Kiss News

By Gary Graff, For the Daily Tribune

Gene Simmons of KISS is no stranger to hyperbole and grandstanding.

But even he sounds humbled when he considers what the band that coined the term "Detroit Rock City" has accomplished. That includes more than 100 million records sold worldwide, its theatrically over-the-top concerts, a line of 3,000 officially licensed souvenir products or one of the largest and most dedicated fan clubs in the world, the KISS Army, since the 1974 release of its debut album.

"It's been a hoot," Simmons, 61, born Chiam Witz in Israel and moved to the United States when he was 8 years old, said with uncharacteristic understatement. "To imagine that 36 years after the first tour that we would still be here having the time of our lives and continue on and become even bigger ... it's not something we take lightly."
By Gary Graff, For the Daily Tribune

Gene Simmons of KISS is no stranger to hyperbole and grandstanding.

But even he sounds humbled when he considers what the band that coined the term "Detroit Rock City" has accomplished. That includes more than 100 million records sold worldwide, its theatrically over-the-top concerts, a line of 3,000 officially licensed souvenir products or one of the largest and most dedicated fan clubs in the world, the KISS Army, since the 1974 release of its debut album.

"It's been a hoot," Simmons, 61, born Chiam Witz in Israel and moved to the United States when he was 8 years old, said with uncharacteristic understatement. "To imagine that 36 years after the first tour that we would still be here having the time of our lives and continue on and become even bigger ... it's not something we take lightly."

KISS is also something he and his bandmates - co-founder Paul Stanley, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer - want to see continue.

In a novel move for its amphitheater dates, the costumed quartet is giving free lawn tickets to up to four children with each paying adult. "It's time to give back," Simmons explained. KISS - which is also donating $1 per ticket to the Wounded Warrior foundation - hopes to show youth "that there's another world out there besides 'Hannah Montana' and the Jonas Brothers. It's important for them to see how the big boys do it.

"There's no tapes. There's no background singers backstage. There's no click tracks. It's important for the kids to see that whatever you see on stage is real. We want to spread this. I'm insulted by any act that goes up there with dancers and tapes. It's insulting, and ... these (kids) should know that it's insulting."

KISS hopes to snare the youth of the nation even more in the near future via an animated program that's being produced in partnership with E1 Entertainment and will feature the four KISS members as characters. Simmons said he hopes to have the program on air "in the next six months."

KISS is giving a new show this year after spending last year focused on its breakthrough "Alive!" album, which was recorded at Detroit's Cobo Arena and turns 35 this year. The repertoire includes three songs from last year's "Sonic Boom" album - "Modern Day Delilah," "Say Yeah" and "Animal" - as well as the seldom-performed "Crazy Nights."

And Singer, for the first time, will perform the Top 10 ballad "Beth," which was originally sung by founding KISS drummer Peter Criss.

"It's acoustic - there will be no tapes, just two acoustic guitars and bass and that's it," said Simmons, adding that KISS had previously kept the song out of the shows "out of deference to Peter," who has left the band three times, most recently in 2004. "We still have a tug of the heart ... Peter and Ace (Frehley, KISS' original guitarist) are beloved."

Simmons said KISS is anxious to work on a follow-up to "Sonic Boom," which was the group's first new studio album in 11 years, but he won't guess when that will be. "I think we'll do another one, but we need time," Simmons explained, noting the group's heavy touring schedule as well as his continuing "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" reality series on A&E and Stanley's burgeoning art career.

The next KISS project will likely be a fourth version of the popular "KISSology" DVD series, which Simmons said is coming "soon" and will feature "some new stuff but some stuff nobody's ever seen before, going all the way back to 1973." Also on the KISS docket is a third commercial for Dr. Pepper.

KISS and The Academy Is... and Envy perform at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11, at the DTE Energy Music Theatre, Sashabaw Road east of Interstate 75, Independence Township. Tickets are $78 and $48 pavilion, $28 lawn. Up to four children younger than 14 receive a free lawn ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. Call (248) 377-0100

Posted by Michael Gallucci

When drummer Eric Singer joined Kiss in 1991, the circumstances were far from ideal. The band's popularity had plummeted - the ill-fated decision to drop the make-up probably had something to do with that. Drummer Eric Carr had just died, and Singer, a Cleveland native who had toured with Kiss' Paul Stanley on a 1989 solo tour, was brought into the fold. But Singer was in for a big surprise when the veteran rockers embarked on a 1996 reunion tour and replaced him with original drummer Peter Criss. Still, Singer stayed on good terms with group leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and returned to the band in 2001. He recently talked to us about Kiss' 30-city summer tour, which comes to Blossom Music Center on Sunday. -Jeff Niesel

