Kiss News

Story and Photo by Kelly Crawford / Dallas Concerts Examiner

American Airlines Center in Dallas was packed to the roof last night when legendary rockers KISS - supported by multi-platinum BUCKCHERRY -invaded Big D and proved, without a doubt, that they can still 'rock and roll all night'. And to keep the legend going they even had a protester outside waving a cross and telling people not to go in there because they're doomed.

BUCKCHERRY opened with a strong set, playing tunes off their newest album "Black Butterfly" and pushing their live CD, "Live and Loud". Naturally they wrapped up with "Crazy Bitch" and the stadium was singing along. But it was obvious everyone was there to see one band. KISS.

And what a show! I've never had the chance to see KISS live until now and I was blown away. Almost literally what with the pyro and all. Opening up with "Deuce", KISS played it up for the crowd and the photographers in the pit for the first two songs and threw out guitar picks to the crowd all night long. This is one band that knows how important their fans are and they showed that all night long. Gene Simmons even pulled a little ten year old girl up on stage to take a few pictures at one point and officially winning him 'rock star of the decade' in my book.Story and Photo by Kelly Crawford / Dallas Concerts Examiner

American Airlines Center in Dallas was packed to the roof last night when legendary rockers KISS - supported by multi-platinum BUCKCHERRY -invaded Big D and proved, without a doubt, that they can still 'rock and roll all night'. And to keep the legend going they even had a protester outside waving a cross and telling people not to go in there because they're doomed.

BUCKCHERRY opened with a strong set, playing tunes off their newest album "Black Butterfly" and pushing their live CD, "Live and Loud". Naturally they wrapped up with "Crazy Bitch" and the stadium was singing along. But it was obvious everyone was there to see one band. KISS.

And what a show! I've never had the chance to see KISS live until now and I was blown away. Almost literally what with the pyro and all. Opening up with "Deuce", KISS played it up for the crowd and the photographers in the pit for the first two songs and threw out guitar picks to the crowd all night long. This is one band that knows how important their fans are and they showed that all night long. Gene Simmons even pulled a little ten year old girl up on stage to take a few pictures at one point and officially winning him 'rock star of the decade' in my book.

The set was a great mix of classic KISS - such as Dr. Love - as well as some tunes from their newest album "Sonic Boom". If you haven't gotten it yet I highly suggest, as Paul Stanley said, that you get yourself to Walmart and buy it. One of the most famous KISS songs, Rock and Roll All Night, wrapped up the first part of the set with the crowd singing along and confetti flying through the air. Cold Gin had an amazing guitar solo in which Tommy Thayer shot sparks from his guitar into the lighting rigs above the stage - causing a piece to come crashing to the stage. Planned? I don't know but it was awesome either way! 100,000 Years saw an incredible drum solo from Eric Singer as his drum platform raised into the air and rotated. Of course Gene Simmons had his bass solo as well during I Love It Loud. And if his playing wasn't enough you got the always loved blood dripping from his mouth only to be topped by Gene being pulled straight up a good 40 feet into the air to continue the song from a platform atop the lighting rig. Not to be outdone, Paul Stanley took to a rope and metal ring and flew out across the crowd to land on a second stage on the opposite side of the arena for Love Gun.

The show ended with the famous Detroit Rock City and pyro that shook American Airlines Center. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that KISS still has it and will for a long time coming. Check out their website and get their latest album "Sonic Boom" at a Walmart near you and keep the KISS Army alive!

CLICK here to visit the Examiner's site and view additional KISS Concert photos

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

As an oversized tour bus rolled to a halt in front of the grand front foyer of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, fans rolled outside, lining up to welcome the band.

Iconic rock act KISS greeted fans on Wednesday to sign memorabilia for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a day after a near full-house concert at Tulsa's BOK Center.By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

As an oversized tour bus rolled to a halt in front of the grand front foyer of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, fans rolled outside, lining up to welcome the band.

Iconic rock act KISS greeted fans on Wednesday to sign memorabilia for the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a day after a near full-house concert at Tulsa's BOK Center.

