BY SUSAN BARDENHAGEN for the News & Messenger
Photos by Spiro Papadatos for KISSonline

This Saturday, KISS proclaims their "Hottest Show on Earth" tour at Jiffy Lube Live at an early showtime of 6:30 pm.

The KISS Army has three generations now who will arrive in the four bandmates' makeup, costumes, and platform shoes.

If you are intrigued by fire-breathing bass players, literally smoking guitars (not just Tommy Thayer's riffs) and Gene Simmons' blood spitting off his infamous tongue, you will be thrilled.

Even though their Psycho Circus tour was 12 years ago, you may still witness Paul Stanley and his guitar on trapeze or Tarzan style, Simmons and his bass in the rafters, and Eric Singer and his drum kit transported on the platform above stage 3D style. You won't need special glasses for these special effects either.

Check out these great fan reviews of KISS' Hottest Show on Earth tour! Thanks for sending KISSonline you photos, reviews and comments...keep them coming!

Subject: KISS
From: Marc

Hello. I have been a Kiss fan since 1974. I have seen you guys live startng winter of 76. I was disappointed when Ace and Peter were no longer in the band. The last tour I saw was the Farewell Tour 2004. When Sonic Boom came out I bought it. Wow! I'm an Animal! What a great Kiss sounding album! I went to the Camden N.J. show 8/6/10. I met Tommy Thayer at the merchandise booth. I wanted to chat with him, and ask for an autograph but he was getting noticed. He gave me a pick, took a picture with a young fan and then split. This band is a great sounding band, period! I love Ace and Peter, but wow, you guys killed it! I will continue to see Kiss in concert, and support the band. A I am 46 yer old Kiss fan, and I must admit that this is the best sounding make up era Kiss! The acoustic verson of Beth is better than the recorded one! Tommy and Eric sing so well in the chorus/solo sections of the songs. You guys rock! Thank you for re-inventing the machine.I look forward to a new album and tour. I apologize for being stubborn when you guys first presented Eric and Tommy in make up, and not supporting the tours.I missed out..I won't get fooled again! Hey can you guys do another live era tour?The fans really love that record, and era....Please....... Best Wishes, Marc

Subject: Indiana State Fair Concert
From: Kevin Oliver

Guys, what a tremendous show you entertained us to Monday night. Thank you so much for showing the youth how real legends of rock can put on a show. My first KISS show was over 25 years ago and Monday my 11 year old son witnessed his first ever concert. You definitely set the bar very high for future concerts he will witness. Thank you for putting on a clean, family entertaining, show that will forever be a memory my son and I will cherish. I might add you're support of our hero warriors is awesome, only solidifying why you are truly the best band in the world.

Subject: Great Show
From: scott

Just saw the show last night at the Indiana State Fair and it was awesome! I have been a fan for many years but never had the chance to see you guys until last night. I enjoyed it and consider it the best show I've seen. Thanks for all you do and continue to do. Loved the show.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Hi friends around the world!

This is the ad of the upcoming Caracas Rock 10K run. Last year we made the 10K in full make up in a way to say THANKS to KISS for coming to South America, especially for coming to Caracas. This year we're gonna do it again in FULL Make up!!!! The ad shows my friend Alejandro in Gene's make up during the running. It's an honor for all of us to be in this ad. KISS fans can join us next October 3rd and Rock´n Run all night and party everyday!!!!

KISS forever!!

Thanks,

JC AYALA

LETTERS

Here's KISS' HOTTEST SHOW ON EARTH tour poster for their upcoming shows in Mexico City & Guadalajara.

Thanks to Arturo Ayala/KISSfanspain.com for sending KISSonline the image!

I just wanted to share with everyone my latest piece of art. I painted this portrait of Paul in oil, on a 20" x 30" canvas. I did the painting from a detail of Paul's face from the photo that was taken of us at the Meet and Greet in Pittsburgh, PA during KISS's "Hottest Show On Earth" tour. The Meet and Greet was one of the highlights of my life thus far, so it compelled me to do a painting.

Hope you enjoy!

Jamie Sapp

LETTERS

By Greg Haymes
Photo by Michael P. Farrell

SARATOGA SPRINGS - On Tuesday night, it was Saratoga Rock City.

Kiss was rocking the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and it was a strange sight to see not black-clad rocker-wanna-bes in line to the enter the show, but rather families of four or five all dressed in Kiss t-shirts, many sporting the famous make-up of their favorite Kisser. It was like they were going to Disneyland or something.

Come to think of it, a Kiss concert is kind of like a night at Disneyland.

There was, of course, a very sizable barrage of fireworks onstage beginning with the opening volley of "Modern Day Delilah" and recurring every couple of songs throughout Kiss' two-hour-and-10-minute show. Bassist Gene Simmons did his fire-breathing schtick during "Firehouse," spit blood during "I Love It Loud" and flew up into the overhead lighting rig like some malevolent Peter Pan. Tommy Thayer shot rockets from his guitar during his extended solo at the end of "Shock Me," while drummer Eric Singer launched a bazooka which sent some lighting fixtures crashing to the stage.

Guitarist Paul Stanley sailed out over the heads of fans to a revolving hydraulic platform at the sound board in the middle of the crowd to sing Kiss' disco anthem, "I Was Made for Lovin' You." And the band was nearly obscured completely by the billowing fog and endless confetti blizzard that erupted during "Rock & Roll All Nite," the finale of their 40-minute set of encores.

