NEWS UPDATE - July 2013
 

July 30: Frank Turner song : "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons"
From : Kiss Related Recordings (Thorbjörn Brorsson)
April 2013 Xtra Mile/ Polydor have released Frank Turner's fifth solo album "Tape Deck Heart" which deluxe edition contains a Gene Simmons '4600 photographs, stuck into a scrapbook' inspired / parody song entitled: "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons" as a bonus track. Frank Turner s an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire, UK. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead (active between 2001 and 2005), Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split, both in the studio and during live performances.
Read the lyrics of "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons" HERE.

KRR Inspired / Parody section

July 24 : Peter Criss Has Started To Work On Rock Album
From : Eddie Trunk
Eddie Trunk has checked in with the following update:
Had a great time last night at Mayhem Fest in NJ. Only made it in time to see Rob Zombie as I had some other stuff to deal with, but was cool to see so many I knew, both bands and fans. Was great to hang with Peter Criss most of the night! Peter lives in NJ near the venue and came as a guest of John 5 and the Zombie guys, who needless to say are huge fans. Peter was recovering from some hernia surgery but otherwise in great spirits and having a blast. Was really cool to see Rob give Peter such huge props from the stage during the show. Standing next to Peter when he did it you could tell how much it meant. I truly think Zombie’s show is the best theatrical rock show out there today. It gets bigger every time I see it and there is something always happening on stage! I tweeted some great photos with more to come on this site so please check my Twitter timeline. Zombie continues on Mayhem, then does some headline shows, then Rob will start work on his next film, a hockey movie on the Broadstreet Bullies. Peter Criss told me he has started to work on a rock solo album and was recently revisiting the material. No timetable for that but good to hear he still wants to do it.

EddieTrunk.com

July 23 : KissFAQ To Launch 1978 Solo Album Retrospective July 29
Press release from KissFaq (Tim Tim McPhate)
Retrospective to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1978 KISS solo albums with all-new interviews, original features, special content, and much more

As KISS celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2013, on July 29
KISSfaq.com will launch Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later..., an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums.

"Everybody's grown tremendously with their albums. And the really nice thing about it is that when the albums [are] all done, [and] each of us hears the other, it's really a great way of saying, 'Hey, this is what I'm about. This is the way I've always heard things.' It's like really getting to know somebody even better than you do." -- Paul Stanley, 1978

By 1978 KISS had transformed from merely a rock band into a cultural phenomenon.
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss had just completed their busiest year to date in 1977: a 12-month cycle that yielded two studio albums, "Alive II" and an intensive touring itinerary, including the band's first tour of Japan.

Under the direction of manager Bill Aucoin, what followed was a year that would take "Super KISS" over the top. KISS would release "Double Platinum," the band's first proper greatest hits package, in April 1978. The quartet also embarked on filming "KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park," a television movie that premiered on NBC in October. Meanwhile, a flood of KISS merchandise -- from belt buckles, sleeping bags, makeup kits, and dolls -- infiltrated retail outlets.

Most notably, Stanley, Simmons, Frehley, and Criss would make music history with the simultaneous release of four individual solo albums on September 18, 1978. It was music that surprised, titillated and shocked both KISS fans and critics.

Stanley expanded his creative horizons, mixing straight-ahead KISS-inspired numbers with dynamic tracks that showcased his impressive vocal range and popular culture influences. The Starchild tapped an able group of musicians, including guitarist Bob Kulick, who had ghosted guitar tracks on the studio side of "Alive II." In a sense, Stanley's album would chart a course for his future output in KISS.

Simmons called on a cavalcade of stars for his LP, from artists such as Donna Summer and Helen Reddy to Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen. Comprising a breadth of Simmons-penned material, the album spanned Beatles-inspired tunes, lushly orchestrated ballads and electrifying rock tracks, with a cover of the Disney classic "When You Wish Upon A Star" thrown in for good measure.

For his solo album, Frehley teamed with renowned producer/engineer Eddie Kramer, who was fresh from spearheading the band's recent two studio albums and "Alive II." With only two lead vocals to his credit at that point, Frehley's album was arguably considered the wildcard of the bunch. But with an armory of guitars and amps, a bolt of confidence and drummer Anton Fig in tow, the Spaceman had an ace up his sleeve.

