From: Proaxis.com

The story goes that back in '77 or '78, KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss were frustrated with how many of the tracks they wrote would get on an album. With all four members wanting to get their stuff on there, each could only have a few, and most albums were heavier on tracks by bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley. There was talk of wanting to do solo projects or actually quitting the band. As a solution, the idea of ALL four members taking time out to do solo albums was brought up. While the albums would have each band member performing with other musicians, some marketing geniuses proposed releasing them all at once, with matching covers. Fans hungry for new KISS material would be thrilled at having FOUR new KISS albums (and multiplying sales by four wouldn't hurt, either). So, while Gene went off and recorded his album with Cher, Donna Summer, Cheap Trick's Rick Neilsen, Bob Segar, Kate Segal (who later gained fame as Peg on Married With Children), and a ton of other guests and even recorded a Disney song (When You Wish Upon A Star), Paul Stanley put together a band featuring Bob Kulick on guitar (whose brother, Bruce, would later become KISS' lead guitarist, but that's another story...), and recorded an album of very KISS-like tunes. Meanwhile, Peter recorded an album of bluesey, even Motown-tinged tunes and several ballads. Elsewhere, Ace was cutting a rockin' album that would end up being the only one of the four to spawn a "hit;" New York Groove. Playing on Ace's solo album were Anton Fig on drums and Will Lee on bass. Lee would soon become the bass player for the World's Most Dangerous Band, the Late Night with David Letterman house band, lead by Paul Shaffer. A few years into the show, the band's drummer would be replaced by none other than Anton Fig.

After the release of the solo albums, KISS went back into the studio together to record the album, Dynasty. Internal problems continued, however, and Anton Fig was called in to play drums on four tracks on the album. The next album was Unmasked, and Peter Criss was all but gone. While he was listed on the album as still being in the band, Anton Fig actually played drums on every song.

Ace stayed around for the next album, The Elder, which featured Peter's replacement, Eric Carr on drums. After drug, drinking and car-crashing problems, Ace was basically gone for the recording of the next KISS album, Creatures of the Night. Shortly after its release, Ace officially left the band.

Ace had his own home studio, Ace in the Hole, and began recording a demo to shop around which, again, featured Anton Fig on drums. Somewhere in here, Ace recorded an album called We Got Your Rock, that was never released, also with Anton playing drums. Ace got a deal with Megaforce Records and released his new band's self-titled debut, Frehley's Comet, whose drummer was Anton Fig. Anton played on the band's Live+1 EP and on also on Ace's Trouble Walkin' CD.

Anton Fig and Will Lee are still playing with Paul Shaffer in the CBS Orchestra, the house band for Dave's Late Show.

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Rock The Nation DVD On the Move In Australia

From: Australian Recording Industry Association

The KISS ROCK THE NATION LIVE! DVD continues to top the Australian Recording Industry Association charts! The DVD is currently at #2.

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Japan Expo Update

From: KISSAsylum.com

Getting excited for our trip next week back to Japan!!! We leave one week from today and I can't wait!! This will be my 17th visit to Japan, one of my favorite places in the world. Coming along from Asylum is Peter Arquette, Russ Dannacker and staff photographer Al Soluri. If your at the expo, please stop by to visit us and thanks so much for visiting Asylum every day! We appreciate the support!!

A huge thank you to our friend Takeshi and his staff, especially Manny for all of their help!! We are looking forward to another great expo.

Eric and Chuck Garric are touring with Alice Cooper in Germany this month and return just in time to get on a plane and leave for Japan next week. Bruce is busy this week with VH1's Fantasy Camp and has been rehearsing with John Corabi and Bob Kulick for the shows next week. Bob will join ESP for a few tracks from Alive II and also a cut from Paul Stanley's '78 release. If all goes well we will be recording the shows for a new ESP CD!!!

We'll post a trip review and tons of pictures when we get back!

