Gene Simmons to Rock HOF to Induct Soundgarden?

(from ultimate-guitar.com) Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is hoping that it's only a matter of time before the Seattle four-piece gets inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and once they do, he would like none-other that KISS bassist Gene Simmons to be the group's presenter.

During a recent HBO Q&A session, Cornell was asked to name who would he like to see as the band's presenter if Soundgarden ever gets inducted. "I would hope it is a when, as opposed to an if," frontman replied. "How about Gene Simmons?"

Another fan asked Cornell yet another Hall of Fame related question, this time around regarding the artists he would like to induct, apart from those he already did. The singer opted for songwriter Daniel Johnston, whose records he even considers as enjoyable as the work of rock giants Pink Floyd.

"I would induct Daniel Johnston," Cornell said. "He is a songwriter who recorded a lot of music on a boom box and produced records where the budget was ultimately the price of a cassette tape. It occurred to me at one point that I got no less enjoyment out of listening to his records than I did from a Pink Floyd record, for example. That thought spoke to me as an absolute definition of what rock 'n' roll is really about."

Finally, the frontman reflected on inducting Heart into the Hall of Fame at this year's ceremony, calling it an "eye opening experience."

"Inducting Heart into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame was an eye-opening experience. I was certainly honored, but had always had a cynical attitude about an institution like this as it pertains to Rock 'n' Roll in general. The fan support of all the bands inducted and their emotional enthusiasm changed everything for me."

Paul Stanley: 'I Don't Need The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame'

(from huffingtonpost.com) When this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony airs on HBO Saturday night, Rush, Heart, Public Enemy, Donna Summer and Randy Newman, among others, will be seen joining those already enshrined in the Cleveland museum. But one group that won't be represented, yet again, is the self-proclaimed "hottest band in the world," KISS.

Longtime fans can't believe the group that taught America how to rock and roll all night and party every day still hasn't made the cut. The Huffington Post asked lead singer Paul Stanley if there's hope of a reprieve.

"Well, it depends on who lives longer, us or Jann Wenner," Stanley said, referring to the Rolling Stone editor-in-chief who co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in the mid-1980s.

Fans have a tendency to blame Wenner for the KISS snub. (One brave loyalist even confronted Wenner on the street to demand answers.) But the real obstacle may be journalist Dave Marsh, who plays a key role in the selection process and once told MTV, "Kiss is not a great band, Kiss was never a great band, Kiss never will be a great band, and I have done my share to keep them off the ballot."

Stanley, who has been making the media rounds to publicize the opening of a new branch of his Rock & Brews restaurant chain, questioned the legitimacy of the hall itself.

"Look, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is marketing," he said. "You've got a bunch of faceless people in a back room who trademark a name that sounds very official. Well, if you had thought of it first, you would have been the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Stanley, who turned 61 in January and has been playing with KISS for 40 years, also complained that artists who aren't generally considered rock 'n' rollers keep getting inducted, even as his group keeps getting overlooked.

"I am one of the biggest Laura Nyro fans. I still listen to that stuff incessantly. Laura Nyro does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Songwriter Hall of Fame? Absolutely," he said.

Some rock purists dismiss KISS as a "comic book rock band," to quote Steven Tyler, but their kid-friendly costumes and easy-to-learn riffs have arguably enhanced their influence over ensuing generations of musicians. Garth Brooks, Lenny Kravitz and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam have all expressed their indebtedness to the band.

"It's absurd for anybody to look around and hear the acts and artists who cite us as an inspiration, and then tell me that we're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Stanley said.

Not that he cares! "I'm not here to make converts, and I think that the people who choose not to see things, I'm not missing their adoration."

If anything, Stanley said, he'd like to see KISS recognized for the sake of the fans. "I would certainly accept on their behalf because it seems to be a major sore spot for them," he said. "But I don't need the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

The third Rock & Brews restaurant opened on the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles on May 8. According to a press release, Stanley and KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, who are partners in the franchise, plan to open "as many as 100 Rock & Brews restaurants over the next five years."

"I'm a real foodie," said Stanley, adding that he admires the chefs Thomas Keller and Julian Serrano. (KISS has deep roots in Brooklyn, but Stanley, who grew up in New York, admitted he hasn't yet sampled the borough's now-celebrated fare.)

It's tempting to assume that Stanley handles the food and Simmons, who once vied for the approval of Donald Trump on "Celebrity Apprentice," is the marketing whiz, but Stanley said that's not the case.

