By: The Coppola Family

Angelo Coppola, a 9-year old from Macomb Michigan, began playing drums at age 2 when his dad, a musician, bought a drum set. But Angelo didn’t play like most other kids his age, banging away randomly. Instead he would construct beats and patterns even at this early age. When he was 3 he went to his first KISS concert and the band immediately became one of his biggest musical inspirations. Although he often entertained for family and friends, his first public performance was at his school variety show at age 6. He was only in kindergarten! He wowed the audience playing Smash Mouth’s mega-hit “All-Star”. He has performed at every variety show since then performing tunes by Aerosmith and KISS. So, it was extra special when Angelo got to see KISS and Aerosmith on the same bill at Comerica Park, in his hometown Detroit, in 2003. In 2004 his parents sent a tape of Angelo playing “Rock & Roll All Nite” to PAX TV’s “America’s Most Talented Kids”. He soon got a call and was invited to compete on the show. He and his family flew to L.A. in December and Angelo delivered a knock-out performance in full Cat Man make-up and became one of the shows youngest winners ever. Angelo has also found time to entertain for charity events. He enjoys helping others out by doing something he loves. Angelo has a huge repertoire of songs covering a wide variety of musical styles. In addition to his musical career Angelo has appeared in several TV commercials and also has kept busy doing voice parts for radio. He is a straight A student and is a member of the student council. He is a walking encyclopedia on the subjects of KISS, pro wrestling, NASCAR and the NBA. There is a video clip of his performance on AMTK on his site. And, an entire page devoted to KISS!

[Check out his website at www.angelo-coppola.com]

From: KISSOnline.com

JOSEPH E. ROBERT, JR. SPENCER PROFFER, QUINCY JONES, DOC McGHEE and JERRY INZERILLO proudly invite you to: “An American Night of Thanks”

A spectacular night of music and comedy to support the families of troops that have been wounded or have lost their lives in our defense.

The LIVE private military event drew over 44,000 attendees at Camp Pendleton on April 1, 2005. Nationally acclaimed musical artists and a variety of celebrities provided the entertainment, including Cedric the Entertainer (Master of Ceremonies), Destiny’s Child, Godsmack, Hootie and the Blowfish, Jay Mohr, KISS, Louie Anderson, Richie Sambora and Ted Nugent.

Don’t miss your chance to show support for our troops at this One Time Only event ONLY at select Regal, United Artists and Edwards Theatres across the country on Monday, June 27th at 7:00 pm. Brought to you in part by Toyota and Waste Management.

A PORTION OF ALL NET PROCEEDS HAS BEEN PLEDGED TO BENEFIT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH SUPPORT THE CORPS, INC., A TAX EXEMPT, NON PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION." Please visit www.SUPPORTTHECORPS.ORG to participate with us."

DVD & CD Coming Soon via Image Entertainment .

[Get Tickets Here!]

From: Keith Leroux /KISSAsylum.com

Back in INDY and as promised here is a more detailed report of last weekend's NY KISS Expo. Expo attendance was really great, well over 1000 fans. There were a lot of dealers including Peter Arquette/KISS Museum, Warren from the KISS Magazine, Frank's Collectibles, Allen from Cincy and KISSshop. Over 100 tables I would guess. People selling just about everything, old and new, and some dealers selling things they should not have been selling. They learned the hard way. Police entered the event in the early afternoon and raided several dealers. From what I heard they took a few people away in police cars and confiscated all bootleg DVDs and CDs.

Our KISSAsylum/KISSshop tables were in the back corner of the room next to Eric Singer's table. Eric signed autographs throughout the day. He was really accessible, staying for over 6 hours. Joe Lynn Turner and our buddy Karl Cochran had tables next to Eric. Lydia Criss was also there promoting her upcoming book. KISSNation, ZO2, Richie Ranno's All-Star Band and Jaded were also on hand and all performed live later in the day. KISSAsylum's own Russ Dannacker and Jim Rosensteel were on hand too. Chris Kiska and Mac from the Ace camp also stopped by to catch up. Thanks to all of our Asylum friends who came by to say hello!! It was really great seeing our old friends and meeting new ones.