I think you joined the band in 1991. What was it like when you initially came on board?
Posted by Michael Gallucci

When drummer Eric Singer joined Kiss in 1991, the circumstances were far from ideal. The band's popularity had plummeted - the ill-fated decision to drop the make-up probably had something to do with that. Drummer Eric Carr had just died, and Singer, a Cleveland native who had toured with Kiss' Paul Stanley on a 1989 solo tour, was brought into the fold. But Singer was in for a big surprise when the veteran rockers embarked on a 1996 reunion tour and replaced him with original drummer Peter Criss. Still, Singer stayed on good terms with group leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and returned to the band in 2001. He recently talked to us about Kiss' 30-city summer tour, which comes to Blossom Music Center on Sunday. -Jeff Niesel

I think you joined the band in 1991. What was it like when you initially came on board?

When I first started, it was a different time. They weren't wearing make-up. The circumstances were awkward. Eric Carr had cancer. Originally my relationship with the band started because I played in Paul [Stanley's] solo band in 1989. I joined the band under a strenuous situation. Playing in place of someone who had passed away was difficult. And getting an opportunity to do something better at someone's expense was very awkward.

But things eventually solidified.

This line-up has been the same for six and a half years now. They did the reunion tour and that was a great success. Some of the same issues that reared their head originally came into play again after that. Fast forward to 2010 and if it weren't for the original band, I wouldn't be talking to you. They created what Kiss is and kept it moving forward in this modern era. We have to be on the same page and in the same car driving down the same highway. Chemistry has to be important both on stage and off the stage. We have mutual respect for each other. We understand what we're here to do and how it works. There's an old saying. It's called the music business. And it's a business. People hate hearing it. This tour has been great. It's a really successful summer. There are great things tied into the tour. We're supporting the Wounded Warrior Project [to help out injured servicemen].

Gene Simmons is one of the funniest guys I've ever interviewed. Talk about what it's like working with him.

Well, I call him Uncle Gene. To me, he really is like a crazy uncle. I like Gene a lot. I honestly think he is great. I know him as a co-worker but also as a friend. He's a really nice guy. He has a strong work ethic. He has his way of doing things. If you want to work with him, you have to know he's driving. I understand how he likes to do things. I know deep down he's a good guy. I've seen him do some random acts of kindness. He loves attention and he's the first one who will try to get your attention. Gene loves Kiss but when it comes to the personal things, Gene doesn't look for attention or for anyone to pat him on the back. Deep down he's a big marshmallow.

I think it's great that kids under 14 get in for free on the lawn with a paid adult admission. Talk about your efforts to introduce Kiss to a new generation.

The audience ironically is growing younger for Kiss. Letting the kids in is about accommodating families so they can get in. We're seeing this in Europe where there was no 14 and under deal. The kids have been getting younger and younger. It's Guitar Hero and Rock Band and YouTube and visibility on the Internet. They see us and tell their parents they like us and want to see us. Their parents are like, "That's Kiss. They've been around since I was a kid."

Do you think the band will ever get inducted into the Rock Hall?

I don't give any thought to it. I'm from Cleveland. I'm really glad that the Hall of Fame got built in Cleveland. The phrase got coined there. Having these museums is a cool thing. I have a problem with one thing. Who decides who gets in. Some group of people decide. Why not let people vote, just like you do for the NBA All-stars. You should let the fans decide who gets in. I'm a fan of Madonna. But in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? She's not rock 'n' roll. She's an entertainer and pop artist. It should be just rock 'n' roll. It's wrong to ignore bands like Deep Purple, Kiss, and Alice Cooper. You can't deny their influence.

Kiss' drummer, a Northeast Ohio native, says band's latest stage extravaganza is truly something to behold

By John Benson

Having spent the last quarter of a century rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, Cleveland native and veteran rock drummer Eric Singer (born Eric Mensinger) can't wait to get back home when Kiss plays Sunday at Blossom Music Center.

"That's where I have a lot of roots and that's where all of my dreams started, playing drums, jamming with friends and playing in local bands," said Singer, calling from Raleigh, N.C. "It all started there, and for me it will always have a special place. I started going to concerts in 1974, and the first time I saw Kiss they opened up for the New York Dolls at the Allen Theatre. And then I saw them at the Akron Civic Theater when Rush opened for them. That was on the �Dressed to Kill Tour,' later in 1974 or early '75. And then they came to the Allen Theatre again in '75. I still have the poster that I got from Record Revolution. I have it framed at home and it says, "Kiss, with special guest Journey."

