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This "News" page generally only relates to matters of interest to the KISSFAQ. There's no need to replicate news that can be seen on other KISS websites though many of them are incapable of original reporting. If you use information appearing on this or any other KISSFAQ page, in print (fanzines) or online (directly quoted or rewritten), please have the courtesy to say where it came from. If printing in fanzines, I'd love a copy sent to the KISSFAQ PO Box. Should you want official announcements please visit the band's official website at: KISSONLINE.COM.








Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:08:33 AM - KISSology Vol. 3 on the charts...
KISSology Vol. 3 remains at #15 on the Billboard Music Video charts this week.

Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:08:33 AM - Peter Criss on Radio Reality Check ...
Original KISS drummer and "Cat" Peter Criss is scheduled to appear of Radio Reality Check tonight. This show broadcasts live and streaming on the web, "from the Northern California studios of KZYX (88.3 / 90.7 / 91.5 FM dial)"

Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:08:33 AM - Ace Frehley in Atlantic City!
Ticketmaster currently has an added Ace Frehley show in Atlantic City, NJ on April 3. Also on the bill are Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer. Rick, of course, played on KISS' "Lick It Up" performing the guitar solo on "Exciter." Should be a more than excellent show if it goes off with those acts! And while we're talking about Ace so much at the moment, check out this raw backstage video footage of Ace from 1997!


Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:08:33 AM - KISS "In Concert" DVD Release...


In Japan, due for release on 2/15, is what appears to be an unofficial and unsanctioned "live" CD/DVD compiling material from Detroit 1976, Sydney 1997, Las Vegas 1999, and New York 2003. Issued by Dutch company Immortal {IMA104124(CD)/IMM940136(DVD)} the CD/DVD apparently features:

01. Shout It Out Loud
02. Lick It Up
03. Strutter
04. Shandi
05. Firehouse
06. C'mon And Love Me
07. Detroit Rock City
08. I Want You
09. She
10. Love Gun
11. 100,000 Years
12. Ladies In Waiting
13. Nothin' To Lose
14. God Of Thunder
15. Black Diamond
16. Rock And Roll All Nite

KISSFAQ Says: I'd not be surprised were this release not to happen, or to be dreadful quality, or to not be what it was described as. However, I've been wrong about licensed material before (The Russian solo reissues) so who knows... It just seems about as good as the River Plate '99 DVD.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 4:34:26 AM - It was 35 years ago tonight...
t was 35 years ago tonight that KISS took to a public stage for the first time, playing the first of three nights at The Coventry. According to legend, KISS had been booked into their first show while still called Wicked Lester. The club, known as "Popcorn Pub" was renamed "The Coventry" the Tuesday night KISS played their show which consisted of two sets. Essentially, no one came to the show, nor were the band wearing their full trademark make-up. There was no fire-breathing, no Bill Aucoin, no Sean Delaney choreography, just a band hungry for success... The first song they played that night? Deuce.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:55:07 PM - Canadian releases...
"The Best Of KISS" was released in Canada today. This "Green Series" is a digipak version of the Universal Masters release from 2003 (Universal 0075305049). The unofficial "KISS Loves You" DVD will be released via MVD/CONVEYOR (MVDV4648) on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Opinions vary.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:55:07 PM - "Top Ten American Stadium Rock Bands"...

The dreadful (from my perspective) Channel 4 (UK) "Top Ten American Stadium Rock Bands" rockumentary, from years ago, featuring KISS is currently on YouTube. As Bruce once said, "Edit me out, EDIT ME OUT," not "Edit me badly."

Thursday, January 24, 2008 7:04:20 PM - KISSology Vol. 3 on the charts...
KISSology Vol. 3 drops 5 places to #15 on the Billboard Music Video charts this week. We've also updated the KISSFAQ Video Charts, HERE.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 3:28:44 PM - More Antipodean tourdates?
Looks like Andrew McManus Presents may have KISS booked for more than light F1 entertainment:

March 16 - 2008 Grand Prix, Melbourne
March 18 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
March 20 - Acer Arena, Sydney

KISS will also be performing at the ROCK 2 Festival in Wellington, New Zealand on March 22. Hopefully additional dates to follow.

