GENE SIMMONS NEW BOOK: 27: THE LEGEND AND MYTHOLOGY OF THE 27 CLUB:

27: THE LEGEND AND MYTHOLOGY OF THE 27 CLUB, the inaugural release of the new SIMMONS BOOKS series, is Simmons’ witty, insightful, and no-BS take on the myth, and the actual people, that make up the “27 club”—the ground-breaking musicians, artists, and celebrities who died at the age of twenty-seven, frozen in the collective consciousness at the zenith of their creative output.

The summer of 1969 was a momentous one in modern history. It was a season punctuated with change. Apollo 11 landed on the moon, thousands of young fans flocked to rock ‘n’ roll festivals like Woodstock and the controversial Altamont Freeway concert, the Manson Family cult were on a high-profile killing spree, and the first uprisings that would become the Stonewall Riots began. It was an electric summer of violent endings, new beginnings, and social unrest.

It was also the summer that a myth was born–beginning with the tragic, untimely death of Rolling Stones founder, Brian Jones. The world soon lost two more huge music stars: Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Not only did losing these three beacons of music culture seem to signal the end of a musical era, it also felt like a foreboding sign; they had all died at exactly the same age. All three had lost their lives at the pinnacle of their creative output, and all three were exactly 27 years old.

People have speculated that there could be a dastardly lineage, from the poisoning of blues pioneer Robert Johnson in 1938, through these icons of the 60s, and more recently to rebel chanteuse Amy Winehouse’s death from alcohol poisoning in 2011. Could it be a twisted fate that the world’s very best creative souls come to early, often violent, deaths at just 27 years old? Over time, this idea began to be known as, “the 27 club,” and it has persisted in the public imagination.

In 27: The Legend & Mythology Of The 27 Club, rock ‘n’ roll icon Gene Simmons takes a deep dive into the life stories of these legendary figures, without giving credence to the romanticized idea that being in the “club” is somehow a perverse privilege. Simmons wills us to acknowledge the extraordinary lives, not the sensational deaths, of the musicians and artists who left an indelible mark on the world.

Gene Simmons is the co-founder of KISS–America's #1 Gold Record Award Winning Group Of All Time, In All Categories (RIAA), Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees since 2014, and 45 years strong as one of rock’s most influential bands. With KISS, Simmons has recorded 44 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide, and the band continues to sell out stadium tours today.

Simmons is also a bestselling author, boasting New York Times bestsellers Me, Inc. and On Power among others, and has founded a number of hugely successful businesses, including the restaurant chain Rock & Brews.

27: The Legend And Mythology Of The 27 Club

GENE SIMMONS SINGS NATIONAL ANTHEM...

by: Chad Childers
 

A fully made-up Gene Simmons would look right at home in the Oakland Raiders “black hole,” but come Monday (Sept. 10), the Kiss bassist will be out on the field singing the National Anthem instead.

Simmons appearance is part of the pre-game festivities before the season opening game with the San Diego Chargers. Rapper Ice Cube is also getting part of the pre-game spotlight, playing his own anthem he wrote for the Raiders as part of the Pepsi NFL Anthems promotion. If that’s not enough to get you out to the game early, it should be noted that those who turn up at least an hour prior to the game will be entered to win field passes, locker room tours, and autographed memorabilia from Raider legends and current players. Check out the team website for further details on the “Early In and You May Win” program.

In other Kiss news, the band just announced that their ‘Monster‘ album has been pushed up a week. The disc, which had been scheduled for Oct. 16, will now arrive Oct. 9. Fans have spent the summer taking in the lead single ‘Hell Or Hallelujah.’

Also, Kiss’ charitable efforts have expanded beyond just the four members themselves. Each year, the group’s touring crew chooses a charity to support and this year, in conjunction with Hire a Hero, they’re supporting the Operation Resilient Warrior organization.

The non-profit outfit gives support for U.S. troops, both those currently on the line as well as those at home. Operation Resilient Warrior provides care packages and assists soldiers and their families in the transition from active duty to civilian life through counseling, education, scholarships and substance abuse programs.

So far, the road crew has raised $5000, with three weeks remaining on the band’s tour with Motley Crue. In addition, Kiss’ vendors have sent Operational Resilient Warrior an additional $26,750. The crew are challenging fans to step up as well, and suggest making donations at the Operation Resilient Warrior website.

KISS MONSTER BOOK LIMITED EDITION RELEASED

KISS introduced its over sized Monster book in a big way on Tuesday, giving the 45-pound, three-foot-tall tome its official debut in front of a group of press members on stage at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California. In addition to its massive size, the limited-edition photo book also boasts a whopping price tag, with copies selling for $4,250.

With regard to the book's prohibitive cost, singer/guitarist Paul Stanley told Rolling Stone prior to the unveiling, "[Not releasing it] wouldn't be fair to the people who can afford it and will appreciate it...If we didn't make it high-end, it would be compromised."

Stanley also said that the band may put out a less expensive "Mini-Monster" version of the book at a later date.

BUY KISS MONSTER BOOK HERE

Only 1,000 copies the Monster book will be sold. Ten different versions are available, each one geared toward a different country and boasting a cover featuring the flag of that country. All copies of the book are signed by Kiss' four members.

The Monster book is a companion piece to the band's upcoming album of the same name, which will hit stores on October 18. The record marks the band's return to the Universal label, which also controls Kiss' early catalog.

"They made it very clear they wanted us to be back in the fold and made their intentions known," Stanley explained to Rolling Stone, "not only with goodwill but good money, and the two go hand-in-hand."

Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, meanwhile described the Monster record as "a real band album." He added, "No outside writers, no agenda with power ballads or radio songs. Just rock & roll, pure and simple, from start to finish."

Later on Tuesday, Stanley and Gene Simmons traveled to Universal's headquarters in Santa Monica, California, to play some of the new material for executives who oversee the company's film and TV music. Among the tunes the rockers treated their new bosses to were "Long Way Down," "Wall of Sound" and "Freak."

Commenting on the latter tune, Stanley quipped, "We are freaks, remain freaks, and hopefully you do, too."