05/02/2010
KISS FEATURED IN NEW CASTLE JOURNAL
Kiss News
05/02/2010
HOW I MADE IT: PAUL STANLEY
By Walter Hamilton, Los Angeles Times
The lead singer and guitarist for the rock band KISS learned the benefits of branding early in his career.
Background: Born Jan. 20, 1952, as Stanley Bert Eisen in the Bronx, N.Y., to a furniture salesman and a nurse. Formed a short-lived band, Wicked Lester, with fellow New Yorker Gene Simmons in the early 1970s. They dropped that name and formed KISS with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in January 1973.
Big dreams: As a child, Stanley was shy but felt in his gut that he could be a rock 'n' roll star. "When I first saw the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan,' I was a pudgy, little, unpopular kid. But I had this epiphany that I could do what [the musicians on TV] were doing. To think that when you could count your friends on two fingers, and you're not the kid who's taking home the trophy for best looking, is your innate voice talking."
By Walter Hamilton, Los Angeles Times
The lead singer and guitarist for the rock band KISS learned the benefits of branding early in his career.
Background: Born Jan. 20, 1952, as Stanley Bert Eisen in the Bronx, N.Y., to a furniture salesman and a nurse. Formed a short-lived band, Wicked Lester, with fellow New Yorker Gene Simmons in the early 1970s. They dropped that name and formed KISS with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in January 1973.
Big dreams: As a child, Stanley was shy but felt in his gut that he could be a rock 'n' roll star. "When I first saw the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan,' I was a pudgy, little, unpopular kid. But I had this epiphany that I could do what [the musicians on TV] were doing. To think that when you could count your friends on two fingers, and you're not the kid who's taking home the trophy for best looking, is your innate voice talking."
Early days: KISS struggled early on, but worked to give the impression that it was successful. The band intentionally limited its New York appearances - even though it often had no gigs elsewhere - so fans would think the group was out on tour. The members saved money by setting up their stage equipment themselves, but did so hours early so no concert-goers would see them. For the same reason, they delivered fliers for upcoming engagements in the middle of the night. "There's no substitute for hard work, for lonely hours and sleepless nights," Stanley said.
Marketing and makeup: They didn't call it branding at the time, but KISS did whatever it could to distinguish itself - hence, the garish Kabuki-style greasepaint and 7-inch platform heels. "It was creating an illusion," Stanley said. "That's key."
Hard-working band: Success came partly from KISS' reputation for raucous live shows - punctuated by Simmons' infamous fire breathing and blood spitting. "From very early on, I don't want to say we were a service-minded company, but we were about giving people bang for the buck," Stanley said. "I wanted to be the coolest-looking band, the loudest band, the one with the most gear on stage, the one blowing stuff up."
Shutting out noise: The band members largely ignored the scathing reviews KISS regularly received from critics. One exception: an effort to mollify naysayers with an album that broke from the band's musical style. The album not only inflamed critics further but also got a cold reception from longtime KISS fans. "We did a bloated, self-important and completely ill-conceived concept album in the '80s called 'The Elder,' " Stanley said. "That was a time we became more concerned with trying to impress our peers and get credibility from people who didn't like us. Life's too short to try to convert people who don't like you."
Not overdosing on success: Stanley embraced the stereotypical rock star lifestyle - to a point. "I stayed away from drugs. I saw people around me dying. I remember the first blush of fame, thinking, 'Gee, this and drugs is a sure recipe for my demise,' " Stanley said. "When people said 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll,' I said, 'You keep the drugs.' "
Financial lessons: Since getting burned financially early in his career, Stanley has paid more attention to money. "Anybody who's foolish enough to say, 'I'm only in it for the love of what I do,' is bound to get screwed, because if you're not attentive to the financial aspects of it, someone else will be," he said. "And the person who has their arm around your shoulder will have their other hand in your pocket."
Side gig: Painter. Stanley began painting in 2000 "to let off steam and depressurize." He later began doing gallery shows and selling his work. He estimates that he sold about $3 million in paintings last year, many to people who are not KISS fans. "There are certainly enough KISS fans who might be introduced through me and find a connection" to his art, he said. But "when you're spending fifty, sixty, eighty thousand on a piece, there's not that many KISS fans in that strata."
