Kiss News

By Shirley Halperin

You could draw a straight line from KISS in its 1970s heyday to the Foo Fighters' ascent 20 years later -- both arena acts delivering rock with a purpose --  so it was fitting that Foos frontman Dave Grohl was chosen to present Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley with the ASCAP Founders Award. What those in attendance at Wednesday's ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Hollywood might not have expected, however, is the continuing connection between the two camps: their kids' grade school.

Taking a light, reflective and personal approach, Grohl delivered a solid homage that began from his own childhood days as a proud cadet in the KISS army. The sentiment of the speech was clearly appreciated, as Simmons later declared, "Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters are carrying the flag that we hope will inspire the next generation of young kids."

Read Grohl's tribute in its entirety below.
 
Picture this: Springfield, Virginia, 1976. A skinny young boy with shaggy brown hair on a yellow yard sale bicycle brings home a copy of the album Destroyer, his first KISS record. Everybody remembers their first KISS record, and this is how I remember mine.

Up until that point, it had been mainly Beatles and Carly Simon, maybe a little Phoebe Snow, f---in� 10cc. But the album cover alone was enough to make me break my old piggy bank into a thousand pieces and scrape up enough lawn-mowing money to give it straight to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

With nuclear anticipation, I let the needle drop on that legendary intro to "Detroit Rock City," perhaps the greatest introduction to any rock 'n' roll album ever recorded. It filled my speakers and my imagination. Thirty-four minutes later and 27 seconds later, KISS had filled my soul. I was now a member of the infamous KISS army.

Before long, my room had become a f---ing shrine. Posters of these four musical monsters lined my walls action figures filled my shelves and KISS albums overtook my once A.M,-friendly record collection. I was converted�

Every morning, I would wake up in my tiny bedroom and take a good look at my superheroes before walking to school. They got me through those years and ultimately inspired me to follow this unreasonable dream of becoming a professional rock 'n' roll musician.
One hundred million albums. One hundred million f---ing albums. Countless hit singles, record-breaking concert attendance. They even made fuckin� disco look cool with �I Was Made For Lovin You.� Raise your hand if you can say the same thing.

I remember the KISS radio, which they just showed on screen -- I'm so happy that they actually have remnants of this f---ing masterpiece of technology. I remember the KISS radios advertised on TV -- "Hear all of your favorite KISS songs on your official KISS radio!" I imagined it was futuristic piece of technology and my direct link to my musical gods, so I ordered one... C.O.D., without even asking for permission from my struggling schoolteacher mother.

I'll never forget the day it arrived. The mailman knocked on the door, my mother took one look at this thing and said, I didn't f---ing order that. Then she sent it away.

Forty years later, my love of KISS is still strong. And these days I still spend every morning before school with Paul Stanley� in the parking lot of our kids� f---in� elementary school, chatting about Zeppelin and Electric Lady and touring and school fundraisers. So I'd say that my unreasonable dream definitely came true. And I finally got my KISS radio -- it's the cheapest f---ing A.M. radio I have eve seen in my life! With the KISS logo on it. Nice one, Gene.

So without further adieu, it is my great honor to say: you wanted the best, and you got the best. The hottest band in the world -- KISS!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to Nicolas Lhoir for sharing with ad with us!

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From ASCAP:

The Legends! Recipients of our Founders Award, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS with ASCAP's John Titta, Paul Williams and Beth Matthews

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will present rock heavyweights KISS with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at its 32nd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards tonight, April 29 in Hollywood. The exclusive, invitation-only gala takes place at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.The ASCAP Founders Award goes to ASCAP�s pioneering songwriters who have made exceptional contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Past recipients include  Sir Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Patti Smith, Steely Dan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Steven Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

KISS is one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time, selling over 100 million albums worldwide in their 40-year career. Formed in the early 1970s, KISS has achieved staggering career milestones, boasting decades of record-breaking tours around the globe.  Today, the KISS �brand� has infiltrated pop culture with its unforgettable personas Starchild, Demon, Spaceman and Cat.  With hits like �Strutter,� �Shout it Out Loud,� �Detroit Rock City,� �Rock and Roll All Nite,� �Christine Sixteen,� �I Was Made for Lovin� You� and �Beth,� KISS has 28 gold albums, the most of any American rock band, and in 2014 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As the band continues their 40th Anniversary World Tour with 2015 tours in Japan, South America and Australia � founding band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons also celebrate 40 years as members of ASCAP.

The 32nd ASCAP Pop Music Awards precede the 10th annual ASCAP �I Create Music� EXPO, the only national conference dedicated to the craft and business of songwriting and composing. The EXPO takes place April 30th � May 2nd, 2015 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Many of the biggest names in music have shared their wisdom and music at the EXPO, including Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Jackson Browne, Lindsey Buckingham interviewed by Sara Bareilles, Dr. Luke, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, Katy Perry, Tom Petty, Carly Simon, Justin Timberlake in conversation with Bill Withers and Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart). For more details, visit www.ascap.com/expo.

For the month of May, enjoy 20% off, exclusively at Popfunk.

Use code KISS20, valid only through May 30th. http://bit.ly/1EpNPl4

Thanks to Jiin Shimonzu  for sharing these with us!