With more than 80 million albums sold, SRO tours and more gold-plus awards (24), the #1 American Gold record champ (third overall behind only The Beatles and Rolling Stones), including late 2001’s KISS Box Set, KISS are a rock ‘n’ roll institution. They’ve outlasted their first critics who now embrace them like long lost brothers while their rabid fans, the KISS Army, have stood by them the entire way.

Now the band’s greatest hits album serves as both an introduction to KISS for new fans and the one KISS album listeners who just want the hits-and-nothing-but-the-hits will need. The Very Best Of KISS (Mercury/UTV Records), released August 27, 2002, collects the original versions of all of their biggest hits on one 21-track album. Featured on the chronologically sequenced The Very Best Of KISS are the band’s two gold singles--“Beth” (from 1976’s Destroyer) and “I Was Made For Loving You” (from 1979’s Dynasty).

Critics and fans alike have noted the flaws in previous compilations, from 1978’s platinum Double Platinum and 1988’s double platinum Smashes, Trashes & Hits to the most recent attempt, 1997’s Greatest Kiss. Truly living up to its “Very Best Of” billing, from the original hit live version Of “Rock And Roll All Nite,” the group’s breakthrough, to the ‘80s anthem “Lick It Up,” The Very Best Of KISS is the ultimate summation of their career for a general audience yet assembled.

The album kicks off with two tracks apiece from the band’s first two albums: “Strutter” and “Deuce” from 1974’s KISS and “Got To Choose” and the title track from that same year’s Hotter Than Hell. “C’mon And Love Me” was culled from Dressed To Kill (1975) and “Rock And Roll All Nite” from ALIVE! (1975).

Two albums from the following year, Destroyer and Rock And Roll Over, are represented by “Beth,” “Detroit Rock City” and “Shout It Out Loud” from the former and “I Want You,” “Calling Dr. Love” and “Hard Luck Woman” from the latter. 1977’s Love Gun also contributes three tracks: “I Stole Your Gun,” “Christine Sixteen” and “Love Gun.” Finishing off the ‘70s are “New York Groove” from Ace Frehley, one of 1978’s simultaneously released 4 separate KISS solo albums, and “I Was Made For Loving You” from 1979’s Dynasty.

Taken from the ‘80s are “I Love It Loud” from Creatures Of The Night (1982), “Lick It Up” from the 1983 album of the same name and “Forever” from Hot In The Shade (1989). The Very Best Of KISS aptly concludes with a track from Revenge (1992), “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You II.” The Very Best Of KISS is absolutely the best!

The legend continues....

TRACK LISTING (all the original versions):
1. STRUTTER 3.10 (original version from KISS, 1974)
2. DEUCE 3.06 (from KISS, 1974)
3. GOT TO CHOOSE 3.54 (from HOTTER THAN HELL, 1974)
4. HOTTER THAN HELL 3.31 (from HOTTER THAN HELL, 1974)
5. C’MON AND LOVE ME 2.57 (from DRESSED TO KILL, 1974)
6. ROCK AND ROLL ALL NITE live 4.01 (radio hit version taken from ALIVE!, 1975)
7. DETROIT ROCK CITY 3.38 (from DESTROYER 1976)
8. SHOUT IT OUT LOUD 2.49 (from DESTROYER 1976)
9. BETH 2.45 (from DESTROYER 1976)
10. I WANT YOU 3.04 (from ROCK AND ROLL OVER, 1976)
11. CALLING DR. LOVE 3.44 (from ROCK AND ROLL OVER, 1976)
12. HARD LUCK WOMAN 3.34 (from ROCK AND ROLL OVER, 1976)
13. I STOLE YOUR LOVE 3.04 (from LOVE GUN, 1977)
14. CHRISTINE SIXTEEN 3.14 (from LOVE GUN, 1977)
15. LOVE GUN 3.18 (from LOVE GUN, 1977)
16. NEW YORK GROOVE 3.03 (from ACE FREHLEY, 1978)
17. I WAS MADE FOR LOVING YOU 4.30 (from DYNASTY, 1979)
18. I LOVE IT LOUD 4.15 (from CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, 1982)
19. LICK IT UP 3.56 (from LICK IT UP, 1983)
20. FOREVER 3.52 (from HOT IN THE SHADE, 1989)
21. GOD GAVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TO YOU II 5.18 (from REVENGE 1992)

ORDER NOW AT AMAZON.COM!

September 2, 1977 Houston, TX by Erik Emerson

Hi-res .jpg version click here!

From: bent
I have been enjoying your site for some time now. I thought that I might contribute some animated cursors that I made using miroangelo 2.0. There is also a cursor that I made from Psycho Circus.
[Go Download]

From: Thebigrobgu@aol.com
Cleveland's KISS Tribute, Mr. Speed to play outside the Logansport Mall in Logansport, IN on August 3rd, 2002 @ 8pm. Tickets only $5 & children get in FREE (when accompanied by an adult). Tickets sold only at the gate. The first 200 people will receive a free KISS poster courtesy of Dark Horse Comics. Kissshop.com will sell KISS merchandise. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved indoors. Sponsored by The Logansport Mall, Mix 102 & Classic Hits 98.5/101.9. For more info go to ironhorsefest.com.

On Friday August 2nd Mr. Speed will make a special appearance at the KISS Karaoke Contest being held at Louie's at 800 W. Market in Logansport, IN. Contest starts at 8:30pm.

Spread the word around, as apparently rumour has it they are limiting
tickets to 1500 for internationals.

It was only released today in Australia. (also rumour has it, he will be
mingling all night and who knows who else might go with him... if I can get
any more info I will let you know)

Rock on,
Holly S.

We just got our promo vid done.....Any chance of linking it to kissfreaks????

www.plmagee.com/shout.htm

Let me know what you think.

Eric

KISS Freaks Note: They look great! Great clip!

Hello From France,
I've been a big Kiss fan since 1977 (thanks to my older brothers) and I just want to say a big "bravo" for your website ! Here in France, Kiss are not as big as they may be in the U.S. or even in Germany but the French Kiss fans are as loyal as the other fans worldwide ! You should find 2 of my creations (Kiss wallpapers) here. Please visit my website (sorry, it's in French) because you will find my tribute to the Demon in a page called "travaux", here's the address : www.chez.com/vehert
Keep on kissing !
FRED
[Go Download]

KISS Freaks Note: Great Stuff!

I have been so busy lately I haven't had a chance to do any of these recently. Anyway the KISS fans of KISS Freaks are bailing me out big time. I have had a ton of new ones sent to me. All are fantastic in my opinion. Here is just one of the recent ones by Andrew Hanford. Great image!
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Sunday August 11th 11 AM - 8PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 655 N 108th Ave Omaha, NE 68154 (Call them at 402-496-0850 and ask for special KISS Expo hotel rate of $65.00).

This year’s special guest is drummer ERIC SINGER. Eric will do a Q&A as well as photo and autograph sessions. Live Performance from Kentucky's SSG - one of the best musical tributes out there! The Expo will be hosted by KISSonlines' webmaster Mike Brandvold - who will also be available for questions.

Trivia Contest as well as a Makeup contest and KISS merchandise on sale throughout the day. Tickets are $16.00 per adult in advance and $20.00 day of show. Children 12 and under free (1 per each paid adult). You may buy tickets at TICKETMASTER (beginning July 13th) or save the service charge and buy at www.KISSexpos.com - tickets now on sale there.

We are also offering 125 special VIP Laminates - they are $26.00 each and include early admission to the expo - 1 hour before doors open - so you can buy merchandise before it sells out, a collectable OMAHA KISS EXPO laminate and your choice of either the Sprit of '76 or The Originals Lithograph (this is a $39.99 value alone). The Litho will be given to you at the door. You may only order the VIP Laminate by calling 317-595-1108 or on www.KISSexpos.com.

For dealer info or to order tickets over the phone call 317-595-1108 please leave a message if we are not in and we WILL return your call.

I've added a few more Fan photos. Stop by and see!

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Hey Everyone,
I haven't went away. Just been busy releasing my new Photoshop Stuff Volume 2 CD. I have spent the last month or so working on this and its finally done. I also recently took a trip to St. Petersburg, FL. I go every couple years or so. Heck of a lot better than here in Indianapolis.

Anyway just wanted to let all of you know I am going through all your email and getting caught up on the site this week. I have a ton of stuff to add, so keep checking in.

From: keystone_mortgage@hotmail.com
Hello Everyone!

We just want to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to the X-Fest is Tuscon AZ. With over 10,000 screaming KISS fans it was a night to remember for sure. The band is taking a few months of now but will resume for a NW tour towrads the end of summer. For now please enjoy these great photos from X-Fest 2002!!

Cheers~ SHOUT IT OUT LOUD

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From: David Bayless
Steve,
You may not remember me, but I submitted my life story as a KISS fan about one & aa half years ago. I am sending you an image that I created for use as a desktop picture. If you like it upload it to the kissfreaks site. Thanks for spending time on your hobby and I hope you enjoy the image. The resolution is 1152x870.

Thanks, David Bayless Graphics Plus
--visit the website at http://dbaylart.tripod.com

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has contributed lead guitar to the track "Sweet FA" for upcoming SWEET tribute album, to be released later this year. Appearing under the banner JK'S ALL STAR EXPERIENCE, Kulick is backed on the track by an all-Swedish cast consisting of: Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE) - Rhythm Guitars, John Levén (EUROPE) - Bass, Jonas Nilsson (REDNEX) - Lead Vocals, Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE) - Keyboards, Johan Kihlberg - Drums

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