KISS MINI EXPO & LIVE VOL. 3
2006/2/25 (Sat.)
TOKYO TAKADANOBABA ESP MUSICAL ACADEMY B1 HALL
ESP (ERIC SINGER, BRUCE KULICK, JOHN CORABI, CHUCK GARRIC) with BOB KULICK RICHIE SCARLET BAND
KISS DOLLS

2006/2/26 (Sun.)
TOKYO TAKADANOBABA ESP MUSICAL ACADEMY B1 HALL
ESP (ERIC SINGER, BRUCE KULICK, JOHN CORABI, CHUCK GARRIC) with BOB KULICK RICHIE SCARLET BAND
KIKU HOLE

EXPO & LIVE12:30 START 13:00
LIVE ONLY16:30 START 17:00

[More Info]

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KISSTERIA..Back in The NEW YORK GROOVE

From: JD, A Friend on MySpace.com

Aaack!!!!!

KISSteria Is Back!!!!

It was a LONG layoff BUT.....The band has Landed a gig at the 20th ANNUAL NY KISS Expo.....

After yet ANOTHER obstacle not to mention a personel change, we are back and Better than any of you have Ever seen us..We have found our New Demon...We will reveal who it is in a later bulletin...Those of you who know the band and/or have seen us perfom in the past know how good our Previous Lineup was....WAIT TIL YOU GET A LOOK/LISTEN at Our NEW DEMON!!!!!

We hope to see ALL of you this coming MAY 6..Details to follow..

We are going to be pulling out a set of KISS Gems that you have not heard/seen Any KISS Tribute play...Were really excited..We have shows coming up within weeks of the convention in the U.S. And Canada...Again MORE to Follow...

Thanks to ALL of our friends: Richie, Silvio and the Roseland crew, Tara(Webmistress extra ordinair) the Myspace ladies, Dyn and Case, Curly Plumber, The boys in Clashing Plaid and everyone else for all of your support this past winter.

You can get all the latest KISS news official and not so official from friends on MySpace. If you need an account, get one. Either way, be sure to add katseyesproducts (Teresa) to your friends!!!

[Check Out MySpace and Get More KISS]

[Check Out MySpace Blog for Lots of KISS Fun]

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EXCLUSIVE KISS COVER AVAILABLE ON ALL US EDITIONS!

From: KISSOnline.com

On the 30th anniversary of The Year They Ruled The States, KISS is featured on the front cover of this special American collectors' edition of Uncut, March issue.

[More Here]

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Lydia Criss Book Progress

From: BillboardBooks.com

Production on Lydia Criss's forthcoming autobiography Sealed With A KISS continues to move forward and the 300+ page book will be released exclusively through the author's Web site, with midsummer 2006 as the targeted release date. Lydia was married to original KISS drummer PETER CRISS from 1970-1979 and accepted KISS's 1977 People's Choice Award for "Beth" on their behalf.

Sealed With A KISS will be published in a large, coffee-table format, roughly 10" x 12" in size, and contains over 1,500 unpublished photographs of KISS during their 1970s heyday.

Lydia continues to publish exclusive images from Sealed With A KISS on her Web site with the most recent image posted on February 1, a never-before-seen live shot of KISS from their first tour in July 1974. "The venue was so small that KISS had to sit their lighted logo on the side of the stage," Lydia noted in a recent update on her Web site.

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KISS Purfume & Cologne

From: Canadian Press

The rock group is putting the final touches on a line of perfumes and colognes, Paul Stanley said from Clive Davis' pre-grammy party's red carpet. "They're unrepentantly sexy and a little naughty," he said.

Stanley's also finishing a solo album.

"It's been about 26 years since my last solo album. That's a big gap. There's a lot of catching up to do," he said.

"It was something I really felt I needed to do. It was a labour of love. I didn't have to worry about whether or not it was going to succeed - if it sells 10 copies or 10 million copies my life doesn't change any."

KISS fans shouldn't worry though. While KISS members are always working on independent projects, the band has no plans to part ways.

Says Stanley: "KISS is the virus that keeps on giving."

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KISS Online New Hot Look and New Hot Features

From: KISSOnline.com

Check out many of the great new KOL features!

THE KISS ARMY * the exclusive section dedicated to the fans, where you can send your letters to KISS, post your picture, send your own artwork and much more.

