Joe Polo

Blabbermouth

More video from this performance at Blabbermouth.net

Peter Arquette | KISSasylum.com

The entire KISS Asylum staff just got back from the incredible KISS Kruise V! So glad to meet so many of our readers on the ship – wish it would have never stopped…

WENN | Contact Music

The band’s guitarist, Gene Simmons, has revealed they are teaming up with Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson, who worked on acclaimed 1988 drama Rain Man as well as hit TV show Breaking Bad, for a new film.

Gene has refused to give away many details about the project, but reveals the bandmembers probably will not feature onscreen.

“There’s a motion picture that’s scripted that is being planned by a guy called Mark Johnson, who produced the Narnia movies, and also produced the Breaking Bad series – so legitimate, high-end stuff,” Gene tells Australian newspaper the Courier-Mail.

“We (the band) are involved, but if you’re gonna tell the story of somebody who’s 22 years old, it’s better to get an actor.”

Gene goes on to confirm they are also working on a TV project with the Warner Bros. studio.

“I can’t say more about it except that Warner Bros. is doing it,” he adds.

The stars of Kiss previously appeared onscreen in 1978 TV movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, and they also made an appearance in KISS-themed 1999 comedy Detroit Rock City and animated adventure Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery.

Damian Fanelli | Guitar World

In the world of bass guitar, Carol Kaye is a legend.

Kaye, who turned 80 earlier this year, was a member of LA’s legendary “Wrecking Crew” and is known as one of the most prolific and widely heard bassists, playing on an estimated 10,000 sessions in her 55-year career.

Kaye’s fretwork can be heard on several Phil Spector and Brian Wilson productions from the Sixties and Seventies; she even played guitar on Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and is credited with the bass tracks on several Simon & Garfunkel hits

Among her greatest achievements is her bass work on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.

Below, Kaye can be seen giving an impromptu bass lesson to Gene Simmons of Kiss at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood. The clip is actually an outtake from a 2012 documentary calledSample This. The film, which was directed by Dan Forrer, stars Simmons, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson and Roosevelt Grier.

“No, no, no, you’ve got to do it with the beat, though, Gene,” Kaye tells Simmons. “No, no, up, down, up, down, up, down, up … .”

Below (bottom YouTube player), for your listening pleasure, we’ve included a vintage Carol Kaye recording called “BassCatch” from her Picking Up on the E String album, which happens to feature Joe Pass on guitar. Enjoy!

Joe Polo

KISSmuseum.com

Here it is – our latest private KISS Collection we have acquired! No need to explain, just click the link below to check it out before it’s all gone!

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ORDER TODAY AND WE WILL SHIP TOMORROW!

News 3

Scott Gries

KISS stars Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are to offer free meals to soldiers to mark Veterans Day.

The bandmates are launching the scheme at their Rock & Brews restaurant chain to celebrate the holiday on Nov. 11, and U.S. military personnel, veterans and first responders will be given a free meal at branches across the States throughout the day.

“As proud Americans, it is important to salute the men and women who protect and serve our country,” says Michael Zislis, a representative of Rock & Brews. “November 11 is devoted to our veterans, active military and first responders at Rock & Brews, and we hope that they will come in with friends and family to give us a chance to say thank you.”

The rockers’ chain has a history of supporting veterans since it was set up in 2012 – to mark the launch of a branch in California in 2013, the pair hosted a special luncheon for former servicemen and women and even served up the food themselves.

The first Rock & Brews venue opened in El Segundo, California, in 2012.

WAAF

With the next group of modern rock bands looming over the horizon, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was asked if there will be a new band that could parallel KISS or The Beatles, and he doesn’t believe that there ever will be.

Although he says that he admires modern pop stars like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Simmons says that their longevity will not match artists that have attained such a high level of greatness, also commenting on the ‘10,000 hour’ concept for a full concert arena experience.

Simmons explains the 10,000 hour concept as this: “Before The Beatles went into the studio to become The Beatles, they played clubs for ten thousands hours. That’s years. You have to do something for thousands and thousands of hours before you get any good on it. Nowadays, instant gratification means you can hum in your shower, then wind up on ‘The X Factor’ and you’re on television and you get a recording contract. But almost none of these singers who get recording contracts become huge.”

In regards to there being a modern-day version of The Beatles, Simmons said: “The next KISS or the next Beatles or whoever it is is not gonna come along, because there’s no infrastructure. Here, let’s play a game. From 1958 until 1988 is thirty years. What have we got? We have Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The [Rolling] Stones, Jimi Hendrix, the biggest bands of all time. And then in disco, you had Madonna, Donna Summer, all that. The biggest of all. And then in pop, you had Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, all that stuff… and U2. And in heavy metal, you had Metallica and Iron Maiden and all that stuff. And Prince and all that.”

“From 1988 until today… give me the new Beatles and the new Stones. Give me just one. You can’t. Rock is dead. And the reason for that? Downloading and filesharing. When you stop charing for things, it becomes worthless. And there;s gonna have to be a business model that’s gonna have to change.e ‘Cause there are great bands out there, but there’s no support system.”

Joe Polo

John Rutherford

I work at the Holiday Inn Cedar Bluff in Knoxville, TN and everyone there knows I’m a huge KISS fan.  When I showed up for work on my Birthday this weekend this cool cake was waiting on me!!