Leaving the expo I had an awkward moment with Wendy Moore though! She stopped me in the hall way and introduced herself and then asked why I wouldn't have her as a guest at my INDY KISS expo. I simply told her the truth. I'm friends with Ace and Ace has always been good to me. It's nothing personal with Wendy. She seems very nice but I just don't want to have any guest who is there promoting something negative. I promote KISS Expos to celebrate KISS, not to knock KISS. I'm not questioning what she has written; I just choose not to read it and certainly not help promote it at my expense. Well back to the weekend...

After dinner Eric, Russ, Rich, Philly, Rich Gagnon, Hiro and I went to the Joe Lynn Turner show at Double D's to see Karl Cochran on lead guitar!! Traveling with Mr. Singer has its perks and we were led up to a private area right above the stage to watch the show (I'm not sure the perks are worth the aggravation - wait that's Bruce - just kidding guys!). We got there just as ZO2 finished their set (Joey -you guys rock- SORRY!). About 15 minutes later, people on the floor were looking up at our area and applauding. Coming up the stairs was ACE FREHLEY! It was great to see Ace. I got a hug and hand shake from Mr. Frehley. I'm happy to report Ace looked and sounded great. What ever he's been doing while out of circulation for the last few years is working! Ace kept asking for Eric who was with Karl in the dressing room. When Eric finally came up stairs, Ace gave him a big hug and I heard that famous Ace laugh.

A few minutes later the band came on and slammed through Rainbow hits like "Stone Cold" and "Street of Dreams" as well as Joe's solo material. The band was really tight. Karl is a ferocious guitar player and Joe has one of the best rock voices ever. On the encore Joe announced that KISS drummer Eric Singer would be sitting in on drums and the crowd went crazy. The band played Grand Funk's "American Band" and Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water". Eric pounded the drums as usual!! It was funny seeing Ace watch Eric play live. You can tell Ace really loves Eric, it's pretty obvious.

After the show we said good-bye to Ace, Mac and Karl and drove Eric back to the hotel. Yet another great KISS weekend (we really need to a get a life, don't we?). Big thanks to Rich Ranno for another great NY KISS Expo!

From: KISSOnline and KISSAsylum

After dinner Eric, Russ, Rich, Philly, Rich Gagnon, Hiro and I went to the Joe Lynn Turner show at Double D's to see Karl Cochran on lead guitar!! Traveling with Mr. Singer has its perks and we were led up to a private area right above the stage to watch the show (I'm not sure the perks are worth the aggravation - wait that's Bruce - just kidding guys!). We got there just as ZO2 finished their set (Joey -you guys rock- SORRY!). About 15 minutes later, people on the floor were looking up at our area and applauding. Coming up the stairs was ACE FREHLEY! It was great to see Ace. I got a hug and hand shake from Mr. Frehley. I'm happy to report Ace looked and sounded great. What ever he's been doing while out of circulation for the last few years is working! Ace kept asking for Eric who was with Karl in the dressing room. When Eric finally came up stairs, Ace gave him a big hug and I heard that famous Ace laugh.

A few minutes later the band came on and slammed through Rainbow hits like "Stone Cold" and "Street of Dreams" as well as Joe's solo material. The band was really tight. Karl is a ferocious guitar player and Joe has one of the best rock voices ever. On the encore Joe announced that KISS drummer Eric Singer would be sitting in on drums and the crowd went crazy. The band played Grand Funk's "American Band" and Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water". Eric pounded the drums as usual!! It was funny seeing Ace watch Eric play live. You can tell Ace really loves Eric, it's pretty obvious.

Lydia Criss, ex-wife of KISS drummer Peter Criss, has unveiled the cover to her long-awaited book "Sealed with a KISS". Scheduled to be released later this year, this Deluxe Hardcover collection contains over 1,500 rare and unpublished photos along with many untold in-depth stories.

