Official KISS Album and Tour Magazine Article

By KELLY MICHAEL STEWART and CHRIS ALEXANDER

After the myriad KISS compilation albums, concert staples and international chart-topping favorites, there still exists a staggering array of material—some of it forgotten, dismissed, undervalued or just plain ignored. And while any list of any kind will always be subjective, we two card-carrying KISS ARMY members have picked our own dream lineup of KISS songs that some may call filler, but we think are absolutely killer…

“Love Theme from KISS” (KISS, 1974): This actually started off as a different song with vocals called “Acrobat,” which was a staple of the band’s early live shows. But when the time came to record it, producers Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise suggested they rework as an instrumental and retitle it. Despite it not being a ballad—or actually a love song—“Love Theme from…” was a popular moniker at the time, and they though they could capitalize on that trend. In the end, they wound up with one of their more unusual songs, which got lost on an iconic debut album filled with KISS favorites.
—K.M.S.

“Comin’ Home” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): A rarity in the KISS canon, this is one of the few songs co-written by Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley. “Comin’ Home” was also one of the first tunes that wasn’t part of their earlier demo material, and is a testimony to the life on the road they had just started out on.
—K.M.S.

“Goin’ Blind” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): Gene Simmons wrote “Goin’ Blind” with his friend and former Wicked Lester bandmate Stephen Coronel in 1970, but it first appeared as a KISS track here. The song marked a departure for the band, and was the closest thing to a ballad on KISS album up to that point. Despite being one of the strongest songs on Hotter Than Hell, “Goin’ Blind” never made it into the band’s ’70s live set list, so for many years—until Unplugged—it remained somewhat forgotten.
—K.M.S.

“Strange Ways” (Hotter Than Hell, 1974): Frehley wrote it, Peter Criss sang it and it just might be the best damn song on Hotter Than Hell. The production of that classic platter is muddy and distant, marring some of the material, but that works in the lumbering “Strange Ways’ ” favor. Heavy, dark, with a purring Criss vocal and a blistering one-take solo that stands among Frehley’s best.
—C.A.

That is, if you work at Sixthman!

Here's Sixthman staffer Alex rocking the Starchild facepaint at work yesterday. Sixthman is hard at work with preparations for KISS Kruise III! Alex writes, "Got dressed up for work today..."

What a fun place work must be when you can wear KISS makeup to the office!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Check out the KISS inspired design on the side of a North Carolina furniture store's van!

By Andrew McMains
A classic rock ballad, "Beth" by KISS, that inspired a thought balloon—"Wouldn't it be funny to hear Beth's side of the story?"—is now a short film. The four-and-a-half-minute piece from Bob Winter, executive creative director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, centers around a 1970s-era phone call between Beth and an actor portraying Peter Criss, the band's original drummer and co-writer of the song.

Beth is home, cooking meatloaf and wondering when Peter will get home. Peter is in the studio, unable to commit to a time (he keeps repeating a refrain in the song, "What can I do?") and anxious to get back to recording. He and his bandmates are inexplicably dressed in full costume and face paint, despite being nowhere near a concert hall. Ah, but hey, what says KISS more than makeup and platform boots?

Only a limited number of cabins remain for the upcoming KISS Kruise III.

KISS and Sixthman together can’t be stopped. The inaugural KISS Kruise voyage united the KISS Navy to sail across the open seas. The second adventure proved the strength of the KISS Navy once again, who rocked the boat with such intensity that the sea begged for mercy! It’s time to reunite the KISS Navy for The KISS Kruise III, as we navigate towards the shores of adventure!

This kruise is so hot, it’s even Hot in the Shade! KISS Navy owns Halloween, and this year it’s no different. The Norwegian Pearl is set to host the best Hallows’ Eve celebration in the world. We’re sailing from October 28th – November 1st, so grab your face paint, your krazy costumes, your sunscreen and join us on board where we rock n roll all night and party everyday!

KISS NAVY, WE WANT YOU!

Cruise Itinerary (Subject to change)

Monday, October 28, 2013 - Depart Miami, FL (approx 4:00 PM ET)
Tuesday, October 29 - Key West, Florida 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30 - Day At Sea
Thursday, October 31 - Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, November 1 - Arrive Miami, FL (approx 8:00 AM ET)

For more details, visit the KISS KRUISE III website at www.thekisskruise.com!

A recent benefit concert featured six tribute/cover bands ranging from KISS to ZEPPELIN, and was hosted by a VAN HALEN band known as VH NATION.

The "TEAM SHANE" benefit was for Shane Harper, who is undergoing treatment for aplastic anemia, a disorder in which the bone marrow greatly decreases or stops production of blood cells.

