NEWS HEADLINES
New letters posted...
Hi Mr. Simmons....
I met you at the Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach and you were just so great! I was thrilled an amazed to meet you - you are just the nicest man. My parents introduced me to KISS and I love all the music. Thank you for being so nice to me and my parents. You are an inspiration and I hope to grow up and be as successful as you are. You are not only successful in your business but also with your family. I hope to see you again someday. I plan on becoming just as famous as you are one day. Here are the photos we took at the mall with you. Hope you like them. Sincerely, Gabbie Rae Trial
There has been some confusion regarding which cities I'm actually going to go to. The BIG list of cities you may have seen listed elsewhere, are cities where stores are holding promotions. Here are the details of my instore appearances.
THURSDAY, OCT 12TH, 5PM - 8PM -- PHILADELPHIA at BOSCOV'S
FRIDAY, OCT 13TH, 4PM - 7PM -- RALEIGH at BELK'S
SATURDAY, OCT 14TH, 1PM - 4PM -- MYRTLE BEACH at BELK'S
MONDAY, OCT 16TH, 3PM - 5PM -- FAYETTVILLE at FT. BRAGG
WEDNESDAY, Oct 18TH, 5PM - 8PM -- ORLANDO at VIRGIN MEGA STORE
THURSDAY, OCT 19TH, 4PM - 7PM -- ATLANTA at BELK'S
FRIDAY, OCT 20TH, 4PM - 7PM -- JACKSONVILLE, FLA at BELK'S
SATURDAY, OCT 21ST, 2PM -5PM -- BIRMINGHAM, AL at PARISIAN
SUNDAY, OCT 22ND, 1PM - 4PM -- JACKSON, MISS at BELK'S
WEDNESDAY, OCT 25TH, 4PM - 7PM -- RIVERSIDE, CA at GOTTSCHALK'S
THURSDAY, OCT 26TH, 4PM - 7PM -- FRESNO, CA at GOTTSCHALK'S
SATURDAY, OCT 28TH, 1PM - 3PM -- LAS VEGAS at DILLARD'S
Log onto KISSONLINE.COM...the only Official KISS site...you will get the lowdown on all the lowdown on all the latest breaking KISS news...
...Our KISSOLOGY - 6 Hour DVD!!! is coming!!!! Check it out.
...And, see us in Movie Theaters on Oct 26th.
 In reference to this.. I love the way the song sounds.. Think it sounds cool the way your voice sounds.. Would love to see KISS put out another record with some kickass songs... But, I understand the enviroment of the music scene is kinda screwy with some acts.. But, look forward to your box set...
Gene's "Monster coming in 2007"
http://kissfaq.com/blog/2006/10/16/genes-monster-coming-in-2007/
October 16th, 2006
From A&E: Preview Gene Simmons' Lost Songs from the album Monster - Coming 2007
http://a1791.g.akamai.net/f/1791/27317/1h/store.aetv.com
/html/images_G4/Rain_Keeps_Fallin_Sample.mp3
From the KISS & Related Recordings Focus:
41.18. Rain Keeps Fallin'
This demo was an early version of a song that was even considered for use on the "Psycho Circus" album. Several different lyrical versions of the song exist dating from around 1991 when the song was first demoed by Gene and members of Silent Rage prior to the "Revenge"sessions. One version has interesting lyrics such as "Burning crosses in my own back yard" and "My name's on a cool headstone with a pretty rose."
This song and "You're My Reason For Living" are scheduled to be included on a special bonus CD included with the "Collector's Edition" of Gene Simmons' Family Jewels DVD set from A&E. "Accompanying the songs is commentary from Gene - a letter describing the history of these two tracks and the thought processes behind their development. A required addition to the collection of any Gene Simmons or KISS fan, this DVD set should not be missed" (A&E).
Scorch the St. John's Fog Devils mascot is having some fun this halloween in Newfoundland!
Cheers!
Shawn in Newfoundland!
Sweet smell of success for Kiss' Gene Simmons
BY DAVID C.L. BAUER
The Times-Union
October 18, 2006
Nestled between the casual china and Oneida flatware is not the place you would expect to find rock 'n' roll's God of Thunder.
But when heavy metal collides head on with middle-class America in some sort of apocalyptic hedgerow-bustling meltdown, nothing is out of the question.
Especially when Kiss delves into the arena of a his-and-hers fragrance line, which is what will bring the band's iconic bassist and singer, Gene Simmons, to Jacksonville on Friday. His visit is part of a tour that has drawn thousands a night into upscale department stores.
As he calls it, "a revival that ain't religion and doesn't pretend to be."
In Jacksonville, it will be a three-hour visit to Belk at Regency Square. Those who plop down their cash for a large spray between 4 and 7 p.m. can have it signed and get a T-shirt and personal photo with him.
Stephanie Wilson, Belk Jacksonville-area sales manager for cosmetics, said the Regency store was getting calls about the appearance days before it was even advertised.
Now, naysayers might dismiss this as another in the catalog of a band that has its likeness on everything from key chains to comic books. But the blends - spicy, warm and appropriately laced with libido-boosting pheromones - are making cash registers sing. Sales were $30,000 alone at a stop Thursday in Philadelphia.
That has Simmons in an understandably jovial mood Friday morning. He peppers the phone line with quips as he sits down to breakfast.
"The Kiss fragrance line is his-to-her, head-to-toe," he says. "If you have a crevice in your body, it might as well smell good."
But he takes on the shrewd seriousness of an accountant at a fiscal New Year's Eve party when it comes to questioning whether stores such as Belk, Dillards and Boscov's fit the image of someone who spits blood and breathes fire on stage.
"Planet Earth is where I expect to be hanging out," he chastises. "We are for the people, by the people. If you rub shoulders or elbows or other body parts - which is another subject - you should mix with the people who are your bosses."
Neil Katz, president of Kiss fragrance-maker Gemini Cosmetics, has been on some of the stops. "Everybody seems to love Gene," he said. "I saw him hug people from 2 to 80. They either know him from records or the TV show and they just love him."
Simmons is also the star of the A&E Network reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which is like MTV's The Osbournes without the drool-slobbering incoherence. He also has ventures in Indy Car racing, films, books and marketing licenses for more than 2,500 products.
It's an eclectic blend, except to someone whose 30-plus years in the music business have been about not playing by many rules.
"I've never been married, but have the perfect nuclear family. I've never been high or drunk, but have been in rock 'n' roll this long," Simmons says. "It shows you really can make your own rules."
Such as spending evenings hanging out in suburbia.
"It reinvigorates me. Places like [Belk] and middle America, that's what elects presidents and rock stars," Simmons says. "It's a good reminder that no matter who you are, being nice to the people who make your life possible is important."
Times-Union writer John Carter contributed to this article.
This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/101806/met_5592590.shtml
I just wanted to drop another line to say that I have finally received my KISS Him deodorant and body wash here in the desert. It really smells great. I cannot wait to try the other KISS products. I have attached a picture from inside my tent here in sunny Kuwait with my new products.
I hope that the show, GSFG, is going well. We cannot get it here but I am looking forward to the reruns when I get home. I also continue to enjoy my Black Diamond coffee from the coffeehouse. Thanks for all of the entertainment over the years and I am looking forward to KISS-Ultimate Alive V. You know, it's the project we discussed a few months back!!! LOL!! Well, WE didn't discuss it, but I still think it is a cool idea. By the way, I was watching Konfidential a couple of days ago. PLEASE PLEASE bring back "Take it off" from the Revenge Tour and with the "assistants" on stage. That was too cool!! Take care and see you on tour in '07.
SAMUEL(ALAN)REYNOLDS, TSgt. USAF
386 ESFS
VIPER FLIGHT CHIEF
ALI al SALEM AB, KUWAIT
Just Marketing to aid sponsor hunt
 By MICHAEL SMITH
Staff writer
Published October 16, 2006
Just Marketing International and Simmons Abramson Marketing are combining forces to aid the IndyCar Series’ quest for sponsors, including selling title sponsorship to the series.
IndyCar hired Simmons Abramson in January to lead its marketing, licensing, business development and promotion, including the move away from the name Indy Racing League to the IndyCar Series. Just Marketing has agreed to partner with Simmons Abramson on its IndyCar initiatives, but Just Marketing will not directly represent IndyCar.
Rick Abramson (left), Zak Brown (center) and
Gene Simmons will team up to bring sponsors
to the IndyCar Series.
Essentially, Simmons Abramson, which had limited previous motorsports experience, will continue to generate leads for new sponsors and Just Marketing will help close the deal and create marketing programs.
Simmons Abramson is paid by IndyCar, while Just Marketing will be paid by the brand.
“The simple idea is bringing in corporate attention and corporate dollars, but the bigger idea is to convince the world that Indy racing is the finest in the world,” said Gene Simmons, of KISS fame, who is a managing partner of the firm with Richard Abramson. “I come into a room and get all of the attention and everybody runs to me like I’m the biggest picnic in the park. But what people see is the passion I have for Indy racing.”
The IndyCar Series has not had a title sponsor since 2001 when it was the Indy Racing Northern Light Series, but Zak Brown, president and CEO of Just Marketing, thinks IndyCar is prime to rebound.
“To put things in Wall Street terms, stocks can get damaged, but then as the company rebuilds, stock goes up,” said Brown, whose company’s clients include Subway, Brut, Johnnie Walker and Crown Royal. “Things with IndyCar are going up in value, but the stock is not reflecting that. Gene is getting the noise out there and we’re coming in as the analyst to help people understand how to drive value from the series.”
Just Marketing represents sponsors in several different forms of racing and it recently opened a NASCAR-oriented office in Charlotte. Brown emphasized that the deal with Simmons Abramson will not prioritize one series over another in his office.
|