Meanwhile, Criss fulfilled his musical dreams by presenting a song cycle reflecting his diverse interests, from R&B and old-time rock and roll to delicate ballads, including pre-KISS material written with longtime confidante Stan Penridge. The Catman was aided by a collective of A-list studio musicians and the talents of KISS creative guru Sean Delaney and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Vini Poncia.

Now, 35 years later, through a series of brand-new
KISSfaq interviews, original features and related special content, Back In The Solo Album Groove will put the four 1978 KISS solo albums center stage like never before.

More than 30 brand-new interviews were conducted with various individuals who either worked directly on the solo albums or have a strong connection of sorts. The interviews will offer readers fresh first-hand perspectives straight from studio musicians, producers, engineers, and collaborators, and the creative professionals working in the KISS camp at the time.

Topical features will shed more light on KISS' activity in 1978 while dissecting the albums and offering in-depth analysis and biographical information on the albums' participants. Also featured will be a 1978 KISS calendar, a roundup of other notable album releases in the rock genre in 1978, a spotlight on "Double Platinum," and much more.


Are you ready to get back in the groove? Back In The Solo Album Groove kicks off July 29, only at
KISSfaq.com !

About The 1978 KISS Solo Albums:
KISS made music history when they released four solo albums simultaneously on September 18, 1978. The albums were backed by an unprecedented marketing and publicity campaign and a total of more than 5.3 million units were shipped to retailers, creating KISSteria and representing perhaps one of the last examples of record industry excess in the '70s.

Musically speaking, the KISS solo albums reflected the musical personalities of original KISS Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Each album has been certified platinum by the RIAA. "Gene Simmons" reached a peak chart position of No. 22; "Ace Frehley" reached No. 26; "Paul Stanley" reached No. 40; and "Peter Criss" reached No. 43. Frehley scored the lone hit single of the four solo albums with the Russ Ballard-penned "New York Groove," which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979.

www.kissfaq.com

July 22 : Ace Frehley Working on New Album
From : Gibson / Peter Hodgson
Guitar legend Ace Frehley is in the studio working on a new album, the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Anomaly.
Ace is recording with members of his live band, drummer Matt Starr and bass player Chris Wyse. Starr posted a pic of himself and Ace in the studio on his blog with the caption: "Had a great week in the studio with Ace Frehley and Chris Wyse making some great new music Ace's new record. Stay tuned."
Wyse added "Had a blast these last few days playing with Ace Frehley and Matt Starr!!! Exciting new record coming from Ace!"
When pressed for further details on his official Facebook fan page, Starr said "No details yet. Just that we're working on it & it's gonna ROCK!"

www2.gibson.com

July 22 : DESMOND CHILD interview - about working with KISS
From : rockpages.gr
Greeces Rockpages Web Magazine did an interview recently with Desmond Child regarding his entire, illustrious career. Desmond Child talked about Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and the possibility of doing yet another album with his first band Desmond Child and Rouge. Read the full text and listen to excerpts of the interview HERE.

July 19 : BRIGHTON ROCK post teaser for ‘Creatures Of The Night’
From : bravewords.com
Canuck hard rock legends BRIGHTON ROCK will debut their video for 'Creatures Of The Night' from the upcoming cancer benefit album - A World With Heroes (A 40th Anniversary Tribute To KISS)  - on August 1st. The clip was filmed on June 15th at a 'secret' location in Ontario. The band has posted a teaser of the song.

July 12 : Gene Simmons Records Duet With Englebert Humperdinck
From : ultimateclassicrock.com
Gene Simmons might not seem like he’d have much in common with a veteran adult-contemporary crooner like Englebert Humperdinck, but appearances can be deceiving.

Simmons and Humperdinck are collaborating on a track for the latter’s upcoming duets album, which also includes performances by a number of other surprising artists. Humperdinck broke the news during a recent interview with Noise11, enthusing about the guest list on the record, which is due in October. You can watch the video above.

“Isn’t that something? It is going to be very exciting,” Humperdinck said of the Kiss member’s involvement. “There’s Elton [John], there’s Smokey Robinson, there’s Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Neil Sedaka, and it goes on and on and on. It is very exciting names on this particular album. I’m so thrilled that everyone has responded and wanted to work on the album with me, and I think it has been a very exciting project.”

