New letters posted...
 Hey Gene, I was watching the T.V. show "Cheaters" this weekend and noticed a KISS moment in the show. Don't know if you have ever seen this show but it's a show where people want to have their partner secretly followed to see if they are cheating on them. This weekend they were following a guy and they captured him with his new "girlfriend" as they were going to the KISS show in Dallas. He had on Gene Simmons make-up and a wig. It was pretty cool to see another KISS sighting on T.V. Have a great day and I hope you make your way to Houston real soon.
George Galan
Houston, Texas
hey gene,
 just saw melissa etheridge on carson daly, she was wearing a kiss t-shirt, couldn't really tell wich one but it was a cool sighting!!
geoff
Response from Gene:
Melissa is cool.
March 29th -
Greetings from Oslo, Norway.
The last two days were filled with television, radio and print media in Stockholm, Sweden. From morning to late at night.
One of the interviewers was the drummer, I believe of the Swedish band EUROPE (remember 'Final Countdown')..
 Had the opportunity to meet and greet some great Swedish KISS fans, who brought along all sorts of presents, showed me their tattoos and left me cookies (ouch..)... one of the fans from Finland brought me a box of *domino* cookies. I would love to eat all of the cakes and cookies, but I have got to watch my girlish figure.
On a side note, it was an honor to stay at ABBA founder Benny Andersson's hotel... Benny even sent me some signed ABBA cd's. Very cool.
March 27nd -
Continuing on my hectic sched.
Flew back from Toronto after spending long days doing promo with my Canadian friends. Came back in to do BLENDER magazine photo layout (a fantasy scene of myself with two ...ahem..groupies in a hotel room -- taking fotos!!!)...as well as TELEVISION and RADIO interviews...
On Friday the 26th of March, spent the day on NBC's THIRD WATCH playing crime kingpin Donald Mann.
Today doing interviews/foto sessions for TRACKS magazine and then leaving to catch a flight to Stockholm, Sweden and the start of my Euro promo trip.
March 23rd -
Lately, it's been very hectic, but fun.
Last week, I appeared on ESPN's morning COLD PIZZA show ) then went on to do LAUNCH RADIO (nationwide), ABC RADIO (nationwide) and then caught a plane to Canada.
Before I left, I pitched a new TV SHOW via my cell phone to the folks at TNT, then pitched another two TV SHOWS to the nice people at A&E.
Toronto has been nonstop. Started early morning and had two rooms at the hotel going full steam. I'd finish one interview and they would whisk me to the other room to continue onward with a new interview.
I also dj-ed at the fabulous JACK radio station. Played my fav toons and took calls. Cool.
Received rough blow up of a possible version of the ALBUM COVER ART. It looks fabulous. Fotog David La Chappelle rocked.
More news tomorrow.
New letters posted...
"...I work for a growing independent phone book company, BEST Publications, LLP. My bosses wanted something edgy for an ad campaign, and I said, lets get Kiss to endorse our books. One sales rep from Houston (a voting member of the Grammys, Harvey House) had met you at a show in Tennessee, and thought you might be open to the idea if the money was right. Of course, we could never really afford Gene Simmons, but I thought you'd get a kick out of the mock-up that was never used..."
KISS are pleased to announce their return to Japan:
May 27 Tokyo Budokan
May 28 Tokyo Budokan
May 29 Tokyo Budokan
May 31 Osaka Castle Hall
June 2 Nagoya Rainbow Hall
Andrew McManus Presents
KISS 2004
Gene Simmons (vocals, bass) * Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar) * Eric Singer (drums) * Tommy Thayer (guitar)
March 11 2004
You wanted the best …….. now you’ve got ‘em back!
 Three years after their last sell-out Australian concerts, KISS will be back for a national tour in May. And they’re coming back with a mighty big bang!
With very special guests the mighty Grinspoon and opening with Machine Gun Fellatio, the May tour is going to be one giant night of rock’n’roll mayhem! But that’s not all.
Nearly 40,000 fans experienced the incredible one-off KISS Symphony concert teaming the band with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome in February 2003. Resulting in a huge selling and acclaimed DVD and live CD, the concert was such an amazing experience, the band is keen to do it all over again.
So KISS has invited 12 members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to join the tour in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for a special 30 minute encore performance. The original arrangements scored by US conductor David Campbell, which married the symphony and rock, were extraordinary and fans who missed out last time are in for a treat.
After KISS Symphony, the band toured the U.S with Aerosmith in one of the highest grossing rock tours of 2003. Gene and Paul have also been working on solo albums due for release soon.
With 32 albums, more than 90 million record sales and every accolade imaginable bestowed upon them, KISS are still rockin’ – it’s that simple. Lineup-wise, Tommy Thayer continues as lead guitarist and Eric Singer who played on the last Australian tour, is back behind the drum kit.