Hundreds upon hundreds of fans raised digital cameras - and screams - in unison as the foursome marched in wearing full makeup. Their inches-tall platform boots raised them to superstar status as they peered over their fans.

They said hello, and within minutes the scene evaporated. Beautiful blonds handed the band two guitars: A Washburn guitar and Gibson bass, it was passed around, autographed and set aside. That didn't keep fans from packing in shoulder-to-shoulder to watch what 12-year-old Michael Hernandez called a "once-in-a-lifetime event."

"This may even be more exciting than the concert," said his mom Kathi Hernandez. "The band is right there, right in front of us."

Band members Tommy Thayer, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Paul Stanley stayed at the hotel Tuesday and Wednesday night before heading out to Kansas City to continue the Alive/35 world tour, hotel executives confirmed.

The band's been around for 35 years. That's a lot of time to win over hordes of fans, young and old.

Take 9-year-old Skylar Leach, for example. She and brother Trey, 12, and dad Charles, brought in an electric guitar on the off chance someone in the band might autograph it.

"They said 'no autographs' earlier," said Charles Leach, standing in the chill and hefting a black and white Fender as his children huddled next to him.

"But Paul took my guitar," said Skylar Leach of KISS lead singer Paul Stanley. "He signed it." She pointed as a Sharpie-tattooed black star and scribbled signature dried on the pickguard. Skylar Leach beamed.

During a news conference, asked what the most surprising thing was about those intervening decades, Stanley said bluntly, "You."

He pointed to the crowd. "We've become something multigenerational. We just hope we can give back to you all that you've given to us over the years."

Young children sat on shoulders as parents swayed underneath them, all singing along to KISS hit "Rock and Roll All Nite" as it played over the intercom.

"This is what Hard Rock's all about," said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which owns the property. "The word's out that Tulsa's the place to be. We'll just keep adding to it all."

But there's something else, too. ... "And of course, there's all the pretty girls," said KISS bassist Gene Simmons. "It must be something in the water."

KISS Presents Wilson Middle School With Gift Of Music

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Legendary rock band KISS visited Tulsa's Wilson Middle School on Wednesday to shoot a segment of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

"I can't believe what all they have planned," said Caleb Starr, principal at Wilson. "This is going to be an amazing experience for the kids and the adults."

Starr said producers from Extreme Makeover approached him with an offer of free musical instruments from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation as part of an upcoming edition of the show.

KISS Presents Wilson Middle School With Gift Of Music

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Legendary rock band KISS visited Tulsa's Wilson Middle School on Wednesday to shoot a segment of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

"I can't believe what all they have planned," said Caleb Starr, principal at Wilson. "This is going to be an amazing experience for the kids and the adults."

Starr said producers from Extreme Makeover approached him with an offer of free musical instruments from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation as part of an upcoming edition of the show.

"They're rebuilding the home of a music teacher and his wife," said Starr, "and the teacher wanted to give musical instruments to a school in need. They asked if we would be interested, and we jumped on the opportunity."

Starr and his students were thrilled to learn KISS would be at the school to formally present the 40 new musical instruments to Wilson students, including violins, trumpets, saxophones and flutes.

"Everybody was like, KISS is coming," said 7th grader Kira Palmer. "Oh my gosh, they are donating instruments, I'm like 'no way,' but now that this is happening, I'm just really glad that they're doing this."

Students got their faces painted just like the members of KISS.

According to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation web site, the organization donates both new and refurbished instruments to school and after-school music programs that lack the resources to keep up with equipment loss due to attrition, depreciation and wear over time.

Wilson Middle School has 515 students, 93% of whom qualify under federal poverty guidelines for free or reduced-price meals.

"It means a new opportunity for kids that want to be in the band, but we didn't have enough instruments so they can now be in the band," said Michael

A Merry KISSmas to Oakville

By Angela Blackburn, Oakville Beaver Staff
Photo by Riziero Vertolli / OAKVILLE BEAVER

They were expecting Santa, but got 'Gene Simmons' first - and they liked it.