The album could mark a return to the charts for Humperdinck, who’s maintained a presence as a steady touring act since his ’70s heyday, but hasn’t had a truly high-profile song since he contributed his version of ‘Lesbian Seagull’ to the ‘Beavis & Butt-Head Do America’ soundtrack in 1996.

July 11 : Good Rats Singer Peppi Marchello Dies
From : Billboard.com
Long Island rock legend Peppi Marchello, who for decades fronted The Good Rats, lovingly dubbed "the world's most famous unknown band," died on Wednesday July 10 of an apparent cardiac arrest. He was 68. Read the full report HERE.

Prior to joining KISS, Bruce Kulick played guitar for the Good Rats from 1980-1983, including work on the group's 1981 album "
Great American Music."

From : Kulick.net - Message from Bruce Kulick.
GOOD RATS _ Great American MusicSadly, The Good Rats, a legendary group from Long Island that I worked with from 1980 till 1983, has lost founding member Peppi Marchello. His powerful voice, songwriting skills, and wild live performance nature (shorts, high gym socks, and a baseball bat in hand!!) wowed fans across the tri-state area of NY/NJ/PA for many years.

Not restricted to just the tri-state area, however, The Good Rats fans are both passionate and worldwide. I remember joining KISS in 1984, and while on tour in France someone in the radio business there knew about my years in The Good Rats and was freaking about that, not me being in KISS!

So let's remember Peppi, with that baseball bat in his hand, leading strong band members throughout the years and entertaining his fans from his heart and soul.

He will be missed.

R.I.P.

July 11 : Song Premiere: Heat "What Does It Take" Ft. Vinnie Vincent
From : KissFaq (Tim Tim McPhate)
Just in time for summer, Heat -- an early '80s West Coast R&B/rock/fusion collective led by bandleader/principal songwriter Tom Saviano -- are primed for a comeback with the release of "HEAT Revisted" in Japan on July 17. Of interest to KISS fans, the album includes a 1981 unreleased HEAT track, "What Does It Take," which features lead guitar by Vinnie Vincent (as Vinnie Cusano) and offers a snapshot of his pre-KISS days as a session musician.

HEAT - Revisted (2013)Listen to the premiere of "What Does It Take" HERE.

Tom Saviano met Vinnie Vincent at the same studio where Saviano did some early work for Vini Poncia, at Fidelity Recording, Artie Ripp's studio, which is now Studio City Sound. For a a while Vinnie Vincent was doing session work there and hanging out at that studio. In 1981 Tom Saviano was doing some of the demos for the 2nd HEAT album "
Still Waiting". Together with Vinnie Vincent they tracked a song entitled "What Does It Take". The song was in the running for the "Still Waiting" album, but was pulled off because HEAT kept the album R&B. Still, Vinnie Vincent was credited as Vincent Cusano on the liner notes of the "Still Waiting" album.

In addition to founding Heat, Saviano is a well-known session musician on the Southern California scene. KISS fans will recognize his name as the horn arranger for select tracks on Peter Criss' 1978 solo album, including the Catman's cover of "Tossin' And Turnin'." Saviano has collaborated with high-profile musicians such as Brenda Russell, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheena Easton, and Rahsaan Patterson, among others. His more recent work includes sessions on recordings for Muse, Maroon 5, Meatloaf, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, and Tim McGraw. Saviano has also shared the stage with musicians such as Ziggy Marley, Lee Ritenour, Clarence Clemons, Steve Ferrone, and members of Stone Temple Pilots.

In conjunction with the exclusive online debut of "What Does It Take," KissFAQ caught up with Saviano to chat about the "Heat Revisited" project and his recollections of working with Vinnie.

Read Tim McPahte's interview with Tom Saviano HERE.

HEAT - Revisited (album details)

last update : 2013-07-31

News Archives

    New Releases

A World With Heroes - KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute Album

A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES 2013
KISS 40th Anniversary Tribute

HEAT - Revisited

HEAT                          July 17, 2013
Revisited  (Vinnie Vincent) 

BRET MICHAELS - Jammin' With Friends

BRET MICHAELS      June 25, 2013
Jammin' With Friends  (Ace Frehley)

AVANTASIA - The Mystery Of Time

AVANTASIA           March 29, 2013
The Mystery Of Time (Bruce Kulick)

MUSIC FROM THE FAQ VI

KISS TRIBUTE       March 18, 2013
Music From The Faq VI
News Archives
News Archives
 





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