News Archive / January 1-15, 1999
KISS NEWS IN EARLY JANUARY 1999 JANUARY 16, 1999
Disclaimer: Not necessarily all of the news as it appears on these pages is confirmed by or coming from official sources. As much as possible we try to avoid unsubstantial rumors, but KISS Kollector can not be held responsible for the validity of any of the information, nor do we accept responsibility for views expressed here by other people.
JANUARY 15, 1999 Up Down
Features section update: more Gene interview out takes
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
Today we have updated the Features section of KISS Kollector Online. More out takes of a recent interview with Gene Simmons have been added. Here's a little teaser:

How does it feel to be a God for many people?
"I appreciate it, but to me this is much more fun. To me it is just a big game. And I appreciate it very much from the bottom of my heart that anybody even cares about me. But the truth is if you have heroes, and if you are a champion, you can't be yesterday's champion, you can't be yesterday's news. For KISS and for me it's always about right here and right now. You live in the moment, even if we have a history in the past it's very important to get up there on stage and to prove it. Just like the champion of the world in boxing. You are only the champion if you are the champion of today. It's okay to be the champion of yesterday but you are yesterday's news. And that is okay too, but it is more exciting to be the champion of today."

For more, please check out the Features section.
Two KISS videos in Billboard's Top Music Videos
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
In the January 16 issue of Billboard, KISS is listed in the Top Music Videos at No. 6 with The Second Coming and at No. 9 with Psycho Circus. The 2-track Psycho Circus video has been on the Top 40 for 10 weeks now (holding steady at No. 9 this week), whereas long form release The Second Coming is in its 9th week (last week on No. 6 as well). Ever since the release of KISS Exposed in early 1987, KISS home videos have been selling extremely well, in contrast to the last couple of albums. The last album that was a mega-seller (even to KISS standards) was 1988's Smashes, Thrashes & Hits compilation.
JANUARY 13, 1999 Up Down
Playboy's KISS special available early February
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
The upcoming issue of Playboy with the KISS cover story will be available on news stands on February 9, while Playboy subscribers have the privilege of already laying their hands on it six days earlier. We have the premiere however. Check out this amazing photo of Ace posing with some KISS-girls for Playboy!

The picture of Gene comes from Playboy Online, where a monthly preview of the upcoming issue can be found. This month, one of the teasers reads: "KISS KISS — GENE SIMMONS, THE SCARIEST TONGUE IN MUSIC, HAS LAUNCHED HIS BAND'S NEW TOUR WITH 40 GORGEOUS WOMEN. IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL, AND YOU'LL LIKE IT"
According to rumor: Motley Crue opens in Europe..?
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
The Internet has always been full of gossip, but obviously we usually don't encourage unsubstantial rumors on our site. However, one particular rumor we didn't want to hold back. With the emphasis on rumor, we mention the following: word has it that in Vienna, Austria the show might be opened by Motley Crue. There is no confirmation at all at the moment.
Eric Singer plays on new Alice Cooper tribute album
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
The Alice Cooper tribute album, titled Humanary Stew, is out now and the extensive list of collaborating musicians includes ex-KISS drummer Eric Singer. The album has been produced by Bob Kulick, brother of ex-KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick.

The 11-track album includes the classic Alice Cooper tune I'm Eighteen. Not too long ago Cooper's publishing company filed a lawsuit against Paul Stanley and Bruce Kulick because the KISS song Dreamin', written by Paul and Bruce, sounds too much like the Cooper classic, according to the claim.
KISS at the American Music Awards
- From KISSONLINE -
KISS were presenters at last nights (Monday January 11 — KISS Kollector Online) 26th Annual American Music Awards. The band received a standing ovation from the audience when they walked out onto the stage. They presented the Favorite Pop/Rock Album to Will Smith.
Gene at the FANGORIA Convention this Weekend
- From KISSONLINE -
Saturday, January 16th: Detroit Rock City Presentation

Speakers: Gene Simmons (out of make-up) and Adam Rifkin (Director - writer of Small Soldiers and Mouse Hunt and director of The Chase. Presentation: Gene and Adam will speak about the movie and we will be showing a seven minute promotional reel featuring footage from the film, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and the band and cool music from the movie. Q&A and autograph signing.

