So About Those New KISS Live Shows

First off, who could have predicted that KISS would return to live performances after their multi-year farewell tour? I, for one, am shocked.

KISS is doing a Las Vegas takeover November 14-16 at the Virgin Hotel. Bruce Kulick will be joining in the weekend as well. Pre-sale to the convention-concert weekend begins April 2 but you need to be a fan club member (of course).

This thing is crazy expensive, too. The basic package is a thousand bucks a person and the top-level, ultimate experience package is five-grand a head. Not sure who can afford this, but congrats if you can!

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Life Really Is Stranger Than Fiction

Nothing makes sense anymore and basically everything is upside down, so I don't know why I was even surprised to read that Gene Simmons showed up to do the weather report on a California news station the other day.

The actual meteorologist for the station is Adam Krueger from FOX 11 Los Angeles. The little hit was a nice stunt for Gene to promote his solo work outside of KISS. Plus I'll go out on a limb here and say that Krueger is probably a big fan. During the segment, Gene astutely points out the difference between Las Vegas and Los Angeles on the map. He even threw in the word "futurecast." Gotta love it. He should probably stick to music and marketing, though.

Remembering Eric Carr; Freddie Mercury

November 24, 1991 was a hard day in the music world.

It seems unbelievable, but drummer Eric Carr has been gone 33 years as of today. Same for singer Freddie Mercury. Both KISS and Queen posted remembrances for their lost members. Two of the greats for sure.

KISS Sell Catalog And More

It's a deal worth $300 million. KISS has sold its catalog, name and likeness to Pophouse Entertainment.

Gene Simmons is spinning the deal as a "collaboration" but seems like KISS no longer has control over their branding and marketing (but we will see). The deal is part of the move that will let KISS have avatar-based concerts starting in a few years. It will be interesting to see how these catalog deals change music as time marches forward. Deals such as this one mean that KISS will exist in some form or another for a really long time.

That is cool - but - it will be interesting to see how A.I. changes everything music-related. Especially for the classic bands we love.

Insanity: Vinnie Vincent Facebook Group Edition

According to Sleaze Roxx, guitarist Vinnie Vincent will start charging $200 to access his Facebook fan group! The charge goes into effect February 1, 2024 and the $200 provides a year of access.

Holy moly, this is nuts! Is this where we are now? Is a monthly (or yearly) subscription required for everything these days? Also, who is going to pay $200 to access a freaking Facebook group? Please don't do this - I beg of you. Even to the biggest Vinnie or KISS fans: if you have the spare $200, just donate it to a worthy cause instead or something. Or put it in your IRA. Or toward a vacation. Or home improvement project. Or a million other things... but please. Don't. Pay. To. Access. A. Facebook. Group! #Insanity

So KISS Will Continue... As Avatars

At the end of the final KISS show last night in Madison Square Garden, the band announced they would continue... as avatars. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) created the KISS character avatars. I guess this means avatar concerts, movies, videos... whatever. ILM was founded by famed director George Lucas.

Here's a hunk of the AP story linked below about this new evolution of KISS:

"The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter of which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the 'ABBA Voyage' show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band — as performed by their digital avatars.

Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this new technology allows Kiss to continue their legacy for 'eternity.' He says the band wasn’t on stage during virtual performance because 'that’s the key thing,' of the future-seeking technology. 'Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this.'”

Kiss say farewell to live touring, become first US band to go virtual and become digital avatars https://t.co/yhUrIPoNaf

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 3, 2023

KISS Last Show Ever Tonight - PPV Available

KISS will perform their last live show as a band tonight in New York City. The event is actually available on Pay Per View (of course it is). The link to buy access is in the Facebook post below and the show starts at 8 pm ET. It is $40 for the stream. That includes a video on demand option after the show is over.

It has been cool seeing friends post their KISS memories on social media. A lot of great marketing went into this final tour and I say good for them! If you are present at Madison Square Garden tonight, have a great time. I'm so jealous!