Oakville residents voted Tom Linhares' Gene Simmons' Family KISSmas float, runner-up in the new Oakville's Choice Award for the Santa Parade.

"Tom said the looks on the faces of not only the kids, but the adults, as he went by, were something he'll never forget," said Pam Damoff, chair of the 2009 Santa Claus Parade.
A Merry KISSmas to Oakville

By Angela Blackburn, Oakville Beaver Staff
Photo by Riziero Vertolli / OAKVILLE BEAVER

They were expecting Santa, but got 'Gene Simmons' first - and they liked it.

Oakville residents voted Tom Linhares' Gene Simmons' Family KISSmas float, runner-up in the new Oakville's Choice Award for the Santa Parade.

"Tom said the looks on the faces of not only the kids, but the adults, as he went by, were something he'll never forget," said Pam Damoff, chair of the 2009 Santa Claus Parade.

Not many who attended the Nov. 21 parade are likely to forget seeing Linhares, a. k. a. Gene Simmons, either.

He was clad in black leather and silver rivets, complete with elaborate KISS makeup.

It was the Gene Simmons Family KISSmas and all of Tom's family - his wife and four children - took part.

"I tried not to stick out my tongue at the kids, but I did at some older ladies," laughed Tom.

He confessed he's been a KISS fan for several decades, since he was 10 years old - and it�s fun.

What has become a Halloween tradition, to dress up a la KISS, usually Gene Simmons, was extended into Christmas this year.

"This will be the first KISSmas our family celebrates," said Tom who has always done the makeup, but this year bought a stage costume.

"It's not every day that you can strut your stuff down Lakeshore Road and get away with it," smiled Tom, who said ultimately the comic book style of KISS, the dressing up as someone else briefly, all appeal to the child in him.

And KISS plays rock music.

It just so happened the theme of this year's parade was a rock'n'roll Christmas. Tom admits he's probably the biggest KISS fan on the west side of Winston Churchill Boulevard.

And while the float represented a financial commitment, Tom said it was not expensive given the amount of fun he and his family had.

Nor many local residents - if you go by the online votes.

While his wife Suzanne drove the float, his children Aaron, 19, Amanda, 11, Julia, 6, and Hailey, 2, took part as well.

They all painted their faces except Hailey, who wanted to be a princess, said her dad.

Tom said he even hung mistletoe on the float, then added, "But I had no takers. My wife kept jerking the truck."

Tom said placing as a runner up surprised him- St. Ignatius of Loyola won, as well as being named best overall float - but said, "It made my mom so proud."

"I love where I live, I love Oakville," said Tom, a middle manager at a Mississauga plant who first moved to Clearview in 1995 and then moved to his home in Falgarwood.

Rock act KISS to visit Tulsa school for 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

By Staff Reporter

Legendary rock band, KISS, will spend Wednesday at Tulsa's Wilson Middle School to shoot a segment of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

"I can't believe what all they have planned," said Wilson principal Caleb Starr in a release. "This is going to be an amazing experience for the kids and the adults."

Starr said producers from Extreme Makeover approached him with an offer of free musical instruments from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation as part of an upcoming edition of the show.
Rock act KISS to visit Tulsa school for 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

By By Craig Day, The News On 6

Legendary rock band, KISS, will spend Wednesday at Tulsa's Wilson Middle School to shoot a segment of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

"I can't believe what all they have planned," said Wilson principal Caleb Starr in a release. "This is going to be an amazing experience for the kids and the adults."

Starr said producers from Extreme Makeover approached him with an offer of free musical instruments from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation as part of an upcoming edition of the show.

"They're rebuilding the home of a music teacher and his wife," Starr said, "and the teacher wanted to give musical instruments to a school in need. They asked if we would be interested and we jumped on the opportunity."

Starr and his students were thrilled to learn KISS would be at the school to formally present the 40 new musical instruments to Wilson students, including violins, trumpets, saxophones and flutes.