Favorite song: "Love Gun."
Copyright � 2010, The Los Angeles Times
The lead singer and guitarist for the rock band KISS learned the benefits of branding early in his career.
Background: Born Jan. 20, 1952, as Stanley Bert Eisen in the Bronx, N.Y., to a furniture salesman and a nurse. Formed a short-lived band, Wicked Lester, with fellow New Yorker Gene Simmons in the early 1970s. They dropped that name and formed KISS with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in January 1973.
Big dreams: As a child, Stanley was shy but felt in his gut that he could be a rock 'n' roll star. "When I first saw the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan,' I was a pudgy, little, unpopular kid. But I had this epiphany that I could do what [the musicians on TV] were doing. To think that when you could count your friends on two fingers, and you're not the kid who's taking home the trophy for best looking, is your innate voice talking."
By Walter Hamilton, Los Angeles Times
The lead singer and guitarist for the rock band KISS learned the benefits of branding early in his career.
Background: Born Jan. 20, 1952, as Stanley Bert Eisen in the Bronx, N.Y., to a furniture salesman and a nurse. Formed a short-lived band, Wicked Lester, with fellow New Yorker Gene Simmons in the early 1970s. They dropped that name and formed KISS with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in January 1973.
Big dreams: As a child, Stanley was shy but felt in his gut that he could be a rock 'n' roll star. "When I first saw the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan,' I was a pudgy, little, unpopular kid. But I had this epiphany that I could do what [the musicians on TV] were doing. To think that when you could count your friends on two fingers, and you're not the kid who's taking home the trophy for best looking, is your innate voice talking."
Early days: KISS struggled early on, but worked to give the impression that it was successful. The band intentionally limited its New York appearances - even though it often had no gigs elsewhere - so fans would think the group was out on tour. The members saved money by setting up their stage equipment themselves, but did so hours early so no concert-goers would see them. For the same reason, they delivered fliers for upcoming engagements in the middle of the night. "There's no substitute for hard work, for lonely hours and sleepless nights," Stanley said.
Marketing and makeup: They didn't call it branding at the time, but KISS did whatever it could to distinguish itself - hence, the garish Kabuki-style greasepaint and 7-inch platform heels. "It was creating an illusion," Stanley said. "That's key."
Hard-working band: Success came partly from KISS' reputation for raucous live shows - punctuated by Simmons' infamous fire breathing and blood spitting. "From very early on, I don't want to say we were a service-minded company, but we were about giving people bang for the buck," Stanley said. "I wanted to be the coolest-looking band, the loudest band, the one with the most gear on stage, the one blowing stuff up."
Shutting out noise: The band members largely ignored the scathing reviews KISS regularly received from critics. One exception: an effort to mollify naysayers with an album that broke from the band's musical style. The album not only inflamed critics further but also got a cold reception from longtime KISS fans. "We did a bloated, self-important and completely ill-conceived concept album in the '80s called 'The Elder,' " Stanley said. "That was a time we became more concerned with trying to impress our peers and get credibility from people who didn't like us. Life's too short to try to convert people who don't like you."
Not overdosing on success: Stanley embraced the stereotypical rock star lifestyle - to a point. "I stayed away from drugs. I saw people around me dying. I remember the first blush of fame, thinking, 'Gee, this and drugs is a sure recipe for my demise,' " Stanley said. "When people said 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll,' I said, 'You keep the drugs.' "
Financial lessons: Since getting burned financially early in his career, Stanley has paid more attention to money. "Anybody who's foolish enough to say, 'I'm only in it for the love of what I do,' is bound to get screwed, because if you're not attentive to the financial aspects of it, someone else will be," he said. "And the person who has their arm around your shoulder will have their other hand in your pocket."
Side gig: Painter. Stanley began painting in 2000 "to let off steam and depressurize." He later began doing gallery shows and selling his work. He estimates that he sold about $3 million in paintings last year, many to people who are not KISS fans. "There are certainly enough KISS fans who might be introduced through me and find a connection" to his art, he said. But "when you're spending fifty, sixty, eighty thousand on a piece, there's not that many KISS fans in that strata."
