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That Whole Farewell Thing? We Changed Our Minds, Kiss Say

Band plans yet another greatest-hits disc, tour.

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:

  • "Strutter"
  • "Deuce"
  • "Got to Choose"
  • "Hotter Than Hell"
  • "C'mon and Love Me"
  • "Rock and Roll All Nite" (Live)
  • "Detroit Rock City"
  • "Shout It Out Loud"
  • "Beth"
  • "I Want You"
  • "Calling Dr. Love"
  • "Hard Luck Woman"
  • "I Stole Your Love"
  • "Christine Sixteen"
  • "Love Gun"
  • "New York Groove"
  • "I Was Made For Loving You"
  • "I Love It Loud"
  • "Lick It Up"
  • "Forever"
  • "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II"
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