The release states Wilson Middle School has 515 students, 93 percent of whom qualify under federal poverty guidelines for free or reduced-price meals.

KISS will be at the school to formally present 40 brand new musical instruments to Wilson students.

"It's like when you were a kid and Mickey Mouse would visit," Starr said. "I'm sure when it's all over I still won't believe it's happened!"

In addition, KISS member Paul Stanley will go from classroom to classroom gathering students to become face-painted members of a KISS mini army.

Music students helped unpack the new instruments to prepare for the arrival of ABC "Extreme Home Makeover" crews and KISS.

"I'm really excited and really nervous," said seventh-grader Kira Palmer. "My dad, whenever I was really young like 8, we watched five hours back-to-back KISS concerts together. It was really cool."

Awnaway Morris, 12, helped unpack the ten trumpets, ten flutes, ten violins, and ten alto saxophones on Wednesday morning. Buzz about a surprise at Wilson began circulating among students a week ago, but no one knew legendary rock 'n' rollers were involved until Wednesday, she said.

Check back to tulsaworld.com for details as they become available.

By Rege Behe

Ginger Dickison is a special-effects artist with Spotlight Costumes, LLC, in the South Side. A native of Fresno, Calif., she came to Pittsburgh four years ago to study at the Tom Savini Special Makeup Effects School at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen.

Dickison has worked on stage productions of "Beauty and the Beast," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Christmas Carol," and on some independent film productions.

One of her specialties is replicating the makeup worn by KISS members during performances. Here are her tips for putting on one's best KISS face.



By Rege Behe

Ginger Dickison is a special-effects artist with Spotlight Costumes, LLC, in the South Side. A native of Fresno, Calif., she came to Pittsburgh four years ago to study at the Tom Savini Special Makeup Effects School at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen.

Dickison has worked on stage productions of "Beauty and the Beast," "Sweeney Todd" and "A Christmas Carol," and on some independent film productions.

One of her specialties is replicating the makeup worn by KISS members during performances. Here are her tips for putting on one's best KISS face.

For Paul Stanley (modeled by Abby Krizner, of WXDX-FM, 105.9):

Start by drawing the star points over the right eye. It's easiest to pinpoint five dots, then connect them into the shape of a star. Next, fill in the star with a black, creme makeup -- Dickison recommends Ben Nye -- using a synthetic brush.

Red makeup outlines the lips to exaggerate the peaks; red creme makeup is used to make the lips look fuller. Then, the eyebrow without the star is exaggerated, again using black creme makeup. A translucent powder is then applied with a puff to set the makeup, using a rolling motion.

Next, white creme makeup is applied to the outline of the star and lips to define them. Finally, white creme makeup is applied to all the other areas of the face to complete the character. Make sure there are no streaks or bare spots, then reapply the translucent powder.

For Gene Simmons (modeled by Trib reporter Rege Behe):

Simmons' makeup is symmetrical, a flame-demon pattern over the eyes with large points. Again, Dickison creates the outline first, one eye at a time, to create symmetry. Black creme makeup fills in the design, and translucent powder is used to set the makeup. Move on to the other eye and repeat process, making sure the points are as symmetrical as possible.

Next, the lips are exaggerated and filled in with black creme makeup. Add a widow's peak on the center of the forehead. Again, outline these areas with white creme makeup using a brush. Then, white creme makeup is applied to the rest of the face and set with translucent powder.

Written by Ernie Osborn / Tulsa Today

Photo: Kevin Pyle

Additional KISS Tulsa Photos

Additonal Photos at On a bitterly cold night, KISS heated up the BOK Center in a big way. They proved why they have been billed as "The Hottest Band in the World".

Now into their late 40's, 50' and 60's they put on a show that establishes a benchmark for younger groups that may never be seen again. It was plain to see that they take the revenue they make from merchandising, album sales and touring and pour it back into their live shows.
Written by Ernie Osborn / Tulsa Today

Photo: Kevin Pyle

Additional KISS Tulsa Photos

Additonal Photos at On a bitterly cold night, KISS heated up the BOK Center in a big way. They proved why they have been billed as "The Hottest Band in the World".