Favorite song: "Love Gun."
Copyright � 2010, The Los Angeles Times
05/02/2010
KISS BIRTHDAY CAKE
05/02/2010
FAN-FILMED VIDEO FROM SHEFFIELD
05/01/2010
KISS' GREAT NEW ENTRANCE
05/01/2010
KISS OPENING PHOTO
05/01/2010
SCENES FROM SHEFFIELD
05/01/2010
KISS SHEFFIELD SET LIST
05/01/2010
KISS SONIC BOOM OVER EUROPE BEGINS
05/01/2010
KISS SONIC BOOM OVER EUROPE LIVE RECORDINGS
SIMFYLIVE to release entire KISS tour on USB Stick and MP3 Download
KISS, one of the most celebrated and biggest rock and roll bands in the world, are set to have their forthcoming Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour, released on USB stick and as MP3 download.
The KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe tour will kick off in the UK on May 1st at the Sheffield Arena. Fans who attend each of the concerts will be able to purchase the entire 2 1/2 hour concert on USB stick at the merchandise stand directly after the concert. Alternatively, fans will also be able to pre-order the concert on USB stick or MP3 via the platform simfylive.com.
KISS is one of the most collectable and merchandise savvy rock and roll bands ever, and their foray into live concert recordings on USB stick and MP3 is the perfect addition for any serious diehard KISS collector.
KISS fans will be able to purchase a 1 gigabyte USB stick, including Collector's Box at the venue or online for 25 Euros / 20 Pounds Sterling. Fans who want to own more than one concert can order online the Collector's Gold Edition 16 gigabyte USB stick.
KISS, one of the most celebrated and biggest rock and roll bands in the world, are set to have their forthcoming Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour, released on USB stick and as MP3 download.
The KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe tour will kick off in the UK on May 1st at the Sheffield Arena. Fans who attend each of the concerts will be able to purchase the entire 2 1/2 hour concert on USB stick at the merchandise stand directly after the concert. Alternatively, fans will also be able to pre-order the concert on USB stick or MP3 via the platform simfylive.com.
KISS is one of the most collectable and merchandise savvy rock and roll bands ever, and their foray into live concert recordings on USB stick and MP3 is the perfect addition for any serious diehard KISS collector.
KISS fans will be able to purchase a 1 gigabyte USB stick, including Collector's Box at the venue or online for 25 Euros / 20 Pounds Sterling. Fans who want to own more than one concert can order online the Collector's Gold Edition 16 gigabyte USB stick.
Fans can purchase the Gold Edition at any time and as soon as the concerts happen, they will be able to download the concerts of their choice on to the USB stick.
For those fans that prefer to collector their KISS European concerts on CD, they will be able to order 2-CD editions of each concert from simfylive.com.
KISS' 2010 SONIC BOOM OVER EUROPE TOUR DATES:
Sheffield Arena May 1
Newcastle Arena May 2
Liverpool Arena May4
Birmingham LG Arena May 5
Dublin 02 Arena May 7
Glasgow SECC May 9
Manchester MEN Arena May 10
London Wembley Arena May 12
London Wembley Arena May 13
Zurich Hallenstadion May 16
Geneva Arena May 17
Milan, Mediolanium Forum May 18
Vienna, Stadhalle May 20
Ostrava, Cez Arena May 21
Prague O2 Arena May 23
Leipzig Arena May 25
Berlin O2 World May 26
Budapest Sports Arena May 28
Bratislava Stadium May29
Hamburg Colorine Arena May 31
Oberhausen Koenig Arena June 1
Nurburgring Rock Am Ring June 3
Zeppelinfeld Rock Im Park June 5
Trondheim Lerkendal Open Site June 8
Tampere Sauna Rock June 10
Stockholm Stadium June 12
Malmo Stadium June 13
Oslo Valhall June 14
Aalborg, Denmark, Gigantium June 16
Arnhem, Holland, Gelredome June 18
Clisson, France - Hellfest June 20
Madrid Palacio De Los Deportes June 22
Barcelona Palau St. Jordi June24
Vitoria Azkena Rock Festival June 25
Belgium Graspop June 27
Pre-order you KISS USB concert stick and MP3's now! Simfy Live will record all KISS concerts that will be split into individual tracks on-site, labeled, and converted to high-quality MP3s (320 kBit/s). Order the KISS concerts on USB stick or as MP3 downloads from simfylive.com.
