On this day in KISStory - May 20, 2009, KISS rocked over 25 million Americans with Detroit Rock City and Rock and Roll All Night as the band was front-and-center on the American Idol finale show performing with runner-up Adam Lambert.

- KISS was just about the best thing on Idol ALL SEASON LONG. - Rolling Stone

- a jaw-dropping, fist-pumping, pyro-enhanced performance with legendary rockers KISS. - MTV

- KISS Blow Up American Idol. Now that's the way to rock the house! - Associated Content

- It was a night to remember for all those members (including me) of the KISS Army. - WBAL Radio

- Carlos Santana had the unenviable task of following the act. He strummed out some of his famous licks, which felt very slow-paced after the unbelievable energy KISS brought to the theatre. I was actually screaming to see more KISS by this point. - TV Envy

Hi KISS Army!

Saw KISS on "In concert" in 1974 and was hooked ever since. When they re-united in 1996, I painstakingly painted this 12 foot square "Hotter Than Hell" album cover on the back of my garage for a pre-concert party I hosted. Needless to say, it was a hit, and has been a neighborhood attraction for a while!

Best,
PJH

LETTERS

By Doug Cataldo

One look at the band KISS and you can instantly see why they have dominated the music/entertainment scene for over 35 years. Driven by the talents and business acumen of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, KISS has persevered when other bands faded into obscurity. Not only have they written rock anthems that have stood the test of time, but they set the bar for merchandising their brand better than any other musical act. Collectors of KISS memorabilia have many avenues to choose from -- magazines, guitar picks, comic books or trading cards to name a few. The trading card aspect has improved tremendously since Press Pass has been producing KISS cards. They've just unleashed their latest set, The Legend of KISS, and you can find a 24-pack box in stores now for about $50. That's about $2 per pack.

The band is already colorful, larger than life and they have a storied history, so capturing their legacy on cardboard seems like a no-brainer. As far back as 1978 the band has been part of the non-sports card scene. Through the years, many other companies have produced KISS card sets, but none fully captured the elements that are familiar to modern trading card collectors, including autographs and memorabilia. Press Pass has taken KISS card collecting to the next level, and with Legends of KISS they've reached a new pinnacle.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Gene is featured on the cover of the lastest issue of the German magazine Soundcheck.

Thanks to KISS News.de for the image.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" featured a KISS-inspired tango to "Rock And Roll All Nite" with Melissa Rycroft and a makeup-clad Joey Fatone... complete with pyro!

Check out these great photos of KISS fans in Milan lining up for tonight's KISS concert!

Special thanks to Barbara Caserta for snapping these with her phone! She writes that the line is already "so long that it couldn't fit in just one picture!"

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

A contestant on Chile's "Fiebre de Baile" (Dance Fever) television program did a KISS-inspired pole dance to "Rock And Roll All Nite" dressed as Gene!

Check out the scenes from a recent KISS UK Meet & Greet. As you can see...the guys will sign just about anything a fan requests!

Photos by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

Check out this fun video of the entire staff of Scotland's 96.3 Rock Radio! Everyone was so excited for KISS' Glasgow show that they put on KISS make-up and had some fun in the studio before the big gig!



Thanks to Fabio of Deuce News for sending us the clip!

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Jeff Bailey, dressed as KISS' Gene Simmons, was a crowd favorite near the finish line. The One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon was run on Saturday, May 8, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. (Sam Riche / The Indianapolis Star)

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!!

You never know where KISS will show up...This time it's on a sail boat in the Philippines!

Thanks to Marjan Mj Casar and his niece, Francesca (who spotted the boat) for sending KISSonline the image.

Check out Daniel Olander's great KISS tattoos!!

Hi KISS & KISS ARMY,

I just got my new KISS SCOOTER!!!! Thank you KISS for the last 37 years!!!! KISS FOREVER!!! Hey Gene I got #9.

Donald Williams

LETTERS

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Today's USA Today crossword puzzle features a KISS reference. 33 Down - KISS rocker Simmons.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here's Paul on the front cover and Gene on the back cover of the current issue of London Tour Dates magazine.