Check out the KISS Sonic Boom Over Europe promo poster for the Hamburg show from the streets of Germany.

Thanks to KISS News.de for the image.

Here's a feature on KISS' London show in Norway's VG newspaper!

Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF

They call him Doctor Love. They call his partner the Starchild and, occasionally, the Bandit. And now they can call Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the lead singer and the rhythm guitarist of the rock band KISS, something else: children's show producers. Mr. Simmons and Mr. Stanley, above from left, have had collaborations like the songs "Hotter Than Hell," "Love Gun" and "Lick It Up," but now they have a deal with the Canadian production company E1 Television to create a show for young viewers that will also serve as a merchandising tie-in, The Hollywood Reporter said. The show, a comedy series yet to be titled, will be produced and distributed by E1. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Simmons said: "KISS continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from KISS M&M's to KISS Dr Pepper. KISS is a band, but also the only music brand."

Hi KISS!

Love you guys and wanted to share an image of my nail artwork with the KISS Army. Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks,
Lena Truong
Santa Barbara, CA

LETTERS

By KIM FUNDINGSLAND Staff Writer

Rumors that the rock band KISS would be included in the entertainment lineup of the North Dakota State Fair were proven true Friday when two new tour dates were announced on the band's Web site.

The State Fair office confirmed the booking of the ageless rockers in a news release Friday.

"We worked hard to get KISS here and we're very excited to have them as the first rock group on the new grandstand," said Renae Korslien, general manager.

KISS will perform at the State Fair on Saturday, July 24. Tickets for the concert are priced at $55 for standing room in front of the stage and $65 for reserved seating in the new grandstand, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2010 fair.

Ticket sales for KISS will begin April 7 at 8 a.m.

KISS will perform concerts in Wyoming and North Dakota this July. The The Hottest and in the World will rock Cheyenne on July 23 and Minot on July 24.

KISSonline will hold a KISS Army members-only ticket pre-sale for both events. Stay tuned to KOL for more details soon.

July 23 Cheyenne, Wyoming 2010 Frontier Days
July 24 Minot, North Dakota 2010 State Fair

Photo by Ross Halfin

By Paul Brannigan
Photo by Nick Stevens

The self-proclaimed "Hottest Band in the World" sizzle at tiny London show

This is all rather surreal. In two months' time, KISS will play to 20,000 people in London as part of an eight day UK arena tour. Tonight, their audience numbers just 800. Officially, according to Gene Simmons, the smallest KISS gig in decades is being played on "an impulse," -- the band are in London for promo duties following an appearance alongside world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko and actress Sophia Loren on Europe's biggest TV show, Wetten Dass..? in Germany -- but in truth, it's difficult to imagine a band who've mapped out their career with a forensic eye for detail doing anything spontaneously.

A more cynical soul might note that the buzz generated by flying rock hacks from all over Europe into London for this one-off date won't harm ticket sales for those arena shows at all. Whatever, given that a half-decent KISS tribute band could sell out the Islington Academy, seeing the genuine article up-close-and-personal is a true 'pinch me' moment: cynicism is for another day.

Review excerpt by Michael Hann
Photograph: Neil Lupin/Redferns

There's a sense that creatures from another world are walking among us when Kiss take to the stage at the drab Islington Academy. In their familiar kabuki-style makeup, the four men - "Starchild" Paul Stanley and "Demon" Gene Simmons are these days accompanied by guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer - look as out of place in this tiny room as Wayne Rooney would playing Sunday league football up the road at Hackney Marshes.

Musically, too, they seem alien: no new band makes this kind of bludgeoning, basic heavy rock with any expectation of replicating the success Kiss have had over nearly 40 years; no modern band would sing lyrics like Stanley and Simmons's - "You pulled the trigger on my love gun!" - without an eyebrow raised to signify the joke.

Nevertheless, it's an overwhelming, almost physical sensation to see the giant Kiss logo in flashing lights, and to hear songs that are part of the fabric of American rock - the likes of Calling Dr Love and Rock and Roll All Nite - in these confines. Every word to every song is bellowed back at the stage, and Simmons and Stanley fill the venue with their charisma, projecting to a back row that's a good couple of hundred yards behind where the last member of the audience is actually standing.

After little more than an hour, Kiss finish with their best song, Detroit Rock City, 500 people throwing their hands into devil's horns. And then they are gone, leaving the crowd to wonder if they've imagined the whole extraordinary evening.

Five out of five stars.

At Dublin Arena (0818 719 300), 7 May. Then touring.

KISS UNPLUGGED RELEASED

On this day in KISStory, March 12, 1996, the KISS MTV Unplugged CD and VHS Video were released in the US. KISS MTV Unplugged was recorded August 9, 1995 at Sony Music Studios in New York City. The majority of the CD/VHS features Paul, Gene, Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick. Ace Frehley and Peter Criss join Paul and Gene for '2000 Man' and 'Beth'. All six members close out the CD/VHS with 'Nothin' To Lose' and 'Rock and Roll All Nite'. MTV originally broadcast KISS Unplugged on October 31, 1995.

Comment from Paul on Unplugged:

'Unplugged was a chance for us to celebrate the musical history of the band by stripping, some great songs from different points in our history, down to the bare essence of what makes them great.'

TRACK LISTING:

Comin' Home / Plaster Caster / Goin' Blind / Do You Love Me / Domino / Got To Choose / Sure Know Something / A World Without Heroes / Rock Bottom / See You Tonight / I Still Love It / Every Time I Look At You / 2000 Man / Beth / Nothin' To Lose / Rock and Roll All Nite

'Got To Choose' appeared on the VHS and the Vinyl versions of KISS Unplugged but not the US CD.

Belgium's EEN news featured a segment on KISS' upcoming June 27 appearance at the Graspop festival on the Sonic Boom Over Europe tour. Check it out! Thanks to Luc Verdickt for sending the clip to KISSonline

Hi KISS,

I entered a Rock N Roll Challenge with Quilting Arts Magazine back in 2008 with a mini quilt. The one I made was Gene Simmons' face. I even incorporated a "pull string" on the back that makes his tounge wiggle. It was displayed in the magazine in the April/May 2009 issue, and it went on tour with the magazine for a year!

Thanks, Sue Perkins

LETTERS

On this day in KISStory - March 11, 2000, KISS opened the "Farewell Tour" in Phoenix, Arizona. The first three songs of the show were televised live on VH1. KISS performed 142 shows in the US, Canada, Japan and Australia on the tour.

Statement from KISS Farewell Tour press release:

The "Farewell Tour" will be the final opportunity to see the four original KISS members, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, together on stage.

Last weekend I attended a showing of "One Live KISS" in Chicago at the CIMM Festival. Paul Stanley is still one of the strongest vocalists and greatest Rock & Roll performers of any era, and according to what I witnessed while watching this brilliant concert film, he shows no sign of age, or slowing down! Director Louis Antonelli did a 'rock star' of a job at capturing an incredible live performance that should be remembered throughout the ages. This film is not just for Paul Stanley and KISS fans, but should be seen by everyone who appreciates timeless music, or doubts the unique talent Paul has as a true artist and groundbreaker! "One Live Kiss" should be a model for other filmmakers to witness, in order to experience a truly visionary way to transfer an artist's live performance onto celluloid. It was also enlightening to hear Louis Antonelli's Q&A after the show as he explained that the movie is more than a piece of professional work by a filmmaker in collaboration with a musician to create a new product, but also at it's heart is a fan's tribute to a beloved member of KISS who had a lasting influence on Antonelli as a kid, circa 1974 while growing up on tough urban streets quite the same as Stanley had some years before in NYC. There is real passion and conviction on display in every moment of "One Live Kiss" and it should not be missed!

I have never had the chance to see Paul in a live performance myself, but I feel that now because of seeing this film that I had a first row seat at a Rock and Roll extravaganza! My neck hurts from moving it to the rocking' rhythm and sheer musical prowess of Mr. Stanley and his terrific band all through my experience of seeing "One Live Kiss" - but its the kind of ache that HURTS SO GOOD!

Freddy Atkins, life long Kiss fan! Chicago, IL.

LETTERS

KISS ON COVER OF CHILEAN COMIC BOOK

KISS is featured on the cover of the new issue of the Chilean comic book "CONDORITO!"

Thanks to all of the Chilean fans who sent KISSonline the image.

Get your hands on KISSONLINE exclusive bundle for your collection and save when you buy the official 2009 KISS Tour tee & program for only $30! There are seveal different KISS Tour Shirts available with this special.

Also, get a free KISS World Domination Tour Poster when you spend spend $17.95 in the official KISS store. Enter the coupon code KISMMEC10 at checkout to redeem yours!

Buy a KISS T-shirt / Tourbook bundle pack now