Singer has been on quite a journey himself since he left Northeast Ohio in the '80s and started touring as Lita Ford's drummer. Soon thereafter, he found himself in Black Sabbath � a band he remembers seeing in concert exactly a decade before at the old Richfield Coliseum � and working with artists such as Olivia Newton John and a solo Paul Stanley from Kiss. Naturally, it was the latter connection that led to him joining the band from 1991 to 1996, 2001 to 2002 and then 2003 to present.

Even though Singer has been in and out of the band for a decade, the 52-year-old remembers when it first hit him he was a part of the legendary group he saw way back at the Allen Theatre.Kiss' drummer, a Northeast Ohio native, says band's latest stage extravaganza is truly something to behold

By John Benson

Having spent the last quarter of a century rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, Cleveland native and veteran rock drummer Eric Singer (born Eric Mensinger) can't wait to get back home when Kiss plays Sunday at Blossom Music Center.

"That's where I have a lot of roots and that's where all of my dreams started, playing drums, jamming with friends and playing in local bands," said Singer, calling from Raleigh, N.C. "It all started there, and for me it will always have a special place. I started going to concerts in 1974, and the first time I saw Kiss they opened up for the New York Dolls at the Allen Theatre. And then I saw them at the Akron Civic Theater when Rush opened for them. That was on the �Dressed to Kill Tour,' later in 1974 or early '75. And then they came to the Allen Theatre again in '75. I still have the poster that I got from Record Revolution. I have it framed at home and it says, "Kiss, with special guest Journey."

Singer has been on quite a journey himself since he left Northeast Ohio in the '80s and started touring as Lita Ford's drummer. Soon thereafter, he found himself in Black Sabbath � a band he remembers seeing in concert exactly a decade before at the old Richfield Coliseum � and working with artists such as Olivia Newton John and a solo Paul Stanley from Kiss. Naturally, it was the latter connection that led to him joining the band from 1991 to 1996, 2001 to 2002 and then 2003 to present.

Even though Singer has been in and out of the band for a decade, the 52-year-old remembers when it first hit him he was a part of the legendary group he saw way back at the Allen Theatre.

"The first time I ever wore makeup in 2001, when I first came back to the band, and (guitarist) Ace Frehley was still in the group at the time," Singer said. "We were in Japan, and I remember playing drums, looking down at them and having this really weird, surreal feeling and thinking, �Wow, this is a trip. I'm playing drums in Kiss.' And I really feel like I had this out-of-body experience. That's something I'll never forget. The bottom line is at the end of the day I'm still a fan."

As far as the reason why he's lasted so long as the Kiss drummer, who on stage wears the Cat Face makeup made popular by original member Peter Criss, Singer points to his Midwestern work ethic, which involves being prepared, being professional and being on time. Furthermore, the drummer said that his hard-working mind-set fits perfectly into how Kiss founders Stanley and Gene Simmons view the band as a business enterprise. And business is currently good with Kiss touring in support 2009 album "Sonic Boom."

Then there's the band's latest outing, billed as "The Hottest Show on Earth Tour." Singer said it's the group's biggest to date. Sure, such a declaration seems cliche - every band claims to be on its biggest tour, blah, blah, blah) - but the percussionist backs up his claim with the fact that Kiss is employing the same pyrotechnic expert Motley Crue used last summer. While the Crue boasted 189 effects in its show, Kiss is employing a whopping 484 effects. That's a lot of boom.

"Nobody has a show like we do," Singer said. "I'm up there breathing that (expletive) and getting blown up every night. It's unbelievable. It's like an assault on your eyes and ears. It's a great show. I guarantee you'll walk away with a smile on your face. I always say Kiss is like one of those things that everybody needs to see in their life. Everybody should see the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls or the Universal Studios Tour. And to me everybody should see Kiss at least once. The show is about celebrating life, celebrating a good time and getting people's minds off the negativity and things that maybe aren't going so well in their personal life. It's a bit of escapism, if you will."

Details

What: The Hottest Show on Earth Tour" featuring Kiss with The Academy Is� and The Envy.

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls.

Tickets: $26.50 to $131 at Ticketmaster outlets.

Info: 216-241-5555

ROCKERS KISS STILL GIVING IT ALL

By JANE STEVENSON, QMI Agency

Is veteran hard rock act KISS recession-proof?

