News

From Classic Rock:
Gene Simmons is to host this year’s Classic Rock Roll Of Honour. And the musician to be given the coveted Living Legend award has also been revealed. Who is it? Read on…
 
Jeff Beck will follow in the footsteps of such greats as Jimmy Page, Lemmy, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop and Ozzy Osbourne in being recipient of this honour.
 
Says Beck: “The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour has always been about great music that inspires and excites others. To be named as a ‘Living Legend’ amongst so many fantastic musicians is an honour. When I was a 6 year old boy I heard Les Paul’s ‘How High the Moon’ over the radio and from that moment on I knew that I wanted to play the guitar and make music. That moment has led me to where I am today. Rock music continues to evolve and its great how established acts inspire the upcoming bands and vice versa, producing more and more great music. I am proud to be a small part of this”.
 
Simmons will host the event at The Roundhouse in London on Wednesday, November 9. And he’s clearly looking forward to it.
 
“On that momentous occasion, the planets will align, living legends will gather to honour their own and London will become the centre of the rock & roll universe. It’s one thing being a voracious and loyal reader of Classic Rock, but it’s another to be in the same room as the people who have inspired me to stop flipping burgers and jump up on stage and have a go at it myself.”

Full article @ Classic Rock:  bit.ly/qOFUTd

You may remember a few months back I ran an article asking for your pictures from the Islington show for a brand new book? Well this morning the finished article dropped through my letterbox and I have to admit this is one amazing book! Vance Kent has pieced together hundreds of photographs of the show all from fans without a professional photographer in sight. If you were there then you really need to own a copy of this to remember one of the most special UK shows KISS have ever performed. This is Vance's first attempt at producing his own book and he's done a great job, quality of the print is outstanding, initial print run has been kept very small to keep costs down so I recommend getting in quick if you don't want to wait. Well done to Vance on producing this & also to all the fans who contributed photos it was great to see a lot of familiar names credited. Finally, big thanks to Vance for using one of my photos and mentioning the site!

The book can be ordered from Vance's site here: http://kissrocksislington.moonfruit.com/ here's the official blurb:-

"It is March 2nd 2010. The Hottest Band In The World are playing a pre-tour warm up gig at the O2 academy, Islington . The smallest venue KISS have played in over 20 years, packed with 500 fans and 300 entertainment industry freeloaders. It really does " Fit Like A Glove " !! For the fans lucky enough to attend this show , the word " Surreal " was being defined and captured on a myriad of camera's, mobile phones and pocket video cams... Digital files that are now taking up space on hard drives , accessed occasionally to prove to ourselves this actually happened and " I WAS THERE ". Now for the first time you can see many of these previously unpublished images , all fan shot... No Pro photography here .. 138 page photographic account in full colour."

Calling all KISS fans! What can you bring to the dealing room?

TV Production Company Fever Media are seeking KISS fans to sell their valuables to our team of Dealers in a brand new TV format for an international TV network. 

Some of the biggest players in the worlds of antiques, collectables and pawnbroking will be spending their own cash on ANYTHING of value. They’ve got thousands to spend and they want to spend BIG. 

In this brand new international TV format, members of the public will try and sell their valuables to our panel of high-flying international dealers for big money. One by one our sellers will enter the dealers’ space and try to get the best deal for their prized possession. Whether it’s a diamond ring, an antique vase, or a DeLorean car, nothing is too big or too small. 

Fever Media are after any KISS memorabilia or fascinating items that members of the public think our Dealers may be interested in buying, or any family heirlooms that you think may be worth something. Have you got a flying V Gibson guitar? Do you own a stage worn Gene Simmons jumpsuit? Do you have a signed copy of KISS Destroyer? If so we want to know. 

Filming is taking place in October but Fever are looking to speak to people now! 

If you want to start a bidding war between the Dealers and make a tidy profit, don’t hesitate to get in touch! CALL 020 7428 5756 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details!

Happy Birthday to Mr Simmons, a young 62 years old today!

KISS got a quick mention on Radio 1 Newsbeat yesterday regarding the Michael Jackson tribute "Rock group KISS were due to play but were cancelled after negative comments about Michael from one of the band members". Sounds like the concert is in big trouble, so to be honest probably best that KISS aren't going anymore...

