Aug 22, 2014

The website The Richest has posted the top ten richest bass players in the world. While many of the bassists on the list you would be able to guess, there is one surprise to me...Tony Kanal of No Doubt came in at #9 with $45 million. Who knew?

1. Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion
2. Sting – $300 million
2. Gene Simmons (KISS) – $300 million
4. Roger Waters – $270 million
5. Adam Clayton (U2) – $150 million
6. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – $115 million
7. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) – $80 million
8. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) – $65 million
9. Tony Kanal (No Doubt) – $45 million
10. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) – $40 million

Jun 28, 2014

Gene Simmons is out rocking with Def Leppard on a Summer U.S. tour, but he is set to show you the way to financial success with the book: 'Me, Inc.: Build an Army of One, Unleash Your Inner Rock God, Win in Life and Business.'

In Me, Inc., the marketing and finance wizard Gene Simmons gives aspiring entrepreneurs the critical tools they need to succeed. Simmons teaches you how to build a solid business strategy, harness the countless tools available in the digital age, network like hell, and be the architect for the business entity that is you. Inspired by The Art of War, Me, Inc. is organized around thirteen specific, easy-to-understand principles for success, drawn from Simmons’s own triumphs and failures. From finding the confidence necessary to get started, to surrounding yourself with the right people, to knowing when to pull the plug and when to double-down, these principles can help you attain the freedom and wealth of your dreams.

The book goes on sale October 21, 2014. Pre-order now at: www.harpercollins.com

Apr 12, 2014

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies took place Thursday night (Apr. 10) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. An edited for broadcast showing of the ceremonies, will be airing on HBO this May 31, but in the meantime, check out the best of the video highlights we found on youtube, in sequence of show order.

Peter Gabriel Induction speech and performance


Cat Stevens Induction speech and performance


KISS Tom Morello induction speech and acceptance speeches with original members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley


Linda Ronstadt tribute with Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris and Carrie Underwood



Bruce Springsteen inducts The E Street Band and performance



Nirvana inducted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.

Hall & Oates


Nirvana induction speeches by Dave Grohl, Krist Noveselic, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain's relatives

Joan Jett, Kim Gordan, St. Vincent & Lorde with Grohl, Novoselic, and Pat Smear

Mar 20, 2014

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of rock and roll giants KISS and in true KISS fashion, the band plan to make 2014 the biggest and loudest, non-stop rock and roll party of the century.

Rock legends KISS were the first signing to Neil Bogart’s newly formed Casablanca Records label after he saw and recognized their talent and showmanship during their spectacular performance at a showcase concert at New York City’s Le Tang’s Ballet Studio in 1973, offering them a contract on the spot. Four decades after releasing their self-titled, major label debut, KISS will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April, proof of the unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the “Hottest Band in the World” as they rallied together to have the band included in this year’s induction ceremony.

Having earned 28 U.S. gold albums along with 40 million U.S. and 100 million in world sales, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, are stronger than ever with a legacy that continues to grow, generation after generation. Their last album, Monster, proved that they are still at the top of their game with impressive sales and topping the charts worldwide debuting at No. 3 in the U.S. on the Billboard 200 best-selling albums chart and Top 10 in twenty other countries.

To celebrate their incredible 40-year recording career and their upcoming, long-overdue induction to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will kick off the celebration on April 1, 2014 with the first batch of 10 individual KISS remastered albums on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl with 18 more vinyl titles coming through the first half of 2014. In May, fans can look forward to a 2-CD KISS 40 compilation with one track from every major album release, live selections and an unreleased demo from 1977. And finally, starting today, the definitive KISS vinyl box set, KISSTERIA – The Ultimate Vinyl Road Case, featuring 34 KISS LPs - including titles never-before issued on vinyl, six exclusive albums to the box set and a plethora of collectibles only available in KISSTERIA will be available exclusively for D2C pre-order at www.kissonline.com

A new compilation KISS 40, a 2 CD set featuring forty tracks spanning KISS’s incredible forty-year recording career. This set includes one track from every major album release (studio, Alive & hits collections) plus three live selections from the 2000-era and features the band’s biggest songs including rock and roll anthems such as “Detroit Rock City,” “Love Gun,” “Beth,” “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Beth,” “Psycho Circus,” “Forever,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.” “Lick It Up,” “Heaven’s On Fire” and “Hell or Hallelujah.” First time commercial CD release live recordings of “Deuce” (from 2004 tour), “Cold Gin” (from 2009 Alive 35 tour), “Crazy Crazy Nights” (from 2010 Sonic Boom Over Europe tour) and the previously unreleased 1977 demo of “Reputation” round out the set for the KISS Army.

