Kiss News

By HART BAUR
Photo: PASCALE SIMARD / AP

You want a guaranteed good time on St. Patrick�s Day? KISS is bringing its special brand of entertainment to Hard Rock Live for a show that will (sham) rock like no other. Known for blood-spewing, pyrotechnic-happy shows, the boys � including original members Gene Simmo ns and Paul Stanley � promise to bring it. We spoke with 59-year-old Stanley, whose wife is expecting a girl in August.

Why did you decide to do only three shows, one in South Florida?

We are really not on tour. We had a few shows booked quite awhile ago, and rather than cancel them we decided to get out there and do a few. It is what we love doing, and we are in pre-production on the next album, and so it only makes us want to go out and play that much more.

How much rehearsal do you do?

We are certainly professional enough to go out and do it, but there is a difference between being about to do it and do it best. We rehearse not because we don�t know the songs but to shake out the rust.By HART BAUR
Photo: PASCALE SIMARD / AP

You want a guaranteed good time on St. Patrick�s Day? KISS is bringing its special brand of entertainment to Hard Rock Live for a show that will (sham) rock like no other. Known for blood-spewing, pyrotechnic-happy shows, the boys � including original members Gene Simmo ns and Paul Stanley � promise to bring it. We spoke with 59-year-old Stanley, whose wife is expecting a girl in August.

Why did you decide to do only three shows, one in South Florida?

We are really not on tour. We had a few shows booked quite awhile ago, and rather than cancel them we decided to get out there and do a few. It is what we love doing, and we are in pre-production on the next album, and so it only makes us want to go out and play that much more.

How much rehearsal do you do?

We are certainly professional enough to go out and do it, but there is a difference between being about to do it and do it best. We rehearse not because we don�t know the songs but to shake out the rust.

Can you explain the power of the makeup?

There is no denying that not much can compete with those four iconic characters, as good looking as I may be. They are � and we are � the embodiment of superheroes, athletes, rock stars. It is so multi layered. Once we put the makeup back on, we were very clear that we would never take it off again. It is who we are and what we worked our butts off to be. To dilute it or change it wouldn�t be fair to the fans.

When did you know KISS had made it?

I remember being on stage at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio, around the time of Kiss Alive! [1975]. The curtain was closed, and I was looking out seeing the place packed. It suddenly hit me that it really was happening, being on the verge of the precipice of this huge domination of the rock world. It was great and yet it was very overwhelming, intimidating and humbling. It was scary as it was suddenly out of your control. It had gained a momentum of its own. And all you can do at this point is hold on as the ride is about to begin.

Did you have any idea in 1975 that you would be playing in 2011?

I couldn�t have dreamed it. The truth is I was hoping for five good years and that would have been incredible. Nobody had gone that much longer than that. It�s really about doing what you love doing and having that being contagious and tapping it what other people love and celebrating. It becomes the common thread between you and your audience that you can maintain.

Showtime is 8 p.m.. One Seminole Way, Hollywood. Tickets, $169, $129, $99 and $79; all seats available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or ticketmaster.com.

by: Rolando Lugo

Last night legendary rockers, KISS, played for the third time in their almost 40 years career in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As expected they presented a music spectacle that blew the fans out of their seats. With a modest stage in contrast to their 1999 Psycho Circus concert, KISS didn�t use all their show antics like in previews dates for the Hottest Show On Earth 2010 Tour. Paul didn�t flew over the audience, Gene didn�t levitated during the bass solo and sang up in the lighting trust and risers weren�t used during the opening entrance of �Modern Day Delilah�; but they weren�t needed at all. Paul�s showmanship and stage moves kept the audience connected and energized at all times. He even spoke a couple of sentences in fluid Spanish. Gene electrified the audience with his demonic antics and outrageous performance. Eric and Tommy offered solid musical performances as well and showed they belonged to the band as much as any other past member. The show felt like a cross between a stadium concert because of the explosions and pyrotechnics with a small theater vibe.by: Rolando Lugo

