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Statement from Paul Stanley on 05/08/2003
Hi everyone! This summers going to be hot in more ways than one! Everything is
falling into place and the excitement is running as high as the expectations.
Thanks for all your questions and thoughts. Now lets get to the questions.
Asked By: Dallasf16
I've been a fan since my mom bought me your first album when I was 7. I can't
wait to see the tour with Aerosmith this Summer. Tommy is obviously a great
addition to the band. Any thoughts of him singing some Ace songs like Shock Me,
2000 Man, or Two Sides of the Coin?
Glad you’re as excited as I am! Yes, Tommy is a great addition to the band as
everyone at our sold out Japan shows, our KISS Symphony in Melbourne and our
exclusive show at The Palms casino will tell you! Tommy will not be singing any
of Ace’s songs, although he will be singing loads of backgrounds in addition to
burning up the fret board. What a guy! See you this summer!
Asked By: BRENDAN
HI Paul First I want to say through all the good,bad,ups and downs over the past
30 years I know you've done the best you can to keep us fans happy. Thanks for
that! My question is how are you going to go about sharing the stage with
Aerosmith? Meaning will you be able to use your full stage set up or have to
make adjustments to share with another headliner? Glad you're touring and look
forward to seeing you. Brendan
Hi Brendan, thanks for sticking with us! It seems to have been as great a ride
for you as for me. Right now we are deep in technical planning with Aerosmith to
make sure all the fans get what they’ve come to expect. Obviously this is a huge
undertaking, but it WILL be awesome! Thanks for your support Brendan!
Asked By: Ilija
Paul. I've been a kiss fan for over 20 years. I've seen Kiss 4 times. Twice at
the Skydome for the Reunion and Psycho Circus Tours. Once at the Air Canada
Centre for the Farewell Tour and another time at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.
My question concerns the Aerosmith/Kiss Tour. Why was Canada not included in the
tour. Is it because my government refused to back your government in the war
against Iraq or is it because of the outbreak of SARS. I hope you didn't forget
that Canada especially Toronto has the reputation for having the best fans when
it comes to rock concerts. Ilija Toronto Canada
Hi Ilija! There are many cities both here, in Canada and abroad that we won’t be
playing on what we hope is only the first leg of this tour. If everything goes
as smoothly as everyone expects we will extend the tour into arenas and probably
see you then! I know we want to play for as many people as possible on this
tour. That includes you! There are some great cities in Canada, including
Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal. We’d like to play those, and more! Hope to see
you then!
Asked By: Rass
The radio show Fri. night 4/18 was great - one thing , is this going to cut back
the 2 hour KISS show were all used to ? It would still be an awesome event -
just curious as to how long each of you`s will play ? Looking forward to seeing
ya in MA for 2 nights ! Thx for your devotion, and not hanging it up !! Rass
Hey Rass! Because of the nature of this show and the event, it would be
impractical for the two bands to play two hours each. That being said I can
assure you that this show will be everything you expect, see you there!
Asked By: AnthonyJ
Hello Paul, My question is, have you guys done any professional photo shoots
with Tommy Thayer yet? If so, when can we expect to see some great photos of the
current line-up with Tommy? Thanks and I look forward to seeing you guys on tour
this year. Anthony.
Hey Anthony! Yes, we will be shooting a slew of new photos next week with Tommy.
Until now we just didn’t have time. See you on tour!
Asked By: BeachGirl
While I've seen both KISS and Aerosmith numerous times each, this upcoming tour
is an answer to my prayers. Just seeing one of you alone is orgasmic, but both
KISS and Aerosmith together? - MULTIORGASMIC!!! I'm so excited!! My question is,
how did this come about? (who's idea was it, who approached who, was it
difficult to work with another big band, etc) Also, what the heck do I have to
do to finally meet you guys??
Hi BeachGirl, yes this will be “multiorgasmic.” Although the possibility had
come up from time to time, I decided two years ago to personally try to make
this happen and spoke with some of the Aerosmith camp at a party I was at. It
seemed to evolve from there. I’ll be looking for you at the shows. As far as
what it takes to meet us? Determination! I’ll be looking for you!
