Gene Simmons has insisted that the sale of KISS’ name, logo, make up, and rights to music catalogue was not about money.
According to reports, Pophouse Entertainment have paid $300 million for this deal, as they hope to create an avatar show in the style of ABBA’s Voyage production.
In a new interview, the band’s founding member stated that the agreement was a “natural thing” to make with the Swedish corporation. They had already been working with the band on an avatar concept.
“broke bread”
According to Simmons, KISS had “broke bread” with Pophouse, who “talked about our families and we got to be friends”.
KISS played their final ever show from their farewell tour back in December, with Simmons playing his first show with his new side project this month.
Simmons who called this final show “a proud moment”, has also predicted that the handover would lead to a reinvention.
“If you take a look at Mother Nature, you either evolve or you become extinct,” he stated. “The beginning of [new] Kiss is going to be something that will blow your socks off, like nothing you’ve ever seen”.
Speaking on the unconfirmed price, Simmons also added, “That’s not what it’s about. It’s about enjoying life… I’m certainly blessed.” He added: “Life happens while you’re busy making important plans”.
Looking ahead, Gene Simmons said that he is looking forward to his upcoming tour with the Gene Simmons Band, and working on his restaurant chain that he co-founded with KISS co-founder Paul Stanley.
“Rock & Brews is a proud achievement,” he said. “It’s an experience from the time you walk in. The highest form of praise is if you like something [and] you tell your best friend, ‘You got to check this out.’ Anything worth doing is worth doing well”.
On this tour, Simmons did also promise to abandon his traditional black-and-white look whilst on stage. More on that here.
