Tina Fradella Hidalgo

Tina sent us an unusual collection of Vinnie Vincent photos  she hopes to share with other fans. Some amazing stuff Tina, thanks from all of us!

“Like every Vinnie fan I’m always looking for more on the man, as most of us know he has gone into hiding. I became a fan of KISS at 12, right around the time Eric Carr joined the band. I went to my first KISS concert on the Creatures tour, the day before Mardi Gras. Like everyone else I would say, ‘this Vinnie guy better had be good – if not I want Ace back’.”

“The pictures here are some of what Vinnie said he would unleash but never did. Personally, I think every fan should see them. From his teenage years through his time with KISS – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!” – Tina

Great current video interview of  Ace interview on the Gibson Guitars website. Ace talks about how he started his love affair with the Sunburst Gibson and his bands he played with before KISS. Ace also gives a demonstration of his new Budokan Les Paul model guitar.

You can chat live online with Gene Simmons of KISS and Stan Lee of Marvel Comics this Tuesday January 24 at 2:45 pm EST. English isn’t your first language? No problem – the Ortsbo website will translate your conversation for you in any one of 53 languages.

Visit the Ortsbo website for more details.

Matthew Wilkening | Ultimate Classic Rock

In honor of Kiss frontman Paul Stanley‘s 60th birthday today (Jan. 20), we’re taking a big look back at the band’s career by revisiting every single one of their 19 studio albums and giving you the chance to vote for your favorite song from each of them.

From their nearly unassailable first six albums, through the ups and downs of some rocky (but also rewarding) disco, progressive rock and pop-metal influenced records, all the way up to 2009′s ‘Sonic Boom,’ the history of Kiss is recounted step-by-step in the following pages, along with your chance to pick the best track from each record.

We’re very excited to see which songs you choose as your favorites from classics platters such as ‘Destroyer,’ ‘Creatures of the Night’ and ‘Revenge,’ as well as what you salvage from well, maybe-not-so-memorable albums such as ‘Crazy Nights’ or ‘Music from the Elder.’ We hope you enjoy this tour as much as we did!

Next: Pick the Best Song From the First Kiss Album

The last of the originals to turn 60 does so today…Happy Birthday Paul!

Trailing Ace Frehley’s release of his new Les Paul guitar, Paul Stanley has released his latest – the Paul Stanley Starfire signature model. KISSonline has a good write-up of the new instrument and you can also visit Washburn for info on Paul Stanley’s entire guitar line.

Epiphone
Ltd Ed Ace Frehley “Budokan” Les Paul Custom Outfit: Epiphone is proud to announce our tribute to Ace Frehley, one of rock’s most influential guitarists, with the Epiphone Limited Edition Ace Frehley “Budokan” Les Paul Custom Outfit. As the lead guitarist for KISS (and the original designer of the famous KISS logo) Ace Frehley is renown around the world as one of the Les Paul guitar’s most exciting ambassadors as well as one of rock’s greatest showman. Ace single handedly inspired a generation of guitarists to pick up rock and roll’s most powerful axe. Now, Epiphone makes this iconic guitar available to players everywhere.

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Mark Calvey | SF Business Times

Gene Simmons, who has turned the 1970s band Kiss into a licensing powerhouse, offered plenty of advice on how to succeed in business and life in speaking this week to a private equity audience in San Francisco.
“Spreading the risk is not just good business advice, it’s an important life strategy,” Simmons told 500 people attending the Association of Corporate Growth’s 2012 West Coast Corporate Growth Conference in San Francisco Jan. 17.
Simmons shared some the history behind the creation of Kiss in 1973, while he was working as a New York public school teacher.
“You can’t just do the rock-band thing. You need something else to fall back on,” was his mother’s early career advice. (Asked later who is his most influential adviser, Simmons was quick to say, “My mother. She’s very pragmatic. She’s the smartest person I ever met.”)
“I played in a band because I noticed when the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan show, all the girls were going nuts,” Simmons said. “That looked like a pretty good job.”
And definitely a step up from his first job at the age of 12, scraping the fat off a butcher’s block and bringing up meat from downstairs.
Simmons was far ahead of today’s career advice to brand one’s self.
“The business model of Kiss was decidedly different than almost any other band that came before us — underlying rights, ancillaries, these are big words like gymnasium,” Simmons said. “I had to find out about trademarks and how to amortize our costs and maximize profits.”

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Here’s something you don’t see for sale every day – a huge collection of super-rare vintage KISS backstage passes from the ’70s. Collection has been split into two lots and you can link to them below for more photos and details. Bidding ends this Sunday January 22 at 6:01 pm EST.