Singer-rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley certainly seems to think so.

"For all the talk about bands doing horrific business, we're doing terrific business," says Stanley, 58, down the line from Raleigh, N.C., recently, leading up to the band's only remaining Canadian summer date on Sept. 10 in Toronto.

"We had 14,000-15,000 people last night, and the night before pretty much the same. I think the only thing that's changed is that people don't want to pay a lot of money. You know if you pay for a Rolls Royce and you get a Chevy, then you kind of feel cheated. So if you're paying to see something, you damn well better see something.

"I have nothing against a guy who sits on a stool with an acoustic guitar, but to pay the same amount for that as you pay for a spectacle is insanity. When you come to a KISS concert, you know where you're money just went 'cause it's blinding you, deafening you and pummeling you."

When it comes to spectacle, few acts can measure up to the face-painting, costume and platforms-wearing KISS, who have been major road warriors of late. They staged their Alive/35 tour last year which morphed into their Sonic Boom tour (named for their 2009 studio album), which is being called The Hottest Show on Earth tour in 2010.
ROCKERS KISS STILL GIVING IT ALL

By JANE STEVENSON, QMI Agency

Is veteran hard rock act KISS recession-proof?

Singer-rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley certainly seems to think so.

"For all the talk about bands doing horrific business, we're doing terrific business," says Stanley, 58, down the line from Raleigh, N.C., recently, leading up to the band's only remaining Canadian summer date on Sept. 10 in Toronto.

"We had 14,000-15,000 people last night, and the night before pretty much the same. I think the only thing that's changed is that people don't want to pay a lot of money. You know if you pay for a Rolls Royce and you get a Chevy, then you kind of feel cheated. So if you're paying to see something, you damn well better see something.

"I have nothing against a guy who sits on a stool with an acoustic guitar, but to pay the same amount for that as you pay for a spectacle is insanity. When you come to a KISS concert, you know where you're money just went 'cause it's blinding you, deafening you and pummeling you."

When it comes to spectacle, few acts can measure up to the face-painting, costume and platforms-wearing KISS, who have been major road warriors of late. They staged their Alive/35 tour last year which morphed into their Sonic Boom tour (named for their 2009 studio album), which is being called The Hottest Show on Earth tour in 2010.

Still, Stanley said the platform boots, combined with the physical nature of the KISS show, have definitely taken their toll over the last three and a half decades with him undergoing two hip replacement surgeries.

"It wasn't the platforms, it was years of doing a lot of roundhouse kicks, and basically you just wear out your hip, ultimately you wind up with bone on bone so I continued for years and finally it just reached a point where it needed to be replaced -- but I'm basically good for another 50,000 miles," he joked.

This current leg of the summer tour has also been taxing.

"We played last night in close to 100 per cent humidity," said Stanley. "It's kind of like trying to run a marathon under water. It's taxing; it's not for the weak-hearted."

Speaking of which, Stanley missed his first show in the history of KISS in July 2007 when he was hospitalized with tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat, something he said he's been dealing with since childhood.

"It has nothing to do with not being healthy. It's this odd condition that will never kill you, but yet your heartbeat while your sitting can go from 70 or 80 beats a minute to 200 from one beat to the next and stay there. Finally, they thread a catheter up into your heart to find what's going wrong and they just zap it, they burn it, and the next day you're back in the gym. I had it done. Look, I'm the bionic man. They've gotten me up from a 103 temperature to do a show. The show must go on."

Once The Hottest Show on Earth Tour wraps up in September, Stanley expects the band to hit the studio in February of next year to make a new studio album and he doesn't expect the compilation DVD, Kissology 4, to see the light of day until 2011 despite rumours of a fall release.

"It's really still in the planning stages," he said. "We have so much incredible footage, and we're just trying to make the most cohesive package."

Band liked 'Idol' experience

Paul Stanley of KISS says the band enjoyed themselves when they appeared on American Idol in 2009 performing with that year's runner-up Adam Lambert.

"When we were asked to be on the show, our ground rules were 'We do our whole show as we want to or we don't do anything,' and they gave us carte blanche and we blew the place up so it was great," he said.

But Alice Cooper recently said he didn't think reality shows like American Idol gave rockers enough of a platform and now Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is rumoured to be one of the new judges.

Ultimately, Stanley, who was never approached to be a new judge ("They probably couldn't afford me!" he joked), thinks changes are a good thing for the new season.