Asked By: Rob Frampton
Greetings Paul- It's been a long time since we've seen you in the UK - do you
have any plans to cross the Atlantic anytime soon? Also, I know it must have
been an expensive operation, but will you ever repeat the Symphony experience
elsewhere?
Hey Rob, yes there have been rumblings of UK shows, but it’s way too soon to
know. Doing KISS Symphony somewhere else is a possibility, although an
incredibly costly one! That being said I hope you’ll enjoy viewing it!
Asked By: dottirocks
Paul: When I saw the price of the Platinum Package I nearly fell off my seat!!
$1000!! You have seriously got to be kidding me!! And we can't even bring OUR
OWN cameras and there's not even a guarantee for an autograph??!! What a rip off
AND a "dis" to the fans, especially those of us who've been fans for over 20
years (26 for me)!! I'd really appreciate it if you would address this issue and
kindly explain to me and the fans WHY it's necessary to charge such outrageous
prices just to have MAYBE 1 minute of your time??? Thank you and hope to hear
from you PDQ!!!
Hi Dottirocks. First of all, to put this in perspective the idea of the Platinum
Package is for an extremely limited group of fans. To give individual time and
attention to fans backstage means limiting the numbers greatly to ensure that
level. That would mean a small handful, not 50 or more, that is why we are
determined to keep the group small and the experience high. As far as cameras…
it is to guarantee the participants a quality photo and a efficient use of time
rather than somebody going home, developing the film only to find a blurry or
unusable photo. That is why we are providing a high quality individual photo.
Also any fan who purchased the Gold Package and is spotted wearing the Gold
Package laminate could have a chance to go backstage and be part of the meet and
greet. Because of the unique nature of this event we are not guaranteeing
autographs, although we’re not ruling them out. The problem in the past has been
over-zealous fans showing up with multiple albums, photos, etc. and perhaps
forgetting they are not the only fans there. As far as a “rip off”… I’m sure
that all the fans that have snatched up the Platinum Packages immediately upon
their being offered would disagree with you. Perhaps instead of dwelling on your
anger at not being able to participate in this unique event, try focusing on the
opportunity that countless fans (including you) have had and will continue to
have to meet us… for free during countless events and circumstances.
Asked By: tucker36
Hey Paul, Quick question regarding deafness. You indicated in a prior post that
you are deaf in your right ear. How did this happen?
I was born deaf in my right ear. I have to say I never missed what I never had.
Asked By: GBG
Hello Paul, Since it looks like Alive 4 is going to be "The Symphony Show". What
is going to happen to the original Alive 4 album from the 2000 Millennium New
Years Eve Show recorded in Vanouver, BC? Thanks for not hanging up those
Seven-Inch Heels up just yet! See you on the KISS/Aerosmith Tour.
Hey GBG, good question! No good answer! We’ll just have to see. See you on tour!
Asked By: Increda
The question: Until now…… How can you in good conscience charge $1000.00 for the
opportunity to meet you and the rest of the members in the band? Please don't
tell me you have no control over the price because from what I've seen you and
Gene have control over everything Kiss. Yes I know there are other things
included but the main part is the Meet and Greet. Now I’ll never begrudge
someone for trying to make as much money as they can but in my opinion you are
totally taking advantage of people. I realize that according to the Kiss Online
web site these packages are sold out but the fact that some people are willing
to pay that amount is not the issue. These are trying economic times for many
across this country. Many are just trying to figure out how to pay their bills.
I have a wife and two kids, in addition to supporting them I also help support
my in-laws who are living with us. I don’t have an extra $1000.00 to shell out
for the chance to meet you. Now I realize this probably just sounds like sour
grapes because I can’t afford the package. But I honestly can tell you that even
if I did have the money, I wouldn’t buy the package. You guys always like to say
things like “The fans are everything to us” and “We are nothing without the
fans”. Well if that’s the case then why not do something for ALL of the fans and
not just the rich ones. Everyone should be given a chance to meet and greet you.
I realize that is an impossibility but what I’m saying is you could make it a
lot more economically viable for people. In my opinion the price of the “Gold”
package is what the price for the “Platinum” package should have been (or even a
little more like say $350.00). This would have given many more people the
opportunity to meet you. This as I like to say would have been an easy bone for
you to throw the fans. Instead you just gave the nay seers even more ammunition
when they say you (you being Kiss) are only about the money. My all time
favorite Kiss dream was to meet you and Gene and have a conversation with you.
