We are writing to KOL because we would like to share a very special love story that has KISS and the KISS KRUISE written all over it. KISS has been a gateway to many of our experiences but none as monumentally life altering as meeting each other onboard the “DESTINY” during the inaugural KISS Kruise.

Most people say and continue to say that a relationship with a man from Montreal Canada and a woman from San Diego California cannot possibly work, the distance too great, the challenges too overwhelming. Well, time and distance is NOT a factor in the KISS Nation. The words, “I see my future when I look in her eyes” could not be more true in this case.

Now, 3 months later we met up in San Diego and our bond has become stronger. All that is left is a happy and fulfilling future together. This would not have happened were it not for our mutual love for KISS and their music, as well as Sixthman launching the first ever KISS Kruise.

We encourage other people to go on KK2 this year. You may just find your soul mate onboard as we did. Thank you KISS and Sixthman for making our dreams come true...it truly was our “DESTINY”

Adri Becerra & Pasquale Vari

LETTERS

PICTURED: Cover and variant cover of the new Archie Meets KISS issue.

By shathley Q

Archie Meets KISS is a flawless piece that plays magnificently the strengths of both Archie Comics' beloved protagonists and to KISS. Enjoy your exclusive preview.

How strange is it, that it would be Sam Peckinpah to articulate this moment?

Right at the end of The Wild Bunch there’s a moment that has absolutely no place in that movie. The Bunch have met up again, they’ve holed up in some anonymous house, but they encounter each other changed men. One look in their eyes and you know, individually, they’ve each committed themselves to rescuing Angel, held prisoner by the Mexican General, the movie’s chief villain.

It’s a flawless, near silent cinematic moment. The camera sweeps across the room. Each of The Bunch know with a certainty that the tensions between them will never be resolved. There’ll never be restitution. And yet, with an equal certainty, each one of them is now, uncharacteristically, committed to this greater thing of rescuing Angel.

Just wanted you to know I've been a KISS fan since the Destroyer days, and what better way to celebrate turning 45 than to have a KISS-themed birthday party? My wife and daughters and I donned the makeup, my younger daughter painted faces for many of our guests, we played KISS music and did KISS songs on "Rock Band." It was a great party! Thanks to Gene, Paul and the guys for all the music and shows over the years.

More photos from my party are at: http://www.kentonkilgore.com/seeing/keegs_birthday_kiss.

Kenton Kilgore

KISS is featured on tonight's episode of VH1 Classic's Metal Evolution - #9: Unmasking shock rock’s ancestry

“In Episode 9 of Metal Evolution: The Series, two central questions are raised: ‘Historically, where did the urge to shock an audience come from?’ and ‘What are the antecedents of shock in rock music?’ Starting with the ringmaster of mayhem himself, Alice Cooper - an artist who drew heavily on such diverse influences as Expressionist horror film and circus sideshows - we’ll revisit a world of guillotines and gallows, electrocutions and sorcery.

“We’ll then learn how New York City’s KISS dethroned Cooper by taking spectacle one giant leap forward, incorporating a fiendish cocktail of explosive pyrotechnics, Kabuki make-up, and leather and studs, spawning a ‘KISS Army’ of fans and a legion of terrified and infuriated parents.

Tonight, Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10PM EST on VH1 Classic.

Check out this clip of Paul singing "You Shook Me" by Led Zeppelin with Vintage Trouble at his 60th birthday party last night.

Here's Paul's great birthday cake from last night's surprise birthday party in Los Angeles. Family and friends gathered to celebrate Paul's 60th birthday at a beautiful event thrown by Paul's wife Erin Stanley and Gene Simmons.

We'll have more photos soon!

My dad and I just recently got matching KISS tattoos! Although painful, it forever sealed the bond between us that KISS has provided for my father and I. Ever since attending shows as a young kid, collecting, and more, KISS has offered us so much more than music. I'm happy to know that we have a special bond that every one can see, and shows that while we have a love for the music, we also take part in the passionate lifestyle that kiss offers!

Steve and Paige Sherman

KISSONLINE LETTERS

Paul, my very best wishes on your birthday. You're the brother I never had. You've always been there. For me. For the band. For the fans.

Gene


Happy Birthday Paul! You're a great friend & a brother in arms... We just made a kick-ass album together and had a great time doing it. You are THE rock & roll champion! Happy 60th!!

Tommy


Paul Stanley, Happy Birthday to the Grand Master of Ceremonies! You're still the best and I wish you only better days ahead...

Eric















Check out Paul rockin' Madison Square Garden in this great fan-filmed clip of "Love Gun" from 2009.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to Jon Davies for sending KISSOnline this KISSified UK Roller Derby Poster!

KISSONLINE LETTERS

Paul Stanley of KISS is legendary around the world, and he has partnered with Washburn Guitars to release the amazing PS21012 “Starfire” signature guitar.

The PS2012 features a carved “raised center” solid Mahogany body with chrome hardware, and has two Seymour-Duncan® SM-3 Mini Humbuckers, controlled by two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch. A custom Tone-Pros® Tune-O-Matic bridge and custom Paul Stanley tailpiece machined from solid aluminum completes this rocking body. This USA made guitar is available in Black and White.

