This section deserves an introductory note: Through the several KISS websites I have run, Mr. Blackwell's KISS Experience, KISS Audio Trading UK, and the KISS F.A.Q. II-IV, I had often wanted to do a weekly section called KISS Konnections, pulling some of the obscure facts together that might be of interest to fans old and new alike. This section should not be seen as an imitation of Bob Roderick's "KISS Fact Of The Week" at KISS Asylum. I my opinion, that feature was, and remains one of the best features running on the internet KISS community, even to this day when it appears to be going through a period of inactivity. In essence, while there are similarities between the two styles of features, I hope that the konnections I am presenting are structurally different to the Facts Bob does. In addition, I strongly suggest the you visit Bob's feature at http://www.kissasylum.com/trivia.shtml, it's one of my favorites and includes a ton of interesting facts!

Throughout KISStory, and with the number of members KISS have had, there have developed many circles where "things" get connected in odd, obscure and interesting ways. This is the purpose of this feature, KISS Konnections, to map out some of those odd connections, the trivial relationships, the obscure, etc... Remember, this is trivia, so it may get pretty trivial!!

» In 1969 Peter Criss, with his then band Chelsea, recorded a studio album which was produced by Lewis Merenstein. Later, Peter went on to fame as drummer in KISS. However, through this relationship we get another KISS Konnection: In 1979, Paul Caravello (a.k.a. Eric Carr) drummed on his then band's disco studio album, "Lightning", which was also produced by Lewis Merenstein. Thus, both KISS drummers shared the services of the same producer during their pre-KISS careers, a decade apart...

» With the denial of service caused by Paul's refusal to allow Bob Kulick to also perform on Gene Simmon's solo album in 1978, it would seem odd that they shared the services of guitarist Steve Lacey. Steve performed on "Radioactive" on Gene's solo album, and on "Love In Chains" on Paul's...

» Blackjack, one of Bruce Kulick's pre-KISS band, Konnections appear on Paul's solo album: Steve Buslowe, who played bass on 5 tracks on the album, later appeared as a guest on Blackjack's 1980 album "Worlds Apart". Steve had worked with Bruce's brother Bob Kulick on the Meatloaf "Bat Out Of Hell" Tour and Michael Bolotin before 1978...

» Backing-vocalists Maria Vidal, Diana Graselli, and Miriam Naomi Valle on Paul's solo album, were collectively known as Rouge, the then backing band for Desmond Child, with whom Paul would co-write "The Fight" in 1979. Desmond would go on to be a co-writer extraordinaire and write several notable songs with Paul...

» In 1980 Ace became slightly involved in a project with the eccentric Crazy Joe And The Variable Speed band with whom he'd record a song, "Eugene" playing syndrums (and co-producing). Another member of this band was the bassist John Regan, later cornerstone of Frehley's Comet...

» Richie Fontana, the emergency drummer used on KISS' 1979 album "Dynasty", drummed on 4 tracks on Paul's 1978 solo album. Craig Kampf, who also drummed on 4 tracks on Paul's album, and Richie, both went on to work in KISS connected Sean Delaney's Skatt Brothers band in 1979. The Skatt Brothers would release and album on Casablanca, "Strange Spirits", and score a minor hit with "Walk The Night"...

» In 1998 Bruce Kulick recorded and sang on a track called "For You" for a bonus track on the Japanese version of Union's self-titled album. Ironically, in 1979, his then band Blackjack had recorded a Michael Bolton song of the same title for their debut album on Polydor...

» "Hypnotized" the title of a song on Union's 2000 album "The Blue Room" was also the title of a John Corabi era Motley Crue demo that turned up as a B-side on Crue singles and the Quaternary EP. The songs, however, are different...

» Allan Schwartzberg, who drummed on Peter Criss' 1978 solo album, later appeared on one track, "I", on Music From "The Elder", much to the annoyance of Eric Carr. But there's another Konnection: Allan was the session drummer on Gregg Diamond's 1977 "Bionic Boogie" disco project, a band that Eric Carr's then band, Mother Nature/Father Time, were hired to play and appear as in the late-70's...

» In 1983 Vinnie Vincent turned up playing second lead guitar on "Smile" on Was (Not Was)'s "Born To Laugh At Tornados" album. A Konnection on that track is the additional guitarist, Bob Kulick...

» Jeff Glixman, producer of the 1978 Paul Stanley solo album, was also responsible for the production on Eric Singer's pre-KISS and pre-Paul Stanley Solo Band Black Sabbath albums, "Seventh Star" and "Eternal Idol"...

» When Gene and Paul appeared on Lyn Christopher's 1972 album they provided a further KISS Konnection. Lyn was the former Laura Nyro backing-vocalist who embarked on a solo career. In 1978, a future KISS guitarist, appeared on Laura's "Nested" album... A further Konnection from the Lyn Christopher album comes from session drummer on the album, Allan Schwartzberg...

» When Paul Stanley produced the 1979 New England album he also produced a future Konnection with KISS. Three members of that band, Hirsh Gardener, Gary Shea, and Jimmy Waldo, later were members of the band "Warrior", featuring one Vincent J. Cusano...

» Spider, an early 1980's band who had been discovered by Bill Aucoin, featured Holly Knight, who went on to write with Paul Stanley, and Anton Fig, who had drummed on Ace's 1978 solo album and would turn up on albums of his post-KISS career...

» Jimmy Haslip, bassist in Bruce Kulick's pre-KISS band Blackjack, had extensive session experience previous to Blackjack having worked with the likes of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The Konnection: He went on to work with Robben Ford, COTN Session guitarist, and the band Alcatrazz, who included members of New England/Warrior...

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