Some other rumored dates include (please note, RUMORED. That means NOT CONFIRMED, and until so, UNLIKELY):

May 30 - Stokholm, Sweden
May 24 - Moscow, Russia
May 26 - Tallinn, Estonia
May 28 - Helsinki, Finland
June 13 - Download Festival, England

Again, we'll have to wait an see whether any of those European dates get officially booked and/or take place.

Sunday, January 20, 2008 - Happy Birthday Paul...
The KISSFAQ wishes Paul Stanley a very happy birthday! Every day is the first day of the rest of your life, so enjoy!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:46:49 AM - Ace's solo album...
After his mini tour in December, Ace's band is due back in the studio imminently to finish recording his first solo album since "Trouble Walkin'" in 1989. Some song titles that may (or may not) turn up in conjuntion with this album are "Pain In The Neck," "The King Is Kong," and "You Make It Hard For Me." That title dates back to a 1985 Ace Frehley/Marty Kupersmith composition that was released on Marty's 1997 album "It'll Come To You." However, during the "Psycho Circus" era back with KISS Ace wrote a song with the same title with Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row). Intended (at one point) to be included on the "Psycho Circus" album, having apparently made it so far as to attain the approval of producer Bruce Fairbairn, the song was eventually dropped, so there may be a bit of recycling with this one. If the song does get release on Ace's album, then Sebastian should be pleased! "The King Is Kong" also seems reminiscent of a certain pre-KISS band of Ace's: "King Kong," but at this point... Who knows! Naturally, these titles are unconfirmed, and anyway if they're correct they could be changed or even dropped from prospective use.

Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:20:51 AM - Paul's "Sarah Brightman" sample...
You can hear a sample of Paul Stanley's duet with Sarah Brightman, HERE. Sarah's "Symphony" album is due to be released on January 29 via Manhattan Records. Paul guests on "I Will Be With You (Where The Lost Ones Go)."

Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:00:59 PM - "Baby Driver" Country Cover...
Country / Southern Rock musician Chris Davis has a fantastic cover of "Baby Driver" up on his Myspace page, HERE. Check it out, and the other music too!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008 4:44:27 AM - More Ace Tour Dates...
According to TicketMaster (UK) Ace Frehley will be performing a show at London's Astoria on April 11, 2008. If this show does take place, it'll mark Ace's first show (and only second ever) in the UK since March 19, 1988 when he played the Hammersmith Odeon! UK Rock Soldiers, perhaps there is hope!

According to Ticketmaster solo dates are slowly starting to go on sale, and dates are being moved around/added:

Wed, 2/20/08 - Rams Head Live! - Baltimore, MD
Fri, 2/22/08 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GA
Sat, 2/23/08 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Sun, 2/24/08 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Tue, 2/26/08 - Pop's - Sauget, IL
Thu, 2/28/08 - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
Fri, 2/29/08 - Bear's Den Showroom, Seneca Niagara Casino - Niagara Falls, NY
Sat, 3/1/08 - Bear's Den Showroom, Seneca Niagara Casino - Niagara Falls, NY
Mon, 3/3/08 - Metropolis - Montreal, Quebec
Tue, 3/4/08 - Theatre Capitole - Quebec City, Quebec
Wed, 3/5/08 - Kool Haus - Toronto, Ontario
Fri, 3/7/08 - Soaring Eagle Casino - Mt. Pleasant, MI
Sat, 3/8/08 - The Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI
Sun, 3/9/08 - Emerald Theater - Mt. Clemens, MI
Tue, 3/11/08 - Fargo Theatre - Fargo, ND
Wed, 3/12/08 - The Garrick Centre - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fri, 3/14/08 - Flames Central - Calgary, Alberta
Sat, 3/15/08 - Edmonton Events Centre - Edmonton, Alberta
Mon, 3/17/08 - Wilma Theater - Missoula, MT
Tue, 3/18/08 - Big Easy - Spokane, WA
Wed, 3/19/08 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Fri, 3/21/08 - Grand Ballroom, Regency Center - San Francisco, CA
Sat, 3/22/08 - House Of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Mon, 3/24/08 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Tue, 3/25/08 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Wed, 3/26/08 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Fri, 3/28/08 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Sat, 3/29/08 - Rushmore Civic Theater - Rapid City, SD
Mon, 3/31/08 - Voodoo Lounge @ Harrah's Casino - Kansas City, MO
Tue, 4/1/08 - House Of Blues - Chicago, IL
Thu, 4/3/08 - House of Blues - Atlantic City, NJ
Fri, 4/4/08 - Nokia Theater - New York City, NY
Fri, 4/11/08 - Astoria Theatre, London, England
Sat, 4/12/08 - TBD, Sheffield, England

It appears the tour is being put together, so expect more dates and possible routing changes. Ace's touring band is expected to include Derrek Hawkins (Guitar), Anthony Esposito (Bass), and Scot Coogan (Drums).