 Special guests Grinspoon have sold almost half a million copies of their three albums “Guide To Better Living” (1997), “Easy” (1999) and “The New Detention” (2002) on their way to becoming one of the most hard-working, hottest bands in the country.
Their “Panic Attack” tour last year was a complete sellout, while the “Chemical Heart” single was voted in at #2 in last year’s Triple J Hottest 100. After a break from touring while they record their new album, seeing the Grinners on huge entertainment centre stages will be awesome!
 The outrageous and devilishly entertaining Machine Gun Fellatio will kick the evening off in their usual scintillating fashion. With the brand new single “(You’ve Ruined All My) Favourite Songs” crashing onto playlists everywhere, Chit Chat, Pinky and the boys are salivating at the thought of joining KISS. Say no more.
KISS, members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Grinspoon and Machine Gun Fellatio ………all in one night. Sounds like mayhem to us. Get in quick!
TOUR DATES ARE:
MAY 8 Perth WACA
(Ticketmaster7 136 100)
MAY 11 Adelaide Entertainment Centre
(BASS 131246)
MAY 13 Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
(Ticketek 13 28 49)
MAY 17 Sydney SuperDome
(Ticketek 9266 4800)
MAY 20 Brisbane Entertainment Centre
(Ticketek 13 19 31)
TICKETS ON SALE NATIONALLY FRIDAY MARCH 26.
For fan club presale and ticket packages, go to the official KISS website www.kissonline.com.
New letters posted...
 "...Check out this newsbit regarding the Mars Exploration Rover Mission and the Opportunity rover...
The wake-up songs were "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" by Janis Joplin for the rock abrasion tool's second attempt at "Mojo 2," and "X-ray Eyes" by Kiss for the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer.
This was originally posted on one of NASA's official website here:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/daily/3-9-04.cfm ..."
" Just watched "Last Call with Carson Daly" and when his first guest George Carlin was introduced, Kiss's version of "GOD GAVE ROCK 'N' ROLL TO YOU" was his introduction music as he was walking to the set.
March 19th -
I am in New York City and the days and nights are full.
Today, I shot the first episode I appear in as Donald Mann, the crime kingpin in NBC's THIRD WATCH.
I will be filming the last show of the season within a week, which should air sometime in late May or early June.
Meantime, I'm doing press/media for the upcoming SOLO ALBUM. Going to Toronto, Canada in a couple of days. Then back to NYC for more press.
Then, I shoot the first day of the last episode of THIRD WATCH.
Then, I fly to Europe for a mad condensed media sweep of 8 countries in support of the solo album.
Then, I come back and film a full week of THIRD WATCH.
Sometime, during that period, I have to:
Master the solo album.
Shoot a video.
And, most exciting, start rehearsals with a band called KISS I'm a member of. The band is off to Australia, Japan and then the US.
Want more info? Check out KISSONLINE.COM.
New letters posted...
 Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?" "Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life." The child thought about this for a moment, then said,
"So why is the groom wearing black?"
"...I included a scan of a picture of Gene as a baby??? for a music service! Gene, you must have a fan at this place! I guess each card has Gene's picture on it. I haven't seen this before so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a big poster like this on the wall. I scanned the hand-out sheet they gave out at the counter of the convenience store..."
 DAVE NAVARRO from JANE'S ADDICTION came down to the studio to put some rockin' guitars on the last song to be recorded for my solo album, FIRESTARTER. The producer is the Overseer. This is the only song I had no hand in producing. And, it rocks.
At the studio, we had CNN, A&E (who are doing the aforementioned Gene SImmons 24/7 Special) and some second unit B roll camera guys, who are capturing stuff for the various network entertainment shows. And, we had GUITAR WORLD magazine come down for an interview with Dave and myself (as well as their sister publication, BASS PLAYER).
Spent the entire day shooting the cover for my forthcoming SOLO ALBUM. Fotog David La Chappelle and his crew were great to me. And, we had a bevy of beauties -- all sizes. All shapes. All Lovely. Thank you one and all.
New letters posted...
Hi Gene!
 You couldn't have been more gracious today at the Dennis Miller show...!
You looked relaxed, powerful and attractive.
You made me laugh hard with your personal touch...and that bandit smile...Ouch!
March 10th -
Mitsubishi Motors has offered to do an ad campaign featuring myself and an unnamed celeb. The ad would go along the lines of "More Gene Simmons. Less "name of celeb"
We will see if this becomes a reality. We're talking.
Met with Richard Starkis, who created one of my favorite projects, HIP FLASK. He's a walking, talking hippo..but very dark. We are going to be pitching this one soon. The project has a long history. It was optioned by the Henson Company and was being looked at by the Nelvana people years ago.
