Here's the KISS Army celebrating last night at KISS' show in Atlanta!

_{Photos by Lisa Martini for KISSOnline.}

_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline}

_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline}

KISS Greatest Hits Vol. 1: The Marvel Years Comic is in stores today!

Click here to view a ten page preview of the issue!

By RAPHAEL CHESTANG

Legendary rock bands KISS and Motley Crue teamed up to help U.S. military veterans win the battle against unemployment, giving a $250,000 donation to Hire Our Heroes during a free concert in the D.C. area the night before launching The Tour.

"Without veterans, there's no tonight," said Paul Stanley. "There is no freedom. There is no rock 'n' roll without these people."

The collaboration with the hiring program came about after KISS and Motley Crue hired Military veteran Paul Jordan, who's been a rock 'n' roll fan since the age of four, to be a roadie for The Tour. Jordan admitted that he had "one of the greatest nights of [his] life" when he got to watch the rockers run through a full rehearsal on the stage that he helped put together.

"This is something that all companies should be doing -- reaching out," said Gene Simmons. "They don't want any charity; they don't want parades; no money. Just give them a chance to support their families."

So far, Hiring Our Heroes has helped more than 10,400 veterans and military spouses find employment.

"We are grateful and excited about the generous gift from KISS, and Motley Crue," said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel (Ret.), executive director of the U.S. Chamber's Hiring Our Heroes program. "This donation will allow us to hold hiring fairs around the country, as well as refine them to offer transition assistance workshops, ultimately helping us make even a greater difference on the critical issue of veteran and military spouse unemployment."

By ALAN SCULLEY for 85-26.com

Kiss has never worried about being upstaged by an opening act.

"We've always believed in letting the best bands available go out there and do what they do because it only fires us up that much more," singer/guitarist Paul Stanley said in a mid-July phone interview. "Our track record is pretty stellar, whether it's, my gosh, Bob Seger, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, early (Motley) Crue, John Cougar Mellencamp, AC/DC. The list just goes on and on."

On one of this summer's biggest tours, Kiss will close out an evening that also includes a 75-minute set from co-headliner Motley Crue, a band that is famous for making its own show a visual spectacle and non-stop party.

But Stanley knows his band will deliver as well, if for no other reason than the enthusiasm he sees in the band 40 years into its career.

"Kiss today is Kiss as I've always wanted it – four guys who get along great, who play fiercely and are proud of who we are, proud of our fans and celebrate what we do from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed," Stanley said.

KISS and Motley Crue presented and signed a check for $250,000 to the Hiring Our Heroes foundation on July 19th right before KISS played a free concert for 3,000 Vets and Warriors.

Here's KISS performing "Lick It Up" in Virginia Beach last Saturday.

KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'THE TOUR' will rock Aaron's Amphitheater in Atlanta tonight! The summer's biggest, baddest rock tour will level three additonal cities this week! KISS and MÖTLEY CRÜE... On the same stage... On the same night. This spectacle of spectacles!

For tickets, VIP / Meet & Greet packages, and a complete list of tour dates visit www.KISSonline.com/tour.

July 24 Aaron's Amphitheater at Lakewood - Atlanta
July 25 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Charlotte
July 27 Cruzan Amphitheatre - West Palm Beach
July 28 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater - Tampa

KISS will return to Mexico for shows in Mexico City and Monterrey. Motley Crue will join KISS at the Mexico City stop only.

Sept. 29th Mexico City (with Motley Crue)

Oct. 1st Monterrey (KISS only)

Stay tuned to KISSOnline for additional information, including the KISS Army Members' only ticket presales for these shows.

Here's the KISS Army celebrating last night at KISS' show in Raleigh!



_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline.}

By David Adam Beloff

KISS have got the whole performance thing down pat. Hands down, they put on one of the best rock n roll concerts going on today. How do they do it? Well, I'll tell you. They start with huge fiery explosions shooting out of their instruments. Then they descend from a platform hovering over the stage. The four of them look iconic as ever in their costumes and makeup as The Demon, The Starchild, The Catman & The Spaceman. They all have the rock poses down pat and are unafraid to posture themselves in front of my camera. Last but not least...THEY ROCK!!! They actually ROCK like nobody's business. Yes, indeed, KISS is a one of a kind band that all cool people must see before they die. We are lucky to have had this killer band perform for us last night at our Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

Ciick here to see photos from the show.

By Craig Hunter Ross

For the better part of the last four decades, KISS has set the standard by which all live rock performances are judged and on the heels of these iconic rockers for the last thirty years have been the similarly bombastic live antics of Mötley Crüe.

Eventually, the time would come for these two iconic bands to join forces for a combined live assault on the senses; and with the dedicated followings and legendary stage spectacle of each, respectively, this production is aptly advertised and billed as simply…THE TOUR.

Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, welcomed opening night, as the first show of THE TOUR brought with it stage shows from both bands, exhibiting elements of Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and more pyrotechnics than a July 4th celebration.

It was shortly after 10:00 p.m. when the house lights would darken and the all too familiar voice would ring through the sound system. “Alright D.C., you wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest band in the world, KISS!” The massive stage to ceiling KISS logo emblazoned curtain would drop in mere seconds and the fans would be immediately overwhelmed by a larger than life LED screen encompassing the breadth of the entire stage.

Check out these fan-filmed clips of "Lick It Up" and "Hell or Hallelujah" from KISS' show in Virginia Beach last night.





Thanks to Russ Dannecker for filming these for KISSOnline!

Hello Everyone,

My name is Douglas Hildebrandt and I do design work for Factory Entertainment. I was honored to have a few of my pieces I designed at Comic Con at the Factory Entertainment booth including Mount Kissmore statues and Factory Entertainments Frankenstein VFX bust/prop with lights and sound. The newest piece I have designed is a KISS Gene Simmons life-size bust that premiered at Comic Con. It was shown to Gene at Comic Con and he was "Amazed" and very pleased with the piece. He kept touching the resin sweat and rubbing his fingers together expecting them to be wet.

Factory Entertainment is planning on officially licensing this bust for production. The overall theme is Gene Simmons in concert circa 1976 Destroyer era during his bass solo. This piece is tentatively called "Gene Simmons "God of thunder" bust. It depicts the "Demon" with smeared and rubbed make up, sweat and spitting blood. The production piece will have a base with green lights shining up onto the face just like Gene during his bass solos. The hair is synthetic and hand laid. The eyes are rolled back and glow in the dark. It has a leather studded collar also. I have made up a couple of these prototypes and we might send one to Simmons for his personal collection. Thanks for looking....Douglas (Hildebeast)