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 8:32:17 AM - Ace Frehley's "Rocket Ride" Tour Stats 2007/8...


KISSFAQ has tracked KISS' live performance statistics in detail since 2002. And Paul Stanley's solo tour 2006-7. Now we're pleased to add Ace Frehley's "Rocket Ride" Tour Stats 2007/8 (click the above graphic, or access off the main page of the KISSFAQ site). We'll be tracking set lists and other information of interest. And YOU can help!

The KISSFAQ needs the following Ace Frehley specific info:
- Any corrections to sets.
- Additional press links.
- Decent photos, videos, etc.
- Last performance date of "Snowblind" in 1994/5?
- Last performance date of "Shot Full Of Rock" in 1994/5...
- Last performance date of "Stranger In A Strange Land" in 1995 (or at some other time)...

If you can help, TIA. If not, enjoy. And catch an Ace in your neighbourhood (if yer lucky)...

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:47:30 AM - Blast from the past: Early KISS review!
(From FM Legacy) Here's a review of one of KISS' early 1974 shows:

"I saw the bogus Mac headline a gig with a brand new band called Kiss (yes that Kiss) and a band called Silverhead at the Academy of Music in New York City on January 26, 1974. It was a long long long night with equipment and personnel delays galore. 3/4 of the nowhere-near-sold-out crowd had taken up Academy management's offer of a refund an hour before before whatever it was that billed itself as Fleetwood Mac took the stage.

Silverhead was embarrassingly awful. DesBarres took off his shirt and entered the audience, not just down the Academy catwalks but actually into the aisles exhorting people to clap, and people were booing lustily "you suck" right into his face. He looked shocked and hurt and I felt sorry for him. There was then a long delay before Kiss came on. We had no idea who or what they were; this was one of their first NY appearances. And then there they were, full make-up and outfits, with this huge pyrotechnic show-- it just totally blew everyone's heads off-- it could not have been more unexpected and man, did they rock! One of those rare moments where the clouds part and the finger comes down and you walk away wondering what the fuck did I just witness?

And then the loooooong wait. At least a couple of hours. And it was raining so you couldn't go outside. The crowd never really got rambunctious though. For a while people were still all jazzed by that Kiss thing we had just seen, and then the adrenaline and the drugs and just general interest in the enetrtainment event all wore off and many in the crowd started snoozing.

Management would get on the p.a. every so often and promise the show would be starting shortly, but the band's gear had been stolen, or lost, or some similar bullshit, and then they had to go find the musicians who had supposedly wandered off into the NY night while waiting for the equipment. And eventually they just offered a full refund for those who wanted to leave. Me and my buddies hung out though with maybe a hundred other hardy stoned teenagers. And we didn't even really know or care much about Fleetwood Mac; all we had heard was that they were this legendary british blues outfit and since Clapton wasn't touring in those days we figured maybe this was the poor man's version. Of course we didn't know that Peter Green was no longer in the band and that it was the bogus band.

Anyhow, they eventually took the stage saying their singer/guitar was sick and somebody else as well-- might have been the drummer? They apologized profusely for the delay and promised that though they had no vocals they would "boogie" as long as they'd let them hold the stage. (Which in those days was past dawn if they wanted-- Hot Tuna would regularly bring the sun up at the Academy.) They didn't. I don't remember much of their show except that it wasn't enough reason to have waited the whole goddamned night for it...

However to this day I tell kids how I saw Kiss when no one knew who they were and that they were great..."

