Hi KISS!

At our wedding, 3 years ago, we wanted to innovate and show our guests our great passion for KISS. After long hours of makeup, we had this great mural for guests to leave their wishes.

Thank You for all the Years of Great Rock and Roll

Lorena & Carlos Lucarno

LETTERS

By Steve Palisin

The party will rock and roll all afternoon and night on Saturday.

A fifth anniversary party for the KISS Coffeehouse at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, with events starting at 10 a.m., will center around two special guests from the group: drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.

Thayer was on hand for the second-year celebration in September 2008, after KISS co-founders bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley marked the grand opening in June 2006.

Singer and Thayer will take photos, meet fans and answer questions, before a KISS Army concert and after-party to round out the evening.

Thayer, who sports the spaceman makeup, took a few minutes Tuesday afternoon by phone to talk about the group and the coffeehouse.

Question | How does this extra interaction with fans, such as through the party this weekend in Myrtle Beach, remind you how the KISS name, concept, sound and look have remained a cultural touchstone for fans through the decades?

Answer | It just shows you the uniqueness of KISS and what it promotes. … It’s just a opportunity, now that we are off tour, to get together with some of out dearest and nearest fans, at a KISS Coffeehouse. What other bands can say something like that?

Q. | What’s your greatest memory as the guest of honor for the KISS Coffeehouse second anniversary celebration?

A. | There was a kid named Todd who won a contest to sing “Forever” with me on stage. We took submissions from hundreds of fans who emailed their version of them singing our song “Forever.” He won, and he had a great voice. It was a cool, interactive thing to do with fans.

Q. | Did you have a favorite KISS song before you joined the group, and what’s a tune you love performing on stage from almost a decade on stage with the group?

A. | I remember one of my first favorite KISS songs, from the first KISS album, in 1974. That was “Black Diamond.” It’s always been one of my favorite KISS songs. In live performance, I love “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll to You.” It’s actually more complex than other KISS songs. It’s a very guitar-driven anthem, which I love.

Join KISS in supporting City of Hope and helping patients everywhere who face life-threatening diseases. Music has the power to heal. Get this limited KISS T-shirt at www.CityofHopeShop.com and help City of Hope find cures for cancer.

Just came across this shot from back in 1981 when the Custer High School senior class in Custer, South Dakota rocked homecoming with a KISS parade float. Left to right are Chad Coppess, Jim Hansen, Steele Cameron and Jim Thomas. Fun memories!

Chad Coppess

LETTERS

On this day in KISSTORY - August 11th, 1999, KISS was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. KISS' family members, friends and fans stood by as the KISS star was unveiled at the intersection of LaBrea and Hollywood. The band was also presented with commemorative plaques from Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant, who proclaimed it KISS Day. Paul Stanley told the several hundred fans on hand, "We wouldn't be here without you. This star is for you people. It has our name on it, but everyone of you is responsible for it."

The exact address of the KISS star is listed as 7080 Hollywood Blvd.

By Alla Byrne and Sarah Michaud

The KISS Army continues to grow.

The band's lead singer/guitarist Paul Stanley and his wife Erin, an attorney, welcomed daughter Emily Grace Stanley on Tuesday in Los Angeles, he tells PEOPLE.

Emily, who weighed in at 7 lbs., 10 oz., joins elder siblings Sarah Brianna, 2½, Colin Michael, 4½, and Evan Shane, 17, Stanley's son from a previous relationship.

"Erin and I are once again blessed with the addition of Emily Grace to our family," the rocker, 59, says. "I'm not sure she can sing but her first screams let me know she's definitely Daddy's girl."

Stanley – who's also a successful painter – just completed a series of sold-out KISS dates and is currently producing the band's next album.

As for having kids later in life, Stanley says his age doesn't slow him down.

"I may be 59," he told PEOPLE in February, "but the only rocking chair this rocker is getting ready for is the one for my new baby."

Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images

FIRST-EVER KISS CREMATION URN READY TO ROCK THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY

Eternal Image, Inc., a public company engaged in the design, manufacturing and marketing of officially licensed, Brand-name memorial products, today announced that the first of its official KISS cremation urns is now available for purchase.

KISS is famous for its explosive live performances and outrageous rock and roll style. In their forty year career, the band has achieved record-breaking tours, album sales in excess of 100 million, a huge "KISS Army" fan base, and the most memorable look in all of rock history.

“We call this particular KISS urn our ‘Monument’ model,” said Donna Shatter, VP of Operations for the Company. “This urn offers fans a unique expression of their passion for the legendary rock band. It features full-color images of the band members and the KISS flame logo—all displayed against a striking black metallic finish.”

The Monument model KISS urn is eight inches tall. The Company plans to release three additional urn models later this year.

http://www.eternalimage.net/product/kiss

On this day in KISSTORY - August 10, 1973, KISS auditions for their soon to be manager Bill Aucoin at the Crystal Ball Room of the Hotel Diplomat in New York City.

Bill Aucoin: When I first saw KISS at the Hotel Diplomat in 1973 they didn't have much of a show. They had the red beacons, a couple of amps. They were wearing black jeans. No one could afford leather. The show was just a regular rock 'n' roll show except they had spontaneity. They wanted to do something different and they wanted it very badly. That kind of devotion is worth more than anything. It's so special and you start picking up on it. I saw that magic in them.

Last fall, I took my boyfriend to his first KISS concert. He was a long time fan who just never had an opportunity to go, I guess it is because he was too busy defending our country during the days I was going to concerts. It was an amazing show for a KISS Virgin with 3rd row seats. He was especially touched by the donation to the Wounded Warrior Project since he is himself, a wounded warrior.

This is one of the many amazing photos I took at that show, it is my personal favorite, it is at the end of the show and a guitar pick is being tossed into the audience with confetti falling all around. The picture is "as is" and not edited, this is really what it is like at a KISS show, enjoy.

Thanks for a great show and for all you do for our wounded warriors... God bless.

Tkelliott

LETTERS

The 2011 KISS Summer Tour just ended and KISS Shop is giving fans up to 30% off all 2011 Tour merchandise! This is your last chance to get official Tour items like the Lost Cities Tour tee, women's tees, hats, key chains, and more.

CLICK HERE to view our Tour Merch Specials

On this day in KISSTORY - August 9, 1995, KISS performs on MTV Unplugged. The band invites former members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley to participate in a mini-reunion onstage for several songs at the end of the Unplugged set.

Hi KISS Soldiers!

Check out my new tattoo made by Ralph, Kalafuria Tattoo Studio - SP - Brazil!

KISS Rocks !

Cassiano Froes

LETTERS

This is our beautiful swimming champion Italian Federica Pellegrini. I think she must be a KISS fan?!?! ... Thanks for the strong emotions that you give me every time I see you in concert, or listen to you ... you are number one! I have known you musically since Alive, thanks to my best friend ... and continue to listen to you with great enthusiasm!

Thanks,
Alberto74 / Italy

LETTERS

The KISS Coffeehouse 5th Year Anniversary Party is Saturday, August 13th, 2011. KISSOnline is looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Schedule Of Events*

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Professional Photographs @ KISS Coffeehouse
(Platinum & Double Platinum Packages Only)

12:30 PM – 5:00 PM Meet & Greet w/Eric & Tommy @ KISS Coffeehouse

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Q&A Session w/Eric & Tommy @ Celebrity Square

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM KISS Army Concert @ Celebrity Square

10:30 PM – ??? After Party w/KISS Army @ KISS Coffeehouse

*Schedule is tentative, and all times are approximate, and subject to change.

ALL Kids 10 & Under Get In FREE With Paid Adult!

Visit www.KISSCoffeehouse.com for more information.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Italian KISS cover band "Delilah" rocked the "Nuovo Parini" club for over 2 hours, performing the most famous songs of the hottest band in the world...KISSSSSSSSSS! A great time was had by all who attended the event!

ROCK ON from KISS Army Italy!!!

LETTERS