KISS CERAMIC BUSTS

KOL EXCLUSIVE:

Here are the latest KISS Pre-production samples - approved and ready for production.

Pictured are the new KISS Ceramic Busts from Spencer Gifts! These will be available in the fall at all Spencer Gifts stores.

DANNY FRANCIS

Danny 'The Butler' Francis is head of security for KISS. His career includes working for George Harrison, Cher, Bon Jovi and the mighty Led Zeppelin, just to name a few. We'll do our best to feature glimpses into life behind the scenes with KISS through the eyes of those who work there. Who better than The Butler?!?

Danny (The Butler) Francis Kiss 2008 Tour Diary Arrow Festival- Netherlands Sunday June 15

11.15pm The Hottest Band In The World have just performed a killer two hour and fifteen minute set at the Arrow Classic Festival in front of 55.000 new and old fans who are still singing as the band jump into our getaway vans to the blue lights and screeching sirens of our police escort. WE ARE IN A HURRY!

And so another notch in the 'Love Gun' as another massive crowd leaves to spread the thunderous gospel of KISS!

Looking more like the victorious winners of some Star Wars boxing championship, steam surrounds the four band members as they run towards our two waiting vans, wrapped in heavy, dark blue robes with towels around their necks. We

COMPANY BUILDS TT SIGNATURE AMPS

A few days ago I took a sideline from the KISS Alive/35 tour and traveled to the Hughes & Kettner manufacturing facilities and headquarters in St. Wendel, Germany. The plan was to visit the great people that build the my TT Signature Edition HK amplifier and walk-through the vast manufacturing plant were they build HK amplifiers and HK Audio gear. The highlight was the amazing hospitality afforded to me by all the people there. After the tour of the plant, I did a meet & greet, signed posters and took photos with all the HK employees and then met 50 contest winners. It was a great day and I was proud to get a behind the scenes look at how the Hughes & Kettner family builds these fantastic amplifiers. Thanks again to everyone at Hughes & Kettner!

Tommy

KISSONLINE FAN LETTER

Paris photo by Ross Halfin

Hey Guys,

I have a confession to make: I went to see your concert out of shared curiosity after seeing that movie you did, 'Detroit Rock City'. My brother and I were like; 'Hmmm I wonder what those concerts were like back then'. So we decided to go see you guys when you came through town. We weren't too familiar with your music. More with your image, your reputation for awesome live shows (and other things...yes Gene Simmons I'm looking at you ;-)) and your keen business savvy (putting the power where it belongs

INTERVIEW & LIVE FOOTAGE CLIP

Here's a Scuzz TV clip featuring an interview with Paul, interspersed with professionally filmed live footage of KISS at Download!

BACKSTAGE IN PARIS CLIP

Check this cool fan filmed clip of the band backstage in Paris!

'DEUCE' CLIP

Here's a great fan filmed clip of 'DEUCE' from KISS' Bilbao, Spain Show.

KISS AT BERCY ARENA PARIS

By Lynne Hyland Photo by Ross Halfin

Three decades in the music business and still giving children nightmares with the vision of ancient flesh spilling out of black lycra and an inch-thick layer of Polyfilla smeared across the face.

No, not the latest Madonna photoshoot. We're talking rock gods Kiss, who've strapped on their stackheels to return to Europe for the first time in almost 10 years.

Having given up all pretence of ever retiring, the New York quartet are celebrating 35 years of crazy, crazy nights by recreating their Seventies Alive show, right down to the original costumes.

Okay, there may be a couple of new faces in the band this time, but who cares when there's plenty of greasepaint to keep the illusion going?

Besides, Kiss has always been about Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, and on a warm night in Paris the main men were back in all their splendour.

Stanley, demonstrating exactly why he needed his hip replacing recently, spent the entire two hours wiggling his backside like somebody had slipped itching powder in his strides.

Simmons stalked around in thigh-high monster boots, breathing fire, spitting blood like a man who's overdone the flossing and, of course, unfurling That Tongue at every lady in range.

All their trademark over-the-top trimmings were here - levitating drumkits, exploding guitars and more fireworks than the Rooney wedding.

But pyro alone doesn't make a 35-year career, and while the explosions created plenty of smoke, the real fire came from the music. From the opening wallop of Deuce to the ribcage-rattling Parasite, the band were as tight as Stanley's kecks. And when the band launched into I Was Made For Lovin You, the entire arena partied like it was 1979.

So, do I still wanna rock 'n' roll all nite and party every day? You better believe it.

Kiss release the KISSology DVD boxset throughout Europe at the end of the summer

KISS ON FRENCH TV

Here's a clip of KISS in Paris from TV M6.

KISS 'stole show' at Download

Download photo by Ross Halfin

Veteran rockers KISS are still receiving plaudits for their performance.

The New Musical Express said it was 'eye-popping' and 'epic' while contactmusic.com said they 'stole the show'.

And on numerous internet forums, they got the thumbs-up from older fans and won plenty of new ones, too, all eager to see their heroes again next year.

One fan, Johnny, wrote: 'Been going to Donington since time began and KISS put on the best show Donington has ever witnessed.'

And Gregg said: 'Out of five downloads and countless other gigs, Kiss was hands down the best live performance I've ever seen. '

Toby said: 'Had a huge smile on my face from start to finish, absolutely loved it. I've never been a Kiss fan but I know the 'hits' so decided it would be worth the watch and, boy, am I glad I did.'

Glamm wrote: 'I'm up for next year, totally. I felt quite sad on the way back

PAUL HAVING FUN!

Here's Paul hamming it up backstage before KISS' Paris show!

Photo by Ross Halfin

SCENES FROM FRANCE

Check out the FRENCH KISS ARMY at KISS' Paris Show!

Photos by Ross Halfin

PARIS REPORT

Off to Paris on the train and it is baking hot - in London and in Paris. Arrive late afternoon and it takes an hour to get to the hotel due to a demonstration - workers marching about more time off. It is John Bionelli's fifty-fourth birthday today. Last year he was here with Aerosmith, now he's in dreary old Boston when he could be eating oysters, quaffing champagne and seeing the Gods Of Thunder! I speak to him - he is so upset he can hardly talk without his voice breaking. I can't decide if he's upset at being so old or missing Kiss - I think missing Kiss...

I get to the Bercy and run straight into Kiss going to a meet and greet, which I shoot a bit of. There is a fan made up like Gene Simmons - except it could be Lars in make up. Paul Stanley, being a kind human being, phones John Bionelli and sings happy birthday down the phone. John at first thought it was a joke with Jim Servis (guitar tec for Tommy Thayer and Joe Perry) putting on Paul's voice. John then calls me back singing the whole of I Was Made For Loving You down the phone.

Good to shoot Kiss indoors. The lights are more dense and rich, I get more of Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer and a couple of 'Great' ones of Paul jumping (I know I overuse the word but it's true). Enjoy the show, Kiss are fun and not many people can match them at what they do, and nothing for me beats a good band with a good light show.

'HOTTER THAN HELL' CLIP

Here's a great fan filmed clip of 'HOTTER THAN HELL' from KISS' Stuttgart Show. Gene breathes fire at the end of the clip.

ROSS HALFIN PHOTOS

Check out these awesome Paris conceert photos from Ross Halfin!