Photo by Jon Zal
Originally published on April 23, 2002 at SoundSpike.com
In addition to being the singer, bassist and marketer extraordinaire for rock juggernaut KISS, Gene Simmons is also a self-proclaimed egomaniac.
KISS
Interview: Paul Stanley of KISS
Originally published on March 17, 2000 at Ticketmaster’s LiveDaily.com
It’s 10:40am on a Thursday, and KISS frontman Paul Stanley, calling from his hotel room, sounds tired — which, admittedly, he has every reason to be; he’s just two days away from launching his group’s final tour, and has spent weeks preparing for a show that involves running around in seven-inch platform boots, flying on the end of cables, and dodging more bombs and pillars of flame than one might expect to encounter during a small war.
Live Review: KISS in Phoenix
Photo by Jon Zal
Originally published on March 13, 2000 at Ticketmaster’s LiveDaily.com
PHOENIX, Ariz. — “You wanted the best! You got the best! The hottest band in the world … KISS!”
As the band’s name echoed through the arena, the curtain dropped to reveal rock-and-roll’s face-painted foursome, who were lowered to the stage on a platform that descended from the ceiling, arms raised in a victorious pose. The two-hour show that followed contained all the customary theatrics KISS fans — a.k.a. the KISS Army — have come to expect: explosions, pillars of flame, fire-breathing, blood-spewing, rocket-launching guitars, levitating drum risers, and tons and tons of confetti. There was, however, one subtle yet palpable difference about this gig: the band was saying goodbye.