That Whole Farewell Thing? We Changed Our Minds, Kiss Say
With Kiss, it seems too much is never enough. There have been no shortage of
Kiss greatest-hits discs over the years, but that's not stopping them from
issuing yet another, The Very Best of Kiss, on August 27.
Unlike some past best-of discs, which have featured either the band's early
material or their less-praised '80s fare, but rarely both, the new record
chronicles the band's entire career, from early singles like "Strutter" and
"Deuce" to "Lick It Up" and "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II."
Chances are there will be even more greatest hits records to come because
Kiss will probably be making music and touring until Gene Simmons and Paul
Stanley are buried in their Kiss Kaskets (see [article id="1444529"]"Kiss Kick It In Style, Komplete With Kaskets"[/article]). They're
in talks with labels about releasing a new Kiss record, and they recently
recorded a version of "Rock N Roll Radio" for an upcoming Ramones cover
album (see [article id="1455318"]"Kiss, Garbage Join Rob
Zombie's Ramones Tribute LP"[/article]).
"I frequently run into Johnny Ramone, and about a month ago he told me about
the Ramones tribute album and asked if we would participate," Stanley
explained on Kiss' Web site. "I can remember our club days and seeing Joey
Ramone standing a head above everyone else! ... Gene, Eric [Singer] and I
recorded a track called 'Rock N Roll Radio.' We used a big saxophone section
done by Scott Paige, who tours with Pink Floyd, and Derek Sherinian on
piano. Gene and I trade off vocals, and I have to say this is as cool and
kick-ass as it gets!"
Of course, when there are record releases, tours aren't usually far behind.
Regardless of prior claims that their last go 'round would be their farewell
tour (see [article id="1430840"]"Kiss Announce Farewell
Tour"[/article]), Kiss plan to hit the road again in 2003.
"People change their minds, and in this case that goes along with being a
living, thinking person," Stanley wrote. "What one says one day with total
commitment may at another time turn out not to be so. Am I doing this for
the money or the fans? Both, and let's not forget I'm doing this for me.
That is the reason I originally started playing: because I wanted to, and
only I can decide ultimately when to stop. As you know (assuming that you
have a job), it is great to have both the appreciation of those around you
and to be compensated financially."
Guitarist Ace Frehley recently told New York's WNEW-FM that Simmons and
Stanley are urging him to join them on the upcoming tour, and he responded
that "if the price is right" he'll be donning the spaceman costume and
firework-shooting guitars again.
Track list for The Very Best of Kiss, according to the band's Web
site: