ACK! Are the rumors true?

I've been saying for 10 years that it'll become:

Gene $immon$ presnts: KISS

A touring unit with all new members doing the classic KISS show...with Paul & Gene pushing/over 60, it's bound to happen.

when does Gene get inducted in to Marketing Hall of Fame???

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I've been saying for 10 years that it'll become:

Gene $immon$ presnts: KISS

A touring unit with all new members doing the classic KISS show...with Paul & Gene pushing/over 60, it's bound to happen.

That is a horrid idea!!!!

manny wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I've been saying for 10 years that it'll become:

Gene $immon$ presnts: KISS

A touring unit with all new members doing the classic KISS show...with Paul & Gene pushing/over 60, it's bound to happen.

That is a horrid idea!!!!

"KISS" is a brand...like the Dallas Cowboys...people still go see the Dallas Cowboys even though there are no original members...

Noone said it was a "good" idea. But neither was Hitler's rise to power. Still happened though.

Hey, people pay good money to see Elvis and Beatles impersonators for the theatrics and the music. Why would "Gene Simmons Presents: KISS" be any different?

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

manny wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I've been saying for 10 years that it'll become:

Gene $immon$ presnts: KISS

A touring unit with all new members doing the classic KISS show...with Paul & Gene pushing/over 60, it's bound to happen.

That is a horrid idea!!!!

"KISS" is a brand...like the Dallas Cowboys...people still go see the Dallas Cowboys even though there are no original members...

A sports team you except to not have any original players, a band is not or at least should be more then just a name. I know KISS is big on marketing but I don't think this idea will fly.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Noone said it was a "good" idea. But neither was Hitler's rise to power. Still happened though.

Hey, people pay good money to see Elvis and Beatles impersonators for the theatrics and the music. Why would "Gene Simmons Presents: KISS" be any different?

Good point ! I never thought of it that way.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Hey, people pay good money to see Elvis and Beatles impersonators for the theatrics and the music. Why would "Gene Simmons Presents: KISS" be any different?

Never understood the appeal of Elvis, Beatles impersonators, and tribute acts for that matter

Well that's just a matter of opinion. I've seen my share of other tribute bands, so I have no problem with it.

And there are already KISS tribute bands out there making the rounds. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I think Gene would be foolish not to do it.

It starts with the tv audition show, then follow-up with a tour. No new music is needed, they're only doing the "classics" in full costume, make-up and all the theatrics. Gene & Paul oversee the whole production, but don't have to really do anything. The KISS stand-ins are only promoted as The Demon, Starchild, etc. And as much as we like to goof on Gene and his money-grabs, it's obvious that when he puts his heart into it, he goes all out, so you know it would be a top-notch production.

For a new, younger generation that never got to see KISS in their prime, it's a slam dunk. Older fans would go to see it with their kids and tell them about how great it was "back when I saw the real KISS".

Would I go see it? Doubtfull. I've seen KISS twice in all their kabuki glory, both with Peter & Ace and without. But someday my kids might want to go and see what all the fuss was about.

During the early/mid 90s (aka The Dark Ages of Grunge), when there were no semi-decent national/original acts coming thru my area, I used to go see tribute bands quite often. They were a cheap night out, you got to hear some good tunes, and if the band was particularly good it would (almost) feel like you were seeing the real thing. There was one club near me that booked tributes to AC/DC, KISS, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, the Doors, etc., etc. all the time.

What MetalGuy said...

Plus, Rock And Roll is still just under 60 years old...the rules are still being written. In this age of "anything for a buck" people like Gene will continue to sell until people stop buying.

As for sports, football, baseball & basketball are over 100 years old...we're used to people changing while the team colors still fly...it's all about perspective.

The most important part of this marketing campaign, which I can't believe I forgot, is for Gene & Paul to follow in the footsteps of Krokus and announce the real, honest-to-goodness positively LAST, FINAL, RETIREMENT TOUR.

"See the original (or at least half) line-up of KISS before they ride off into the sunset and have some kids they found on YouTube walking around in platform shoes and bondage gear singing all your favorite songs".

If they're serious about keeping the "KISS brand" alive when they decide to hang up their leathers, don't be surprised if Gene and Paul turn it into a reality TV show. "KISS SURVIVOR." Each week a different KISS tribute band would play a set for Gene and Paul, and one by one they'd vote a player off the island every week till they had a new "Demon," a new "StarChild," a new "Space Ace," etc. Tell me VH1 Classic wouldn't lay out a ton of $$ to be able to put that on the air (hosted, of course, by Eddie "I've seen Ace Frehley naked on several occasions" Trunk)

Either that, or they'll just hand the whole thing off to Thayer and Singer, who'll slap the face paint and costumes on a couple of roadies and play the Las Vegas Casino circuit as "THE ULTIMATE KISS EXPERIENCE FEATURING TOMMY AND ERIC" forever and ever until they die.

As long as the make up, the stage moves, the pyro/lights, and the songs are there, it'll still look and sound like KISS.

Wait. Vinnie's ego is bigger then Paul's?

Maybe I am old fashion or have hippie idealism left in me, but IMO a band should be more then a name or a product like a box of tide, that includes KISS.

Fat Freddy wrote:

If they're serious about keeping the "KISS brand" alive when they decide to hang up their leathers, don't be surprised if Gene and Paul turn it into a reality TV show. "KISS SURVIVOR." Each week a different KISS tribute band would play a set for Gene and Paul, and one by one they'd vote a player off the island every week till they had a new "Demon," a new "StarChild," a new "Space Ace," etc. Tell me VH1 Classic wouldn't lay out a ton of $$ to be able to put that on the air (hosted, of course, by Eddie "I've seen Ace Frehley naked on several occasions" Trunk)

Either that, or they'll just hand the whole thing off to Thayer and Singer, who'll slap the face paint and costumes on a couple of roadies and play the Las Vegas Casino circuit as "THE ULTIMATE KISS EXPERIENCE FEATURING TOMMY AND ERIC" forever and ever until they die.

It won't be VH1 - remember Rock Star: Inxs and Rock Star: Supernova??? Get ready for Rock Star: KISS. If anything will bring that show back, it would be KISS. Of course, the female will be expected to blow Gene as part of the audition....

Once "Gene $immon$ presents: KISS" happens, he will send a cease & desist to ALL other tribute bands in the country leaving on his own.