March 9th -
I was offered a cameo on ABC tv's 8 WAYS TO RAISE YOUR DAUGHTER (I'm not sure I've got the title right...someone help), the show that featured the late John Ritter and continues on with Katey Sagal (who, if you're not paying attention, was in a Casablanca group I discovered called GROUP WITH NO NAME and who also graced my 1978 solo record). I had to pass. The show would conflict with my upcoming Euro trip.
I'll be doing the DENNIS MILLER program on MSNBC this Wednesday. Dennis is a powerful and attractive man and I look forward to exchanging barbs with him.
This Thursday, March the 11th, I'll be shooting the cover of my SOLO ALBUM. The fotog will be DAVID LA CHAPPELLE. The shooting set will be covered with (thank you, God) a bevy of beauties. I look forward to greeting all of them.
Think of me as a good will ambassador. I love to spread good will.
Then, on Friday the 12th, DAVE NAVARRO (Jane's Addiction) will be playing some hot licks on my cover of Prodigy's FIRESTARTER, to be produced by OVERSEER. This is the last track to be recorded and is the only track being produced by an outside producer. Wait until you hear it. Overseer is cutting edge. The rest of the album, 13 songs in all, has been finished for over a month. I've been tinkering with some edits and remixes, but for all intents and purposes, the album is done.
My recent promo trip to Japan to promote my SOLO ALBUM, got me some of the best reviews I've ever had. It's true that I don't pay much attention to that sort of thing, but it's nice to be appreciated, nonetheless. I had a ball. And, I will be continuing to promote the record as I head over to Europe.
Come on up and say hello.
Tentatively, I will be in:
Stockholm, Sweden on the 28th and 29th of March
Oslo, Norway on the 30th
Cologne, Germany on the 31st and April 1st
Milan, Italy on the 2nd and 3rd
(perhaps England, as well...)
And, then back to the US to begin rehearsals for the continuation of our neverending KISS World Tour. Remember, if you want all KISS updates, click on to KISSONLINE.COM.
More news as it happens.
New letters posted...
"...I got something from a newsclip from the Clanton Advertiser tonight and you might want to see this. This is a clip from the Chilton County High School annual "Blast from the Past"..."
March 7th -
One of our Chinese partners ALEX ING came by to talk about some of our new ventures together. Very exciting.
An English television show on their Channel 4 came by to discuss my SOLO ALBUM and some of the other projects we 're working on. Air date in England expected in April.
New letters posted...
"...here is a pic of me and my friend putting our kiss flag on the top of the mountain in our hometown in iceland. the flag was there all summer. all the kids and the people loved to see the flag up there. many people went up on the mountain to take pictures. 2003 was a really good summer. kiss summer..."
March 6th -
Met with Toper Taylor and some of his execs from Cinar, an animation studio. Toper was originally at Nelvana and helped me develop MY DAD, THE ROCK STAR. We are working on one (and possibly a second) ANIMATED TELEVISION SERIES. I'll release the title and concept once contracts are signed.
Then, Emmy Award WInner Julie Frances from A&E came over to discuss a GENE SIMMONS TV SPECIAL. Producer Leslie Greif and I are going to be working on the project, which will follow me through a usual day of meetings and (eventually) parties. Air date might be in June.
My SOLO ALBUM Cover Photo Session will be helmed by fotog DAVID LA CHAPPELLE, who came by to discuss the concept., We will shoot it within a few days.
New letters posted...
AMAZING!
 You probably know this, but Barry Hay will be your voice in the Dutch version of "My dad is a Rockstar".
This is so great!!
For all the people who have no idea what Im talking about. Barry Hay is the leadsinger of my second favourite band in the world, the Golden Earring. A Dutch band, known from the song, Radar Love.
And I believe they shared a stage with Kiss at one point in time?
Just a quick question my dear. Do you have any idea about the date that it will be aired or the network? This news was given out on a gossip network and the only go for the juicy details, not for critical information like time and place.
Love you, and Barry *wink*
your Vixen
Response from Gene:
I wish I knew more...but MY DAD THE ROCK STAR is playing around the world and the individual territories are too many to keep track of...But, thanks for the info. Always liked "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone"
New letters posted...
 "...I just wanted to let you know........that you're doing a great job with "My Dad The Rock Star". When I told my son that you produced it. He has been watching it ever since, and it has been a big hit with him. I have watched it with him, and I'm enjoying it as well. I get a big kick out of Rock Zilla.....he's a riot. So, It gets a big thumbs up with my son and me..."
March 2nd -
Am in Japan doing press for my forthcoming SOLO ALBUM and the SPEAKING IN TONGUES dvd.
Days have been long. We start at 10 in the morning and finish at 9 at night. It's been three days of tubthumping in a row. My new partners at Sanctuary/BMG couldn't be nicer and more professional.
|
