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Kiss musician Gene Simmons (2022 in Verona): Valuable because “iconic”
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Francesco Prandoni/Getty Images
A company co-founded by Abba member Björn Ulvaeus has bought the entire music catalog of the US hard rock band Kiss. In addition, the rights to the brand and the iconic “image” of Kiss had been acquired – “including the famous face paint,” the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment announced on Thursday. Among other things, a film should now be made about Kiss and the rockers' legendary performances.
Founded in the 1970s by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, the band has become known worldwide for their face paint, eccentric stage clothes and hard riffs. Their hits included "Rock And Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made For Lovin' You." In total, Kiss sold more than a hundred million records worldwide.
"Kiss is one of the most famous and iconic bands in music history," explained Pophouse. A film based on the band's history and an avatar show are now planned, among other things. Information about the purchase price was not provided. Estimates are being discussed at around $300 million.
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons told the AP news agency that he didn't like the word "buy." It's about a "collaboration": "We're not going to sit in Beverly Hills and twiddle our thumbs. No, we are at the forefront with Pophouse, we are constantly in conversation." However, Simmons confirmed the musicians' farewell to active touring life: "We will no longer put on the make-up and go out."
Pophouse was already one of the co-developers of the “Abba Voyage” show in London, where digital avatars of Sweden's most famous band appear on stage and perform Abba's greatest hits. An avatar show is also being planned for Kiss in 2027, which will start in North America - but will be different from the London Abba spectacle. In February, Pophouse announced that it had acquired the rights to the music catalog of US pop singer Cyndi Lauper.
Feb/AFP/AP