Celebrating one of the most iconic bands of all time, A&E has announced the new definitive documentary film telling the stories behind the phenomenon of KISS. Directed by D.J. Viola, Biography: KISStory chronicles the band’s five decades in the business as founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons reflect on their historic career. The four-hour, two-night event airs Sunday, June 27th and Monday, June 28th from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. A trailer for the special appears below.
After 50 years of rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, the number one gold-record-selling band of all time, KISS, shares their story of success before finally smashing their last guitar and extinguishing the fire-breathing demon. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, along with current members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer as well as guests Dave Grohl(Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), manager Doc McGhee, music producer Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper) and more tell the wild story of the most successful and influential band in the world.
Selling more than 100 million albums worldwide and over 40 years of record-breaking global tours, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band is giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their rise to fame. Featuring original recording sessions, home movies, behind-the-scenes stories and rare footage, the film grants fans an all-access pass to the band’s legendary journey. Fans will hear a first-hand account of the emotional story behind the band’s start in New York City’s gritty rock scene of the 1970s, their meteoric rise to fame, almost losing it all to drugs and alcohol in the 1980s and how they ultimately fought their way back to the top of the charts in the 1990s to become a household name synonymous with rock and roll.
“Through the Biography lens, we are able to give fans a backstage pass to a two-night event that honors the legacy of the rock icons behind KISS,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and head of programming for A&E. “This documentary event is a special tribute to a one-of-a-kind band and the incredible Kiss Army fanbase that has idolized them for generations.”
Biography: KISStory is a Leslie Greif production, produced for A&E Network by Critical Content and Big Dreams Entertainment with Leslie Greif and Jenny Daly serving as executive producers and D.J. Viola serving as director. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E Network. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for Biography: KISStory.
The celebrated Biography brand continues to highlight newsworthy personalities and events with compelling and surprising points-of-view and remains the defining source for true stories from some of the most accomplished non-fiction storytellers of our time. Extensive on-air and branded digital content, including short form, will roll-out on all platforms, including Biography.com, the home to hundreds of profiles of notable cultural figures and influencers.
18 Responses
Might need to set up a separate page for the “real” KISS fans to complain that this documentary disregards and disrespects Ace and Peter. Can’t wait for the bemoanings from those that will belly ache how it’s just a one-sided biased Gene and Paul narrative. Hopefully we can just celebrate that a TV network is willing to devote four hours of air time to recognize the greatest rock band in the history of rock n roll.
I am boycotting this documentary because Gene and Paul and A&E didn’t give Ace and Peter all the money they wanted to appear in it. Also, this documentary would never have been made were it not for Ace and Peter being kind enough to join the band in the early ’70s. Also, did you notice how Paul’s voice sounds ok when he’s speaking in the documentary? Well, my brother’s friend’s cousin’s sister who is totally connected in the music business told him that it’s because Paul even lip-syncs his conversations. Also, I think both Paul and Gene wear wigs….I could go on all day about all the reasons why KISS sucks these days, but I have to go upstairs and yell at my mom to go to the grocery store and get me a 2-liter bottle of Coke and a family-size bag of Chee-tos. I’m hungry.
Oh, and let me know if A&E does a documentary on Metallica because then I can tell you how much they’ve sucked ever since they put out the Black album – especially that Lars Ulrich!
(laughs!)
D7, the original KI$$ is my all time favorite band and, like you, I think they are the greatest band ever. I’m looking forward to this documentary’s release.
But there is no way I can accept today’s version of KI$$ with two imposter characters in it. I’ve enjoyed watching KI$$ tribute bands performing in clubs (including seeing Thayer’s first KI$$ tribute band, Cold Gin), and I view today’s version of KI$$ as nothing more than a glorified tribute version to itself celebrating its great make up era. My position has got nothing to do with being a “real” KI$$ fan….rather it is the result of my passion for the original KI$$.
Some fans don’t think Journey is Journey without Steve Perry, some fans don’t think Foreigner is Foreigner without Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, and some fans (especially me) don’t think KI$$ is KI$$ with others portraying characters adopted by Ace and Peter…. My bro Doug R., once commented on this KI$$ issue “Replacing band members is one thing, but replacing legends is something else”! IMO, no truer words have ever been commented on this issue……
I remember being 11 years old and taking my Dressed to Kill record back to the store because it would skip on my crappy record player. I loved the reaction that it got from the very hip record store people…they were surprised KIss’s music was that good. Of course, the record wouldn’t skip on their system, but I showed them!
Great story, Shannon! Thanks for sharing.
Well you can add eddie to the list of kiss fans bemoaning another bulls–t propaganda and sales project from paul and gene , I’ve heard it all before so I could care less , but this site celebrates open & honest debate and individual points of view , so please don’t throw shade at kiss fans who happen to like the original line -up and hate the holier than thou attitude of paul and gene as it relates to ace and peter , both long time clean and sober –
Great post, Robert.
Just ignore D7, he’s a lost cause. Accepted and supported EVERYTHING KISS ever did, except for 1 thing – Tommy Faker and Eric Copycat Singer!
I love the original line up. They are the reason I love rock music, but I can’t live in the past and wish for things that are never going to happen. Ace and Peter will never be in KISS again because Paul just flat-out doesn’t like them. I like all eras of KISS but the original band will always be the best. I’m just glad KISS is still playing today, and I support KISS today with the “imposters” because it is still KISS.
D7, would you still support KI$$ if it continued without any of the original members and an all “imposter” lineup, as rumored to be a possibility one day?
I agree with D7 as well. No one is arguing that the classic KISS lineup is not the best. They started it all. They created the band’s most definitive and longest-enduring music. However, harping on “KI$$” and how much Gene/Paul suck EVERY TIME there’s a news story about the band gets old really fast and adds nothing to the conversation. And that’s not to say that there is anything wrong with not supporting the current lineup. You don’t like them? Don’t support them.
Where it gets really UNCOOL is when you start dismissing other fans as “a lost cause.” No. They’re not a “lost cause.” They just have an opinion that differs from yours!
All that said, I’m not saying you shouldn’t goof on the funnier aspects of the band or critique them when it’s appropriate (see my comment in the article about their 412th new live album). Just say something new!
Not surprised by RTunes comments, he’s just as lost as D7! You know what’s really “UNCOOL?” When you assume people are going to “bellyache” over bullsh-t that nobody cares about anymore! Nobody expects or is hoping for Ace and Peter to be back in KISS, that ship has sailed, and has sunk, many times! Opinions are one thing, assumptions are another. And nobody “harps” on Gene and Paul every time there’s a news story on KISS, the only time I “harp” on them is when they constantly harp on Ace and Peter for the same sh-t they’ve been harping on them for 40 years! THAT gets old really fast and THAT adds nothing new to the conversation. I’ve said all along (just as Trunk as) if you want to support Tommy Faker and Eric Copycat Singer, go right ahead, but I’m not on board, never have been and never will be. If they had their own identity, I would’ve supported them 100%!
1 Spaceman – Ace Frehley
1 Catman – Peter Criss
1 Alice Cooper – Vincent Furnier
End of story.