It could only be for 5 minutes, just long enough for me to tell you how much you
guys meant to me growing up. But I wouldn’t and I won’t pay $1000 for that
opportunity. The funny thing is that after all this I will probably still end up
going to at least one of the shows in my area. Like I stated earlier; Kiss has
played a major role in my life and I’m not going let that go simply because I
disagree with one of your business practices. I’ll be one of the dots in the
back of the arena. Thanks for reading my letter. Take Care, Bill Deaver
Hi Bill, just to let you know I have read your question and opinion, and yes,
they matter. Please read my post above. Let me add that the idea that everybody
“should” get a chance to meet us is to say the least unrealistic. With all due
respect, your opinion that the Platinum Package should be $350 is probably based
on what YOU can afford, am I right? Should that also include a ticket? I realize
that this is a touchy situation for the people who will not be able to
participate, but the reality for both you and I is there are numerous things
which for many reasons we don’t get to be a part of. Even if the cost were $350
as you said, the number of fans being able to participate would still remain so
limited that we would be inundated with posts from the dissatisfied and unhappy
fans that could not be a part of it. We are always sensitive to everyone’s
concerns while realizing that it is impossible to always make everyone happy.
Asked By: JohnnyD
Mr Stanley, I just viewed the VH1 Ultimate albums concerning KISS Alive. I
understand the logic behind the re-recordings. I wanted to know, however if the
same process was used in production of Alive 2 and 3. On a note on Alive 3, I
know you can't remember all of your shows, but your voice on the Revenge tour
was much sharper in Columbia SC (October 1992) than what ended up on Alive 3. In
fact my girlfriend @ the time was holding her ears during your call and response
during "I Want You". I wished you would have used that show in the recording.
John Myers Myrtle Beach SC
Dear JohnnyD, All live albums get “helped”, “fixed”, “overdubbed”, you pick the
word. The ones that don’t probably aren’t worth listening to more than once.
Thanks for all your comments and thoughts about Columbia SC.
Asked By: Debi
Thank God for Visa!!!!! I asked them to increase my credit line, at least by
$1,000, so I can purchase a platinum package so I can get a front row seat and
have the "band experience". No offense, but aren't you going to be a little
stinky? Should I bring a clothespin for my nose????? I know you don't leave the
stage looking pretty - you stomp! How come we can't have the band experience
beforehand? Also, I do hope they are incorrect in saying the October 10th show
is going to be in San Francisco. I am now back in Los Altos (a mere 15 minutes
from Shoreline Amphitheatre). My birthday is September 29th. I'll consider this
a belated present to myself. I must go now and walk the dog. Have a lovely day!
Yours, Debi
A early Happy Birthday to you Debi! As far as bringing a “clothespin”… I will
let you get as close as you want to find out. As a rule, meeting groups of
people before shows is too disruptive to the process of gearing up for the show.
The best way for us to guarantee a great show is to do as little as possible
beforehand, except focus on the task at hand. Look forward to seeing you.
Asked By: wetlake
Paul, I have been a long time fan and I am proud to say I am the latest “Girls
of KISS” and wanted to say what an honor it is to be chosen!!! My question is, I
would like to send you MY comic book (the first page has a drawing of me wearing
a KISS t-shirt) and was wondering what address can I send it so that YOU
actually get it. I know you get tons of mail and all for the band but do you
have a direct Fan Mail Address. I am looking forward to catching one of your
concerts in California this year… As always KISS proves they are the best and
give their fans the BEST!!! Thanks for rocking my world Christi Lake
Hi Christi! I would love to receive ANYTHING from you that you would like me to
see! I’m sure Mike could take care of making sure it gets to me. Thanks for
being an awesome KISS Girl! Paul
Asked By: kizzaxxxe
At the NY Kiss expo this past weekend someone was passing out flyers that said
Kiss would be in Atlantic City in July signing autographs and taking pictures
with fans? What is this about is it true?
Sorry, but not true.