KISS AND GUITAR CENTER JOIN FORCES TO PROVIDE CAREER-ALTERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNSIGNED BANDS NATIONWIDE



Guitar Center On-Stage: Offers 22 Unsigned Bands The Once-In-A-Lifetime Chance to Open For The Legendary Band during US Tour

Continuing its ongoing support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center ( www.guitarcenter.com.), the world's largest musical instrument retailer, today announced that it has teamed up with rock and roll icons KISS (www.KISSonline.com), and leading digital media company for entertainment, Eventful, for a revolutionary music program: Guitar Center On-Stage, a competition that provides unsigned bands and artists the career-altering opportunity to open for KISS on their upcoming North American tour, The Hottest Show on Earth.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Check out the awesome Paul Stanley GPS in this clip from the "Squidbillies!"

Here's an exclusive sneak peek of the new KISS school supplies being released at Walmart in July/August. Pictured are the KISS notebooks, folders, iron on transfers, pencil pouch and stickers from licensee Horizon.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here's the scan of KISS in RyanAir's magazine. RyanAir is a European airline.

Thanks to Fernando Martinez & Javier Rueda for sending the image to KISSonline.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here's KISS in the Belgian newspaper "De morgen."

Thanks to Luc Verdickt for sending the image to KISSONLINE.

Here's a clip of Bill Aucoin which aired last month on the PBS show "Lance Hefts Inspiration."

Here are a few fan-filmed clips from KISS' tour closing show in Dessel, Belgium.

Check out this clip of KISS on the Spanish TV program C.Q.C. The segment was filmed at the Madrid KISS show.

Thanks to Javier Rueda & Fernando Martinez for sending the clip to KISSonline.com

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Check out this Argentine KISS & soccer fan in Mendoza City, Argentina, celebrating the victory of the Argentine national soccer team in South Africa.

Thanks to Marcelo Garcia / KISS Army Argentina for sending the image to KISSonline.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here's KISS on the cover of two Belgian newspapers covering their concert at the Graspop Festival in Dessel. The title says it all..."Banged and Burned!"

Thanks to Jiri D'Jong for sending the image to KISSonline.

LEGENDARY KISS MANAGER

William Aucoin, beloved record industry executive, manager, entrepreneur, and creative visionary, passed away this morning, Monday, June 28 at 9:11 am. EST at the Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, Florida.

Born December 29, 1943, Bill was battling prostate cancer, and passed away from surgical complications.

The man known for masterminding the career of the world-renowned group KISS, Bill Aucoin also managed STARZ, TOBY BEAU, BILLY SQUIER, BILLY IDOL, and numerous other artists. His most recent venture is Aucoin Globe Entertainment, which he founded in 2007. In its three years, Bill and his company developed bands in the U.S. and around the world.

He leaves behind his longtime partner of fifteen years, Roman Fernandez, and two sisters Betty Britton and Janet Bankowski.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Here's the KISS Army Spain at the shows in Vitoria and Barcelona earlier this week.

Photos by Spiro Papadatos and Javier Rueda for KISSonline.

Here's more images of the KISS display from the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

The exhibit runs through September 12th. For more information, visit http://www.childrensmuseum.org.

Thanks to Daniel for sending KISSonline the image.

KISS LAUNCHED REUNION TOUR

On this day in KISStory - June 28, 1996, the KISS Alive Worldwide Reunion tour kicked off at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI, before a sellout crowd of over 43,000! The mammoth 13-month tour included 200 shows in 26 countries, playing to over two million people and set a record for the top-grossing tour of the year.

The Tour was the first tour of all four original members - Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, since the Dynasty Tour in 1979.

Set List for the Tour:

Deuce / King Of The Night Time World / Do You Love Me / Calling Dr Love / Cold Gin / Christine Sixteen / Love Gun / Shout It Out Loud / Watchin' You / Firehouse / 2,000 Man / Strutter / Shock Me / Rock Bottom / God Of Thunder / New York Groove / Let Me Go, Rock And Roll / Rock And Roll All Nite / Beth / Detroit Rock City / Black Diamond

KISS also performed the following songs at various shows on the Tour:

100,000 Years/ C'mon And Love Me / I Stole Your Love / Take Me / I Was Made For Lovin' You / Shandi / Watchin' You

Here are the comps for the new KISS Lavalites being released in September. As you can see - Paul, Eric, Tommy and Gene each have their own lamp.