"I would say if somebody said to the two of us, 'You guys should make a cake,' Gene would tell me that it's gotta be six feet tall and what color it should be, and I'd say, 'Yeah, but there's gotta be a cake underneath it.' But we work great together," Stanley said. "Our track record together is far better than on our own."

The Rock & Brews restaurants promise to give rock fans a place to bring their kids and eat well. Asked if he and Simmons found the bring-the-whole-family angle awkward after four decades of selling themselves as skirt-chasing rock gods, Stanley said, "I am a rock god still, but I think the biggest change is what goes on when I'm not on stage."

Today, Stanley lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their three youngest children. Their oldest, a son, studies music at New York University.

"I look back with tremendous, tremendous fondness and great memories on a life of debauchery, but I sure as hell would find it sad to still be there," Stanley said. "There's nothing more pathetic than seeing the guy in the club who you think is a little past being there."

KISS Perform at Rock & Brews Opening

KISS performs at the Rock & Brews in Torrance, Calif. The band played with out makeup and costumes for about 20 minutes during the grand opening on Wednesday (May 8).

Paul, Tommy, Eric and Gene worked through ‘Rock and Roll All Night,’ ‘Lick It Up’ and ‘Hotter Than Hell.’

Earlier in the day, Simmons and Stanley played for more than 100 returning military veterans and Wounded Warriors

Rock & Brews Gets Ready for Grand Opening Celebration in Torrance

(tbrnews.com) KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are gearing up for the grand opening of Rock & Brews’ newest location at 6300 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance on Wednesday, May 8.

Grand opening activities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony; a private luncheon for more than 100 returning military veterans and Wounded Warriors with Stanley and Simmons waiting tables, and an evening gala with a special appearance by Stanley and Simmons.

 VIP tickets to the evening gala are $250 per person, which includes food and beverages, a private reception with Stanley and Simmons, and a Rock & Brews gift bag. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales to the gala will benefit the Torrance Education Foundation.

VIDEO: The Historically Inaccurate Story of the Inspiration for the Song BETH

Bob Winter, creative director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami, creates a fictional tale of KISS in the studio and Peter Criss gets a call from his wife, BETH, and how it inspired the bands highest charting single.

The video is done perfectly. From the retro 70's look to the script, which includes the lyrics from the hit song.

CREDITS

• Director ............................ Brian Billow
• Production Co.................... Anonymous Content
• Sr. Exec Producer ............. Eric Stern
• Exec Producer ................... SueEllen Clair
• Producer ............................ Paul Ure
• Writer ................................ Bob Winter
• DP ..................................... Darran Tiernan
• Editor ................................. John Dingfield/Beast Editorial

Actors:

• Beth ..................................... Lilli Birdsell
• Peter .................................... Steven Olson
• Kid #1.................................. Michael Hamilton
• Kid #2 ................................. Robert Hamilton
• Ace ...................................... Roy Green
• Paul ...................................... Alec Paul Cartinian
• Gene .................................... Rocco Fonzarelli
• Roadie ................................. Jason Lee Beckwith
• Performer Beth Piano Intro .. Coleman Zurkowski

Peter Criss KISS Outfit Up For Sale

(Rich Chamberlain of Rhythm Magazine) Do you want to look like a 1996-era Peter Criss? Of course you do and you're in luck…

An outfit worn by Criss on KISS's 1996-97 world tour is now up for sale on eBay. It can be yours right here, but be warned, the bidding is already approaching $6,000. The auction ends on April 30, 2013, at noon ET.

Criss seems to be an easy target for this kind of thing. Back in 2011 a life-sized model of the KISS man was listed on eBay, but, you know what, it did not meet its near $5,000 reserve. Who'd have thought it?

There's plenty more sticksmen that have been involved in online auction shenanigans, who can forget Vinnie Paul selling signed ovens and phones?

Carl Palmer listed a slightly more sensible item, when selling his Gretsch kit, even promising to deliver the drums in person to the winning bidder. The personal touch worked, the kit sold for just shy of £3,500.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons to Open Rock & Brews in Torrance

Rock icons Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, co-founders of KISS, announced today plans to open a new Rock & Brews restaurant on May 8 at the Torrance, Redondo Beach border.

The new Rock & Brews is the newest in the Los Angeles area and the third to open in just over a year, demonstrating Rock & Brews plans for a worldwide rapid expansion of the brand. Rock & Brews on Pacific Coast Highway joins the brand’s growing roster that includes its flagship location in El Segundo, which opened in April of 2012, and the first international location in Los Cabos, Mexico, which opened in March 2013.

“We continue to expand Rock & Brews worldwide with a commitment to building a family-friendly atmosphere that serves exceptional food along with a broad selection of craft beers,” said Stanley. “We offer incredible value in a fun, energized rock-themed environment.”

Four additional Rock & Brews restaurants are currently in development: Rock & Brews LAX will open this summer in the Delta Airlines Terminal; Rock & Brews Maui will open this fall; Rock & Brews Agoura (CA) will also open this fall; and, Rock & Brews Kansas City (MO) is slated to open early next year.

"Rock & Brews is on fire around the globe,” said Simmons. “People love bringing their families all day long and through dinner, and enjoy the rockin’ social scene later in the evening.”

Stanley and Simmons, along with their co-founding partners, restaurateur Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, plan to open as many as 100 Rock & Brews restaurants in the next five years.

The new Rock & Brews PCH welcomes local partner Jon Mesko, who will own and operate the Torrance location. The restaurant will feature the brand’s signature casual American cuisine, a full bar including a broad selection of premium wines and craft beers, and there will be a 21-and-over lounge area with private tables, offering self-service beer taps, monitored through new iPad software that tracks consumption and also provides detailed information about other draft and bottled beers available at the restaurant.

Read more at TBRnews.com

Paul Stanley, from 'Chunky' Kid to Fit KISS Rocker

(from la times, By James S. Fell) The "Starchild" outfit Paul Stanley wears as frontman for KISS is a revealing one. That's why I chose it for Halloween a couple of years back. I wanted to showcase the efforts of my diet and exercise regimen. I got the hair wrong.

And at 61 years of age, Stanley can't let himself go and still rock out to arenas full of screaming fans. As one of the hardest working bands in rock 'n' roll, he has a reputation to maintain — one he won't let age tarnish. I've seen how lively KISS performances are up close and understand his dedication to fitness to keep the fans on their feet for the band's Monster world tour.

Were you always such a fit guy?

The only exercise I got as a kid was fork to mouth. Food was equated with love in my household. I thought you left the table when the zipper was down and you'd explode if you took another bite. I'd eat my plate and then everyone else's leftovers.

I was a chubby boy. My pants used to wear out in the middle, and it was because my legs used to rub together. I wasn't obese, just chunky.

That doesn't sound at all like the Paul Stanley we've seen on stage. What changed?

Even when the band started, I was chunkier, and the wide belt I used to wear on stage was a bit of a corset. Over the years that became unnecessary. I couldn't do what I started doing onstage without "leaning out" because the physicality of it was akin to an aerobic workout. This was coupled with a mystery virus in the early '70s that laid me up for a month and I barely ate. When that was over, I looked in the mirror and was pretty lean, and it had been a life dream of mine. And I decided to hang on to it.

With your revealing stage attire, I assume vanity plays a role in your fitness motivation.

I had heard some women make comments about my chest, so why not show it off? Nobody wants to see a fat guy in tights. That wouldn't be fair to the fans. It's not vanity as much as common sense. I think vanity in some degree is a great incentive. Taking pride in oneself shouldn't be seen as detrimental. We should try to look our best, because the road to looking our best is one that involves being healthy. When I look my best I'm also feeling my best.

So what is the Paul Stanley workout?

Core strengthening is key to everything. It's not just about the way I look but about stabilizing my body so I can perform better on stage. My workout is exhausting; I do a lot of hill climbing, a lot of abdominal work and crunches, upper-body weights, but light with high reps — I never wanted to bulk up. I also do jumping jacks and jump rope 500 times, and if I missed one make myself start over. It's sport-specific training for jumping around on stage. You have to prepare. You don't want to find out you're out of shape when you're about to get into the ring with the champ.

But when I'm on tour, the tour is the workout. My boots weigh 30 pounds. I'm running around and kicking with 15 pounds on each leg. We do at least four shows a week, and the days off are recuperation time.

And those stage performances have done some damage, haven't they?

What I do has taken its toll. I've had both my rotator cuffs surgically repaired. They're all similar to sport injuries. I've torn my meniscus in both knees and had a hip replacement. This is all from on-stage performances. It's like doing a triathlon with a guitar around my neck. You have to jump, sing, swing your arm and play the right chord. With that combination, anything can go wrong. I used to jump up in the air and land on my knees. It didn't hurt then, but it does now.