[Catch a glimpse of "Sealed with a KISS" currently being previewed at: http://www.lydiacriss.com]

From: Ben, 11 year old KISS Fan

[Check Out Our Art and Add If You Wish]

From: GeneSimmons.com

The Pilot episode of our new show for the fine folks at A&E has just gone to New York to be viewed by everyone. I just watched the first edit and we all love it. I'm very proud of the production.

Leslie Grief, our producer, is also my partner. I brought Leslie on to produce my MR. ROMANCE/Oxygen show, which is about to be picked up for additional episodes. We also have an upcoming NETWORK TELEVISION SERIES we both created and are Exec Producing (although I can't be more specific just yet). Leslie, you may recall, produced the GENE SIMMONS 24/7 A&E Special that was broadcast last year.

GS FAMILY JEWELS, stars myself and the Beautiful Lady to whom I have been Happily UNmarried for almost 22 years, Shannon Tweed... our towering, handsome, young Heir To The Throne, Nick Tweed Simmons...and the future President of the United States and Miss America herself, Sophie Tweed Simmons...and, a host of thousands. Literally.

You'll see how different my life, my home life and my philosophy OF life is to yours. You'll come home with me. And, you'll go with me as I scour the world in my neverending search to make every day above ground a hoot. And, it is!!!

Follow me as I get invited to sit front row, center at the Las Vegas Adult Video Awards (the AVN's)...and well, I'll leave it at that. Wait and see.

Air date to be announced soon.

From: KISSOnline.com - By: Keith Leroux of KISS Asylum

Don't forget the big New York KISS Expo is next weekend. Hope to see a lot of our KISS friends there. Please stop by and say hello. Look for us at Eric Singer's table. We'll have several tables of official merchandise on sale and we will also be selling tour merch sent from our friends over at KISSonline.com!

The 19th Annual NY KISS Expo comes to the Meadowlands Crowne Plaza, Meadowland Pkwy, Secaucus, NJ, Saturday, May 14th, noon to midnight!

This year's guests include:
Eric Singer (drummer for KISS & Alice Cooper!)
Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow/Deep Purple!)
Lydia Criss
Chris Caffery (Trans Siberian Orchestra)

Bands include:
Kiss tribute, KissNation
The Mighty VH tribute, UNCHAINED
Z02 -d for the entire Kiss/Poison 2004 tour!
Richie Ranno's All-Stars - featuring Richie, Dube & George from Starz
Jaded - all-girl, original hard rock band from Boston!

Tickets on sale now! Charge by phone - or at our ticket outlets.

[Ticket outlets can be found by going to our website:]

From: KISSOnline.com

My name is Carlos Espada, bassist for KISS tribute band, New York City's KISSNATION. Recently my Axe bass was stolen from The New Jersey area. This particular bass is unique because I built it myself, from the ground up. It looks exactly like The Gene Simmons Axe Bass, with just a couple of unique features. The blade is somewhat rounder on my bass and there is only one master volume knob, whereas the Gene Simmons Axe has two. I built the bass by hand and it has been with me for almost 4 years. I cannot begin to express how much this bass means to me, but I’m sure that fellow KISS fans and especially fellow musicians can empathize.

About the bass:
It has a bolt on neck.
It has a blank head stock with a crack on the top right side of the head.
The blade of the bass is chipped on the back end of the blade.
It has one master volume knob.
It was in a black gig bag when it was stolen.

Pictures attached with that someone within the KISS fan community might come forward with any information about my axe’s whereabouts. It is my belief that it was most likely stolen and pawned, but I believe that somehow it will work its way back into the KISS community. To anyone who has any knowledge of my bass’ whereabouts, any information would be dearly appreciated. To whoever has current possession of my bass, I will offer a reward for its return…no questions asked.