Time: 3:15 PM
The New Yorker Hotel
481 8th Avenue
NY 10001
JANUARY 9, 1999 Up Down
Detroit Rock City: KISS rolls out their second movie
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
On October 15 last year the second KISS movie went into production, twenty years after the first one, KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park, premiered on American TV. The new movie will not premiere on television, but be released to cinemas around the US, like 'The Phantom' made it to some cinemas in Europe in 1978. The new movie will be called Detroit Rock City, which was also the working title. It will be distributed by New Line Cinema in the US and is expected in April. At this point it is unclear whether it will make it to movie theaters outside the United States.

Detroit Rock City is a comedy set in 1978 and tells the story of four teenagers embarking on a wild adventure to attend a KISS show. They go through a hellish obstacle course of disapproving parents, lost tickets and muggers to see their favorite band in concert at Detroit's Cobo Hall. The show is sold out, but nothing will stop them from scamming their way in. Eventually they succeed of course, and we get to see KISS perform live on the big screen. The footage for this scene was shot early December at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Canada, with about 3,000 KISS fans in attendance as extras.

KISS performed the song Detroit Rock City several times and Rocktropolis reported: "The set design was an exact replica of the 1978 Cobo Hall concert. A giant bulb-lit KISS logo was lowered over a black backdrop. Two baskets, one containing Simmons, the other Stanley and Frehley, flanked Criss, and were elevated off the ground. The audience was hushed, so the cameras could be slated. Dry ice filled the stage. The song kicked in. Pillars of flames shot out, concussion flash pots exploded, and more pyrotechnics carried the show through the finale, including stalactites of sparks and coloured confetti, and, of course, Criss' drum riser literally rising. The crowd, of course, went apoplectic."

The four kids in the movie are called Trip, Hawk, Jam and Lex (pictured here from left to right). Edward Furlong (1977), who plays Hawk, is probably the most well-known actor starring in Detroit Rock City. He debuted in 1991 in Terminator 2: Judgement Day and has done nine other movies since, of which last year's American History X is one of the better-known titles. Giuseppe Andrews makes his debut on the big screen as Lex. James De Bello, who plays Trip, is also still quite inexperienced. He did a TV series and one other movie (Great Falls), which will both hit the screen this year. Jam is portrayed by Sam Huntington (1982), who did two other films so far.

The rest of the cast includes Miles Dougal (as Janitor), Melanie Lynskey (1977, as Beth), Natasha Lyonne (1979, as Christine Sixteen), Lin Shaye (as Mrs. Bruce, see picture) and Nick Scotti. Then of course there's Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss as KISS. Cover band Hotter Than Hell is portraying KISS as well, as they stood in for the real band during the shooting. Miles Dougal has starred in Barb Wire (1996) and The Chase (1994). From this last movie he knows Adam Rifkin, who is the director of Detroit Rock City. Interestingly, Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne will be starring together in another movie this year, called But I'm A Cheerleader.

Director Adam Rifkin is probably best known for The Chase (with Charlie Sheen), which he wrote and directed, but did quite a lot of other films as well. He directed eight movies so far and his writing credits are impressive too, as they include Mouse Hunt (1997), Small Soldiers (1998) and the upcoming Jumanji 2 (1999). The screenplay for Detroit Rock City was written by Carl Dupre. The movie is being produced by Kathleen Haase, Barry Levine and Gene Simmons. It is currently in post-production (production wrapped up on December 5, 1998) and Peter Schink is editing the footage. KISS will be in the studio this month to record some songs for the sound track.
Peter Criss talks to Metal Edge
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
The new issue of American magazine Metal Edge (cover date April 1999) has Peter Criss on the cover and a 5-page interview with KISS' drummer inside. Peter talks quite candidly about a variety of things, including the recording of the Psycho Circus album. Read some quotes on the more interesting subjects right here:

About the current tour...
"Last tour, God forbid you hit the wrong note or missed a beat, you were destroyed in the dressing room, we kept lists. Now it's just, 'Hey, I fucked up, I'm sorry.' It's more the *we* now, not the *me*."

