by Larry Rodgers
The Arizona Republic

Kiss co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have been rock-and-rolling all night and partying every day for 35 years.

This year the group has been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and continues to fill arenas with fans of all ages.

After a falling-out with original lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, Simmons and Stanley are soldiering on, making millions more through concerts, a new album ("Sonic Boom") and the most extensive product licensing in the history of rock. (Newest item: Kiss Mr. Potato Head.)

Simmons, who still wears full make-up and a costume onstage, called to talk about the band's Alive 35 tour (in Glendale on Tuesday, Dec. 1) and performing at 60.

Check out these KISS Army members dressed to kill at at this weekend's Fresno and Oakland shows!

Photos by Keith Leroux and Kevin Gladden for KISSonline.

Here are some more KISS Army members rocking out at at this weekend's Fresno and Oakland shows!

Photos by Keith Leroux and Kevin Gladden for KISSonline.

Hi KISS,

I wanted to share a piece of my birthday with my favorite band! It took me 42 years to order a KISS cake..I think it was well worth the wait!

Best,
Rita Zaslavsky

LETTERS

And... even more KISS Army members rocking out at at this weekend's Fresno and Oakland shows!

Photos by Keith Leroux and Kevin Gladden for KISSonline.

Check out this fan-filmed clip of Tommy's guitar solo, playing to a packed house in his hometown of Portland!

KISS ARMY FAN CLUB PRESALE STARTS WEDNESDAY, 11/25 FOR 2010 EUROPEAN TOUR!

KISS are set to bring their new "Sonic Boom Over Europe: From the Beginning To the Boom" tour to Europe in Summer 2010 and KISS Army fan club members have exclusive access to the KISS Army presale! While utilizing elements of "KISS Alive 35", "Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom" will be a fresh, new show tailored to the band's European fans and showcasing the brand new "Sonic Boom" album.

Check out the KISSONLINE tour page and access the exclusive KISS Army fan club presale for 22 shows beginning this Wednesday, November 25 at 10am local venue time.

If you're not already a member of the KISS Army fan club and you want access to some of the best seats in the house on the 2010 European tour, JOIN THE KISS ARMY FAN CLUB NOW!

LIVE WEBCAST ON FACEBOOK THIS WEDNESDAY, 11/25!

On November 25, 2009, KISS will perform to a global audience when their show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles is streamed live on Facebook. This one off event will be unique chance for European fans to see the "KISS Alive 35" show before it changes for the European run - the perfect warm up to the must see tour of 2010.

Here's a fan-filmed clip of "Deuce" live in Oakland on Sunday!

Sadly, today is the 18th anniversary of the death of our beloved friend Eric Carr.

We all miss and remember Eric for his devotion to his fans and his dedication and belief in KISS. He was a ferocious drummer with a gentle spirit. We all lost him way too soon.

Here's a clip of Eric Carr singing Black Diamond in Sydney'80.:

Kevin Waschuk scored a big coup for garage guitarists everywhere who fantasize about playing with their favourite rock band.

The Red Deer resident and KISS fanatic got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play guitar with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and the boys, when the KISS musicians did a sound check before their Nov. 12 Calgary concert.

Waschuk recalled the surreal experience of standing on the Saddledome stage, playing Cold Gin and Detroit Rock City with KISS members, before they donned their studded costumes, big boots and pancake makeup. "It was a very laid-back casual thing, but I was anxious, nervous, excited..." he said.

The moment when KISS guitarist Stanley gave his playing an approving look, Waschuk knew his eight years of guitar lessons were worth it.

Check out this montage of fan photos taken during the past week's KISS shows!

Photos by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

Some fans will use even a birthday as a reason to dress up as KISS! Here's our group of friends that went as KISS to our friend Milena's birthday party!

Veronique Willing

LETTERS

Look at this great shot of Gene in Oakland on Sunday night!

Photo by Hab Haddad for KISSonline.

Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom European Tour May / June 2010 Plus: Global live performance via Facebook on November 25, 2009 Rock legends KISS are set to bring their new "Sonic Boom Over Europe: From the Beginning To the Boom" tour to Europe in Summer 2010. With multiple dates across Europe, the "Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom" is set to be THE rock event of 2010, building on the incredible success of the 2009 "Sonic Boom" album.

"Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom" will see dates in Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Demark, Holland, France, Spain, Belgium and, not only will the tour feature KISS's first UK arena shows in 11 years, but it will see the band breaking new ground completely with their first-ever shows in Slovakia.

Can't make it to your computer for Wednesday night's live stream of KISS's Staples Center concert in Los Angeles? iPhone users will also be able to watch the concert on their phones!

Just install the free Ustream app... and tune in Wednesday night to rock with KISS!

The KISS iPhone app is also available! Download it at iTunes for even more KISS interactive entertainment.