Kiss Makes Up With The Concept Of Releasing An Album

A year ago, Gene Simmons was telling anyone within earshot that he was done with recording, saying “There is nothing in me that wants to go in there and do new music. How are you going to deliver it? How are you going to get paid for it if people can just get it for free?” Well, a year, a sex tape, a floated reality-show pitch, and an essay contest have apparently caused a perfect storm for him to change his mind, since his band, Kiss, is getting ready to head back in the studio—with an album produced by Paul Stanley!

In 2006, Stanley told Billboard making a new Kiss album in the shadow of the band’s classic repertoire would be a formidable challenge. “The fact is, [fans] may tolerate the new songs, but it’s the old ones you want to hear,” he said. “I think Jimmy Page and Robert Plant found that out. The [Rolling] Stones certainly know it. The Who certainly know it. So unless you’re willing to go into the studio accepting that how your album will be received will never match your expectations, I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.”

Stanley admitted complete control would change his mind. “I would consider doing it if I could do it the way I wanted to do it,” he explained, adding that his 2006 solo album “Live To Win” confirmed how he’d “like music to sound that I’m a part of. To do another Kiss album, I would not be willing to compromise my point of view perhaps as much as I have in recent years.”

It’s unknown how Kiss will distribute the album, which will feature original members Stanley and Simmons alongside guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer.

I understand wanting complete control, but is there any way, Paul, that you guys could get back together with Desmond Child? Because if the current cultural moment calls for anything, it’s a love song as awesome as this one:

Kiss Making First Album Since 1988 [Billboard] Kiss – Forever [YouTube]