About the rumors flying around on the Internet...
"That's what they are, rumors. It was the same thing with the reunion. When I was away from the band, the stories were so fabricated, they were great... I heard once that I took a .45 and shot a guy in the head. I heard about that and was like, 'What are you talking about? I never shot a guy in the head.' I shot *at* guys, but never shot a guy. (Laughter.)"

About the recording of Psycho Circus...
"Yeah, I played on a lot of the tracks. Whether they were used or not... At the time, I was getting married. I figure, 'I'm not there. Let it go, let's see what the fans say, let's see how they take it.' I know when you put it on, you can't see the guy who's playing, you just have to feel it. You're either going to like it, or you ain't gonna like it, and you're gonna learn from your mistakes." (...) "I was talking to Gene the other night and told him, 'I know this album was a major project, but we really owe it to our fans to do another album. The fans need an album that's really just the four of us.'"

About discontinuing the circus acts at shows...
"It cost a lot of money! And, they're out of control. They wanted to do make-up with us and come into our dressing room, and we were like, 'Let's get this straight, we're the headliners, you're the opener.' They had this whole thing with being called co-headliners. They wanted this, that, more money... We were like, 'No, you take the chances of dying in the balls on motorcycles, not us. That's what you want to do, we're not paying more for that.' Then, God forbid, the motorcycle falls into the crowd and lands on somebody? That's it, we're done. It was too scary, so we just dropped it. You have no idea what the bill was. You could have had a house or two with what it cost!"

About how the 3-D effects have been turning out...
"No, I'm not satisfied, but we have to be the first to do it, and now I realize why all these bands who've wanted to in the past — like Sting — haven't. It costs a fortune to do it, it's a fortune to run, and then you have to get the bugs out of it." (...) "It's a constant fight to get it exactly the way we want it. Half the time I don't think the crowd even knows what to do, I look out and I see people confused, with their glasses hanging from their faces. I thing there's still a lot that needs to be worked out, and I know we will be the ones to do it."

About the response so far and shows not selling as fast as on the reunion tour...
"Of course I'd rather have them all be sold out houses! (Laughing.) We were talking about it, and obviously everyone probably thought the reunion tour was it and they would never see us again. Now, it's always the loyal fans, The KISS Army that's coming to see us, and the people that are inquisitive about the 3-D show. Once our Playboy issue comes out, we do the Super Bowl, and we've got Detroit Rock City coming out, I think those will help us out a lot and keep things rocking. Either way, the crowds are still great."
JANUARY 8, 1999 Up Down
More news on a possible April tour of Australia
- From KISS Kollector, JvP, special thanks to James North -
Only two days ago Australian promoter Frontier Touring Company stated that "there is no confirmed KISS tour for this year as yet." While there is indeed still no confirmation, Australian fans will be happy to hear that PolyGram Australia stated the following on a possible Australian tour later this year: "We're still waiting for confirmed dates but it looks like it will be in April. I believe contracts are yet to be signed with the band — hence why no official announcement has been made."
Paul updates KISS Kollector Fanclub
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
When the band was wrapping up the first (US) leg of the Psycho Circus World Tour late December in Michigan, Paul sent a message to KISS Kollector Fanclub by air mail. Due to the holiday season it took until today before his mail reached us. Although it's a little late, there's a few things we don't want to hold back.