Cindy Capitani | Wilton Daily Voice

WILTON, Conn. – KISS guitarist Ace Frehley lived and recorded music in this Wilton home, and Jerry Garcia is said to have jammed in the studio, too. There’s a a luxury chicken coop, a media room, a waterfall and a stone bridge. But those are just some of many features this 3-plus acre estate offers.

Ace Frehley’s former mansion as it looks today – Photo credit: Ryan Cornell

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty announced that this contemporary home once owned by Frehley is represented by Wilton agent Ryan Cornell, and offered at $1.15 million

Owned by Frehley during the height of the band’s emerging popularity, this spacious, modern residence has striking angles and multiple glass walls and windows to embrace the natural light.

Fully equipped with updated amenities, the property contains an attached recording studio that was built by Frehley, and rumored to have been used by other iconic musicians, including Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. The space has since been converted but could still be used as a recording studio, yoga studio, workout area and more.

Ace Frehley mansion as it looked in 1981 – Photo credit: Peter Arquette

There is also room for up to seven cars on over 3 acres of lawns and surrounding woods. Visitors are greeted by a pillared iron gate, stone bridge and a long drive that leads to a circular courtyard featuring a water garden and waterfall.

A 70-acre vegetable farm neighbors the grounds, adding to the home’s private, tranquil atmosphere. The five-bedroom residence is strategically structured with bedrooms on one side of the house and leisurely spaces on the other.

The lower level offers a media room with an automatic retractable theatre-size screen, HD projector and powerful surround sound, a colorful playroom, separate office and homework or music room.

The former studio space where Music From the Elder was recorded in 1981 – Photo credit: Ryan Cornell

The residence is both highly efficient and high-tech, featuring LED lights, solar powered skylights, radiant floor heating, as well as smart phone control capabilities.

A luxury chicken coop containing a solar-powered exhaust fan, electric fence and automatic door that opens at dawn and closes at dusk, completes the property.

For more information on the property, located at 29 Tito Lane, visit its website .

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Eric Heemsoth | National Rock Review

On October 9-10, 2015, Cadillac, Michigan celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the KISS Homecoming at Cadillac High School with a number of community activities.

Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan made rock n’ roll history when the flamboyant rock band KISS played at their homecoming in October of 1975. According to “The Story Starts Here” article by Jim Neff, the Cadillac High School Vikings football team finished undefeated in 1973 with a perfect 9-0 record. The Vikings, unfortunately, lost the first two games of the following 1974 season.

As one of the coaches, Neff knew that the team was talented, but the pressure of living up to the accomplishments of the previous year was causing them to play below their abilities. The coaches were looking for something to lighten the mood and playing rock music in the locker room beforehand was suggested. Head coach Dave Brines gave Neff the task of picking the music. He chose KISS, a new and outrageous band at the time. They were wild, bold and loud, plus, Neff says, their name invoked an old football credo; Keep It Simple Stupid. Neff says it was a match that was meant to be.

With KISS as their inspiration, the 1974 team went from worst to first by winning its final seven games, eventually becoming conference co-champs for that season. The band heard about the comeback and, says Neff, adopted the Vikings as their team.

On October 9th, 1975, KISS came to Cadillac High School to connect with their football team and played a homecoming concert in the high school gym. KISS arrived at a football field full of people with their faces painted in KISS inspired make-up. The band signed autographs, took pictures, and then played their concert in the school gym.

The next morning, the band received the key to the city while having breakfast with city council members and the mayor who also wore full KISS make-up during the meal. The guys in KISS rode through downtown Cadillac on the renamed “Kiss Boulevard” for the homecoming parade. Right before the game, KISS flew away using a helicopter that made a surprise landing on the 50-yard line of the football field. As they rocketed away, they showered the fans with flyers that read “Cadillac High, KISS loves you!” It’s an event that has become a cornerstone of KISStory and a legendary event in the world of rock music, which people still talk about 40 years later.

On October 9-10, 2015, the small Northern Michigan community of Cadillac celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the KISS Homecoming at Cadillac High School. This year’s homecoming coincided with the 120th Anniversary of Cadillac Viking football. The Cadillac community put together a slew of events that included the homecoming football game and KISS-themed additions to their homecoming parade. Walking tours of KISStorical markers at significant spots around town, encouraged visitors to learn the history. The city unveiled the permanent black granite monument to commemorate the iconic 1975 event next to the football field. To cap the event, the KISS tribute band, Mr. Speed, played a re-creation of the original concert in the high school gymnasium.

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Grant Smithies

On the eve of his band’s first New Zealand gig in seven years, Gene Simmons doesn’t want to talk about music. Not really. He’d rather focus on his two favourite subjects: himself and money. Really, rock’n’roll was merely a way to make a star of the former and a mountain of the latter.

Not that I’m complaining. What better way to spend a fine spring afternoon than getting an economics lesson from this self-styled “God Of Thunder”, best known as the blood-spitting, tongue-waggling bass player from Kiss.

“Hey, what can I say?” drawls Simmons, his accent as New York as a lox bagel, the voice deep as the Mariana Trench.

“I’m rich, and it’s great! People say I’m a ruthless businessman, but in reality, capitalism is very good for the world. Even the most selfish rich asshole still creates jobs when he buys the private jet or builds a million square foot house. Capitalism benefits everybody, because that money gets spread around.

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