Dave Lifton | Ultimate Classic Rock

Keith Leroux; KISSonline

Yesterday (Oct. 31), Kiss Kruise II set sail from Miami. As the ship left its port, fans were treated to an unmasked, acoustic show by the guests of honor on the pool deck of the Norwegian Pearl, which, for the next few days, can probably be renamed the “Dr. Love Boat.”

Early this morning, the band posted the above image and the following message to its Facebook page: “Here’s more than 2200 KISS fans standing on the pool deck of the Norwegian Pearl waiting for KISS to take the stage for yesterday’s acoustic set!”

During the show, Kiss played such favorites as ‘Comin’ Home,’ ‘A Million to One’ and ‘All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose.’ The band also took requests from fans, and Paul Stanley told the crowd that there will be a Kiss Kruise III.

The ship’s launch was delayed to accommodate those whose travel times to Miami were affected by Hurricane Sandy, but that didn’t delay the festivities. Fittingly, Halloween was celebrated with a costume contest, which was judged by guitarist Tommy Thayer.

Kiss Kruise II continues through Nov. 4, making a one-day stop at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas tomorrow. In addition to Kiss, Skid Row, Adler and several cover bands and lesser known acts are on the bill.

Paul Lester | The Jewish Chronicle

Gene Simmons, bass guitarist with the US hard-rock group, Kiss, may be one of the most successful Jewish musicians of the past 40 years.

But he is also an arch proponent of what he calls “Kisstianity” — the religion followed by the band’s thousands of devoted believers.

“It is a religion of sorts,” affirms the performer born Chaim Weitz in Haifa, Israel, in 1949, chatting in a London hotel without the garish make-up that helped make him famous.

He finishes the joke: “Only, without anybody having to die for anybody’s sins.”

Then he gets a bit more serious. “It’s a celebration of life and a real mind-set.

“Being in Kiss is a privilege, not a birthright. On the one hand, we are humbled by our fans and truly grateful to them for allowing us to be here.

“On the other, we are arrogantly self-confident about who we are and what we mean. We subscribe fully to the idea that we are legendary — we are legends who walk the face of Continue reading →