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Classic Rock News And Views
November 12, 2008
Paul Stanley Hints About Possibility of New KISS Album
Although other members of KISS do not appear to be on board with the notion of creating a new album, Paul Stanley recently said he may produce a new KISS album next year. Referring to it as a “A real ’70s Kiss-style record,” his recent comments appear to be an about-face for the KISS guitarist, considering his comments during a June press conference with regard to the possibility of a new KISS album. “We have no plans to record. The reason we don’t record is because any classic band that hits the road, the last thing you really wanna hear is their new songs,” Stanley said.
I think there may be a few Rush fans that might disagree with that statement. Although fans undoubtedly love to hear the old classics, groups like Rush have proven that they can still write and perform new material that fans want to hear and are willing to go see performed live.
For his part, Gene Simmons, always the consummate business man, seems concerned about the diminished possibility of monetary reward that would result from the making of a new album in the age of digital downloads. “Any band who tries to do new material is trying to climb a slippery mountain. Every day record companies are folding. It’d be nice to have new KISS songs, but what’s the business model? Do you just put songs on the Internet for free? Then what?,” Simmons was quoted as saying.
I did get a chance to see Simmons on the most recent episode of the Fox game show Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, and I must admit that he did better than I suspected. Not that I believe than man is stupid, but let’s face it, how many of us remember a lot of that stuff we learned in grade school?
Simmons answered most of the questions without help from his youthful classmates, but decided to call it quits when he learned that the final $1 million question would be science-related. That turned out to be the right move since he would have provided the wrong answer to a question regarding what element was represented by the letter “K” on the periodic table.
Simmons reported that he would have guessed Krypton, but the correct answer was Potassium, which Simmons’ wife, who was seated in the front row of the audience, knew the correct answer to when queried by host Jeff Foxworthy.
Even so, Simmons walked away with an impressive $500,000 for his chosen charity, which Foxworthy said was the largest sum ever won by a celebrity contestant.
Admittedly, I would also have botched that last question, since my knowledge of the periodic table is pretty well faded.
For more in the possibility of a new KISS album, see Musicradar.
November 5, 2008
Classic Rock Briefs For November 5, 2008
Vancouver Plans Special Welcome For AC/DC
I guess the fact that the mayor of Vancouver, B.C. is a former member of a band called Spinal Chord has something to do with the official proclamation that declares November 28 as “AC/DC Day.” The name of the mayor’s former band, Spinal Chord, has more meaning than one might expect. Mayor Sam Sullivan was injured in a skiing accident at the age of 19 and has been a quadriplegic ever since. That has not stopped him from racking up some impressive achievements, however.
The announcement of the proclamation honoring AC/DC came as a surprise to listeners who were tuned into the Jeff O’Neil Show on 99.3 The FOX (CFOX-FM) yesterday when the mayor, who was co-hosting the show delivered the news. I’m sure the boys from AC/DC will appreciate the gesture. Full Story.
Original Members of Queen Believe Freddie Mercury Would Have Approved of Paul 
Rodgers
I suspect that more than a few dedicated Queen fans do not approve of the group’s continuation without original frontman Freddie Mercury, but according to drummer Roger Taylor, Mercury would have been happy with their decision to choose Paul Rodgers as their new frontman.
“Freddie was a huge Paul Rodgers fan. Absolutely adored his voice. He was a different animal, but he would have loved to be able to sing like that,” Taylor said.
The group’s first album since bringing Rodgers into the fold has met with mixed reviews, and since it was released in the U.S. only about a week ago, it’s hard to gauge its success. The Cosmos Rocks appears to be occupying the number 59 slot on the Billboard European Top 100 albums at the moment. Full Story.
Gene Simmons To Play For Charity on Fox Game Show ‘Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?’
He seems to be one of those guys that people either love or hate. Gene Simmons, bass player for rock legends KISS is scheduled to showcase his knowledge of various elementary subjects on the Fox game show Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?
Simmons will be playing for charity, in this case, the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatrics AIDS Foundation, which will benefit from the cash that he will be able to rack up by answering questions culled from elementary school curricula.
The episode featuring Simmons will air on the Fox Network on Friday, November 7 at 8:00 PM, but check your local listings to be sure. Full Story.