"This next is from our latest album, 'Sonic Boom,' which is available exclusively at Wal-Mart," Stanley shrieked to introduce the heavy sludge-stomp of "I'm an Animal." Well, no one ever accused Kiss of shying away from a marketing opportunity or a corporate tie-in. (By the way, parked just next to the stage in clear view of almost everyone in the amphitheater was a huge tractor trailer truck emblazoned with pictures of Kiss holding cans of Dr. Pepper.)

It seems as though nothing can stop Kiss, who have been churning out the same bombastic mix of theatrical arena-rock and catchy pop hooks for more than 35 years now. And that's a good thing... So let's hope that when Stanley and Simmons finally do decide to retire, they'll just hire a couple of other blokes to slather on the make-up and keep the Kiss franchise going. Really, what would rock 'n' roll do without them?

Check out these great photos of the KISS Army from shows over the last week!

Each one of these photos was taken by fans at the show who shared their great pics with the world via the KISS LIVE SHARE CoolIris application. KISS is the first band in the world to launch this app, and the KISS ARMY is being called upon to start taking great pictures! Want to join in the fun?

Download the free app from iTunes or Android Market at KISS LIVE SHARE and get started!

Check out this great KISS Dr Pepper display at the Shop Rite Supermarket in New London, CT.

Here's KISS with the awesome crowd at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga Springs, NY amphitheater last night.

Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

Here's last nights photo of the Wounded Warriors check at KISS' Saratoga Springs show. To date, KISS has raised $169,913.00 for the CSRA Wounded Warriors Care Project on the Hottest Show On Earth tour!

KISS is donating one dollar from every admission sold throughout the Hottest Show On Earth Tour to the CSRA Wounded Warriors Care Project.

Photos by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

KISS' spectacular performance on the Tonight Show will repeat tomorrow evening, Wednesday, August 18 at 11:35/10:35 c.

Photo by Hab Haddad for KISSonline.

Rock band brings legendary theatrical show to Jiffy Lube Live

Photo by Jay Gilbert

By: Nancy Dunham

The one thing about Paul Stanley, lead guitarist and co-founder of KISS, is that he gives some of the best quotes ever when talking about the band he and Gene Simmons started all those years ago.

Consider Stanley's take on why the "KISS Army" -- the band's millions of fans -- packs amphitheatres and snap up everything from KISS albums to belt buckles. The reason, Stanley said, is KISS knows what its fans want it to deliver.

"No offense to the Eagles, but no one wants an Eagles' belt buckle," Stanley said, echoing what he told Spin magazine a short while ago. "The truth is that band's limitations are based on what fans want from them and how interesting they are."

Staying interesting has never been a problem for KISS. When the band hit public consciousness in the early 1970s, the musicians behind the outlandish theatrical makeup and space age-style costumes were left to listeners' imaginations until 1983, when the grease paint was removed.

Photos: KISS, Hottest Show On Earth Tour

Legendary glam-rockers KISS proved they're still the reigning kings of theater rock with a bombastic, over-the-top performance at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on the Hottest Show on Earth Tour.

Photographer's Notes:

KISS has been on my 'bucket list' of bands since I began shooting shows. The makeup, costumes, over-the-top pyrotechnics and face-melting tunes - hands down, one of most fun and exhilarating performances I've ever photographed.

KISS was constantly hamming it up for photographers, especially the remaining original members of the band, bassist Gene Simmons and frontman Paul Stanley. They made sure that everyone got at least a frame of direct eye contact, a finger-point or an outstretched tongue thrust their way. With only the two songs to shoot, all this mugging was very welcome.

No photo pit for this show. The eight or so photographers were split into two groups and escorted to either side of the stage. I went into this gig focused on covering Gene and Paul, so I chose a spot stage-right with a clear view of both of them. Luckily, guitarist Tommy Thayer walked my way and I got some nice shots of him too. Drummer Eric Singer was positioned pretty far back which was a stretch even for a 200mm lens. My favorite moment was definitely when Gene, Paul and Tommy all rocked out at the front of the stage together.

I photographed this show with my Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens exclusively. My exposure was 1/640+ and f/2.8 at ISO 1000.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE KISS PHOTOS

Here's another KISS New Mexico Lottery ticket promo ice machine. This one was spotted in Corrales, just outside Albuquerque, NM.

Thanks to May Malik for sending her photo to KISSonline.

KISS Meet & Greet packages are now on sale for the following Mexican shows:

Sept 28 Monterey, Mexico - Teatro Banamex
Sept 30 Mexico City, Mexico - Sports Palace
Oct 2 Guadalajara, Mexico - 3 De Marzo Stadium

BUY KISS Upgrade Package for Monterrey, Mexico show

BUY KISS Upgrade Package for Mexico City, Mexico show

BUY KISS Upgrade Package for Guadalajara, Mexico show






KISS - Meet & Greet Package

Package includes:

* Exclusive Meet & Greet with the members of KISS
* Personal photograph with KISS
* Autographed 8X10 photo
* Exclusive, Limited Edition KISS Flip Video Camera
* Specially Designed KISS Concert Shirt
* Collectible KISS Tour Poster (limited edition, numbered)
* Official Meet and Greet Laminate
* Set of KISS guitar picks
* $25 voucher to the KISS on-line merchandise store