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The following article is from today's Express: http://bit.ly/pwqNOq

KISS DRAW CONTROVERSY OVER ADDITION TO JACKSON TRIBUTE SHOW

Rockers KISS have signed up to perform at a tribute concert for MICHAEL JACKSON - a year after bassist GENE SIMMONS publicly suggested the King of Pop was a paedophile in a magazine interview.

Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert is due to take place on 8 October (11) in Cardiff, Wales, with KISS joining Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis and Smokey Robinson among the acts on the bill.
 
But Monday's (15Aug11) announcement has stirred controversy because Simmons was openly critical of Jackson when he spoke to Classic Rock Magazine last year (10).
 
During the interview, the bassist said, "No matter what my fond memories and fond images of Michael were, with one allegation of paedophilia after another and another and another?Oh dear... The only sexual references ever made about Michael Jackson that were made by anyone, anywhere around the world, have always been made by kids, and specifically males usually 10 to 14 years of age; never females, that age or older, and never grown men."
 
Jackson was famously acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005 after a highly-publicised five month trial.
 
The concert is being organised by Jackson's mother, Katherine, and has nothing to do with the late superstar's estate executors.

According to CNN KISS are signed up to play in a tribute concert to Michael Jackson at the Millennium in Wales! Now the weird bit, they are on the same line up as JLS, Craig David and Christina Aguilera!!

Taken from: http://bit.ly/rbzCsf

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The legendary rock band KISS signed up to pay tribute to Michael Jackson in an October concert that will also headline Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green and JLS, the promoters told CNN Monday.

Other major artists may be announced soon to round out the roster of acts for "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert" in Cardiff, Wales, according to promoter Global Live Events.

Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the musical family, appeared on CNN Monday to discuss the show, which will also includes performances by her children and grandchildren.

It appeared unlikely the October 8 concert would be the scene for a Jackson 5 reunion, since two of the brothers, Jermaine and Randy, have publicly objected to the show being held at the same time Michael Jackson's doctor is on trial for his death.

"We want to make clear that this does not reflect the position of the entire family," the two brothers said in a joint statement after their mother and four siblings endorsed the show.

Paul Stanley is a dad again at 59! His wife Erin gave birth yesterday in LA to a daughter called Emily Grace. According to HollyBaby.com Paul has been quoted saying “Erin and I are once again blessed with the addition of Emily Grace to our family, I’m not sure she can sing but her first screams let me know she’s definitely Daddy’s girl.”.

Congrats to them both!

Gene Simmons has finally proposed to Shannon Tweed! After several episodes of Familiy Jewels showing them arguing over his past, Gene got on one knee and popped the question! Hmmmm, I seem to remember predicting that the big finale of this series would be a wedding, maybe that will be the next series! There's a video available at TMZ http://bit.ly/r7qooE

From ology.com: http://bit.ly/oGYxoi

I knew he would come around eventually! Gene Simmons, KISS frontman and star of the reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, has finally proposed to his longtime girlfriend Shannon Tweed. The shocking proposal is here, courtesy of TMZ, and will air on tonight's season finale at 10pm on A&E. But will she say yes? Recently, the couple has been seen on talk shows acting like they're on the verge of a breakup, not marriage.

On the current season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the couple's kids, Sophie, 19, and Nick, 22, are off to college while the parents are left wondering where their relationship stands. After being together 28 years with no ring in sight, Shannon starts to reconsider this seemingly open relationship.

In a June interview with the Today show, Shannon said their relationship status wasn't looking great. They then went on to appear on The Joy Behar Show, where Shannon said, "I'm tired of it. I'm tired of his life." She stormed off after Joy pressed Gene about the alleged 5,000 women he's had sex with.

But in the preview of tonight's episode, it all looks so promising! The beautiful location in Belize, the wind in their hair, Gene choking up--it's like a finale of The Bachelor without Chris Harrison lurking in the background! This couple has been through kids, reality TV and plastic surgery together--hopefully they can make it work.

What do you think is going to happen tonight? Do you think their recent TV appearances were staged or is there really trouble in paradise?

The latest series of The Celebrity Apprentice USA featuring Gene starts this Monday (18th) on BBC1 at 11:35PM (or 5 past midnight in Wales/NI). Other celebs include Lennox Lewis, Peirs Morgan and Stephen Baldwin.

Thanks to the person who sent in the details (apologies as I lost your contact details).

Today would have been Eric Carr's 61st birthday, almost 20 years since he died is still greatly missed by many KISS fans. Later this year to mark the 20th year of his passing I am looking to revamp the site that was set up 10 years ago - www.ericcarr.co.uk - I need ideas for what to do with the site and would really appreciate any help (please use the Contact link above).

Here's a clip of Eric singing Black Diamond from 1990:-

This was in The Mail today, thanks to @trnbl (closet fan) for letting me know.

...Try as she might, though, Sharapova failed to challenge the really big players in the decibel league. American rock band KISS have hit 136db during their ear-splitting concert performances.

While Sharapova regularly hit three figures on our meter - if not winners on the court - her opponent sounded as though she had taken a vow of silence.

140db Jet plane taking off
136db Rock band KISS
125db Pneumatic drill
101db Maria Sharapova
90db Freight train
80db Motorway traffic
60db Normal conversation

Click here for full story

Got sent this a few days ago, sorry about the delay, the wifi where I currently am sucks. Note that tickets are already on sale.

From Classic Rock:
Ace Frehley Adds More Dates
Ace Frehley will now be playing three shows in the UK at the end of the year.

Apart from his previously announced appearance at Hard Rock Hell V on Saturday, December 3, you can also see him headlining the following two gigs in the same month:

Thu. 1: Cardiff Coal Exchange

Sun. 4: London Islington O2 Academy

Find out more at http://www.acefrehley.com/

Gene & Shannon have been on a few TV shows over the past week promoting the new season of Family Jewels. One of the themes that has become apparent in all of these interviews is that their relationship is under pressure, for the cameras at least. Shannon has said that now that the kids have moved out and gone to college she's had enough of Gene's extra curricular activity (all 5000+ of them).... She then walked out of the interview on HLN's Joy Behar show leaving Gene speechless.

So, is this for real? Well don't forget they are promoting Family Jewels and this has generated a huge amount of press coverage in the States, so in my opinion it may just be a way of injecting a little life back into Gene's Jewels. Full interview can be seen here: http://bit.ly/kMKojJ

I've been sent this, can you help?

"I am currently compiling info and images with a view to producing a book relating only to the Islington show. ***** DID YOU ATTEND ***** If so and think you may have any photographs that be suitable, story to tell or just a sentence that summed up your night please get in touch: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You may well get a photo or quote published ....."