[E-mail Me With Any Information]

From: KISSOnline.com

Due for release on June 21st by Universal Music:

Chronicles - KISS / Hotter Than Hell / Dressed To Kill

Disc One - KISS
Strutter
Nothin' To Lose
Firehouse
Cold Gin
Let Me Know
Kissin' Time
Deuce
Love Them From KISS
100,000 Years
Black Diamond

Disc Two - Hotter Than Hell
Got To Choose
Parasite
Goin' Blind
Hotter Than Hell
Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll
All The Way
Watchin' You
Mainline
Comin' Home
Strange Ways

Disc Three - Dressed To Kill
Room Service
Two Timer
Ladies In Waiting
Getaway
Rock Bottom
C'mon And Love Me
Anything For My Baby
She
Love Her All I Can
Rock And Roll All Nite

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's brief appearance on "The Howard Stern Show" to promote the DVD release of his "Remedy" movie will air on the E! channel on Tuesday, May 3 beginning at 11:00 p.m. The show will re-air Wednesday morning (May 4) at 2:00 a.m. EST .

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley made a brief appearance on "The Howard Stern Show" on Tuesday (March 29) to promote the DVD release of the "Remedy" movie, which features Frehley in the role of "Johnny." A synopsis of Frehley's appearance on the program, as reported by MarksFriggin.com, follows:

After the break Howard brought in Ace Frehley from the band KISS. Howard said he doesn't know a lot about Ace, but Sal the Stockbroker does. Ace is in a movie called 'Remedy' which is available on DVD. Chuck Zito came walking in before Ace did. Howard was kind of surprised to see him walk in. Ace told Howard about this movie and explained what it's about. Chuck is also in the movie playing a police captain. Howard said that's quite a change for Chuck.

Howard asked Ace if he's in the band right now. Ace said he's not currently touring with them. Howard asked him if he hates Gene Simmons. Ace said he loves Gene and wouldn't say a bad word about the guy. Howard asked him if he thinks they go a little bit overboard with the KISS merchandise. Ace said they do tend to go a little overboard with that stuff. Ace talked about how the band didn't become KISS until he joined. He didn't think that their previous name, WICKED LESTER, would make it. Ace told Howard about his wife and daughter and said that he's one of the happiest guys in the world. He didn't come in to talk about KISS so he sounded kind of bummed out while he was talking about it.

Ace bailed out of the band when they decided to up for a band thatd for them years ago. That band was AEROSMITH. Gary came in after that and said that Ace's manager wanted him to leave because he didn't want him talking about the KISS stuff. Howard said that he hoped he didn't want to offend anyone so he'd give Ace a plug for the movie. . . Howard didn't want to get in anymore trouble with Ace's manager so he gave him a plug for the movie and started to wrap up the segment. Ace told Howard he's working on a movie treatment now that involves motorcycles and aliens. Howard said he'd take a break and find out what he did wrong. Gary came back in and said that the manger told him that they were there to talk about the movie, not about Ace.

Sal the Stockbroker came in dressed up as Ace Frehley in KISS. He told Ace that he got beat up in school because he dressed up like him but he has continued to dress up like him anyway because he's such a great guy. Sal was going off on the rest of the band members and how Ace is KISS and it was his band. After that Howard gave Ace and Chuck another plug for the movie and said you can visit RemedyTheMovie.com to find out more about it.

[Howard's Full Schedule]

From: KISSOnline.com

Hello KISS ARMY!!!!

Well, what can I say? I mean, we never thought it was going to happen, then all of a sudden on Friday night, BAM! There we were being announced..."ALL RIGHT IRAQ...YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST...THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND, KISS ARMY!!!

We were all very nervous, but once theng notes of "Deuce" came out of Tommy Jackson's smoking Jackson Charvel, we knew there was no turning back. It was incredible! Our fellow soldiers didn't know what to think seeing four men in desert uniforms, KISS shirts, and makeup. Being that this was the first show for KISS Army In Iraq, we only played three songs, just to see how the crowd would react. We were expecting a few applause afterwards, but to our surprise, the troops went nuts!