Paul, who feels great about the Psycho Circus World Tour, writes he enjoys the new tour even better than the previous one, and promises there will be lots in store for the band and the KISS Army in 1999. As for the upcoming sound track for the movie Detroit Rock City, Paul states it will be recorded soon.
Another extra show on the upcoming European Tour
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
In Holland the March 13 KISS show is far from sold out at the moment, but in some other countries tickets are selling very fast once again. Recently an extra show was announced in Sweden. The March 5 concert at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg sold out quickly, so another Gothenburg show has been added for March 4. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 11.

Meanwhile, there is talk of even more European shows this year in the latest issue of France's No. 1 metal magazine Hard Rock. Kiko Loureiro, guitarist of Angra, talks about a European Gods Of Metal Tour with KISS and Metallica (and Angra of course), which is supposed to take place during the summer in Italy, Germany and maybe France. Since there are no other sources for this news, this may turn out to be only a rumor.
More on the live CD
- From KISSONLINE -
It is a 6 song live EP that will be packaged with the full length album in all territories except North America when the tour hits Europe. It should be available in Europe in late February. There are three songs from Psycho Circus and three classic KISS tracks. It is still unknown which ones.
JANUARY 6, 1999 Up Down
No Australian tour for this year as of yet
- From KISS Kollector, JvP, special thanks to James North -
It appears that Australian promoter Frontier Touring Company has stated the following by fax: "There is no confirmed KISS tour for this year as yet. If it does happen it won't be until late March or early April." Since the band wraps up the European tour on March 25, a tour start Down Under late March is impossible, unless there would be a second stage set (which is probably not the case, or the Florida show would not have been cancelled). Because of this, an Australian tour isn't likely to happen any earlier than somewhere in April. There's also no confirmation about a tour of Japan yet, which was rumored earlier to take place in April.
JANUARY 5, 1999 Up Down
Psycho Circus nominated for a Grammy Award!
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
The title track of KISS' latest album, Psycho Circus, has been nominated for a Grammy Award. The nominees were announced by the Recording Academy today. KISS have been nominated for 'Best Hard Rock Performance'. The other nominees in this category are Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant and Pearl Jam. KISS' first Grammy Awards nomination comes at a time when they are about to celebrate their 25th anniversary. In fact, when the awards ceremony takes place at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday, February 24, 1999, it is almost 25 years ago to the day that KISS released its self-titled debut album, back in 1974.

The song Psycho Circus has been nominated in Category 16: Best Hard Rock Performance — For solo vocals, or Duos/Groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only. The listing of nominees in this category for the 41st annual Grammy Awards is as follows:
Psycho Circus KISS
 Track from: Psycho Circus [Mercury Records]
The Dope Show Marilyn Manson
 Track from: Mechanical Animals [Nothing Records]
Fuel Metallica
 Track from: ReLoad [Elektra Records/EEG]
Most High Jimmy Page & Robert Plant
 Track from: Walking Into Clarksdale [Atlantic Records]
Do The Evolution Pearl Jam
 Track from: Yield [Epic Records]

Last year's telecast was the second highest rated entertainment special of 1998 (after the Oscars). Broadcast by CBS in the United States, the show is seen in over 180 countries by an estimated viewing audience of over 1.5 billion worldwide. This year's show will start at 8PM PST on February 24. If KISS attends, which seems more than likely, they will have little time for after parties: they have to be on stage in Helsinki, Finland, a mere 38 hours later, for the first show of the European tour.
Detroit Rock City movie is said to be ready for screening
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
According to Hollywood Hotline, the KISS movie with the working title Detroit Rock City is finished and ready for screening. New Line Cinema seems to be very much behind the project, so a premiere of the movie around April doesn't seem to be a problem. Gene told Hollywood Hotline that the other KISS movie he talked about a while ago, the bio-pic on the band's history that was to be produced by Gene Kirkwood, won't be happening. At least not in the near future, as the band has too many things on their hands right now.
January 29 Florida concert cancelled
- From KISS Kollector, JvP -
As we indicated a two days ago, the January 29 show at the National Car Rental Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is indeed cancelled. The reason is that the KISS stage set is already on its way, by boat, to Europe. Obviously this also means the rumored Australian tour early February will never become reality. We have no knowledge at this time, if the Florida show will be rescheduled later during the tour.
JANUARY 4, 1999 Up Down
Paul helps a three year old: the full story
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
On December 25, KISS Kollector Online ran the story 'Paul helps a three year old' (see the 'December 1998 (2)' page in our News Archive). The story was about the concert in Omaha on December 16, where Paul paused the show for a moment to make sure a little kid in the front row would not get hurt. The father of the child got in touch with KISS Kollector to share his experience with everyone. So read on and enjoy Michael Zawodny's amazing story:

"Just to correct a few things: my son is seven, not three and he was never pushed away from me or in any danger. We waited in line for four hours before we were let in and then we went right to the front of the stage. During the opening act everything was OK and not a lot of pushing and shoving was going on. When KISS came out Paul spotted my son Jake right away, he was waving and having a good time with everyone. During Psycho Circus, as Paul was looking at my son, some guy put his arms in the air and elbowed Jacob right in the nose, which made him cry. Paul saw this and you could tell that he didn't know what to do. After a few minutes Jake was OK and was having a good time again. After the next song Paul told everyone: "Hello! How ya doin' people?!" Then he said that there was a little kid in front, who needed to be pulled out before something happened to him. Right away security pulled Jacob out and then pulled myself and the girl I was with out.

We were set right off of Ace's side next to the speaker stack. There was a couple of girls sitting next to us with KISS passes. I asked who they were and why they got to just go wherever they wanted. One said that she was Ace's daughter... I was shocked to say the least! We were sitting on road cases next to the stage right, where Paul put us next to Ace's daughter. I couldn't have asked for anything more. During Peter's drum solo Paul stuck his head out the side from the curtain right behind Ace's platform and motioned for Jake to come over — we were only about 20 feet from under the stage. Jacob went under the stage before I could even catch up with him. Paul was giving Jake picks right from a box on top of the guitar tech's table. I went over as Paul was bringing Jacob out, he shook my hand and I told him thanks.

At the end of the show Paul came over and threw the neck of the smashed guitar right down to Jake. That was the best time for Jacob and myself. After the encores and the house lights came on and security told us not to go anywhere, because they were afraid that people would mob Jake and take the guitar neck from him. A few moments went by and Doc McGhee came over. He said that Paul had told him backstage that there was a little kid out there and he had to take care of him. Doc then asked Jacob how he was doing and if he liked the show. He asked Jake if he got the neck of the guitar signed. Jake said "no" and Doc took all three of us back into the green room.

We met up with Aces daughter Monique again. Doc said that after Paul got done cleaning up, he was coming out to see us. I thought that Paul would come out, say hello, sign the guitar and then tell us goodbye. That was not the case. Gene came into the room first, said hi and told us that Paul had said something during the show to him and that he had been looking for Jacob but couldn't find him. Gene was really nice. Then Ace came in to say hi as well. He introduced us to his daughter, whom we had already met of course. You could tell that Ace was really proud of his daughter: he kept mentioning her to us... He was really a nice guy as well. After Ace, Peter came in and said hi. He told me that he got to go home for a day to see his wife, whom he hadn't seen in three weeks.

Finally, Paul came in and got down to Jake's level and talked to him and asked him stuff like how old he was and what he wanted to be when he grew up. Jake said "KISS" of course and both Paul and Gene laughed. Paul also told Jacob about his son. Paul, Gene and Peter were all eating food that was on a table and asked us if we wanted anything to eat. We were the only 'outside people' in the room and it felt really kind of weird, but they all acted like we were just people supposed to be there. After about a half an hour or so, Peter left to go catch a plane and then the rest of the guys started to leave. Everyone shook our hands and told Jake goodbye. As we were walking away Jake yelled goodbye to Paul about 50 feet away in the corridor of the arena and Paul turned and yelled bye Jake. That was a nice thing and I can say that Paul and all of KISS are as good as they come when it comes to the fans.