ASK KISS - Send questions to each member of KISS and see their answers!

VINTAGE KISS - Check out great KISS features of the past.

HOT KISS - Girls, be sure to send us your hot photos to be featured in this all-new section!

See the all new KISS CHRONOLOGY, DISCOGRAPHY and VIDEOGARPHY sections.

Be sure to stay tuned for updates - This is JUST THE BEGINNING!

[Go See!!!]

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BRUCE KULICK Audio Interview Posted Online

From: Blabbermouth.net

TalkingMetal.com has posted episode 39 of their "Talking Metal" podcast. The episode features a 30-minute interview hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy conducted with legendary guitarist Bruce Kulick. Topics include Kulick's twelve years with KISS, his current activities with GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, UNION, and the ERIC SINGER PROJECT, the "Kiss Forever" instructional DVD, his "Transformer" and "Audio Dog" solo albums, and his upcoming appearance at the Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp. This podcast as well as "Talking Metal" episode 38, a KISS Tribute Special, can be downloaded.

[Take A Listen]

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The 20th Annual New York Kiss Expo!

From: Starz

Saturday (one day only!), May 6th, 2006 - Crowne Plaza, Secaucus, NJ - Noon – Midnight

Here it is---the 20th Annual N.Y. KISS Expo! ®. We are happy to be back at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Meadowlands Hilton) off Rt. 3 on Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus, NJ, This is the same hotel that Beatlefest is held at and where the Kiss Expo was from 1988-1992. We will have the Exhibition Hall as well as the large ballroom. As usual we will have many special guests and events. This year, we are negotiating with many top artists and will, hopefully, have a full list of guests by the end of February.

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KISS Rocks The Web 24/7

From: Kat's Eyes Products

A Kat's Eyes Exclusive! KISS Army Rules online radio station is now playing your favorite KISS tunes right on your PC. Here is how it works. The station can be quickly accessed through your web browser as a simple web page. But, you will hear that the quality ain't so great. So, you can download a Destiny Media Player and get a great audio using it. The player is spyware free, virus free, computer friendly, easy to use, and cost free to you. I have been a Destiny Media Player user for years and I am sure you will be rocked when you get yours on your desktop. And, to keep everybody honest, it is a pure broadcast with no hooks to download the tunes. KISS Army Rules has over 1600 KISS-related tunes, interviews, tributes, and more that are just a click away. Check it out and be rocked!

[Take A Listen]

[Destiny Player Download]
For Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP compatible

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Rock god spots a des res... our old cathedral! Jan 27 2006

From: iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk By Dayle Crutchlow

HELL-RAISING singer Gene Simmons took one look at Coventry's Cathedral ruins and posed the instinctive question of any rich rocker: "Hey, is it for sale?"

And one other thing puzzled him... if it was bombed in the war, why haven't they replaced the windows yet?

Simmons' extraordinary interest in Coventry's most treasured monument was sparked by his visit to the city to film an episode of the popular Channel 4 TV programme Rock School.

He spotted the ruins during a break in filming at the nearby Golden Cross Inn.

The lead singer of the band Kiss was with event promoter John Oliver who recalls: "We were standing outside the pub and Gene pointed to the building.

"He asked what it was and if it was derelict. I told him that no, it was the old Coventry Cathedral and it was bombed during the war. He said 'And they haven't repaired the windows yet?' Then he asked if it was for sale. He seemed disappointed when I told him that it probably wasn't."

Today cathedral bosses were flattered by the American guitarist's interest.

Development manager Jo Hibbard said: "I'm not surprised Mr Simmons admired the cathedral ruins.

"However, I can assure him, and anyone else with an interest in buying Coventry's historic and beautiful cathedral ruins, that they are not for sale!

"Of course, maintaining this historic site is a very expensive business, so we are always willing to discuss support to help with the upkeep and development of the whole cathedral."

The Coventry episode of Rock School will be screened on February 12.

Mr Oliver said: "We had a lovely time out of it and it went really well.

"Gene was a really nice bloke. He had that rock star air about him but he didn't turn his nose up at talking to anyone, or signing autographs and posing for pictures.