After "Deuce" and before "God of Thunder" we got the crowd hyped up and tossed out the "Rock the Nation" shirts sent to us courtesy of KISS and Mike Brandvold. (Thanks guys!) That just made these soldiers want more. There were camera flashes going off left and right. We kicked into "God of Thunder", no problems, then talked to the crowd some more. It was at this point that I also introduced the band to the soldiers.

Paul Stanley would have been proud. Id "Rock And Roll All Nite" by saying something like, "We all know the National Anthem, but we're gonna play the Rock N Roll National Anthem...So let's Rock and Roll all nite, and party every day!!!" L.G. "Catman" Sweatt was pounding the skins bringing us into "RnR All Nite" and the crowd sang along with us! It was fantastic. We were all on cloud nine that night. I do apologize about not being quicker to write in and let you all know about the show, but, as soon as the show was over, I had to go and clean up and go on a mission THAT NIGHT! It was a long night, I was tired, but dammit it was worth every second of it!

Finally, I want to take a minute to thank everyone involved in KISS Army In Iraq's success...

The men who got this all started, Keith Leroux and Spiro Papadatos, I love you guys. Thank you for everything! Mike Brandvold from KISS Online, you are the man! Next, I want to thank CW4 John Paul King, without you, we wouldn't have had any equipment. CPT Ricky Walters, for being my support. Thank you sir. SSG Brian Thomsen, our sound engineer...If not for him, we would have sounded even WORSE! (LOL) David McBrayer, from Ft Worth, TX. A friend and KISS fan in the truest sense. Thank you David, you are amazing. Finally, I want to thank the fans out there who supported us as a KISS tribute band and as soldiers. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! And to KISS, for giving us the motivation and the awesome music for so many years. (P.S. WE WANT ANOTHER ALBUM AND TOUR!!!) Thanks again to everyone. Stay tuned, as KISS Army In Iraq's domination of the Middle East is only beginning...Also, ladies, feel free to e-mail me!

Peace, love, and Rock And Roll,
Matt Campbell
L.G. Sweatt
Jeff Lakins
Tommy Jackson

Anyone wishing to contact Matt, please email KISSOnline.

From: ContactMusic.com

KISS bassist GENE SIMMONS is teaching children how to rock in an upcoming British TV series - and network bosses are so thrilled with the concept they have already commissioned a second run.

ROCK SCHOOL, which is set to be screened on CHANNEL 4, sees the ANIMALIZE star training young classical music students in the wild ways of rock and roll - culminating in the 13-year-oldsng a show for rock band MOTORHEAD.

But even though the future looks bright for the show, Simmons is not popular with everyone.

Channel 4's entertainment mogul ANDREW NEWMAN says, "If I was to say Gene Simmons wasn't an idiot, I'd be lying."

From: KISSOnline.com/By: Steve Twedt, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/29/05

Even worse than a $7,000,000 judgment against you, you might be going to jail for bootlegging KISS videos. Look what happened to Jeff Smittle.

As news cameras recorded the event, Matcon Diamond equipment operator Dave Bioni drove a 25,000-pound backhoe back and forth over a pile of 11,000 pirated tapes and CDs today near the FBI's offices on South Side.

The event marked the end of one chapter of "Operation Cyber Sweep," a nationwide investigation of computer crimes ranging from software piracy to child pornography.

The tapes and CDs destroyed today, mostly bootlegged live concert recordings, were recovered from the Canonsburg home of Jeffery Smittle, 45, following an investigation that began in January 2002 and included undercover work and controlled buys of recordings.

"He was a significant player," said Bill Shore of the FBI's computer crime squad, noting that the illegal sales were Smittle's primary source of income. Investigators found receipts for more than $200,000 in sales during the past six to eight years but believe Smittle actually made much more from the bootlegging that was never documented.

Because of piracy and bootlegging, Shore said, "the artists are deprived of the royalties from their recordings, the products are inferior and the customers are paying more for them than they would" if they bought them from a legitimate dealer.

One year ago, Smittle pleaded guilty to selling bootlegged recordings of performances by KISS, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen. In July, U.S. District Judge David Cercone sentenced him to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised released.

