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. 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.
Sunday, December 28, 2003 6:46:38 AM - This is the year that was...
This is the year that was. Fans have their own opinions concerning what KISS did and didn’t do in 2003, so I’m going to concentrate on the more historical and musical things to come to light in 2003. Song descriptions come from the unpublished "KISS & Related Recordings Focus: Music! The Songs, The Demos, The Lyrics, And Stories!" due to be published in early-2004.
January – Mark St. John releases his first full-length instrumental CD, "The Magic Bullet Theory." The recordings feature his brother, and former White Tiger and Silent Rage bassist, Mark Norton. The album is tough to get a hold of until March.
February – early Vinnie Vincent recording "Happy Birthday USA" from 1976 surfaces:
31.08. Happy Birthday U.S.A. (Cashmir/LeCoux, 1976)
31.09. The Exorcism Of Kazcnyz (Cashmir/LeCoux, 1976)
On what may be Vinnie’s first professional recordings, Vinnie would team with David Wolff to write a novelty song in honor of the American bicentenial celebration of 1976. David would later be the manager and partner of Cyndi Lauper. The song, released as the A-side of a Phantom Records single (HB-10579), would be written by Wolff and Cusano though was creditted to their psyudonyms of Kid Cashmir (David) and Winnie LeCoux (Vinnie). According to Vinnie, "in 1975 I had a record deal. One shot single on Windfall Records. One shot. It was called ‘Happy Birthday U.S.A.’ It was a rock ‘n roll Bicentennial song. And his manager Bud Prager heard the song I did and said, ‘Ah man, I’ve got to put this out.’ And you know I was real... I had no experience. And Mick Jones was the second guitarist for Leslie West at the time" (REH ProTalk w/ Steve Rosen, 1988). While Vinnie would play lead guitar and share vocals on the A-Side, he would not be involved in the writing of the B-side, "The Exorcism of Kazcnyz." That song would be written by Ed Sprigg, the producer of the tracks, and "Kid Cashmir." The song is performed as if it were a live recording.
February – KISS’ cover recording of the Ramones’ "Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio" is released on "We're A Happy Family - A Tribute To The Ramones".
56.03. Do You Remember Rock And Roll Radio (KISS, 2002)
KISS’ contribution to their first tribute project which was being organized by Rob Zombie. According to Paul, "I frequently run into Johnny Ramone and about a month ago he told me about The Ramones tribute album and asked if we would participate. I can remember our club days and seeing Joey Ramone standing a head above everyone else! Having come after us, we certainly can’t say we were influenced by them, but they were from New York and this seemed like a fun project. Gene, Eric and I recorded a track called ‘Rock N Roll Radio.’ We used a big saxophone section done by Scott Paige who tours with Pink Floyd and Derek Sherinian on piano, you may remember him from playing keys on the Revenge tour. Gene and I trade off vocals, and I have to say this is as cool and kick ass as it gets!" (KISS Online "Paul Speaks"). This song features Gene and Paul trading off lead vocals and with the sax and keyboards presents a KISS sound unlike any yet heard. The band would be a late addition to the tribute album. The Ramones tribute album "We’re A Happy Family" would be released February 2003. Additionally, the track would be included on the single-CD version of "KISS Symphony: Alive IV" released in September 2003.
February – KISS record "Symphony: Alive IV" with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. A promotional televison appearance on the Rove show features the band performing "Sure Know Something" with the MSO ensemble. This recording quickly starts circulating...
March – Bruce Kulick releases his second solo album, "Transformer," featuring a mix of instrumentals and songs with Bruce singing.
April – 10 perfect sound-quality Gene Simmons produced Van Halen demos surface.
June - Gene publishes his "Sex Money KISS" book and includes to "Revenge" era demos on the audio CD lunchbox edition.
44.17. Your My Reason For Livin' (Gene Simmons, 1992)
An unused track dating from the "Revenge" era, this song would finally be released in demo format as part of Gene's audio CD lunch-box for "Sex Money KISS" in 2003. According to Jesse, the song demo was "recorded sometime between 1991-93. Around 10 years ago. I absolutely thought it was a smash hit, not our demo, I mean the song itself, the chorus 'You're My Reason For Livin,' say's it all" (JG). Whatever the case the song is stylistically similar to material Gene would later record, notably "Journey Of 1,000 Years" for the "Psycho Circus" album and can be seen as being a laterday "Great Expectations." Running to 4:23 this very atmospheric piece is keyboard laden before becoming acoustic. While the piece does become a full blown electric piece it includes some great lyric lines: "Can't feel the pain / And that's a start / But the first time I saw your face / Was the last time I saw my heart."
June - Capitol reissues "Vinnie Vincent Invasion" and "All Systems Go" for the first time in the United States. Both albums had previously been reissued in the UK on Zoom Club records.
October - KISS "The Lost Concert '76" DVD is released featuring parts of a 1976 concert in Jersey City, which includes a rare US performance of "Flaming Youth". Also included on the DVD is the band's 1974 appearance on "The Mike Douglas Show" with the performance of "Firehouse".