And for a ultimate KISS collector, with only 1000 copies being produced worldwide, KISSTERIA – The Ultimate Vinyl Road Case is a highly-collectible vinyl road case box set featuring 34 KISS LPs including nineteen studio albums, all five of the Alive releases, the four original KISS solo albums, each with exact replicas of the original inserts, plus six exclusive vinyl titles that will not be made available individually. All albums are pressed onto audiophile 180g vinyl and are newly remastered from the ultra-high definition Direct Stream Digital transfers from original analog tapes to bring out maximum fidelity of these iconic albums.

Exclusive KISSTERIA extras include eleven 11”x17” archival posters, including the band’s very first promo poster; a KISS vinyl cleaning cloth; a KISS turntable mat; a set of KISS dominoes; four band lithographs highlighting four decades of the band; and a certificate of authenticity displaying the limited edition number for each of the individual box sets. Reserve your KISSTERIA road case at Go to www.kissteria.kissonline.com.

Forty years ago KISS released their eponymous debut album, which would propel the band to the top of the rock and roll hierarchy where they have reigned for the past four decades making the KISS legacy a global brand with more than 3,000 licensed merchandise products, including a recent partnership with the Arena Football League as owners of the Anaheim-based expansion team LA KISS.

KISS VINYL

Release date: April 1, 2014
• Alive!
• Animalize
• Destroyer
• Dressed To Kill
• Dynasty
• Hotter Than Hell
• KISS
• Lick It Up
• Revenge
• Unmasked

Release date: May 6, 2014
• Asylum
• Creatures Of The Night
• Love Gun
• MTV Unplugged
• Psycho Circus*

Release date: May 27, 2014
• Rock And Roll Over
• Alive III
• Music From The Elder – First Vinyl Release in Concept Album Sequence
• Crazy Nights
• Hot In The Shade
• Alive: The Millennium Concert*
• Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions*

Release date: June 24, 2014
• Alive II
• Ace Frehley
• Gene Simmons
• Peter Criss
• Paul Stanley

*First Time on Vinyl

KISS – 40

Unless indicated all selections are album versions

CD 1
1. Nothin To Lose
2. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
3. C’mon and Love Me
4. Rock And Roll All Nite (Live)
5. God Of Thunder (Demo)
6. Beth
7. Hard Luck Woman
8. Reputation (Demo) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
9. Christine Sixteen
10. Shout It Out Loud (Live)
11. Strutter ‘78
12. You Matter To Me (Peter Criss)
13. Radioactive (Gene Simmons)
14. New York Groove (Ace Frehley)
15. Hold Me, Touch Me (Paul Stanley)
16. I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Single Edit)
17. Shandi
18. A World Without Heroes
19. I Love It Loud
20. Down On Your Knees
21. Lick It Up
22. Heaven’s On Fire

CD 2
1. Tears Are Falling
2. Reason To Live
3. Let’s Put The X In Sex
4. Forever (Remix)
5. God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You II
6. Unholy (Live)
7. Do You Love Me? (MTV Unplugged)
8. Room Service (Live)
9. Jungle (Radio Edit)
10. Psycho Circus
11. Nothing Can Keep Me From You
12. Detroit Rock City (Live)
13. Deuce (Live 2004) – UNRELEASED COMMERCIALLY
14. Firehouse (Live – 1999/2000)
15. Modern Day Delilah
16. Cold Gin (Live 2009) – UNRELEASED COMMERCIALLY
17. Crazy Crazy Nights (Live 2010) – UNRELEASED COMMERCIALLY
18. Hell or Hallelujah

KISSTERIA – The Vinyl Road Case

Custom ANVILTM Road Case to house 34 KISS LPs and a plethora of extras.

• KISS
• Hotter Than Hell
• Dressed To Kill – Includes Embossed Front & Back Jacket Covers
• Alive! – Includes 8 Page Color Booklet
• Destroyer
• Rock And Roll Over – Includes Sticker Sheet
• Love Gun – Includes Paper Gun with “Bang” Sheet
• Alive II – Includes Tattoo Sheet & 8 Page Color Booklet
• Ace Frehley (Solo Album) - Includes “Ace” Interlocking Poster
• Gene Simmons (Solo Album) - Includes “Gene” Interlocking Poster
• Peter Criss (Solo Album) - Includes “Peter” Interlocking Poster
• Paul Stanley (Solo Album) - Includes “Paul” Interlocking Poster
• Dynasty – 22” x 33” Poster
• Unmasked – 22” x 33” Poster
• Music From The Elder – First Vinyl Release in Concept Album Sequence
• Creatures Of The Night
• Lick It Up
• Animalize
• Asylum
• Crazy Nights
• Hot In The Shade
• Revenge
• Alive III
• MTV Unplugged - Includes 24” x 24” Poster
• Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions – First Vinyl Pressing Ever
• Psycho Circus – First Vinyl Pressing Ever will include a 12”x12” Lenticular Cover
• Alive: The Millennium Collection – First Vinyl Pressing Ever
• Monster

