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Kiss are the latest artists to sell off their music catalogue, and in this case their famous stage personas and makeup, for big bucks.
After completing their farewell tour in December 2023 (allegedly), the band announced that they had sold the rights to their music and video to a pop house. Pophaus is the Swedish company that produced the hologram show ABBA Voyage and is working on a similar project that also includes Kiss.
Fortune magazine reports that Kiss raised more than $300 million from the sale, although no price was disclosed in the joint press release. A rep for the band did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone's request for comment.
The deal includes all of Kiss' master recording and publishing rights, and, as a unique addition to other catalog acquisitions, includes the band's characters, Gene Simmons' Thunder, Paul Stanley's Starchild, and their unique Also includes makeup.
Simmons told People Thursday that the band didn't “want it” initially, but the sale felt like a “natural thing.” But “if you look at Mother Nature, you either evolve or you go extinct,” he says.
“Life happens while you're busy making important plans,” he added. “We were planning to walk out into the sunset with respect and pride, because we are on tour and have been on tour for half a century.”
During the band's final End of the Road tour show at Madison Square Garden, Kiss revealed that the band will continue to live on as digital avatars in a Pophouse-produced hologram show starting in 2027. I made it. ABBA Voyage, a pop house show currently running in London, is grossing $1 million a week, Fortune reported.
“As part of the partnership, Pop House will create a digital version of KISS that will allow the band and its unique persona to live on forever,” Pop House and Kiss said in a press release. “Through a magical combination of cutting-edge technology and unparalleled creativity, the pop house will deliver the complete and authentic KISS experience to both existing and new fans for years to come.” Avatar The show is scheduled to begin in 2027.
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“We have always broken new ground in popular culture, and this partnership ensures we will continue to do so for years to come,” Simmons said in a statement about the catalog's retirement. Ta. “Because what the pop house is doing is breaking the rules. We already have several plans in development, one of which is an Avatar show, another is a biopic, and the third is It's a KISS-themed experience. The future couldn't be more exciting!”
Stanley further added, “Our journey with Pop House is underpinned by a desire to resonate forever across the diverse facets of world culture. As we embark on this adventure, we tap into a tapestry of diverse worlds. We aim to weave in our legacy and ensure that the KISS experience continues to captivate both our die-hard fans and those yet to discover the thrill of rock and roll. It is an eternal symphony of immortality.”
In December, Pop House CEO Per Sun-din explained how he would use the avatars (giant, fire-breathing versions of Kiss members in full uniform) created with industrial light and magic. He said the company is still figuring out what's best. “Is there a Kiss concert in the future?” A rock opera? Is it a musical? Is it a story or an adventure? These four girls already have superpowers. We want to be as open as possible. ”
In addition to Kiss and ABBA, Pop House also acquired the rights to Cyndi Lauper's music catalog.
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“We've all seen boxers and artists who stay in the ring too long and get knocked out by amateurs,” Simmons said. “You don't want to do it, you want to be on top. And out of respect and love for the fans, we did it the right way.”
This article was updated at 8:35 p.m. ET to include a comment from Gene Simmons to People.