He also ordered Smittle to pay $120,000 in restitution to the recording industry.

From: Blabbermouth

Epiphone Guitar, Nickelodeon Television, and Company of Kids have partnered on a special promotion for an exciting DVD launch in the Netherlands of "My Dad The Rockstar", an animated television series in which a seven-foot-tall world famous rock star suddenly decides to go into semi-retirement, and moves his family to a house in the suburbs of Silent Springs. Willy, Rock Zilla' s 12-year-old son has only known life in the rock star world, living out of a suitcase, on tour buses and hotels. His lack of exposure to "ordinary life" brings him a whole lot of unexpected challenges living in this small town.

Epiphone will produce a limited amount of "My Dad the Rockstar" Les Paul Special II Guitars featuring the main character "Rock Zilla". "My Dad the Rockstar" cartoon series was created by legendary KISS bassist Gene Simmons and stems from Simmons own family life as a heavy metal dad. The Dutch version of this cartoon series features voice over by popular singer/guitarist Barry Hay from GOLDEN EARRING as the main character, "Rock Zilla".

"We are very excited to be partnering with Nickelodeon on such an inventive promotion," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "The legendary music of Gene Simmons and the sounds of our Les Paul guitar are the perfect match for ' My Dad the Rockstar' ."

From: KISSFreaks

The 3rd annual Cincy KISS Expo was held on Sunday, April 24, in the midst of a freak cold spell that hit the area. No significant bad weather but significant Rock and Roll was served up to hundreds of devoted KISSFREAKS in Ohio.

Vendors started setting up by 6 A.M. to be ready for the line of VIPs that stormed the room at 10. Dealers were representing nothing but the best online stores as well as numerous retail collector shops. Keith Leroux - KISSASYLUM, Spencer's, KISSDUNGEON, KISSFREAKS, and so many others were peddling their wares. New and vintage, rare and bulk, it was there.

The KISS Army was met by Bill Starkey and his second in command Ted Wilson making photographs and signing autographs for the fans. Also at the Expo were authors Gordon Gebert, Bob McAdams and Wendy Moore. Get "KISS AND TELL" Autographed by both Bob and Gordon Here. The Official KISS Magazine sold subscriptions to the masses throughout.

SSG filled the house with ear shattering pure rock and roll and did a set with BRUCE KULICK early in the day. Talk sessions with all the guests were cool. Some approached a little risqué but still were interesting as well as entertaining. Mr. Speed ended the show with their always hard rocking version of a KISS experience that even a die-hard-fan would love. Mr. Speed's Paul made one funny comment on stage that I thought was worth noting, "You came to rock. We are not KISS. We don't pretend to be KISS…" (Where is Eric Singer and a drum crash when you need him following a comment like that?) The Black Diamond Girls made no music but hosted the costume contest. There were more Genes in the contest there than hang in my wife's closet. The contest was entered by a couple dozen fully outfitted and made-up true KISSers. Bill France was the Gene of choice. Allen, the host, took ill early and his lovely wife Karen took charge and pulled off yet another winning KISS event. Lots of door prizes were given to lucky VIP ticket holders. I have only attended a few expos myself, and I must say, if you are a fan, go to the expos. The Expos are in my opinion, a rush, much like you get at a real KISS concert. Don't wait for a tour to get Crazy with KISS, get a genuine KISS experience when it comes to your town. Check out KISSFREAKS for the upcoming KISS Expos and related events.

From: Kulick.net

As you all know I have been busy with trips for Grand Funk, and also was able to appear at the Indianapolis KISS expo with Eric Singer and John Corabi. Great event as we jammed and had some of our friends from Japan there as well to visit the US. You all know the UNION DVD "Do Your Own Thing Live" has arrived and is in stock and please send in your reviews. Everyone is excited about the reaction, and I can't promise anything yet for UNION in the future, but over two hours of us on the DVD should help your curiousity!

[Go Get Your UNION DVD]