This video, recorded by Chris Ann Colvin, features Chris Giordano, Scott Fredricks, Andy Watts and Jay Kelly doing the KISS classics "Detroit Rock City" and "Deuce", rockin' for a good cause.

The President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally explains why KISS is not in the Hall!

We spotted the President of The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Jann Wenner walking back to his Hotel after the Induction Ceremony last Thursday in LA. So I went up to him and asked him why KISS is not inducted yet.

As you can see his reply says it all!

Thanks,
Russell Dannecker

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

So I went to the pharmacy to get some sunblock, and on the way out, I saw this.

Gene

On this day in KISSTORY - April 23, 1992, KISS opened their 13-date US Club Tour at The Stone in San Francisco, CA. These special shows were the first to feature new KISS drummer Eric Singer. The band used the shows to warm up for their spring UK Tour.

Here's a clip of "I Stole Your Love" from KISS' Brooklyn club show.

Hello KISS!

My name is Ramiro Gutierrez, your KISS fan from Juarez, Mexico. I found this KISS mural in my city, near a locksmith shop. With this mural I prove that KISS is Everywhere!

Best,
Ramiro

LETTERS

Rock & Brews Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Marks Second Los Angeles Area Location And Continues Expansion of the Rock & Brews Brand

Today, rock icons Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, co-founders of KISS announced plans to open a new Rock & Brews™ restaurant on May 8th, 2013.

The new Rock & Brews is located on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Torrance, Calif., and is the newest in the Los Angeles area and the third to open in just over a year, demonstrating Rock & Brews plans for a worldwide rapid expansion of the brand. Rock & Brews PCH joins the brand’s growing roster that includes its flagship location in El Segundo, Calif., which opened in April of 2012, and the first international location in Los Cabos, Mexico, which opened in March 2013.

“We continue to expand Rock & Brews worldwide with a commitment to building a family-friendly atmosphere that serves exceptional food along with a broad selection of craft beers,” said Stanley. “We offer incredible value in a fun, energized rock-themed environment.”

Four additional Rock & Brews restaurants are currently in development: Rock & Brews LAX (CA) will open this summer (in the Delta Airlines Terminal); Rock & Brews Maui (HI) will open this fall; Rock & Brews Agoura (CA) will also open this fall; and, Rock & Brews Kansas City (MO) is slated to open early next year.

"Rock & Brews is on fire around the globe,” said Simmons. “People love bringing their families all day long and through dinner, and enjoy the rockin’ social scene later in the evening.”

Stanley and Simmons, along with their co-founding partners, restaurateur Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, plan to open as many as 100 Rock & Brews restaurants in the next five years.

The new Rock & Brews PCH welcomes local partner Jon Mesko, who will own and operate the Torrance location. The restaurant will feature the brand’s signature casual American cuisine, a full bar including a broad selection of premium wines and craft beers, and there will be a 21-and-over lounge area with private tables, offering self-service beer taps, monitored through new iPad software that tracks consumption and also provides detailed information about other draft and bottled beers available at the restaurant.

Join Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons on Wednesday, May 8th for the Grand Opening of Rock & Brews Pacific Coast Highway.

Visit www.torranceeducationfoundation.org/rock/ to buy tickets for the opening.

Here's a promotional poster for KISS' June 17th show at Villa Manin in Udine, Italy.

Thanks to Deuce News for the image.

KISS Night at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom - the student nurses really got into the spirit and Dressed to Kill as the legends that are KISS. I'm sure you'll agree and say that those KISS Girls look Hotter than Hell!!

Michael Howarth

LETTERS

Here's the KISSONLINE exclusive line of KISS 40th Anniversary merchandise. Pictured are the KISS 40th Anniversary logo t-shirt, baby doll, jersey t-shirt, Zippo lighter, shot glass, and coffee mug.


CLICK HERE to order these KISS 40th Anniversary items, and other KISSONLINE exclusive KISS merchandise.

KISS-INSPIRED MINIS ROCK AUTO SHOW

On this day in KISSTORY - April 22, 2011, KISS appeared at the New York Auto Show to debut their four KISS MINI Countryman vehicles with KISS-inspired designs , and announced the vehicles would be auctioned off with all proceeds being donated to UNICEF. KISS and MINI USA raised $129,000 for UNICEF with the auction.


Smoke spurted, the curtain lifted and in rock star fashion KISS took the stage Thursday morning at the New York auto show. The band wore full makeup, stilted heels and shiny spandex and posed next to four Mini Cooper Countrymans, customized according to each member’s face makeup pattern and persona — the Demon, the Spaceman, the Catman and the Starchild. The signed cars and other KISS memorabilia will be auctioned for UNICEF. - NEW YORK TIMES