KISS frontman Paul Stanley sat with WSJ's Lee Hawkins for an exclusive interview about his life and career. In this clip, Stanley shares the origin of the famous KISS makeup. To watch the full interview, tune in to YouTube.com/WSJ on Feb. 1st!

On this day in KISSTORY - January 31, 1999, KISS opened Super Bowl XXXIII with a bombastic version of "Rock And Roll All Nite!"

By John Katsilometes
Photo By Steve Marcus

At one side of the room, a guy dressed as Gene Simmons adjusted his studded codpiece. At another, a would-be Paul Stanley was plopped on a leather sofa, munching on a handful of tortilla chips.

Everywhere you turned there were guys dressed as members of Kiss, and it was no happy coincidence. A quartet of Kiss tribute bands, totaling 16 costumed musicians, competed in the first Kiss Off at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel. The bands were the survivors of a worldwide search for the best Kiss tribute act to perform at the opening of Kiss By Monster Mini Golf, the attraction set to open March 15 on Harmon Avenue, just east of Rumor and across the street from the Hard Rock.

The bands each performed four songs at a piercingly high volume at an event co-emceed by Kiss By Monster Mini Golf spokesmodel Brian “Lowercase g” Thomas (dressed as a smallish version of Simmons), “Kats With the Dish” co-host Tricia McCrone and myself.

by: Chris M. Junior

Given the merchandising savvy of Kiss co-leaders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, it’s surprising a wall-mountable band collectible in the style of Mount Rushmore wasn’t already on the market.

Thanks to Kiss fan and artist Douglas Hildebrandt, that void has been filled in the form of his limited-edition Mount KISSMore sculpture, which begins shipping in February.

With the real Mount Rushmore in mind, Hildebrandt wanted his Kiss creation to have a carved-granite appearance. As for the look of the musicians’ makeup-enhanced mugs, he also emulated the same sculpting style as the national memorial in South Dakota.

“They are supposed to look like monolithic statues,” he says. “I think it is a fitting tribute and true testament to one of the greatest bands of our time.”

Hildebrandt originally made two of the sculptures and sent one to Simmons, who called to express his appreciation and to offer production tips. That led to Hildebrandt getting in touch with Factory Entertainment, which is authorized to produce Kiss items, and him making a commissioned master pattern for the limited-edition run of 2,000 pieces.

Each handcrafted Mount KISSMore sculpture (priced at $69.99) weighs five pounds and comes in a full-color box.

Here's KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer posing on stage with members of Mr. Speed, KISSteria, Rock and Roll Over and KISS Forever, just after Mr. Speed was declared the winner of the KISS OFF contest. Tommy was a judge at the competition that took place Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo by the Las Vegas Sun

On this day in KISStory - January 30, 1973, KISS performed their very first concert at Popcorn (The Coventry) in Queens, NY. The band performed 2 sets at the club that night for a crowd of under 10 people.

Gene recalls how that show came about:

1973 was the beginning.

Wicked Lester had just finished its album for EPIC RECORDS. There were five members in the band, including Paul and myself. Though we had a real recording contract with a major label, and though we had finished an entire album, we were depressed. It just wasn't what we had envisioned.

So, we started again. We tried firing the other three guys in Wicked Lester, but some wouldn't leave. So, we quit.

We started again with a vision. 'Let's put together the band we never saw on stage.'

We got a manager named LOU LINET, who managed JF MURPHY AND FREE FLOWING SALT and DIANA MARCOVITZ (or something like that)...and when he heard the newborn baby -- KISS. He thought it was the worst crap he had ever heard. Needless to say, he was gone immediately. So, we were managerless.

I put together a bio kit, while I worked at the Puerto Rican Interagency Council, as assistant to the Director. Peter's friend owned a printing press and printed up our invites.

But, where to play? We didn't have a manager. We didn't have an agent. We never had.

I made a phone call cold to a place called Popcorn in Queens, NY and on the phone convinced the guy to hire a band, who would soon be changing their name from WICKED LESTER to KISS.

We got the gig -- three nights -- Wed, Thurs and Fri for the sum total of $150.

That was the beginning.

Congratulations to Christine Mulleneaux, who won the KISS by Monster Mini Golf ULTIMATE Rock Lady Demon contest! Christine will strut a media blitzed Red Carpet wearing the first ever custom designed $10,000 Gene Simmons “Lady Demon” black leather wedding dress at the Grand Opening of KISS by Monster Mini Golf Las Vegas, with KISS!

Photo by the Las Vegas Sun

The “KISS Off” finale in the Body English nightclub at Hard Rock in Las Vegas, Nevada Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. “Mr.Speed,” a KISS tribute band from Cleveland, won the competition and will perform at the opening of the KISS Monster Mini Golf on March 15, 2012.

CLICK HERE to view the Las Vegas Sun's KISS OFF photo galley

Here's Tommy congratulating Mr. Speed, winner of the KISS OFF: KISS and Monster Mini Golf ultimate KISS tribute band contest!

The winner of KISS and Monster Mini Golf's KISS OFF tribute band contest is MR. SPEED!

An enormous thank-you to everyone that participated, especially to all of the bands from around the world that came out to compete, but also to celebrate KISS! It was great to see such camaraderie between all of the members of the four finalist bands, KISS Forever, Rock and Roll Over, KISSteria, and Mr. Speed.

Mr. Speed will perform at the grand opening of KISS Monster Mini Golf on March 15th, 2012.

Check out this great photo of the four finalist bands in the KISS OFF: KISS / Monster Mini Golf tribute band contest! This morning, all four groups visited the landmark Las Vegas sign!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

See the top 4 Bands compete to be the Best KISS Tribute Band in the World! And... top 6 woman compete for a chance to walk the Red Carpet in a $10,000 KISS® Wedding Dress at the Grand Opening Event of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf

Congratulations to the following four finalists in the Monster Mini Golf and KISS "KISS Off".

KISS Forever - Hungary
Mr. Speed - Ohio
Rock and Roll Over - Texas
KISSteria - Australia

Event Place: Body English at The Hard Rock Hotel 4455 Paradise Road Las Vegas NV 89109

Event Time: 2pm-6pm

General Admission: FREE

Special VIP Tickets include: (Only 50 available!)

Private VIP Section
Meet & Greet with Tommy Thayer
Autographed 8x10's from Tommy
KISS Swag Bag full of goodies!
Free Ticket to KISS by Monster Mini Golf
Cost of VIP Ticket: $99.00

Complete details and tickets purchase link: http://www.monsterminigolf.com/kiss/band_winner.html

Dear KISS!

We are Picoula, Spice Ice, Starvey and Gemon from THE TORPEDIAN HARMONISTS.

The first animalistic KISS-Tribute worldwide from Germany.

With our little version of “TALK TO ME” we take a bow to the band that made our lives worth living!

Have fun!

The Torpedian Harmonists



LETTERS

Hi KISS!

I've just seen the pre-order for the Mount KISSmore bust today. So I wanted to show you my Mount KISS Tattoo I got 2 months ago.

Thanks for your time -

Joe

LETTERS

Las Vegas' KOMP radio talked to Tommy yesterday about the grand opening of KISS Monster Mini Golf, this weekend's KISS Off tribute band competition, the Hotter Than Hell wedding chapel, and more!