I have been a KISS fan since I was about 9 years old... I am 30 now. I would have never guessed that these guys are this great in person. They didn't have the stuck up, big time star attitude. They were all great and what Paul and Doc did for Jacob was something that we will never forget and always be thankful to them for. They made a new fan of Jake and an even bigger fan of me. That is the whole story for you. Just thought you would like to know how it really happened..."

Click here to see a KISS promo photo given to Jake Zawodny, signed by the whole band.
JANUARY 3, 1999 Up Down
European tour, movie and sound track album coming up
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
Last night, KISS played the last show on the first leg of the Psycho Circus World Tour at the Nashville Arena, in Nashville. The January 29 show at National Car Rental Center in Fort Lauderdale is said to be cancelled. Although this still has to be confirmed, it would make sense not to transport the whole stage to Florida for just one show. The appearance of KISS at the special Super Bowl pre game show on January 31 in Miami will go ahead as planned.

Being off the road for about seven weeks, KISS will no doubt take a little rest. They will, however, also use this time to work on a sound track album to accompany the upcoming movie Detroit Rock City (working title). Paul is said to have written some songs with Diane Warren for this album and some Psycho Circus leftovers are in the can as well. The European leg of the Psycho Circus Tour is scheduled to consist of 20 shows and will kick off in Helsinki, Finland, on February 26. A live EP (recorded in Terre Haute, Indiana, on December 12) will be released in Europe around this time.

The European tour winds up at the Wembley Arena in London on March 25. Except for the release of the movie, there seem to be no definite plans after that. Both a tour of Japan and Australia are expected, but still awaiting confirmation. A second US leg for the Psycho Circus Tour seems imminent. KISS hasn't played any shows on the West Coast so far, with the exception of the opening show at Dodger Stadium. The movie is expected to hit theaters around the US in April/May, ahead of this year's big block buster: the new Star Wars film.
KISS Kollector presents: a short history of KISS
- From KISS Kollector, RH -
Since KISS Kollector has plans to expand its web site vastly this year, we thought we might just as well get started right away. We would like to invite you to check out our new History section, which has just been added. It features part 1 of our look at KISS' history, often referred to as KISStory. Included are some very exclusive pictures of KISS playing on a small stage in Europe in 1976. Part 2 will be added within a week and take to story right into 1999. Some other sections have been added to this web site as well, but these are still 'under construction'.
"Rock 'n' Roll All Nite and Build All Day"
- From the LA Times -
Gene Simmons, bassist with the heavy metal group KISS is about to start building a hillside chateau in the Beverly Hills area, and his band mate, rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, is just completing his nearby Tuscan Villa.

The original four member band, who wear Kabuki style make-up, recorded their first album in 20 years this fall. Now KISS plans to perform at the Super Bowl on Jan. 31 and to appear in the movie Detroit Rock City, to be released in April. The band also expects to go on a world tour this year, taping segments to use in a New Year's Eve 2000 concert.

Stanley and his wife, actress Pam Bowan, have been transforming their home, once owned by the late comedian Redd Foxx, into their vision of an Italian villa with frescoes in the dining room, mosaic tiles around the pool, and gardens with Italian cypresses and fountains. The 8,000 square foot, ocean view home, on about an acre, has a separate office and guest house. Architect Gus Duffy helped on the project in it's final stages.

Duffy also designed the plans for Simmons and his companion, actress Shannon Tweed, a former Playboy centerfold. Their new home will involve a complete tear down of a house where they have lived for more than 12 years and construction of a 12,000 square foot residence with subterranean garage.
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