"A lot of people still can't believe we had Gene Simmons up here so it will be good to see it on TV."

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Lick It Up With Gene Simmons' Postage Stamps

From: Zazzle.com

This Valentine's Day, send your message sealed with celebrity kisses and show your support for the Humane Society of the United States.

[Get Yours Here]

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Ace Frehley Greatest Hits Live; Get One!

1. Rip It Out (Live) 2. Breakout (Live) 3. Cold Gin (Live) 4. Shock Me (Live) 5. Rocket Ride (Live) 6. Deuce (Live) 7. Strangers In A Strange Land (Live) 8. Separate (Live) 9. N.Y. Groove (Live) 10. Rock Soilders (Live) 11. One Plus One 12. Give It To Me Anyway

The best way to describe "The Ace" is that in a world full of copies, he remains an original. Let's face it, Ace was everyone's favorite when he was in Kiss - nobody is cooler than ACE. The smoking guitar, the original and screaming lead guitar, the voice, the songwriting...ACE is an extremely talented musician.

This collection of live songs represents some of his best work during the period after his highly publicized departure from one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

Included on this GREATEST HITS LIVE CD with INCREDIBLE LIMITED EDITION 3D cover art, are tracks from the Megaforce days and features members of Ace Frehley's Comet: Anton Fig, John Regan, Ted Howarth and Richie Scarlett with Jamie Oldaker on drums live in London, plus other special guests. Sit back and enjoy Ace Frehley in an atmosphere where he does his best work...LIVE!

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The group KISS took their name from an acronym for 'Knights in Satan's Service.'

From: Snopes.com

If demonic-visaged singer from whose mouth issued both streams of fire and an unbelievably long tongue dripping with blood, playing raucously loud rock 'n' roll to armies of rabidly devoted (and heavily pre-pubescent) fans. It probably didn't take much to convince concerned adults that when these guys decided to use the moniker 'KISS,' they didn't exactly have the innocence of the Crystals' "Then He Kissed Me" or the Beach Boys' "Kiss Me Baby" in mind.

When you factor in that KISS was the first popular band to make a huge lighted backdrop bearing its name an integral part of their stage shows, that KISS was always rendered in all upper case letters (as if it were an acronym), and that the KISS logo employed a lightning bolt font which made the final two letters reminiscent of insignia used by the Nazis' para-military Schutzstaffel (SS) units, maybe you couldn't blame folks for thinking that 'KISS' had a much darker hidden meaning.

But, as KISS bassist Gene Simmons explained in his autobiography, the rumors were . . . just rumors, even if the band didn't exactly go out of its way to discourage them:

. . . misinformation about the band began to spread in the southern Bible Belt states, including a rumor that the name KISS stood for Knights in Satan's Service, and that the four of us were devil worshipers. Ironically, this rumor started as a result of an interview I gave in Circus magazine after our first album; in response to a question, I said that I sometimes wondered what human flesh tastes like. I never wanted to really find out, but I was curious intellectually. Later on, this comment seemed to ignite the whole idea that in some way KISS was aligned with devil worship. When I was asked whether I worshipped the devil, I simply refused to answer for a number of reasons: the first reason, of course, was that it was good press. Let people wonder. The other reason was my complete disregard for the people who were asking. Through the years, whenever religious fanatics accosted me, especially in the southern states, and quoted the Old Testament at me, I would quote them back chapter and verse. They didn't know that I had been a theology major in school. An idiot is an idiot . . . whether he quotes the Bible or not.

So, why did they choose 'KISS'? According to Simmons, the adoption of that name was surprisingly quick and mundane:

One day Paul [Stanley] and Peter [Criss] and I were driving around, brainstorming for new names. I had thought of a few, like Albatross, but I wasn't happy with any of them. At one point -- we were stopped at a red light -- Paul said, "How about KISS?" Peter and I nodded, and that was it. It made sense. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, and since then people have talked about all the benefits of the name: how it seemed to sum up certain things about glam rock at the time; how it was perfect for international marketing because it was a simple word that people understood all over the world. But we just liked the name, and that was that.