KISS Vintage Backstage Pass set #1
KISS Vintage Backstage Pass set #2

sarahanne | Louder Faster

KISS manager Doc McGhee has told TMN that the glam-rock giants will return to Australia in 2013.

Despite having finally reached the big 6-0, Gene Simmons and co show no sign of slowing down (or shying away from spandex) in their golden years. In fact, when FL faced off with Simmons back in 2008 he made it clear that he would be strapping on his platforms for as long as he is walking this earth: “There’s no high like a KISS high. You get up on stage and you get to wear more make up and higher heels than any woman ever has. Come on. And I wear a codpiece big enough to house every farm animal in Brisbane, so there’s a lot of fun and games there. And of course the other fun is doing the encores back in the hotel. It doesn’t suck. It’s a lot of fun.”

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Jim Jamieson | The Province

Ben Nelms, REUTERS

The crowd at Rogers Arena definitely got a kick out of rocker Gene Simmons kissing his wife Shannon Tweed during Sunday night’s Canucks-Ducks game, but Jannik Hansen one-upped everybody before the puck was dropped.

Hansen skated over the penalty box during the pre-game skate and got Simmons, the former KISS frontman and the star of reality TV show Family Jewels, to autograph his hockey stick.

“It’s not every time you get a chance to meet a guy like that, so I thought I would see if I could get him to sign my stick,” said Hansen after Monday’s practice. “He was there with his wife and a couple other people. There was no problem signing my stick.”

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VegasNews.com

Erik Kabik | RETNA

Playboy Playmate of The Year Claire Sinclair posed in the official KISS boots in celebration of the upcoming opening of KISS by Monster Mini Golf.  She was photographed by Erik Kabik at Vanity Nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Claire’s makeup was done by Sumita Beauty by Ziba Beauty. Claire is pictured wearing Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley’s Boots with their signature accompanying guitars. Select photos will be auctioned off at the grand opening of KISS by Monster Mini Golf on March 15th to benefit Wounded Warriors.
Claire Sinclair is one of many celebrities featured in KISS by Monster Mini Golf’s “These Boots Are Made For Rockin!” campaign.

See the entire photo set here.

An excellent complete video of Peter Criss’s induction into the Drum hall of Fame at Club Nokia in Los Angeles last Saturday, January 14 2012. The award, given  for influencing today’s drummers, was dedicated to former manager Bill Aucoin, Peter stated in his very heart-felt speech.

RobBenjaminMusic

A different angle,  from Elliottmarx,  of  Peter’s Speech along with Terry Bozzio’s,  can be seen here:

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will be appearing for an autograph session at Charlotte North Carolina’s Mad Monster Party March 23-25. Ace will be promoting his book No Regrets and signing all weekend long!

More information at the Mad Monster Party website.

Bruce Kulick will be performing next month in Sydney and Melbourne Australia. All info on these and other Bruce happenings at Kulick.net

This weekend Peter Criss will be honored at the Drum Legend Induction along with Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons). The Drum Legend induction recognizes icons in the drum world that have paved the way for today’s drummers. The award is given to those whom have made significant contributions to the craft and have hugely influenced players by their style and illustrious musical career. Past inductees include John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Nicko McBrain, Steve Smith, Dave Garibaldi, Alan White, Greg Errico, and more.

In addition to the induction, Peter Criss will be on the panel of judges for the 23rd annual Guitar Center Drum-Off – the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer with a $50,000 grand prize going to the winner.

This event is open to the public at Club Nokia in Los Angeles California this Saturday January 14, 2012. Tickets are $20.  KISS fans – come down to see the show and maybe be lucky enough to get the chance to rub elbows with the Catman!

KISS Tribute Bands are plentiful and not hard to find these days. All seem to be fantastic beyond belief because each and every one of them put their hearts and souls into paying homage to their all-time heroes. But which one can brag they are the greatest fire-breathing, guitar-smashing rocking and rolling facsimile of all time? Well, we will find out on March 15, 2012 at the grand opening of the KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas Nevada! Tommy Thayer himself will be the judge of the KISS Monster Mini Golf KISS-Off contest and the winning band will have the honor to play at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe, right across the street from the KISS Monster Mini Golf grand opening! Entries are due January 15, so get your act together and submit your video. Fans will also be able to vote for their favorite on January 16 – 17.

Visit the link for all info and submissions for the KISS Monster Mini Golf KISS-Off.

Thinking of travel in the near future? We were and while researching tips online we stumbled upon none other than Paul Stanley giving out advice for travelers on luggage, hotels and favorite city destinations from his wealth of vast knowledge and experience.

ABC News