Last night legendary rockers, KISS, played for the third time in their almost 40 years career in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As expected they presented a music spectacle that blew the fans out of their seats. With a modest stage in contrast to their 1999 Psycho Circus concert, KISS didn�t use all their show antics like in previews dates for the Hottest Show On Earth 2010 Tour. Paul didn�t flew over the audience, Gene didn�t levitated during the bass solo and sang up in the lighting trust and risers weren�t used during the opening entrance of �Modern Day Delilah�; but they weren�t needed at all. Paul�s showmanship and stage moves kept the audience connected and energized at all times. He even spoke a couple of sentences in fluid Spanish. Gene electrified the audience with his demonic antics and outrageous performance. Eric and Tommy offered solid musical performances as well and showed they belonged to the band as much as any other past member. The show felt like a cross between a stadium concert because of the explosions and pyrotechnics with a small theater vibe.

Maybe KISS hasn�t visit Puerto Rico as much as fans have wished for, but each past performance holds a magic of his own and will always be dearly treasured. KISS visited Puerto Rico for the first time during the Asylum Tour in January 1986 with Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick. And in 1999 they came back with the original members for a date of the Psycho Circus Tour. Past and presents members like Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, respectively, have also visited the island as special guests for the Puerto Rico KISS Expo 2001 and 2002 editions as well as other KISS related events.

In general terms, KISS offered an awesome performance at the Jos� Miguel Agrelot Coliseum leaving older fans pretty satisfied and new ones (younger generations) in a shock and awe state. Once again KISS literally showed how the big boys do it, overshadowing many modern rock bands and silly pop acts. KISS claimed their undisputed place, not only in rock music but in pop culture as well.

Translated for KISSonline by Jill Cataldo

San Juan, March 11 (EFE) - The legendary American rock band KISS continue their "Hottest Show On Earth" tour tomorrow, in Saturday, Puerto Rico that will feature the greatest hits of the band's over-35-year career.

The band, formed in New York in December 1972 and known for his outlandish makeup and dark, black costumes, will bring their show to the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jos� M. Agrelot in San Juan.

It will be the first time that KISS has played in Puerto Rico since 1998.

The group quickly became famous for its elaborate concert appearances, which incorporate bold stage elements such as impressive pyrotechnics, explosions and fire.
Translated for KISSonline by Jill Cataldo

San Juan, March 11 (EFE) - The legendary American rock band KISS continue their "Hottest Show On Earth" tour tomorrow, in Saturday, Puerto Rico that will feature the greatest hits of the band's over-35-year career.

The band, formed in New York in December 1972 and known for his outlandish makeup and dark, black costumes, will bring their show to the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jos� M. Agrelot in San Juan.

It will be the first time that KISS has played in Puerto Rico since 1998.

The group quickly became famous for its elaborate concert appearances, which incorporate bold stage elements such as impressive pyrotechnics, explosions and fire.

The original members of the group were Paul Stanley (vocals and guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals.)

Their makeup and costumes are reminiscent of cartoon characters such as "The Demon," "Starchild," Spaceman," and" Catman."

In 1982, due to creative differences in criteria, Criss and Frehley left the band.

A year later, the band abandoned the use of makeup and was revived during the rest of the eighties.

Driven by the nostalgia of its fans, KISS announced a reunion tour in 1996. Back in their trademark makeup, KISS launched "Kiss Alive / Worldwide," "Lost Cities" and "Reunion" tours.

At the conclusion of these tours, Criss and Frehley KISS did not return and was replaced by Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. The band continues to perform wearing the makeup that made them famous, with founding members Stanley and Simmons.

KISS has recorded 36 albums in its career, 24 of which have been certified gold, and album sales exceed 85 million copies.

Some of the most recognized KISS songs include "Modern Day Delilah," "Cold Gin," "Let Me Go, Rock 'n Roll," "Firehouse," "Say Yeah," and "Deuce."

During KISS' career, they have performed at events like the championship of the Football League, better known as the Super Bowl, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in Utah and the American Idol finale in 2009.