"I think the show could use a bit of an overhaul so I'm curious, now that (producer) Nigel (Lythgoe) is back. I'll be really curious to see where the show goes 'cause I think it was time to breathe some new life into it just overall," he said. "And I think he was the first person to say that. So it should be great."

Young or old, KISS is ready for DTE crowd

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski / Flint Journal

KISS drummer Eric Singer has seen a distinct change in his band's fan base since 2008. What was once a party crowd has slowly given way to families.

"It's pretty much become an all-ages show," said Singer, via telephone from an Atlanta hotel. 'There are so many younger kids and teenagers who come to the shows more and more. You really see a difference. We saw it starting in '08 but really started to notice a big difference over the last year or so."

Singer is unsure about the reasons behind the change. Even KISS' manager, "Doc" McGhee, has investigated the matter by walking around shows and asking people what they like about the act, which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer, lead vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons and lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley.
Young or old, KISS is ready for DTE crowd

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski / Flint Journal

KISS drummer Eric Singer has seen a distinct change in his band's fan base since 2008. What was once a party crowd has slowly given way to families.

"It's pretty much become an all-ages show," said Singer, via telephone from an Atlanta hotel. 'There are so many younger kids and teenagers who come to the shows more and more. You really see a difference. We saw it starting in '08 but really started to notice a big difference over the last year or so."

Singer is unsure about the reasons behind the change. Even KISS' manager, "Doc" McGhee, has investigated the matter by walking around shows and asking people what they like about the act, which also includes guitarist Tommy Thayer, lead vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons and lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley.

"Our manager, Doc McGhee, walks around and talks to people before the show just to get a feel for what people think and what they like," said Singer, who's been in KISS from 1991 to 1996, 2001 to 2002 and 2004 to present. "He'll ask them, 'What can we do to improve the show? What do you like about the show? What don't you like about the show?' He asks those questions.

"A lot of kids say they discovered the band through YouTube, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, that stuff. ... They�ve also heard about it through an aunt or uncle, or their parents. They used to see their parents old records laying around. They investigate, put them on and listen."

KISS is encouraging families to see its pyro-heavy show by offering free tickets for children ages 14 and younger with the purchase of an adult (21 and older) lawn ticket. Tickets must be purchased day of show.

"On outdoor shows (like DTE Energy Music Theatre), whenever it's a Live Nation show with lawn seating, if somebody buys a lawn ticket, if you have a kid that's 14 or younger, you can get four kids 14 and younger for free on one ticket," Singer said. "It's very good. It's to sit on the lawn but at least you can get in the venue. We did that as a way to try to help people who are financially more strapped or want to be able to bring a family and it's just too expensive to go to a show. But a family that has three or four kids and they want to go to a show, they go, 'Hey, we'd like to take our kids but we can't afford to buy six tickets.' They can buy a couple lawn tickets and they can take their kids for nothing as long as they're 14 and younger. We're just trying to find different ways to do the right thing, if you will."

"Doing the right thing" also applies to supporting the military. KISS, who released its latest album "Sonic Boom" in 2009, is giving $1 per ticket to the Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is to honor and empower injured troops.

"That's something that's important to us," Singer said. "We don't go out of our way to get caught up with standing on a soapbox and looking for accolades. It's just something we do because it's important to us.

"It's not a political thing for us. The bottom line is we have a volunteer army. Most of them are 18-, 19-, 20-year-old young people - practically kids. They go over there voluntarily. A lot of times they come back and they just need to get their life back. That Wounded Warriors Project helps them with physical or mental therapy. I think it's important to know that these people have sacrificed voluntarily for you and I to have an opinion one way or another on anything we want."

This KISS tour, dubbed "The Hottest Show on Earth Tour," wraps up in early October, after which the band is going to take a break. Singer said he's sure another album will be in KISS' future. In the meantime, KISS is thrilled about returning to Detroit, which is located in an area of the country where the band goes over well.

"The Midwest - or if you want to call it the Heartland - has always been great in general for rock 'n' roll," Singer said. "I grew up in Cleveland. I know what it's like. Detroit and Cleveland are very similar. They're literally just around the bend from each other on the lake. They're so close in proximity. Everyone I've met from Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, those parts of the country, they have a certain kind of work ethic and a certain appreciation for music and rock 'n' roll.

"Growing up, I remember it being such a music town. That whole region is always into music and really supportive of bands. It's in the water or in the blood. There's just something about it. Detroit's always had a special place for KISS. Besides the first album, all three of 'KISS Alive' albums were recorded in a combination of three cities - Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis. There's something about that connection."