Remembering Eric Carr; Freddie Mercury

November 24, 1991 was a hard day in the music world.

It seems unbelievable, but drummer Eric Carr has been gone 33 years as of today. Same for singer Freddie Mercury. Both KISS and Queen posted remembrances for their lost members. Two of the greats for sure.

KISS Sell Catalog And More

It's a deal worth $300 million. KISS has sold its catalog, name and likeness to Pophouse Entertainment.

Gene Simmons is spinning the deal as a "collaboration" but seems like KISS no longer has control over their branding and marketing (but we will see). The deal is part of the move that will let KISS have avatar-based concerts starting in a few years. It will be interesting to see how these catalog deals change music as time marches forward. Deals such as this one mean that KISS will exist in some form or another for a really long time.

That is cool - but - it will be interesting to see how A.I. changes everything music-related. Especially for the classic bands we love.

Insanity: Vinnie Vincent Facebook Group Edition

According to Sleaze Roxx, guitarist Vinnie Vincent will start charging $200 to access his Facebook fan group! The charge goes into effect February 1, 2024 and the $200 provides a year of access.

Holy moly, this is nuts! Is this where we are now? Is a monthly (or yearly) subscription required for everything these days? Also, who is going to pay $200 to access a freaking Facebook group? Please don't do this - I beg of you. Even to the biggest Vinnie or KISS fans: if you have the spare $200, just donate it to a worthy cause instead or something. Or put it in your IRA. Or toward a vacation. Or home improvement project. Or a million other things... but please. Don't. Pay. To. Access. A. Facebook. Group! #Insanity

So KISS Will Continue... As Avatars

At the end of the final KISS show last night in Madison Square Garden, the band announced they would continue... as avatars. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) created the KISS character avatars. I guess this means avatar concerts, movies, videos... whatever. ILM was founded by famed director George Lucas.

Here's a hunk of the AP story linked below about this new evolution of KISS:

"The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter of which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the 'ABBA Voyage' show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band — as performed by their digital avatars.

Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this new technology allows Kiss to continue their legacy for 'eternity.' He says the band wasn’t on stage during virtual performance because 'that’s the key thing,' of the future-seeking technology. 'Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this.'”

Kiss say farewell to live touring, become first US band to go virtual and become digital avatars https://t.co/yhUrIPoNaf

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 3, 2023

KISS Last Show Ever Tonight - PPV Available

KISS will perform their last live show as a band tonight in New York City. The event is actually available on Pay Per View (of course it is). The link to buy access is in the Facebook post below and the show starts at 8 pm ET. It is $40 for the stream. That includes a video on demand option after the show is over.

It has been cool seeing friends post their KISS memories on social media. A lot of great marketing went into this final tour and I say good for them! If you are present at Madison Square Garden tonight, have a great time. I'm so jealous!

Sunday Spins: 'KISS Off The Soundboard: Live In Poughkeepsie, NY 1984'

Back in February, I mentioned that KISS were adding to their "Off The Soundboard" vinyl series, this time featuring the apparently only known live recording with the band featuring Mark St. John. I immediately pre-ordered the album.

KISS Off The Soundboard: Live In Poughkeepsie, NY 1984 was officially released on 2-LP format earlier this month. My copy arrived a week ago.

The packaging is simple as all the "Soundboard" releases are, with the albums coming in two different brown inserts inside the larger LP container. The disc labels feature the Animalize tiger marks to note the timeframe of the recording. The albums are 180 gram vinyl.

The important thing to remember here is that this recording was released because of St. John's participation. There are songs that are not fully complete because of audio issues. Still, this is a collection worth having for KISS fans.

Of course I listened to "Heaven's On Fire" first because that is one of my favorite KISS songs. Paul Stanley does a pretty good job here, but even in 1984 it sounded like he was straining live at times. The crowd didn't seem to care and definitely participated when asked. The favorites "Detroit Rock City," "Gold Gin" and "Lick It Up" are included of course, plus a guitar solo for St. John. The finale, "Rock and Roll All Nite" is one of the incomplete songs, but that's okay. I would rather have a partial recording than not at all. There's something to be said for a band releasing official albums showing warts and all.

You can get the vinyl now everywhere you buy records. It's around $50 for the double set and remember Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday!

I Did Not Have Mark St. John News On My Bingo Card For This Week

KISS will release an official live recording featuring Mark St. John on guitar! In fact, this is apparently the only soundboard recording of St. John with KISS that even exists. It's another addition to the Off The Soundboard series. The show was recorded in Poughkeepsie, NY during 1984. So shut up and take my money I guess! The two-record set is available for pre-order now for $55. It ships in early April.

Mark St. John was only with KISS during the Animalize days. You can see St. John in the "Heaven's On Fire" video which also happens to be my favorite KISS track! St. John He developed bad arthritis and couldn't play live during most of the Animalize tour. Mark died in 2007.

JUST ANNOUNCED! Off The Soundboard: Poughkeepsie, NY 1984! This Animalize Tour show from the Mid-Hudson Civic Arena is the only known soundboard recording with Mark St. John. Available on exclusive 2LP custard yellow vinyl.

Preorder now at https://t.co/g7mBSX1Pv2 pic.twitter.com/2I7hFX6ykh

— KISS (@kiss) January 27, 2023