Exclusive vinyl titles for the Road Case:

• Double Platinum – Includes Embossed front & back jacket covers + Embossed platinum award insert
• Greatest KISS – Includes First Vinyl Pressing Ever. Will combine all exclusive tracks used worldwide into one package
• KILLERS - Includes First U.S. Release Ever. Will combine both Japan and Australia track lists into one package
• You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best
• Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
• KISS Symphony: Alive IV

Exclusive Bonus Items for Vinyl Box:
• Eleven 11”x17” Archival Posters in a poster tube:
• First Band Promo Poster
• Hotel Diplomat Concert Poster
• Asylum Promo Poster
• Lick It Up Promo Poster
• KISS 1984 Promo Poster
• Alive III Promo Poster
• You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best Promo Poster
• Smashes, Thrashes & Hits Promo Poster
• MTV Unplugged Promo Poster
• Live 1996 Tour Poster
• Psycho Circus Promo Poster
• KISS Vinyl Cleaning Cloth
• KISS Turntable Mat
• KISS Dominoes
• Four Band Photo Lithographs

• Certificate of Authenticity with Exclusive Box Number

Mar 18, 2014

KISS and Def Leppard will rock North America for a 42-city co-headlining tour that will kick off on June 23rd in West Valley City, Utah and wrap up August 31st in Woodlands, Texas. Tickets will go on sale starting Friday.
The groups announced the tour yesterday at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. You can watch the entire press below.

KISS guitarist Paul Stanley promised the tour will “deliver good news and excitement,” with Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott adding that he and Gene Simmons first discussed the idea of the two bands touring together when he and the Kiss bassist played some South American dates two years ago as part of a rock-and-roll all-stars tour. “It’s finally happened, which is fantastic,” Elliott says.

It’ll be the first time the two bands have shared a bill, though Stanley says, “We’ve run into each other at festivals. It just seemed to be a natural fit.” Stanley also noted that one of guitarist Phil Collen’s pre-Def Leppard bands, Girl, opened for KISS in the U.K. during the early ’80s.

Simmons says a dollar from each ticket sold on the tour will go to to the Wounded Warrior Project and other military non-profits including the USO, Hire a Hero, Project Resiliency/The Raven Drum Foundation, and The Augusta Warrior Project. “Politicians fart through their mouth,” Simmons said. “Only the military makes freedom possible.”

Stanley added that the group also plans to hire vets again for its crew. “We try to find a couple of vets who want to go out and be part of the team,” he says. “This is a chance for somebody to travel and be part of the KISS Army.” KISS has done this on past tours as well.

Elliot says he doesn’t see any rivalry developing between the groups while they’re on tour. “It’s two great bands that are going to be playing for the same amount of time,” he says. “It’s joint forces. I don’t see it as competitive at all.”
KISS/Def Leppard
Jun. 23 - West Valley City, UT - USANA Amphitheater
Jun. 25 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Jun. 27 - Ridgefield, WA - Sleep Country Amphitheater
Jun. 29 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Jul. 2 - Concord, CA - Concord Pavilion
Jul. 3 - Wheatland, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre,
Jul. 5 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Jul. 6 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Jul. 8 - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
Jul. 9 - Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Pavilion
Jul. 12 - Austin, TX - Austin360 Amphitheater
Jul. 13 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
Jul. 15 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Jul. 16 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
Jul. 18 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Jul. 19 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
Jul. 20 - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Jul. 22 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
Jul. 23 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jul. 25 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
Jul. 26 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 1 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
Aug. 2 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
Aug. 3 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
Aug. 5 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 6 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theatre
Aug. 8 - Virginia Beach, VA - Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
Aug. 9 - Scranton, PA - Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Aug. 10 - Hartford, CN - Xfinity Theatre
Aug. 12 - Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Aug. 13 - Darien, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Aug. 15 - East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Aug. 16 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 17 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
Aug. 20 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
Aug. 22 - Noblesville, IN - Klipsch Music Center
Aug. 23 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 24 - Burgettstown, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
Aug. 26 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
Aug. 28 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Aug. 29 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
Aug. 31 - Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion