Author Archives : Dana

ROMAN FERNANDEZ, BILL AUCOIN’S FORMER PARTNER, RELEASES A STATEMENT ABOUT KISS BEING INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME

Bill Aucoin’s former partner, Roman Fernandez, has released the following statement regarding KISS and the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony:

“I’m going on record.

I normally stand by the sidelines quietly watching the scrimmage in silence, but now, I feel I have to speak up.

My late partner, Bill Aucoin, bothered enough in 1973 to wager his entire career as a successful television producer and bet all the money he had, as well as money he didn’t have, on 4 kids from the streets of New York. He unfortunately can no longer speak for himself on the subject of KISS and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Aucoin gave KISS their start, as well as some of the best years of his life. KISS would, in fact, despite all his other successes, come to define Bill in the eyes of millions of fans and in the eyes of the industry. An industry that to a great degree didn’t give KISS the time of day when it mattered the most. No one did except for Bill, Sean Delaney and Neil (and Joyce) Bogart. All no longer with us except for Joyce. But, Bill and I spoke about this subject on several occasions before he passed. Bill Aucoin was not the type to reflect in regret, and he harbored no animosity. But he was convinced that due to politics within the board of the Hall of Fame, the day would never come that saw KISS inducted. I’m pretty certain he was OK with that.

But had Bill been alive to see the day it was announced that the group would indeed, despite every notion to the contrary, be inducted, might have been a nice parting gift for him. But it’s done. He’s gone. It could have just as easily been Paul, Gene, Peter or Ace. But they’re still here. And I’m pretty sure this is what Bill might have said in light of all this nonsense: ‘(….unintelligible noises) Look it, find a compromise, put everything aside for one night, be the larger than life rock stars you know you are, and then…. Onward and upward!’

I don’t believe Bill would begrudge any reasoning for the band members feeling however they may about one another. But, I also believe he would have recognized this as one singular night to put unresolved issues aside. Bill is no longer with us. If Paul, Gene, Peter or Ace were not here, this conversation would not even be possible. Life is too short to waste such a precious opportunity. If for no other reason, do it for Bill Aucoin. And for Sean. And for Neil. Love to all members of Kiss past and present. Onward and Upward guys.”

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KISS RELEASE THEIR OWN STATEMENT REGARDING THE RNRHOF INDUCTION, BAND CLAIMS “WE NEVER REFUSED TO PLAY WITH ACE AND PETER”

KISS have released a statement on their official website addressing the Rock Hall induction. Here is what it states:

“To All Our Fans In Regards To The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

Out of respect, Ace and Peter’s recent statements demand a quick response to you, our fans.

Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of KISS and give credit to all members including long time present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made this band what it is, regardless of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s point of view.

Although KISS has moved forward far longer without them, Ace and Peter are at the very foundation of what we have built and this would all be impossible had they not been a part of it in the beginning.

It is over 13 years since the original lineup has played together in make-up and we believe the memory of those times would not be enhanced. Contrary to claims made through the media we have never refused to play with Ace and Peter.

We have spent 40 years dedicated to building KISS without quitting or wavering as the band has moved forward with huge tours and platinum albums through different important lineups for forty years, to this day.

KISS has always been a band unlike any other. That is why we started KISS. That is why we continue KISS. Being unlike other bands also means making choices and decisions unlike other bands.

This is understandably an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone.

To bring this to a quick end, we have decided not to play in any line-up and we will focus our attention on celebrating our induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

We are excited and are looking forward to seeing you all on the KISS 40th Anniversary worldwide tour.”

source: kissonline.com

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ORIGINAL KISS DRUMMER PETER CRISS RELEASES AN OFFICAL STATEMENT ABOUT THE RNRHOF INDUCTION

Original KISS drummer Peter Criss has released the following statement about the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame induction:

“To KISS fans,

It’s disappointing to have to say to you, the fans, that as of today, Ace and I have been denied a performance with Gene and Paul for our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 24th, and I wanted to make sure that fans understood that no original performance, in or out of makeup, has been offered to us before they purchased their tickets. This is disgraceful and I feel bad for the fans who were looking forward to the four of us being inducted together.

God Bless,
Peter Criss – The Catman”

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MANOWAR’s ‘KINGS OF METAL MMXIV’ SILVER EDITION CD WILL BE RELEASED ON MARCH 21ST

The Kings Of Metal MMXIV‘ Silver Edition CD, featuring 2 discs and two 24-page booklets will now be released in retail and in Manowar’s own online stores: thekingdomofsteel.com and thekingdomofsteel.eu” on March 21st. Both online stores will also offer exclusive Power Packages, containing the CD and brand new merchandise, not available anywhere else and only for a short time.

The digital album is already available on iTunes and on Google Play worldwide.

“The Kings Of Metal MMXIV Silver Edition CD is a limited edition. It is important to us that every Manowar fan that has decided to own this collector’s item at the time of its release has a chance to find it in the store of their choice. Due to strong pre-orders we have increased our initial order and we decided to change the release date, so that all stores get the music at the same time, and every fan has a fair chance to get one of these limited edition CDs,” said a label representative.

Manowar’s Kings Of Metal MMXIV is a completely new recording, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic 1988 album Kings Of Metal and their following world tour.

While staying true to the 1988 version, Kings Of Metal MMXIV captures the listener with new arrangements and other new elements, and with stellar vocal performances by Eric Adams, powerful drums by Donnie Hamzik, a searing new guitar sound by virtuoso Karl Logan and a new record-breaking performance of the bass solo The Sting Of The Bumblebee MMXIV, played at 300 beats per minute by Joey DeMaio.

“This is an entirely new recording as far as the music goes,” explained bassist and producer Joey DeMaio about the album. “Everything has been newly recorded. A tremendous amount of work and effort has gone into this new album, on all levels, and you will hear this when you listen to it.”

Already a significant force with international success since their debut album Battle Hymns, the Kings of Metal release in 1988 and the following world tour in 1989 catapulted Manowar into a new sphere.

“We started talking about the 25th anniversary of the album’s release, and how it could be done in a very special way. We love these songs as much as our fans do. So we started discussing the idea of a new recording which would allow for a fresh and massive sound, and added new elements,” explained Joey DeMaio. “And then the idea of the anniversary tour was born, to celebrate this album in an appropriate way. Live, with our fans!” he added. “We have pushed man and machine to the maximum to honor the original recordings and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Everything sounds bigger, for once due to the ability to cram more sound onto a record than we could in the past. Because technology has gotten better; as well as the equipment we are using, from the guitar strings and the guitar pick ups to pre-amps, to the microphones and the recording process. Technology has progressed so much! The result is massive!” commented DeMaio.

Kings Of Metal MMXIV Track List:

Disc 1:

Hail And Kill MMXIV
Kings Of Metal MMXIV
The Heart Of Steel MMXIV (Acoustic Intro Version)
A Warrior’s Prayer MMXIV
The Blood Of The Kings MMXIV
Thy Kingdom Come MMXIV
The Sting Of The Bumblebee MMXIV
Thy Crown And Thy Ring MMXIV (Orchestral Version)
On Wheels Of Fire MMXIV

Disc 1 Bonus Tracks:

Thy Crown And Thy Ring MMXIV (Metal Version)
The Heart Of Steel MMXIV (Guitar Instrumental)

Disc 2:

Hail And Kill MMXIV (Instrumental)
Kings Of Metal MMXIV (Instrumental)
The Heart Of Steel MMXIV (Orchestral Intro Version – Instrumental)
The Blood Of The Kings MMXIV (Instrumental)
Thy Kingdom Come MMXIV (Instrumental)
Thy Crown And Thy Ring MMXIV (Orchestral Version – Instrumental)
On Wheels of Fire MMXIV (Instrumental)

Kings Of Metal MMXIV World Tour Confirmed Tour Dates:

Sat, February 22, 2014 – Fox Theatre – Pomona, CA, USA
Tue, March 18, 2014 – Olymp Palace of Sports – Krasnodar, Russia
Fri, March 21, 2014 – Luzhniki Palace of Sports – Moscow, Russia
Sun, March 23, 2014 – Yubileyny Sports Palace – St. Petersburg, Russia
Tue, March 25, 2014 – Rock Café – Tallinn, Estonia – SOLD OUT
Thu, March 27, 2014 – Rock Café – Tallinn, Estonia – SOLD OUT
Sat, March 29, 2014 – Teatro Arena – Vilnius, Lithuania
Sat, May 17, 2014 – Spodek – Katowice, Poland
Wed, May 21, 2014 – Hangar 11 – Tel Aviv, Israel
Sat, May 24, 2014 – Metal Summer Festival – Istanbul, Turkey
Fri-Sun, June 13-15, 2014 – Legacy Open Air – Weismain, Germany
Fri-Sat, July 25-26, 2014 – Magic Circle Festival – Helsinki, Finland
Wed, November 12, 2014 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA, USA
Sat, November 15, 2014 – Concord Music Hall – Chicago, IL, USA
Sun, November 16, 2014 – Royal Oak Theatre – Royal Oak, MI, USA
Wed, January 14, 2015 – Grugahalle – Essen, Germany
Fri, January 16, 2015 – Zenith – Munich, Germany
Sat, January 17, 2015 – Jahrhunderthalle – Frankfurt, Germany

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EDDIE’S Q104.3 INTERVIEW WITH ACE FREHLEY POSTED ONLINE, LISTEN TO IT HERE

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was guest on Eddie’s, Eddie Trunk Rocks, Q104.3 radio show to discuss to the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame Induction.

Ace told Eddie that the original members of the band will not be playing at the induction and that he will not be attending the ceremony.

Listen to the entire interview below.

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GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY REVEALS THAT THE ORIGINAL LINE-UP OF KISS WILL NOT BE PERFORMING AT THE ROCK HALL INDUCTION, SAYS HE WILL NOT BE ATTENDING AND “I FEEL LIKE THE FANS ARE BEING LET DOWN”

Original KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley, called into Eddie’s Q104.3 radio show, Eddie Trunk Rocks on February 21st to say, that the original members of KISS will not be performing at the Rock N’Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, scheduled to take place on April 10th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y..

Frehley said, “I don’t think KISS fans are gonna be too excited and happy about the news, ’cause at this juncture, [KISS leaders] Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] have decided to perform with [current KISS members] Tommy [Thayer, guitar] and Eric [Singer, drums], and it looks like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is going along with it.”

The guitarist went on to explain that the decision was made by Stanley and Simmons “in the last 24 to 48 hours.” He added, “The last time I was on [this radio show], it was a very exciting and happy call. And the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was very excited about having the four original members who are being inducted to perform at the ceremony. And that was shot down by Paul and Gene. And now it’s kind of, like, if I’m not gonna put on the makeup and do a three-song reunion for the fans, then what am I gonna do? And right now, I’m not even sure if I’m gonna show up for that, you know?!”

The guitarist added that Stanley and Simmons “shot down doing any type of reunion with [original KISS drummer Peter Criss and me] — with makeup, without makeup,” while Frehley himself ruled out performing alongside KISS’ current lineup, saying, “I’m not gonna get on the stage with Tommy wearing my makeup. That’s absurd.”

He continued, “It’s a shame. I know [the original lineup reunion is] what the fans wanted. I know it’s what the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame wanted. [But] it’s not gonna happen.”

When asked if he had any inkling as why Stanley and Simmons were so opposed to the idea of performing with the original lineup at the ceremony, Frehley said: “I don’t know, and at this point, I really don’t give a shit. [Laughs] I really don’t care. It’s, like, enough already. You don’t wanna do something for the fans after 40 years of them supporting you? It’s something the fans wanted, it’s something the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame asked of all four of us. They shot it down. It is what it is. I don’t completely understand it, but those guys do a lot of things that don’t make sense to me. It’s unfortunate for the fans. We’re being inducted because of the fans. And I feel like the fans are being let down. And I’m upset about it; I’ve gotta be honest with you. But I’m trying not to let it get to me because, like I said, I’ve gotta finish [my new solo] record and I’ve gotta think positive. And I wanna move forward. But it’s upsetting.”

He continued, “I’m working on my second book. I’ve got [my] new [solo] record [coming out]. What will be in the future will be. No matter what happens, I’m fine. And I’m having fun. And I’m creating great music. My life’s great. And I can’t let any negativity… I’ve gotta just let it roll off my back and continue doing what I’ve been doing — making great music. I’m at the tail end of [making my new solo] record… and this has just been a thorn in my side, because every day there’s a different story: ‘Yeah, maybe you can come and get up and do ‘New York Groove‘. And if you don’t do it with KISS, you can do it with a celebrity lineup.’ And that was shot down. It’s very frustrating. It’s also distracting my attention from the most important thing right now that I’m doing, [which] is working on music and creating. So it’s very frustrating and a little disheartening.”

Frehley also revealed the he won’t be attending the Rock Hall induction.

“It was very important that I let the fans know that because the tickets are going on sale on Monday, and I didn’t want people buying tickets thinking that they were gonna see a KISS reunion, and then be disappointed,” he explained.

Listen to the interview here.

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