Apparently KISS' performance at the Michael Jackson tribute show is cancelled due to the huge number of MJ fans who have complained about it. It seems they weren't happy about Gene's comments about Michael a few days after his death... surpirse surprise. To be honest this is probably a good move, I seriously think they would have been booed off stage if they had gone ahead with it. How about a UK show to make up for it guys?

The following article is from today's Express: http://bit.ly/pwqNOq

KISS DRAW CONTROVERSY OVER ADDITION TO JACKSON TRIBUTE SHOW

Rockers KISS have signed up to perform at a tribute concert for MICHAEL JACKSON - a year after bassist GENE SIMMONS publicly suggested the King of Pop was a paedophile in a magazine interview.

Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert is due to take place on 8 October (11) in Cardiff, Wales, with KISS joining Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis and Smokey Robinson among the acts on the bill.
 
But Monday's (15Aug11) announcement has stirred controversy because Simmons was openly critical of Jackson when he spoke to Classic Rock Magazine last year (10).
 
During the interview, the bassist said, "No matter what my fond memories and fond images of Michael were, with one allegation of paedophilia after another and another and another?Oh dear... The only sexual references ever made about Michael Jackson that were made by anyone, anywhere around the world, have always been made by kids, and specifically males usually 10 to 14 years of age; never females, that age or older, and never grown men."
 
Jackson was famously acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005 after a highly-publicised five month trial.
 
The concert is being organised by Jackson's mother, Katherine, and has nothing to do with the late superstar's estate executors.

According to CNN KISS are signed up to play in a tribute concert to Michael Jackson at the Millennium in Wales! Now the weird bit, they are on the same line up as JLS, Craig David and Christina Aguilera!!

Taken from: http://bit.ly/rbzCsf

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The legendary rock band KISS signed up to pay tribute to Michael Jackson in an October concert that will also headline Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green and JLS, the promoters told CNN Monday.

Other major artists may be announced soon to round out the roster of acts for "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert" in Cardiff, Wales, according to promoter Global Live Events.

Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the musical family, appeared on CNN Monday to discuss the show, which will also includes performances by her children and grandchildren.

It appeared unlikely the October 8 concert would be the scene for a Jackson 5 reunion, since two of the brothers, Jermaine and Randy, have publicly objected to the show being held at the same time Michael Jackson's doctor is on trial for his death.

"We want to make clear that this does not reflect the position of the entire family," the two brothers said in a joint statement after their mother and four siblings endorsed the show.

Paul Stanley is a dad again at 59! His wife Erin gave birth yesterday in LA to a daughter called Emily Grace. According to HollyBaby.com Paul has been quoted saying “Erin and I are once again blessed with the addition of Emily Grace to our family, I’m not sure she can sing but her first screams let me know she’s definitely Daddy’s girl.”.

Congrats to them both!

Gene Simmons has finally proposed to Shannon Tweed! After several episodes of Familiy Jewels showing them arguing over his past, Gene got on one knee and popped the question! Hmmmm, I seem to remember predicting that the big finale of this series would be a wedding, maybe that will be the next series! There's a video available at TMZ http://bit.ly/r7qooE

From ology.com: http://bit.ly/oGYxoi

I knew he would come around eventually! Gene Simmons, KISS frontman and star of the reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, has finally proposed to his longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed. The shocking proposal is here, courtesy of TMZ, and will air on tonight's season finale at 10pm on A&E. But will she say yes? Recently, the couple has been seen on talk shows acting like they're on the verge of a breakup, not marriage.

On the current season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the couple's kids, Sophie, 19, and Nick, 22, are off to college while the parents are left wondering where their relationship stands. After being together 28 years with no ring in sight, Shannon starts to reconsider this seemingly open relationship.

In a June interview with the Today show, Shannon said their relationship status wasn't looking great. They then went on to appear on The Joy Behar Show, where Shannon said, "I'm tired of it. I'm tired of his life." She stormed off after Joy pressed Gene about the alleged 5,000 women he's had sex with.

But in the preview of tonight's episode, it all looks so promising! The beautiful location in Belize, the wind in their hair, Gene choking up--it's like a finale of The Bachelor without Chris Harrison lurking in the background! This couple has been through kids, reality TV and plastic surgery together--hopefully they can make it work.

What do you think is going to happen tonight? Do you think their recent TV appearances were staged or is there really trouble in paradise?