_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline.}

Story by Gary Greenough

The KISS Tribute Harley, known as the KTH, was built during the ALIVE35 Tour, 2009. Although a stock platform rarely wins any prizes at bike shows, it is the most photographed bike at every show; KISS fans come out to see it.

When KISS took on the Wounded Warriors Project as a charity, the KTH became a magnet for donations to that event. At every bike show, a donation can, with an explanation for the donation, is put out with the bike. To date, nearly $3,000 has been collected and sent to WWP. People would be allowed to sit on the bike for a photo and a donation.

At the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show of 2010, a member of HEROES, A KISS Experience, (now Las Vegas KISS), Luis Reyes, a Demon impersonator, stood behind the bike for four hours posing in full DEMON attire with people who sat on the bike. Over $1,000 was collected in those four hours. ALL proceeds of these events are sent to WWP.

Time, fuel, or hotel, are on the tab of the owner. As long as there are conflicts, as long as there are wounded warriors coming home, the KTH will be out there bringing in pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars, to be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Here's a photo of the advance copies of the new KISS Comics Issue #1. Pictured are the 6 different covers that will be available for the #1 Issue. KISS #1 will officially be in stores on June 13.

In the photos:

Top row: two regular covers available at most retailers; and one limited cover available at select retailers

Bottom row: limited cover available at select retailers; the black cover is exclusive to one retailer only; last one on right is the KISSOnline exclusive.

Click here to pre-order KISS #1 Issue with the Exclusive KISSOnline cover now!

TODAY IS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF REVENGE

On this day in KISSTORY - May 14, 1992, KISS released their critically acclaimed REVENGE album. With producer Bob Ezrin at the helm, a ferocious KISS delivered one of their heaviest and best albums ever! All the band members shined on this release! Ever reliable Paul Stanley was on top of his game here, delivering impassioned vocals through out the album. Even the Demon returned and proved what a committed and focused Gene Simmons is capable of! New drummer Eric Singer' power and intensity added to the KISS assault and Bruce Kulick recorded what many consider his finest KISS guitar work. REVENGE debuted at #6 on Billboard and remained on the charts for twenty three weeks. The album was certified Gold on 07/20/92.

REVENGE, which was dedicated to Eric Carr, also featured 'Carr Jam 1981,' an instrumental track written by Carr that Ezrin discovered from The Elder recordings. The song featured a thunderous Carr drum solo as the centerpiece and was a fitting tribute to the beloved drummer.

KISS released four music videos for REVENGE: 'Unholy', 'I Just Wanna', 'Domino' and 'Everytime I Look At You'. A video for 'God Gave Rock And Roll to You' was released in November 1991 to support the Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey movie soundtrack.

REVENGE Track Listing:

Unholy / Take It Off / Tough Love / Spit / God Gave Rock & Roll to You II / Domino / Heart of Chrome / Thou Shalt Not / Every Time I Look At You / Paralyzed / I Just Wanna / Carr Jam 1981

What can I say? The 2012 Indy KISS Expo ROCKED!!! There was an incredible turnout (almost 1000 fans!) to welcome long time expo favorite Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer appearing at his official KISS expo debut. Those guys posed for pictures and signed autographs for 10+ hours stopping only for a VERY cool Q&A session that revealed EXCLUSIVE shots of the monumental KISS Monster book that is looming on the horizon. Hundreds of Expo guests were treated to numerous merchandise tables with the latest must have items, KISS Karaoke, raffles and appearance from tribute band KIST. Eric and Tommy were there from the EARLY morning hours (arriving in Indianapolis at 5:00 AM and hanging with the dedicated KISS fans until late in the evening. News of the new Monster album still remained under wraps from the two, but was promised to kick some “major ass” upon its impending release. The KISS Army is alive and well… As always young and old came together to celebrate all things KISS in a way that only KISS truly can. The fans have now been properly primed for THE TOUR!!! 2012 is going to be another chapter in KISSTORY! I, for one, CAN NOT WAIT!!!

Mike Mariacher
PodKISST.com

Photo of fan's Tommy and Eric Paintings by Tom Hale

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

KISS Makeup spotted in the promo clip for a new Italian TV Show!

Thanks to Deuce News for finding the clip!

On this day in KISSTORY - 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

Check out this cool German TV Clip featuring KISS performing "Detroit Rock City" at the Munich, Germany stop of the 1976 European Tour!

Happy Birthday to the Catman, Eric Singer! We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating your birthday today with the KISS Army at the INDY KISS Fan Expo!

Here's Eric singing "Black Diamond" with KISS in Germany 2010:

I just wanted to take a moment of your time to tell you how impressed my wife, kids and myself was at the KISS mini golf facility in Las Vegas.

We were there on Thursday April 12, 2012. I tell you this because the staff you had there that morning was what made the time there so much fun. The four of us were the only ones there that morning. I have 2 girls , Brianna is 10 and Alyssa is 8. They know you a little bit from when I play KISS at home, but mainly they know oh from your show Family Jewels. To say the loved the place the minute we walks through the doors would be an understatement.

