Musicians Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer of KISS attend the opening of Rimowa on Rodeo Drive on May 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images)

After a brief hiatus, Mt. Laurel Poconos Performing Arts Center is re-opening its doors this summer on July 13th with KISS as the first concert!

Needless to say… it is a very big deal. In honor of the show, we’ve launched a photo contest on our official Facebook page appropriately titled “KISS YOUR FACE.” You can view full details here: http://www.facebook.com/mtlaurelpac?sk=app_100142423390621.

The grand prize is a VIP package to see KISS, which includes backstage passes!

Gene Simmons to enter Factual Entertainment Awards’ Hall of Fame

Legendary rock-god and multi-hyphenate Gene Simmons will be inducted into realscreen‘s Factual Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame as the “Personality of the Year” at the awards celebration on June 1, 2011 in Santa Monica.

Along with his unconventional family, Simmons stars in Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E in the longest running, unscripted celebrity family-based series on television. “The show’s longevity, loyal fan base and consistently high ratings, coupled with Gene’s engaging onscreen presence and the wonderful family dynamic that makes the show ‘appointment’ television, all factor into this recognition,” said Claire Macdonald, VP & publisher of realscreen, creators of the Factual Entertainment Awards and Factual Entertainment Forum.

Paul Stanley was interviewed by Clear Channel Radio National Correspondent Steven Gregory in Los Angeles regarding his efforts to bring attention to noise-induced hearing loss amongst teens. This is all part of Paul's work as spokesperson for the world-renowned House Research Institute.

One segment aired during the morning and one in the evening. Click to listen!

Paul, Tommy, Eric, & Gene are excited to sail with you on the KISS Kruise: Wet, Wild, & Rockin’ , your BEST vacation yet! Check out EVERYTHING that is included in the price of a cabin: A KISS indoor rock show, an acoustic show on the Lido Deck (no makeup!), a Q&A with all 4 guys, a photo with the band (in small groups), exclusive KISS Kruise merchandise, and so much more!

Sign up now to be a part of the pre-sale, and visit www.kissonline.com/kruise for more information – including pricing and pre-sale details!

Just wanted to let you know how our Relay For Life event went. On May 6th over 15,000 people came to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville, Georgia. We were also in attendance to Raise money to help fight cancer. We took photos with passer by's for a small donation to the cause. People were encouraged to donate what they could.

We had male and female KISS members present to appeal to everyone. In 3 hours time we raised over $305, and the team that we represented raised a total $6000.00 by the time it was over. Gwinnett maintained it's status as the largest Relay For Life Event in the world by making their fund raising goal of 2.2 million dollars.

Everyone had fun hanging with Hottest Cancer Fighting group in Georgia! The team liked us so much there is talk about next year. I'm already making plans. >;)~

Enjoy the photo! \m/ DemonBry \m/

LETTERS

Here I am with Gene's Mini at the St. Louis dealer on Saturday.

John Wicker

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

A trio of rockers stopped for a rest on Hayes Street during the 100th annual Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

Here's a KISSOnline exclusive look at the artwork for the new KISS Potato Heads being released in the fall. The latest edition features the band's current outfit designs.

Here are a few more photos from Paul's appearance at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles last Thursday. Paul was the headliner at the House Research Institute’s “Sound Rules! A Sound & Hearing Celebration,” an event to bring increased awareness to noise-induced hearing loss amongst teens and foster good hearing health practices.

Photo Credits: House Research Institute

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Look what I just past in a parking lot!

Thanks,
Joe Marziotto

LETTERS

SHIP WILL SET SAIL OCTOBER 13-17, 2011

Hello KISS ARMY!

We know you have been waiting patiently for the big news...and here it is!

The KISS Kruise: Wet, Wild, & Rockin’
Sailing on the Carnival Destiny
October 13 – 17, 2011 from Miami to Half Moon Cay & Nassau, Bahamas

ARE YOU READY to INVADE the seas on the first ever KISS Kruise? KISS is partnering with cruise industry leaders, Sixthman for this sea-bound adventure.

On this outrageous ship, you’ll get to party with fist pounding hard rock all night, and live like a rock star all day. You’ll see a legendary show with KISS in an intimate indoor venue and an acoustic "Sail Away Concert" (no make-up!!) to keep the party going as the ship leaves port. It doesn’t stop there; we’ll have krazy on board activities, KISS-themed nights, badass costume contests and more!

PAUL STANLEY ROCKS THE HOUSE (RESEARCH INSTITUTE)

KISS Front Man Speaks to Standing-Room-Only Crowd in LA about Importance of Hearing Health

Paul Stanley, the legendary front man and founder of KISS, spoke to a packed audience at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles Thursday. Paul was the headliner at the House Research Institute’s “Sound Rules! A Sound & Hearing Celebration,” an event to bring increased awareness to noise-induced hearing loss amongst teens and foster good hearing health practices.

Stanley, who was born deaf in one ear and serves as Ambassador Spokesperson for the non-profit, spoke about his own inspirational struggle with hearing loss to a rapt audience of teens, parents, media and members of the KISS Army who turned-out in force.

In addition to meeting a true rock legend, attendees of the fun-filled event heard from world-renowned medical experts like Dr. John House, one of the country’s foremost authorities on hearing health, and earned the chance to win a myriad of cool prizes including VIP concert tickets and the Grand Prize: a Paul Stanley signed Washburn guitar.

Paul was interviewed by ABC News in Los Angeles at Sound Rules! A Sound and Hearing Celebration Thursday in Los Angeles.

FIRST EUROPEAN TOUR

On May 13th, 1976 KISS played their first ever UK show at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England. The show before a sellout crowd of over 2500 was the beginning of KISS' first European tour. In addition to shows in England, KISS performed in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Germany where the Scorpions were the opening act. KISS wrapped up the tour with a final show on June 6th at Ontmoetingscentrum in Harelbeke, Belgium.

Gene recalls KISS' first visit to England:

"On the way over to our first English tour, I was struck by the notion that this was the Land Of The Beatles. To me, the English Kings and Queens never meant anything. I have always looked at it as an archaic and rather silly posturing about past glories. But as cultural oddities, I suppose it had its own innocence.

Still, I was nervous to set foot on Holy Ground. We got off the jet in full makeup and the fotogs were waiting for us. We came through customs and jumped on street cars at the airport for foto ops.

I was aware it was drizzly and grey. I was hoping that would change in the next few days to sunshine. It didn't.

We had a female chaperone/record company person with us. And, she showed us the sites. I thought the least I could do was return the favor. I did.

We visited the Palace and posed with street Bobbies (the English police) and were soon to hit the stage in front of an English audience. Would they like us? Truth was, we never thought much about it. We had a job to do and that was to punish the audience. They had, for too long, stood still for sub par live bands.

It was our job to show them that there was at least one band who had the balls to introduce themselves with: YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST...THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND, KISS."

Set List for the Manchester show:

Deuce / Strutter / Flaming Youth / Hotter Than Hell / Firehouse / She / Nothin' To Lose / Shout It Out Loud / 100,000 Years / Black Diamond / Detroit Rock City / Rock And Roll All Nite / Let Me Go, Rock And Roll