KISS, one of the most celebrated and biggest rock and roll bands in the world, are set to have their forthcoming Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour, released on USB stick and as MP3 download.
The KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe tour will kick off in the UK on May 1st at the Sheffield Arena. Fans who attend each of the concerts will be able to purchase the entire 2 1/2 hour concert on USB stick at the merchandise stand directly after the concert. Alternatively, fans will also be able to pre-order the concert on USB stick or MP3 via the platform simfylive.com.
KISS is one of the most collectable and merchandise savvy rock and roll bands ever, and their foray into live concert recordings on USB stick and MP3 is the perfect addition for any serious diehard KISS collector.
KISS fans will be able to purchase a 1 gigabyte USB stick, including Collector's Box at the venue or online for 25 Euros / 20 Pounds Sterling. Fans who want to own more than one concert can order online the Collector's Gold Edition 16 gigabyte USB stick.
KISS, one of the most celebrated and biggest rock and roll bands in the world, are set to have their forthcoming Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour, released on USB stick and as MP3 download.
The KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe tour will kick off in the UK on May 1st at the Sheffield Arena. Fans who attend each of the concerts will be able to purchase the entire 2 1/2 hour concert on USB stick at the merchandise stand directly after the concert. Alternatively, fans will also be able to pre-order the concert on USB stick or MP3 via the platform simfylive.com.
KISS is one of the most collectable and merchandise savvy rock and roll bands ever, and their foray into live concert recordings on USB stick and MP3 is the perfect addition for any serious diehard KISS collector.
KISS fans will be able to purchase a 1 gigabyte USB stick, including Collector's Box at the venue or online for 25 Euros / 20 Pounds Sterling. Fans who want to own more than one concert can order online the Collector's Gold Edition 16 gigabyte USB stick.
Fans can purchase the Gold Edition at any time and as soon as the concerts happen, they will be able to download the concerts of their choice on to the USB stick.
For those fans that prefer to collector their KISS European concerts on CD, they will be able to order 2-CD editions of each concert from simfylive.com.
KISS' 2010 SONIC BOOM OVER EUROPE TOUR DATES:
Sheffield Arena May 1
Newcastle Arena May 2
Liverpool Arena May4
Birmingham LG Arena May 5
Dublin 02 Arena May 7
Glasgow SECC May 9
Manchester MEN Arena May 10
London Wembley Arena May 12
London Wembley Arena May 13
Zurich Hallenstadion May 16
Geneva Arena May 17
Milan, Mediolanium Forum May 18
Vienna, Stadhalle May 20
Ostrava, Cez Arena May 21
Prague O2 Arena May 23
Leipzig Arena May 25
Berlin O2 World May 26
Budapest Sports Arena May 28
Bratislava Stadium May29
Hamburg Colorine Arena May 31
Oberhausen Koenig Arena June 1
Nurburgring Rock Am Ring June 3
Zeppelinfeld Rock Im Park June 5
Trondheim Lerkendal Open Site June 8
Tampere Sauna Rock June 10
Stockholm Stadium June 12
Malmo Stadium June 13
Oslo Valhall June 14
Aalborg, Denmark, Gigantium June 16
Arnhem, Holland, Gelredome June 18
Clisson, France - Hellfest June 20
Madrid Palacio De Los Deportes June 22
Barcelona Palau St. Jordi June24
Vitoria Azkena Rock Festival June 25
Belgium Graspop June 27
Pre-order you KISS USB concert stick and MP3's now! Simfy Live will record all KISS concerts that will be split into individual tracks on-site, labeled, and converted to high-quality MP3s (320 kBit/s). Order the KISS concerts on USB stick or as MP3 downloads from simfylive.com.
