LEGENDARY KISS MANAGER

William Aucoin, beloved record industry executive, manager, entrepreneur, and creative visionary, passed away this morning, Monday, June 28 at 9:11 am. EST at the Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, Florida.

Born December 29, 1943, Bill was battling prostate cancer, and passed away from surgical complications.

The man known for masterminding the career of the world-renowned group KISS, Bill Aucoin also managed STARZ, TOBY BEAU, BILLY SQUIER, BILLY IDOL, and numerous other artists. His most recent venture is Aucoin Globe Entertainment, which he founded in 2007. In its three years, Bill and his company developed bands in the U.S. and around the world.

He leaves behind his longtime partner of fifteen years, Roman Fernandez, and two sisters Betty Britton and Janet Bankowski.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Here's the KISS Army Spain at the shows in Vitoria and Barcelona earlier this week.

Photos by Spiro Papadatos and Javier Rueda for KISSonline.

Here's more images of the KISS display from the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

The exhibit runs through September 12th. For more information, visit http://www.childrensmuseum.org.

Thanks to Daniel for sending KISSonline the image.

KISS LAUNCHED REUNION TOUR

On this day in KISStory - June 28, 1996, the KISS Alive Worldwide Reunion tour kicked off at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI, before a sellout crowd of over 43,000! The mammoth 13-month tour included 200 shows in 26 countries, playing to over two million people and set a record for the top-grossing tour of the year.

The Tour was the first tour of all four original members - Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, since the Dynasty Tour in 1979.

Set List for the Tour:

Deuce / King Of The Night Time World / Do You Love Me / Calling Dr Love / Cold Gin / Christine Sixteen / Love Gun / Shout It Out Loud / Watchin' You / Firehouse / 2,000 Man / Strutter / Shock Me / Rock Bottom / God Of Thunder / New York Groove / Let Me Go, Rock And Roll / Rock And Roll All Nite / Beth / Detroit Rock City / Black Diamond

KISS also performed the following songs at various shows on the Tour:

100,000 Years/ C'mon And Love Me / I Stole Your Love / Take Me / I Was Made For Lovin' You / Shandi / Watchin' You

Here are the comps for the new KISS Lavalites being released in September. As you can see - Paul, Eric, Tommy and Gene each have their own lamp.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Here's a picture of a huge KISS painting in a record store in Barcelona!

Thanks to Olaf Suplicki for sending the image to KISSonline.

Check out these great live KISS photos taken by the KISS Army at Azkena Rock Festival show 2010 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

Thanks to Fernando Martinez & Javier Rueda for sending to KISSonline.

KISS wraps up their 35-date Sonic Boom Over Europe tour with a headlining appearance tonight at the Graspop Metal Meeting 2010 in Dessel, Belgium!

Thanks for a great show. It seems to get better everytime I see You!

Hope you like my photo. CLICK HERE to view more of my photos.

Best,
Will Van Leuken

Check out this cool Gene Simmons Dr Pepper standee used in-stores to promote Dr Pepper Cherry.

Hi KISS!

Eric Singer is on the cover of Modern Drummer Brazil (June 2010). The article has a 7 pages interview. Here's a link to their site: http://www.myspace.com/revistamoderndrummer

Thanks,
Lourenco Junior

LETTERS

KISS!

Well what can I say!! What a fantastic tour that has really imprinted itself on me for the rest of my life! From Sheffield on the May 1st to my last gig at Barcelona on 24 June I have never been so happy and excited.

The band have been outstanding from day one of the tour and I would like to thank them for bringing so much pleasure to my life this summer and having so much time for me when I met them at Newcastle and London in May.

The photo is of myself, Gabi Vetter and Angie Swalwell in the Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona trying to calm down after the buzz of the Barcelona show.

Thank you so much KISS and all involved!

Tony Holder

LETTERS

Here's the opening of KISS' show at the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain last night!

Hey KISS,

Two more months, can't wait to see you guys and I mean that literally, got the meet and greet for Jones Beach! Also, it will be my son's first concert, what better concert then KISS & THE MEET AND GREET.

Anyway, just got back from getting my truck inspected and while waiting I was flipping through a copy of COMPLEX magazine and saw this ad for DR PEPPER CHERRY!!!! They didn't mind that I "BORROWED " the magazine...

Tony V

LETTERS

NEW KISS GLASSES

Here's the latest in KISS glassware from licensee ICUP. Both sets of KISS glasses should be in stores in July.