KISS - Still the hottest band in the world?

KISS announced plans for their 35th anniversary tour, KISS Alive 35, in conjunction with the upcoming release of their new CD Sonic Boom. They'll start the tour with two dates at Detroit's Cobo Arena where they recorded their classic album Alive in 1975. They'll perform the album in its entirety at both shows.

So let's discuss.

First, let me just say that I have loved KISS for a very long time. Take note of the photo of me at right with pictures of the band on my wall when I was 9. I listened to my Destroyer record until the grooves were worn out. I've seen them in concert sans makeup several times, and I still say the 1996 reunion show I saw with full makeup was one of the best concert I've ever seen. But I'm wondering if it's not time to hang up the platform boots.

Peter Criss and Ace Frehley are no longer in the band. Old time fans knew it wouldn't last. And as good as Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer are, they just aren't Peter and Ace. I can't look at them in the classic makeup. It's not the same.

The material, too, just hasn't been the same since Peter and Ace stopped recording with the band. While each album after Dynasty has some good, and even great, songs (as I write this "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" came up on my iTunes, proving my point), the original four members produced the best material. It remains the material the fans want to hear the most. I don't honestly think they're getting a lot of requests for "Let's Put the X in Sex."

We've also been overmerchandised. God bless him, Gene Simmons is a marketing genius, but how many more items in the world can have the KISS logo on them? According to an article in BrandWeek magazine, KISS has licensed its name to over 2,000 product categories, becoming nearly a 1 billion dollar brand. Yes, that's correct, 1 billion dollars. There's KISS condoms, cologne, and caskets. I draw the line at KISS toilet paper.

And finally, there's Gene Simmons' "reality" show on A&E network, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. How are fans supposed to take him seriously as the God of Thunder when each week we see him getting made a fool of by his partner and kids? Ozzy and Sharon still hold the titles on rock star family dysfunction. Personally, I think the show is just a ploy to help his son Nick's band get exposure, but that's a subject for another post.

So, still the hottest band in the world? I'm thinking more like lukewarm. But maybe the new CD and tour will prove me wrong. As an old time fan, I'm hoping they go out and kick ass.