Episode 599. This week is our Thanksgiving episode… Five things (KISS) we are each most thankful for.

1) Song (again, thankful for not favorite)
2) Album
3) Tour
4) Era
5) Memory

Play along and share what you are most thankful for.

While another comeback tour is always possible, Kiss performed for allegedly the last time on its End of the Road World Tour, which came to an end in late 2023, at Madison Square Garden. But singer-songwriter-bassist Gene Simmons is continuing, sans makeup and elaborate costumes, with his own Gene Simmons Band, and they will perform at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, May 5.

Tickets will go on sale Dec. 6 at 10 a.m., with pre-sales beginning Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.; visit ticketmaster.com.

Simmons is joined in the band by guitarists Brent Woods (who has previously played with Sebastian Bach and Vince Neil) and Zach Throne (Jerry Cantrell, Corey Taylor), and drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne).

For those wondering … yes, Simmons will undoubtedly perform a lot of Kiss material. I don’t know, though, if he or other band members will handle the lead vocals on the Kiss songs he didn’t originally sing.

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Lead vocalist of Mötley Crüe, Vince Neil, is teaming up with “The Spaceman,” Ace Frehley for what Mohegan Sun is calling “a concert like no other.” The two will share the stage of Mohegan Sun Arena on Jan. 31.

Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell was never shy about his love of Kiss, and how Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley in particular inspired him to pick up the instrument.

Dimebag even went as far as getting a tattoo of Frehley, in his “Spaceman” makeup, on his chest, and was buried, after his tragic murder in 2004, in a “Kiss Kasket,” donated to his family by Gene Simmons.

Though not quiite as devoted a fan as Dimebag Darrell, Skid Row axeman Snake Sabo was also hugely influenced by Frehley, incorporating the latter’s showmanship and swaggering riffing and soloing style into his fretwork with the band.

Both guitarists were recruited by Guitar World in 1993 for a roundtable of sorts with Frehley – before which Dimebag and Sabo even went to the trouble of donning Spaceman makeup themselves.

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Great looking ornament for your KISSmas tree!

Gene Simmons, in an exclusive interview, told Newsweek about his cover of the Ethel Waters song “Stormy Weather” for the Reagan movie and his high regard for the former president.

“It seemed to me during the scenes where Ronald Reagan was sitting with Jane Wyman at the club, there would probably be music playing in the background,” Simmons said. “I was actually thrilled that the producers thought my version of the song would work in the scene.”

He was full of praise Ronald Reagan, calling him a “great American” who will “certainly go down in future generations as one of America’s great presidents.”

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Make sure to visit the KISS Asylum / KISS Army Warehouse Booth and grab your FREE KISS Asylum guitar pick! Supplies are limited, so arrive early to secure yours before they’re gone!

To find out more about the event go to:
www.creaturesfest.com

Cher is opening up about her whirlwind romance with KISS bassist Gene Simmons in her new memoir, “Cher: The Memoir, Part One.” The 78-year-old star reveals fresh insights into their relationship, which spanned from 1977 to 1979, describing their unique bond despite its unconventional nature.

The pair first crossed paths at a reception for President Gerald Ford, hosted by Neil Bogart, head of Cher’s record label. When introduced to Simmons, Cher humorously mistook him for British actress Jean Simmons. Yet, by the night’s end, she was captivated by his charm.

Their relationship started with memorable gestures. After Simmons drove Cher home, he returned the next day with KISS merchandise for her son, Chaz Bono. The couple’s first official date was at a Tubes concert, but Simmons, known for his larger-than-life persona, flirted with both Cher and her friend. The next day, he called to apologize—a move that might have ended the connection, but fate had other plans.

Even while traveling in Japan, Simmons couldn’t keep away, racking up an extravagant $2,800 phone bill to speak with Cher. During one of these calls, he surprised her by professing his love. “That’s when he blurted out that he loved me,” the iconic singer and actress writes. “We hadn’t even kissed. We’d only been out once before he left. What is it with these men?”

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MAHNOMEN, Minn. (KVRR) — The original lead guitarist and a founding member of KISS is getting ready to rock Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen.

Ace Frehley, the Spaceman himself, will touch down on Friday, February 7.

Expect to hear songs from his solo work and songs from his time in KISS.

Tickets are priced at $30 and $60.

They go on sale Monday, December 9 at 9 a.m. online at starcasino.com.

Limited Supply!

Very KISSmas tshirt featuring Dynasty faces.

Order at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!

Local KISS fans won’t want to miss KISS Cancer Goodbye III, a three-day KISS-themed music festival held December 6-8 at Harvest House in Sarasota. Organized by Neil McCurry, a local banking executive and bassist for the KISS tribute band KISS America, the event aims to raise funds for breast cancer research. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in U.S. women, responsible for one-third of all new female cancer cases. In 2024, the ACS projects 42,250 breast cancer deaths.

McCurry was an 11 year old impressionable boy when he first became interested in the music, makeup and props that go along with KISS. A few years later, he started his own KISS band. Almost 20 years later, he’s still rockin’ and rollin’ KISS style. “Some things we outgrow as time goes on, some things we should outgrow and some things we never outgrow.” he says.

KISS Cancer Goodbye III will feature rock legends Eric Singer (KISS drummer 1991-2023) and Bruce Kulick (KISS guitarist 1984-1996) as co-headliners. McCurry’s previous events raised over $100,000 for the ACS, with last year’s Men Wear Pink campaign raising $63,000 locally. McCurry’s aim is to raise funds while increasing awareness about cancer risks and early detection. “This year, we are challenging ourselves to find ways to not only continue to raise funds in the fight against cancer but also to provide more education about cancer risks and create a stronger message about the importance of getting checked for early signs of cancer,” he says. A lifelong resident of the area, McCurry enjoys giving back to his community. He expects a larger local turnout this year, noting, “I wanted to create something that adds to the enjoyment of living in Sarasota.”

McCurry, who performs as “Gene Simmons” with full costume and stage antics–which involves hours of preparation–has organized several events over the years. Harvest House, the presenting partner, features a state-of-the-art community center with an elevated stage, advanced sound and lighting, and a 16-ft video wall, creating a rock concert experience with an intimate feel.

Tickets for the event are $59 for all three days or $24.95 per day. For more information and tickets, visit kisscg.com.

Pictured: Neil McCurry as Gene Simmons raises breast cancer awareness with KISS Cancer Goodby III. Provided photos/Creatures Fest.

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Ace Frehley recently went on Instagram and shared an AI-generated image of a coin featuring a guitar icon and the words ‘ACE V.’ He teased in the caption, “This crypto stuff is wild…should I launch ‘Ace Coin’?”

It’s unclear whether Frehley is serious about launching his own cryptocurrency, but many fans in the comments agree that it’s a bad idea if he does. Some believe making a physical version of the coin is better.

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