The neck is also Mahogany and has a bound ebony fingerboard with 22 Jumbo frets and stunning “split” block inlays, with the top half being Pearl, and the bottom being Abalone. The PS2012 Starfire embodies rock and roll in a way only Paul Stanley and Washburn can.

Washburn Guitars is owned by US Music Corp, located in Mundelein, IL.

For more information on Washburn Guitars, visit www.washburn.com

Congratulations to the following four finalists in the Monster Mini Golf and KISS "KISS OFF" Tribute Band Contest!

KISS FOREVER- Hungary
MR. SPEED - Ohio
ROCK AND ROLL OVER - Texas
KISSTERIA - Australia

The top four bands must be able to attend the finals on January 29th in Las Vegas, Nevada. If any of the top four bands cannot attend on this date, we will contact the next highest vote-getter to join the final four. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 29th!

_____________________________

The “KISS® OFF”, ultimate battle of the bands finale will be on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino located at 4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. No cover charge for this event. Free for fans!

Besides bragging rights, the “KISS® OFF” winner will:
* Perform at the Grand Opening event of KISS® By Monster Mini Golf®.
* Receive a complete set of authentic KISS® costumes and boots (valued at $3,000)
* Meet and Greet with Tommy Thayer
* Appear on KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® website, social media, publicity and
advertising campaigns and collateral materials.
* Free “Lifetime Pass” KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® for each of the four band
members. (Valued at $1,000)
* Free framed 8x10 portrait of choice for KISS® FAN PAPER featured in the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® Fan Wall (one for each band member, Valued at $1,000)

Tribute bands will be judged based on talent, performance,
appearance and showmanship. Sound, lights & back line provided for all bands.

KISS By Monster Mini Golf is located across from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Shoppes at Harmon Square at 4501 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89069. For more information, visit this link.

All that face paint might keep them from getting perfect tans, but the members of KISS want to soak up some sun with fans on a cruise this Halloween.

Cruise organizers said Tuesday that KISS Kruise II aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl will set sail Oct. 31. A similar cruise was held last fall to great success.

The four-night trip, which departs from Miami and sails to the Bahamas, will include photo opportunities, question-and-answer sessions, costume contests and activities led by band members like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The band will do an acoustic show, without makeup, on the ship's deck and perform a wild Halloween concert, too.

For info and more announcements, go to www.thekisskruise.com.

Jannik Hansen gets Gene Simmons to sign his stick during warmup

Sunday night versus the Anaheim Ducks, while he was skating around in warmup, Hansen saw Gene Simmons sitting by the glass, and screw it, he wanted an autograph right at that very moment. So, you know, he just skated over and got one because Jannik Hansen don’t care.



For the record, what Hansen did was unusual. If a hockey player wants an autograph from a celebrity, it’s normal to do it after the game or get somebody to do it for you. Approaching the guy during warmup is strange, as Dale Weise and Cory Schneider’s reactions indicate.

KISS by Monster Mini Golf® is searching for the ULTIMATE Rock Lady Demon! The winner 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!

Cast your vote now through Jan. 23 for your favorite Lady Demon.

The top 6 will then attend the Lady Demon finale that will take place in Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Jan. 29.

CLICK HERE to vote on the top 14 finalists!

KISS by Monster Mini Golf® is searching for the ultimate KISS tribute band with its first ever, “KISS OFF” (judged by Kiss' Tommy Thayer at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas). The “KISS OFF” winner will receive the opportunity to perform at the grand opening event of the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® on Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012.

We want to send out a huge thank you to all of the bands who submitted their videos. It was extremely difficult to narrow the choice down to only 20 bands.

These top 20 bands from around the world are competing to be one of 4 finalists that will perform at the "KISS Off" that will be held at the
Hard Rock Hotel on January 29, 2012. Voting ends on January 18th at 8AM PST.

The Top 4 Bands must be able to attend the finals on Jan 29th. If one of the top 4 bands can not attend the finals on the 29th, we will contact the next band in line.

20 Finalists:   - Hotter Than Hell ~ New York, USA - KISS Forever ~ Hungary - KISS MY ASS ~ Argentina - Dressed to KISS ~ Rome Italy - KISSteria ~ Australia - Mr. Speed ~ Cleveland, OH USA - Rock and Roll Over ~ Rhode Island, USA - Heroes A KISS Experience ~ LA, CA & Las Vegas, NV       - Killers KISS Cover ~ Capinas, Brazil - Kissed ~ Montreal, Canada

- IKONS ~ Calgary Alberta Canada - Destroyer ~ Fort Worth, TX - KISS Army ~ Kentucky, USA - Destroyer ~ Ontario, Canada - KISSNATION ~ Argentina - Rock and Roll Over ~ Dallas/Fort Worth - KISS Alive ~ Kansas City - KISS Alive the Tribute ~ Ft. Lauderdale, FL - KLASSIK KISS ~ Boston, Massachusetts - Love Guns ~ New Brunswick, Canada

To vote for your favorite KISS Tribute Band click HERE. Click each band's photo to view a video clip, then cast your vote!