Kiss News

Looking good! Thanks Cari Byers ‏for sharing the photo with us!

Why is KISS still and forever will be larger than life?

BY OR BARNEA / YouTab Magazine

In the last couple of months, Gene Simmons words about rock & roll being dead has been all over the social media and press platforms. Rock artists of all kinds have taken the liberty to defend their style of music and answered Simmons. But the entire thing really got out of hand.

When I first read what Simmons said in that interview conducted by his son, Nick, is that this day and age, artists will not be signed by a major label or management straight after stepping out of their parents garage. The romantic approach once held by the major labels does not exist anymore, and with that, we did not see any Rock Icon coming to popular life and changing a generation for more than 20 years now. Last one, as Simmons said rightfully, was Kurt Cobain.

The paradox is that Simmons and Paul Stanley knew that the rock and roll business will keep changing faster than a speeding bullet from the day they first got the band together. Unlike other famous bands that still lean on their youths, The duo always worked hard to keep younger generations and different audiences interested. and they nailed it. That�s why they are producing massive amount of merchandise, leading a Football team from behind the scenes, opening restaurants, giving new artists their first break, taking their fans on cruises, keeping the media interested in everything.

That�s the biggest message any kind of musician should take from KISS (besides the rock and roll and the partying). Work hard, know that you can do a lot more than just play a simple song. You must know what is right for you. Forget what the number one song on the billboard is. You�re bigger than that.

The last entrepreneuring experience coming from KISS is Paul Stanley�s brand new line of Ibanez guitars. For the first time in 20 years, Stanley and Ibanez have reunited to create new versions of the Starchild�s original models. �Renewing my collaboration with Ibanez feels like going home to where it all started�, Quoted Stanley on the company�s site, �Since 1977 you�ve heard the guitar I created on countless platinum albums. You�ve seen it rattle coliseums from Texas to Tokyo. Now I�m making sure that my weapon of choice can also be yours�.

And that�s what it�s all about. Giving the fans much more than the music itself. Madonna said it before: �We all live in a material world�. But with KISS around � It�s a great one.

Isshindo Honpo Co., Ltd. will release "KISS Face Packs" in Japan on February 27th. These Face Packs feature the classic KISS makeup designs, and also moisturize and rejuvenating face skin.

They will be sold at 32 Tokyu Hands stores throughout Japan. http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/foreign.html

Thanks KISS ARMY for sharing your photos with KISS! We love seeing them!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Check out this KISS-ified restaurant menu spotted during the 2015 Sitges Carnival in Barcelona.

Thanks to Xarly RF of KISS ARMY CATALUNYA for sharing the image with us!

KISS licensee, Bif Bang Pow! recently unveiled these new KISS items at the New York Toy Fair.

KISS Umbrella

KISS Retro Coasters

KISS Light-up Journal

KISS Demon Sunshade

Stay tuned to KISSONLINE for more details on these and other KISS collectibles coming from Big Bang Pow!.

Here's a photo of Paul Stanley's Ibanez guitars and Eric Singer's Pearl drum kit at the KISS rehearsal studio.

Photo by Paul Bassett for KISSONLINE.

CLICK HERE to order your new KISS ARMY #1 Fan shirts (men's & women's) and sweatshirts now!

Check out these great KISS Cakes. They all look awesome! Thanks to the KISS Army for sharing your celebrations with KISS!

Prototype Epiphone "White Lightning" strikes big

Congrats to our own Tommy Thayer of KISS who auctioned off the prototype of his new and soon-to-be released Epiphone Ltd. Ed. Tommy Thayer "White Lightning" Les Paul for a whopping $25,000 at a private fundraiser benefiting the Arnold Palmer Tradition Education Fund held on February 7 in La Quinta, California.

The exclusive 100-person dinner party, auction and all-star jam was held at the Tradition Golf Club and featured Tommy and legendary Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. Together they raised a one-night total of $250,000. Check out our cool photo of the duo taken during their meeting at the Epiphone booth during NAMM.

The Tradition Golf Club's Arnold Palmer Education Fund was founded in 2009 to honor Tradition's most notable resident, Arnold Palmer, and to benefit the employees and children of employees. Over the years, over $2 million has been raised along with 21 fully-funded scholarships. Additionally, the Education Fund provides ongoing English classes for employees who would like to improve their language skills.

Look for Epiphone's official announcement and full details on the Ltd. Ed. Tommy Thayer White Lightning Les Paul soon.  In the meantime, check out the classic video of Tommy talking about his first Ltd. Ed. Epiphone "Spaceman" Les Paul.