In celebration of releasing their first studio album in eleven years, KISS has pushed up the release of their book KISS ARMY WORLDWIDE: The Ultimate Fanzine Phenomenon to coincide with their North American tour.
 
For the first time in KISS history, KISS fans everywhere will get an inside look and visual history told through concert photos and unique fanzines chronicling the iconic band from their beginnings in the 1970s until today.  KISS ARMY WORLDWIDE: The Ultimate Fanzine Phenomenon includes never before released photos, rare fanzine covers, unique and engaging content, and other shared memorabilia from both the fans and the band.  This is the ultimate must-have for every KISS fan!
 
The book features commentary by legendary front men Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who provide invaluable insight on topics such as the rock and roll DIY aspect of fanzines, how these fanzines greatly contributed to the band’s evolution into one of the most epic and legendary bands in music history, as well as the band’s appreciation of their adoring fans.  In addition, it showcases interviews with members of the KISS Army from all over the world.
 
With KISS fans giddy with anticipation for the band’s first album in over a decade and their North American tour this fall, this book will become an essential item for millions of KISS fans everywhere.  Finally, here is THE ultimate book for KISS fanatics!
 
KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all time. Their career milestones are staggering. KISS holds honors as one of America’s top gold record champions, recording 37 albums over 36 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide.
 
Over 30 years of record-breaking tours around the globe include high-profile appearances at Super Bowl XXXIII, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the 2005 Rockin’ The Corps concert dedicated to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently, the 2009 American Idol finale before 30 million viewers. In September 2009, KISS received their first nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
 
The KISS legacy continues to grow, generation after generation, transcending age, race, and creed. The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the “Hottest Band in the World” is a striking testament to the band’s unbreakable bond with its fans.
 
Among his many other accomplishments, Gene Simmons, the co-founder of KISS, is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, including SexMoneyKISS. Simmons is the founder and publisher of two magazines, president of his own record label, and the star of two reality shows: Gene Simmons Rock School on VH-1 and Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E.

http://www.phoenixbooksandaudio.com/books/bks_prodcuts_fall2009/kiss_army_worldwide.htm
 
In stores, October 2009.  $22.95 US/$28.95 CAN.  ISBN-13: 9781597775113.  Author, Gene Simmons.

Eric Singer posted this special message on Facebook recently…

NO BALLADS, NO SLOW SONGS, NO FILLERS!

You Wanted The Best ?

Well the wait is almost over…

I have been hearing KISS fans say for a longtime that “All’s we want is NEW KISS music” … Well, sometimes wishes do come true !

Last December Paul called me up saying he wanted to make a new KISS record. He seemed very keen and was very specific about the approach to our latest endeavors.

He basically said he wanted us to make a KISS record and music in the purest sense. Meaning No outside writers, the BAND plays on everything, and we use vintage equipment.

Guess what ?

The end result is everything I could have hoped for.

I have to say this has been the most fun and pleasure making a record I have ever been involved in. The chemistry and overall vibe really made for such a great atmosphere and the playing, sounds and songs just really capture what KISS is all about. Classic Rock & Roll.

As we were working up song ideas everyone was very in tune and conscious of our goals at all times. Gene and Paul would retrace their steps from the past and focused on paying tribute to their roots of the early styles of Classic KISS by paying close attention to the way they sang and the sounds of the instruments.

The camaraderie between everyone and especially Gene and Paul really made it easy for all to bring the best out of each other.

Paul took the reigns and headed up the project like the leader that he has been for over 35 years but, this time with a renewed, inspired and very patient style (he is a great dad after all). He really knew what he wanted from each of us individually and collectively.

We did the 11 new songs in small batches by getting into a rehearsal studio first to work up ideas. We then would move to the recording studio. The recordings would entail all of us playing “live” together in the room. As we captured each performance we would then add extra guitar parts and usually put a guide vocal on the track so we could live with it for a few days and make sure the tempos and vibe was right.

By the way we used NO click tracks on this record I am proud to say. We really went for capturing the live feel and essence of each song. And, Paul, Gene, Tommy and myself are the only musicians playing these songs. A true band effort and performance !

As for the songs ?

Well, no ballads, no slow songs, no filler…

The band really has come full circle.

Just pure straight ahead Rock and Roll that has all the elements that made you love KISS from day one.

Everyone sings lead on a song (Tommy and myself) and even trade off vocal lines and parts throughout the record.

Believe me the wait IS over and well worth it !

I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it…

More as it happens !

ERIC

For more KISS info, please go to: http://www.kissonline.com/

Wentworth Gallery is pleased to present two art exhibitions by artist, rock icon and legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley. Paul will make two special appearances at Wentworth Gallery in July & August

Friday – July 31, 2009 -6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wentworth Gallery – Phipps Plaza
3500 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia

For details on the VIP Reception with Paul Stanley or
to RSVP please call 404-233-0903 or 800-732-6140

Saturday – August 1, 2009 – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Wentworth Gallery – Perimeter Mall
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, Georgia

For details on the VIP Reception with Paul Stanley or
to RSVP please call 770-913-0641 or 800-732-6140
story courtesy of: www.kissonline.com

All right, North America, you wanted the best… you got it!The hottest band in the world, KISS, will tour this fall, and they want YOU, the KISS ARMY to choose which cities they’ll play!

In the first-ever fan-routed tour, KISS will take votes straight from the KISS ARMY! The entire 2009 tour will be determined by the cities with the most votes. Watch the tour unfold in real time as voting continues and city rankings are updated!  For ALL things KISS, go to: http://www.kissonline.com/

Photos/Story courtesy of: http://www.kissonline.com/

      I go tthis tweet today and had to pass it on, if you are like me, I’m a big KISS fan, saw them live like 175 times back in the day. Anyway, here is an important message:

     On May 13th, 1976 KISS played their first ever UK show at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England. The show before a sellout crowd of over 2500 was the beginning of KISS’ first European tour. In addition to shows in England, KISS performed in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Germany where the Scorpions were the opening act. KISS wrapped up the tour with a final show on June 6th at Ontmoetingscentrum in Harelbeke, Belgium.

Gene recalls KISS’ first visit to England:

“On the way over to our first English tour, I was struck by the notion that this was the Land Of The Beatles. To me, the English Kings and Queens never meant anything. I have always looked at it as an archaic and rather silly posturing about past glories. But as cultural oddities, I suppose it had its own innocence.

Still, I was nervous to set foot on Holy Ground. We got off the jet in full makeup and the fotogs were waiting for us. We came through customs and jumped on street cars at the airport for foto ops.

I was aware it was drizzly and grey. I was hoping that would change in the next few days to sunshine. It didn’t.

We had a female chaperone/record company person with us. And, she showed us the sites. I thought the least I could do was return the favor. I did.

We visited the Palace and posed with street Bobbies (the English police) and were soon to hit the stage in front of an English audience. Would they like us? Truth was, we never thought much about it. We had a job to do and that was to punish the audience. They had, for too long, stood still for sub par live bands.

It was our job to show them that there was at least one band who had the balls to introduce themselves with: YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST…THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND, KISS.”

Set List for the Manchester show:

Deuce / Strutter / Flaming Youth / Hotter Than Hell / Firehouse / She / Nothin’ To Lose / Shout It Out Loud / 100,000 Years / Black Diamond / Detroit Rock City / Rock And Roll All Nite / Let Me Go, Rock And Roll

THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND, KISS