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:47:30 AM - KISSOLOGY III Chart Action...
Even with its strong debut, selling 54,048 units during the first week of release, "KISSOLOGY VOL. 3" only charted on Billboard's "Top Music Video" Chart at #3. In its second week the video dropped to #8 with a chart crowded with strong competition and holiday sales.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:47:30 AM - Ace to debut new material?
(From Buffalo News) "Ace Frehley, legendary original lead guitarist with New York City glam rockers Kiss, will make a rare Western New York appearance as a solo artist when he brings his band to the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel on Feb 29. The show was announced this afternoon in a release from the casino.

Frehley, whose "Space Ace" persona during his Kiss tenure made him the hero to a few generations of guitarists-in-waiting, will perform inside the Seneca Niagara's intimate Bear's Den. During the performance, the guitarist and his band will debut tunes from a forthcoming album, Frehley's first outside of the confines of Kiss in nearly 20 years.

Tickets for the event -- which, considering the size of both the venue and the Frehley mythos, are sure to vanish quickly -- will go on sale at noon Monday. They're priced $30 and will be available at the Eight Clans Gift Shop in the casino, all Ticketmaster locations, through www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 852-5000."

Saturday, January 05, 2008 10:36:58 PM - Ace Tour Shaping Up!
According to TicketMaster (UK) Ace Frehley will be performing a show at London's Astoria on April 11, 2008. If this show does take place, it'll mark Ace's first show (and only second ever) in the UK since March 19, 1988 when he played the Hammersmith Odeon! UK Rock Soldiers, perhaps there is hope!

According to Ticketmaster solo dates are slowly starting to go on sale, and dates are being moved around/added:

Fri, 2/22/08 - Center Stage - Atlanta, GA
Sat, 2/23/08 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Sun, 2/24/08 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Tue, 2/26/08 - Pop's - Sauget, IL
Thu, 2/28/08 - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
Fri, 2/29/08 - The Bear's Den at Seneca Niagara Casino, Niagara Falls, NY
Sun, 3/9/08 - Emerald Theater - Mt. Clemens, MI

Fri, 4/11/08 - Astoria Theatre, London, England

It appears the tour is being put together, so expect more dates and possible routing changes. Ace's touring band is expected to include Derrek Hawkins (Guitar), Anthony Esposito (Bass), and Scot Coogan (Drums). Ace rang in the new year with a show at the Croc in Allentown, PA. The set featured:

Rip It Out
Hard Times
Parasite
Snowblind
I Want You (Partial)
Rock Soldiers
Shot Full Of Rock
Into The Void
Breakout
Stranger In A Strange Land
Strange Ways
New York Groove
Shock Me (w/ guitar solo)
Rocket Ride
Deuce
Love Her All I Can
Love Gun
Black Diamond Outro

Monday, December 31, 2007/ Tuesday January 1, 2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we look back on 2007 as KISS fans we've been treated to two installments of KISSology, Paul has toured Australia, Peter has released a solo album, Gene has done more TV and such, and Ace has returned to the stage. KISS played a few dates, for which recordings have circulated. And associated members have continued doing their thing too.

For better or worse, there are things still happening with a band that has reached the grand old age of 35. While there are positives and negatives to anything in life, we should in everything appreciate what we have had, rather than complain about what we perceive we should or could have had.

In a year that saw the loss of another member of the KISS family, one can only hope that 2008 is a year of health and happiness for all members of KISS past and present, and their fans.

I'd like to thank the moderators for the fantastic job they did in 2007, and ALL OF THE VISITORS TO THE KISSFAQ message board who contributed positively to the community.

Happy New Year to all!
...

Monday, December 31, 2007 7:35:26 AM - KISS Concertology Updated
The KISSFAQ "KISS Concertology, 2002-7" has been updated to include Ace's "Rocket Ride" tour. The Adobe PDF can be downloaded, HERE...

Saturday, December 29, 2007 8:30:35 AM - Ace in Springfield (Night 2)
Ace's set at Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, VA. Only a couple of minor changes to the set last night:

Rip It Out
Hard Times
Parasite
Snowblind
I Want You
Rock Soldiers
Shot Full Of Rock
Into The Void
Breakout
Stranger In A Strange Land
Strange Ways
New York Groove
Shock Me
Rocket Ride
Love Her All I Can
Love Gun
Cold Gin
Black Diamond outro
Deuce

Ace rocks the The NorVA in Norfolk, VA tonight...


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The "Way Back" Machine...

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