that David Bowie and Mick Jagger had recorded for Live Aid: 'Dancing In The Street'. That song had long been favorite of mine, but when I arrived at the studio to find Mick Jagger greeting me, it was something I will never forget.

    "My most vivid memory of that day was that it happened to be one of those rare occasions that the part that made the final recording was a first take for me, but as I was laying down the bass track I could see Mick dancing around the studio, just getting into the music as if he were onstage. Powerful moment in time for me, and it hit home how much Jagger was moved by the power of the song, and how sincere his love of music must be."

    In recent years, Regan and Howarth had both performed with FOUR BY FATE. The seeds for that band were planted nearly 40 years ago, when Regan encountered Howarth while Tod was on tour performing with Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers CHEAP TRICK. Howarth and Regan were later joined in FOUR BY FATE by guitarist/songwriter Patrick James Gasperini (POUND, FLYWHEEL) and former SKID ROW drummer Rob Affuso.

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