News

Slightly off-topic but I will be jumping out of a plane for Born Free Foundation this Saturday (25th). This is my first jump, so far I have raised almost £400 which is much more than I was expecting. If you would like to donate, you can do so over at Just Giving http://www.justgiving.com/pafinn or alternatively text:

'Finn97 £1' to 70070
(works with 1,2,3,4,5 & £10).

I've even had some retweets from Bruce Kulick, Shannon Tweed and Brian Blessed to help get some sponsorship, thanks to everyone who has already sponsored me so far!

From Huffington Post: When this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony airs on HBO Saturday night, Rush, Heart, Public Enemy, Donna Summer and Randy Newman, among others, will be seen joining those already enshrined in the Cleveland museum. But one group that won't be represented, yet again, is the self-proclaimed "hottest band in the world," KISS.

Longtime fans can't believe the group that taught America how to rock and roll all night and party every day still hasn't made the cut. The Huffington Post asked lead singer Paul Stanley if there's hope of a reprieve.

"Well, it depends on who lives longer, us or Jann Wenner," Stanley said, referring to the Rolling Stone editor-in-chief who co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in the mid-1980s.

Fans have a tendency to blame Wenner for the KISS snub. (One brave loyalist even confronted Wenner on the street to demand answers.) But the real obstacle may be journalist Dave Marsh, who plays a key role in the selection process and once told MTV, "Kiss is not a great band, Kiss was never a great band, Kiss never will be a great band, and I have done my share to keep them off the ballot."

Stanley, who has been making the media rounds to publicize the opening of a new branch of his Rock & Brews restaurant chain, questioned the legitimacy of the hall itself.

"Look, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is marketing," he said. "You've got a bunch of faceless people in a back room who trademark a name that sounds very official. Well, if you had thought of it first, you would have been the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Stanley, who turned 61 in January and has been playing with KISS for 40 years, also complained that artists who aren't generally considered rock 'n' rollers keep getting inducted, even as his group keeps getting overlooked.

Read the full article here

There's a competition over at Absolute Radio where you have to vote for your favourite icon - KISS are on their list. Be quick though, it finishes on May 1st.

http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/icons/index.html#comp

There's a brand new KISS tribute album in the works to celebrate the 40th anniversary, it's called A World With Heroes and is being run as a 'pledge' project with a contribution being made to charity.

Please visit here to order the album and make a pledge.

From the site:-

To mark the 40th Anniversary of KISS, we have gathered some of the greatest rock musicians for a KISS tribute album. “A World With Heroes” features unique performances of incredible KISS songs.

All basic tracks will be recorded by these incredible musicians: Eric Brittingham (bass – Cinderella) , Jeff LaBar (guitars – Cinderella) and Troy Lucketta (drums – Tesla).

The vocalists and other artists that will contribute to the CD include: Don Dokken, Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Mark Tornillo (Accept), Terry Ilous (Great White), Bumblefoot (GNR), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Russ Dwarf (The Killer Dwarfs), Ron Young (Little Caesar), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Rex Brown (Pantera, Kill Devil Hill), Dery Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Phil Lewis (LA GUNS), Doro, Tommy Denander, Slaves on Dopes (w/Jason Rockman), Phil Naro (ex-Talas & Peter Criss), Ron Keel, Sean Kelly (Nelly Furtado’s band & Helix) and more to be announced shortly.

Pledge to be a part of this amazing tribute and great cause.

Happy Birthday to Ace Frehley who celebrates birthday number 62 today!

Daily Mail have published an article about Gene buying a new house for Sophie and Nick but at $2,000,000 it was too small for them. In usual style the Daily Mail have waded in with their usual bullshit, Shannon has since replied to them with this:

"Don't worry,the kids are paying for their own house! Sheesh. they have been  renting and now want to buy.We WILL help our kids as I hope you would help yours  but we're not paying,they are.But you have to have credit to get credit so we  will co sign and that's that. they BTW didn't think the house was too small they  thought the yard was too small and would rather have a smaller house with bigger  space for dogs outside. So sue us. Hatesr gonna hate,I guess. Shannon."

Full article here

We may not have had a UK Expo for a few years now, but the 2013 Indianapolis expo is well worth a trip if you're heading out that way - Gene, Bruce & Eric will all be there!

The Indianapolis KISS Fan Expo is excited to celebrate its 15th anniversary  AND the 40th anniversary of KISS at this year's Expo! We are ecstatic to announce a two-day  event on May 11th & 12th with numerous guests spanning all eras of KISStory...the  highlight of which is a pre-expo kickoff event with the Demon himself, Gene  Simmons

On Saturday afternoon, May 11th, the legendary Gene Simmons will host a  spirited question-and-answer session with the fans! You won't want to miss this special appearance! The Gene Simmons pre-expo event is a separate ticketed event with additional ticket options including a photo opportunity for you with Gene! Tickets are limited. This will be Gene's only appearance this weekend.

Saturday nights Expo features former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick and guitarist  Bob Kulick! Both Bruce and Bob have rich histories with KISS and will be  available for autographs and photos throughout the evening. They will also  jam a few KISS classics onstage for your enjoyment!  

Sunday's Expo will feature KISS drummer Eric Singer,and in his first-ever Expo appearance - drummer Kevin Valentine. Kevin was the drummer on KISS' Psycho Circus album. He also recorded demos for Hot in the Shade and a track on the Revenge and albums. (Kevin's also went to high school with Eric Singer!) Fan-favorite KISS tribute band MR. SPEED will also perform.

More details from http://www.getalifeinc.com/

KISS Zin Fire Wine is currently available in the UK from http://www.wineandroll.co.uk - I've been told that for this week only they have a 10% offer putting it at £17.99 a bottle.