Now into their late 40's, 50' and 60's they put on a show that establishes a benchmark for younger groups that may never be seen again. It was plain to see that they take the revenue they make from merchandising, album sales and touring and pour it back into their live shows.

The night started off in a legendary KISS way, local band Hector Backwoods opened the show. This band that was voted on by listeners and local music fans through the KMOD website. A lifetime shot for the three piece rock group. KMOD DJ's KC and Promo Dave who host a local indie rock show on Friday night called DOMK (KMOD backwards) made a list of 10 top local bands and allowed the listener to vote on their favorite. The winner received the 30 minute opening spot for the KISS concert.

Hector Backwoods made the most of their opportunity, with a rocking set and good stage presence they warmed up the near capacity crowd. Staying humble and thankful for the opportunity they talked about how huge this was for them and how grateful they were for the shot. I would recommend getting your hands on their disc if you get a chance. Self proclaimed as country boys with a redneck rock sound. Had some hints of The Cult in their sound. It was entertaining and you couldn't help but have pride that these guys were some of our own doing what they obviously loved to do on a national scale. Congrats Hector!! You deserve it.

If you have never been to a KISS show (as I had not) let me lay some of the ground work for you. Just getting to the venue you can sense the electricity in the air. There is an anticipation for this show that I really hadn't felt before. One of those feelings that you get when you figure you will never get to see something like that (considering that these guys have been doing this since the mid 70's) and then suddenly you have a chance and build it up in your head like a small child does Christmas. There are people running around in KISS makeup, you see fans renditions of Gene, Paul, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer (the latter two who have stepped in to take the place of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss). The BOK even had a face painting area to get made up like your favorite character. There are fans that have been around a very long time and there is a new breed that are in place, painted and dressed and ready to go. Lots of kids under 10 years that are in full garb. Amazing to see and even more of a thrill to see the band interact with them.

During the intermission between acts guitar techs came out to check wireless signal on the guitars and basses and threw picks into the crowd. One landed close and I scooped it up. I then turned around and gave it to a little boy who was seated behind me. I later learned that the youngster had dressed up as Gene Simmons for Halloween and his dad was showing me pictures of his costume and telling me that they had found a way to get them into Gene himself and got a response. What a great gift for the little fan.

The stage was shrouded in a black curtain with the now famous KISS logo in silver. Lights give way to drum beats and guitar licks, then the legendary intro starts, "Ladies and gentleman, you wanted the best, you got the best! The hottest band in the world, KISS"! The curtain drops and pyro goes into overdrive. Lots of flames, bombs and fireworks. From the opener "Deuce" to show closer, and forth encore "Detroit Rock City" they set the place ablaze with thunderous rocking music and at times some campy behavior. The set list also included 2 songs from their first release in 11 years, "Sonic Boom". Paul Stanley, never one to shy away from marketing and promotion told the audience to go to "Wal-Mart.com or if you are not too lazy take yourself down to Wal-Mart and buy the album"! Songs from album were "Modern Day Delilah" and "Say Yeah".

Guitarist, Tommy Thayer, shined during his 4 minute long solo that at one point had sparks shooting from his guitar that also set off pyro bombs on the light rigging. One of which brought a piece of the structure down.

Some would say that the band isn't the same without Frehley and Criss and I would have agreed before this concert. It is easy to see that what is in place is the product, KISS has become more than a band at this point. The group has been a revolving door of faces at times, only remaining steady have been Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

Yes, these guys have a firm grasp on who they are and what they have accomplished in the rock world. They pretty much invented the rock arena show and spectacle. Gene with his fire and blood spitting, as well as his prowess on stage, from pointing to and playing to the crowd to his flight from the main stage to the light rigging and and a smaller stage on top to play "I Love It Loud" to Paul streaking across the arena to a smaller stage at the back of the room to perform "Love Gun" it was truly an amazing show and circus.

Not sure how much longer these guys will be doing this but don't miss it if you get a chance.