September - Alice Cooper releases a new studio album, "The Eyes Of Alice Cooper," with Eric Singer on drums. This back-to- basics album was essentially recorded live in the studio with minimal overdubs.
November - Italian rock artist Catena releases "Freak Out" which includes two KISS related performances. "The Stronger You Are The Harder You Fall" features Bruce on guitar and Eric Singer on drums. Chuck Wright provides bass. Bruce also plays a solo on "Freak Out Tonight" a duet by Glenn Hughes and Chris Catena...
December - 2 fully produced Creation (Eric Carr's pre-KISS band) recordings, "I'm So Lonely" and "Something Tellin' Me" surface... «Post A Comment»
Saturday, December 27, 2003 4:23:43 PM - New KISS Related Find
Something Tellin' Me
A final bit of audio for the year. It seems Eric Carr's pre-KISS band Creation released a single! While both of the songs circulate on Eric-related bootlegs, and one of the tracks was issued on the "Tale Of The Fox", both of these recordings, taken from the 7" single are fully-produced recordings... «Post A Comment»
Thursday, December 25, 2003 5:12:57 AM - Merry Kissmas!
The KISSFAQ wishes everyone a very happy Hanukkah, Christmas, and general seasons greetings! «Post A Comment»
Saturday, December 20, 2003 - Happy Birthday Peter Criss!
The KISSFAQ wished Peter Criss a very happy birthday! «Post A Comment»
Friday, December 19, 2003 7:34:42 AM - Joe Perry joins KISS on stage again
Joe joined KISS on stage in Los Angeles to perform "Stutter" again last night. «Post A Comment»
Monday, December 15, 2003 5:06:33 AM - KISS Get A Dose Of The Jams With Joe Perry
Screamin' Joe Perry, lead guitarist with Aerosmith, joined KISS onstage last night, at their show in Oklahoma City, for a rockin' rendition of "Strutter". That song hadn't been performed by KISS on this tour since the the Tweeter Center show in Boston, on Aug. 27, 2003. Additionally, Joe was wearing a pair of Paul's platform boots, and would later use one of Paul's "Mirrored" guitars during a song ("Last Child?") in Aerosmith's set. Totally KISStoric! «Post A Comment»
Thursday, December 12, 2003 - Happy Birthday Bruce Kulick
The KISSFAQ wishes Bruce a very happy 50th birthday! «Post A Comment»
Tuesday, December 09, 2003 8:24:11 AM - Proof-readers wanted
Want an advance read of the new "KISS & Related Recordings Focus: Music! The Songs, The Demos, The Lyrics, and Stories" which is due to be published in January 2004? I'm looking for a few good men and women, with an eye for detail, to give parts of the manuscipt a read and offer feedback and comments. Interested in proofing the next section of manuscript, email me and persuade me. I'll get back to you shortly... «Post A Comment»
Thursday, December 04, 2003 7:28:35 AM - KISS "Symphony" DVD Double-Platinum!
The KISS "Symphony" DVD was certified by the RIAA as 2X Platinum in the United States on December 2. Because the DVD was a double set it indicates sales of 100,000 copies. According to the RIAA database, this title is KISS' first multi-platinum video award. KISS now have 9 Gold and 6 Platinum video awards... «Post A Comment»
Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:27:58 AM - FAQ Unloading some domain names
Never did have the chance to develop sites with the URL's I bought, so I'm unloading the following domains: www.eric-carr.com, www.peter-criss.com, www.ace-frehley.com, and www.vinnie-vincent.com. If interested in owning one of these, email the webmaster and let's see if we can work something out... «Post A Comment»
Monday, December 01, 2003 8:52:34 AM - Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine Kaput?
Well, after 5 issues, Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine has been put on "hiatus". According to the magazine's publisher, Allen Tuller, "at this time we are no longer taking subscriptions for Gene Simmons Tongue. As you probably know, Gene is on tour with Aerosmith and the tour has been extended indefinately. With this in mind, we felt it was only fair to go on hiatus until Gene is ready and able to devote the attention to GST that he feels is worthy of the quality magazine we are proud to publish. Gene is involved in the publication of the magazine on a day-to-day basis and the tour schedule simply does not allow sufficient time right now to devote to the publishing of the next issue of GST" (genesimmonstongue.com...
This seems totally at odds with Gene's postings concerning other projects on his own website, genesimmons.com: In the past month Gene has been to China, where "my partners and I were developing two theme parks, a film studio, two film projects, a city center and a beach resort. All of this sounds larger than life and it is!!! The Chinese government has been very supportive and we thank them for their forward thinking attitude". He's working on another animated project which is due to go into production soon. "SIMMONS RECORDS is about to sign its first recording act". AND, Gene's solo album is due to be released in early Spring 2004. Reports also indicate that the KISS/Aerosmith tour will not continue past December 2003, with both bands heading out on tour in 2004 separately. From the looks of things (Note: this is an opinion, not declaration of fact), it would appear that other Gene projects have taken over his time rather than the magazine... «Post A Comment»
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