Your staff there was incredible. They made us feel welcomed, played trivia games while we played golf and made announcements whenever something good happened. They provided tickets for some prize's and played whatever KISS songs we liked. One of your workers had a great line whenever he saw one of. My. Girls smile.." some people are on the furniture business, we are in the happy business". I am happy to say he was right. My kids loved the place and I think it was one of the highlights of our Vegas trip.

Most times people only write letters to complain about a lousy experience. I felt it was important to let you know that good things happened too. Thank you for letting my family feel a little bit like rock stars for a few hours. If possible please pass along to your team there to keep up "the happy business".

Thanks again for taking the time to look at the email.

Frank Curto
Staten Island, NY

LETTERS

Hello KISS & the KISS Army!!

To make a long story short; I walked down the streets of Schiedam (Netherlands) found a wallet with enough money to make weekend "one to remember" and inside there was a driver's license. Looked at the name and photo and it was of Jacques Tange, a famous painter here in Europe ! Went to his address and gave it back, and a month later he gave me a painting as a reward for bringing his wallet back to him ! Thank you Jacques !

Rob van Dijk / The Netherlands

LETTERS

KISSONLINE will be at the 2012 INDY KISS Fan Expo tomorrow! We will be bringing a few exciting "in person" sneak peeks! Stop by the KOL booth to view a couple pages from the upcoming KISS MONSTER Book! We want you to experience first-hand the scope of this massive book. We will also have Figure Toys' prototypes of the upcoming Paul Stanley 1974 action figure as well as the Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer Sonic Boom Action Figures!

Please stop by and say hello!

The 2012 INDIANAPOLIS KISS Fan Expo will take place on Saturday, May 12th at the Indianapolis Marriott East 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana from 1:00PM to 10:00PM (11am for Platinum and VIP ticket holders!).

This year's Special guests are KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and KISS drummer Eric Singer! This is Tommy's first official appearance as a guest at a KISS Expo, and his only KISS Expo appearance this year! Come meet Tommy and Eric as KISS gets ready to hit the road for "THE TOUR" 2012! Each band member will also do a Q/A and be available for photos an autographs.

- Shout it out loud and sing your favorite KISS Klassics at KISS Karaoke!

- Enjoy a costume contest for all ages

- Come take your photo with a Paul Stanley Guitar at Boogie Street Guitars' booth!

- Tribute band KIST will perform.

- KISS merchandise and collectibles will be on sale throughout day from vendors from all over the country!

- KISSOnline will be attending with Exclusive KISS merchandise!

For more details visit: www.Getalifeinc.com

The 2012 INDY KISS Fan Expo is a fan produced event. By the fans, for the fans!

The official KISS(R) Love Gun 3D Archival Etched Glass™ Frame, by GDC-GameDevCo Ltd. in collaboration with Artist Daniel Parry

Limited to 1977 pieces.

-The First in a Series-

This Limited Edition KISS collectible features the full-color ‘Love Gun’ album cover which is permanently etched and engraved into the custom front glass panel. The glass panel is strategically placed 1/2 an inch in front of the custom printed matting, creating a 3D effect. Printed on the custom matting is the title and length of each song from the album.

The album image is actually fused and embedded into the 1/4 inch thick glass surface through an EXCLUSIVE multi-step etching process. Also etched and engraved into the glass panel are the four official KISS symbols and the signatures of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

This framed collectible is completed with a precision crafted KISS logo positioned at the top of the frame.

To commemorate the 1977 release of the Love Gun album, this piece is limited to 1977 pieces worldwide and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity which is signed and numbered by the Artist.

The finished frame size is 14”x19”.

Where can fans buy?

www.KISSOnline.com and www.ShopGDC.com

It will be on more websites and independent gift shops and galleries in the very near future.

KISS DAY will take place on May 12th (Saturday) at Oca in São Paulo: a whole day dedicated to KISS with live concerts from tribute bands KILLERS and Rock Soldiers. You'll also have the chance to have the make up of your favorite KISS member on, plus a never-seen-before DVD projection of our KISS Fest I !!!"

The event programming leaves nothing to be desired to any true KISS fan, being also a unique opportunity to visit the memorabilia exhibit and to know a little more about this musical genre that makes our heads spin! Let´s meet, take a bunch of pictures and have many talks among all members (as any true hardcore KISS FAN would) !

Schedule: Saturday May 12th, 2012 Oca - Ibirapuera Park - São Paulo Timetable: 11 AM: DVD projection of the unseen-before KISS Fest I (2007) 3 PM: KILLERS Tribute Band 7 PM: Rock Soldiers Tribute Band

So put on your costumes and "Welcome to the Show"!! BRAZILIAN KISS ARMY - BKA!! BRAZIL..

Cinthia Mendes, Ricardo Lopes and Márcio Augusto!!!

LETTERS

Not only did Kiss sell millions of records, the iconic rockers, with their instantly recognizable logo, painted faces, and straight-ahead party music, influenced the next generation of metal bands, some of those now-famous metal stars Fox411.com.

"Kiss' song writing was really a big influence," Motley Crue bassist and songwriter Nikki Sixx told Fox 411. Mike Portnoy, former drummer of Dream Theater, even went as far as to say Kiss "were the Beatles for our generation."

Fellow '70s face-painter Alice Cooper says Kiss remain relevant today, almost four decades after Gene Simmons first unrolled that tongue onstage, because they are "a band that proves themselves over and over again".