Tag Archives: Peter Criss

KISS at 50, by Martin Popoff

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Canadian writer Martin Popoff has a new book celebrating 50 years of KISS, out shortly. The hardcover book is 192 pages, including lots of rare photos, and comes from Motorbooks, the same guys who published Gary Graff’s awesome Alice Cooper at 75, earlier this year. *For more info see press info below or visit Martin’s website!

A signed copy can be ordered directly from Martin – http://www.martinpopoff.com/html/kiss-at-50.html

With this beautifully produced book, relive the extraordinary history of the of the hottest band in the land through 50 milestone events.

Formed in New York City in 1973, Kiss became one of the most popular and best-selling bands in rock history with their inventive stage presence and heavy, hook-filled catalog, both ideally suited for packing hockey arenas and football stadiums. This richly illustrated book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to the band on the occasion of their 50th anniversary by curating and examining the 50 most significant milestones. This exquisite volume features:

  • Sturdy hardcover format
  • Stunning concert and candid offstage photography, much of it never before published
  • Images of memorabilia, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, ticket stubs, and more
  • Gatefold Kiss timeline

Popoff covers everything down through the decades:

  • The band’s formation on the New York club scene
  • Their fortuitous signing to the Casablanca label
  • Infamous TV appearances, including Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
  • The formation of the famous Kiss Army fan club
  • Mega tours undertaken in support of the LPs
  • Inter-band conflicts and personnel changes
  • The band’s 1980s “unmasking”
  • Innovative marketing such as comic books and the Kiss Convention
  • And, of course, each of the landmark studio LPs.

The result is an epic tribute to one of the most influential and admired bands in rock history—in a milestone year

*Also see- https://www.amazon.ca/Kiss-at-50-Martin-Popoff/dp/0760381828/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3IY21C1SX2LYB&keywords=kiss+at+50&qid=1696335292&sprefix=%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

TALAS members with Jeff Scott Soto cover PETER CRISS song for upcoming Buffalo Rock City II release.

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The first single from the upcoming studio album, “Buffalo Rock City-II” will be a cover of Peter Criss’s “Love for Sale” on May 3, 2023. The song will be released as a digital download, exclusively on Bandcamp at https://buffalorockcity.bandcamp.com/track/love-for-sale. Buffalo Rock City II will be released this September on digital media, and as a physical CD, and via Bandcamp.

Buffalo Rock City II follows the critically acclaimed KISS tribute album, Buffalo Rock City – Western New York’s Tribute To KISS cited as “the Best KISS tribute album ever” by “Music and Food,” and the 2022 live album, Buffalo Rock City ALIVE! Buffalo Rock City II will also be a musical tribute to all things KISS. Buffalo Rock City II is spearheaded by Buffalo, New York native, John Jeffrey, who co-produced the first two releases. 

John is the “Ace” member of KISS THIS!, and–along with bandmates Kevin Blakita as “The Starchild,” Taylor Stursa as “The Demon,” and Julius Giambelluca as “The Fox”– they join cream of the crop Western New York musicians including “Buffalo Rock City” contributors Gene Schmidt, Jody Velletta, Shawn Przybylak, Nat Peace, Joe Teresi, and Debbie Knight from Buffalo Rock City ALIVE! Newcomers to Buffalo Rock City-II are Buffalo’s Larry Kremer, Kylie Velletta, and Valentino Rockgod, plus international favorites; these are players who’ve toured and recorded with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Accept, the Hollywood Vampires, Ozzy Osbourne, Journey, the Plasmatics, the Ramones, Lillian Axe, Stryper, Tesla, Winger, Yngwie Malmsteen, Sons of Apollo, Hardline, Alcatrazz, Warlock, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs, and David Lee Roth. The “Love for Sale” single was mixed by Rochester native, C. Wood (Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Wayne Shepherd….).

The release date of May 3 for “Love for Sale” is significant, as it marks the 2 year anniversary of the passing of singer Phil Naro. A Rochester native, Phil was best known as the lead singer of Buffalo’s TALAS (Version 2 aka “V2”), which toured with many top hard rock attractions, including Anthrax, White Lion, Quiet Riot, and Iron Maiden. Phil was also the lead singer for CRISS, the solo band of the original drummer from KISS. Naro wrote songs, performed, and recorded with CRISS in the early 1990s, but left the group prior to the release of their sole record in 1994.

One of the CRISS songs Phil contributed to was “Love for Sale.” He eventually recorded an unrefined version of the song in the late 1990s. This forgotten gem was finally remembered by Phil’s bandmates from Talas – bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Mark Miller & guitarist Kire Najdovski; they recorded their new version of “Love for Sale” for Buffalo Rock City II as a dedication to the memory and legacy of Phil Naro. Though he doesn’t appear on this song, Journey’s drummer, Deen Castronovo suggested vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Sons of Apollo with Billy Sheehan) to sing for the song. (Deen plays on another song on Buffalo Rock City II!)

In advance of the release of the single, there is a teaser clip, with a foreword from surviving members of Talas (V2), which can be viewed here – https://youtu.be/COpm4mIA5Yk

All proceeds from the single and the forthcoming album will go to the Maria Love Convalescent Fund, a Buffalo-based charity, which provides interim financial assistance for the people in the community with convalescent care needs. 

For more information:
www.BuffaloRockCity.com
http://www.facebook.com/WNYTribute2KISS/
https://buffalorockcity.bandcamp.com/track/love-for-sale