I am wondering if the KISS 2013 model will really ever happen, although I am definately hoping it does.
The issue here is who and what do u put on the pinball machine ? Will the new band/cast members agree to not being on there ? Will the old members want too much money ? Will they want members in makeup or without etc ? It all starts getting too difficult with too many variables really. Who holds the licence ? I cant see Gene having anythiong to do with this at all. Why would he, he has nothing really new or relevant in the pinball industry anymore except some parts he sells at trade shows etc, and the new licence would be negotiated and bought by Stern from Paul Stanley/Gene Simmons directly anyway one would imagine.
Can a new KISS machine come off, can it really ever get past all the red tape, and if it does, will it be a good player, a good looker, with the right artwork and members on the pinny ? thats a lot of ducks to get sitting in a neat row ! I am not a betting man, but I dont think its going to happen, not like the ease of AC/DC came to fruition. Hope i am wrong and everything aligns. I would love one. A BNIB KISS pinny would be way cool.
Is it just too much of a stretch but ? and if its not, why now in 2013, why hasnt it happened again since 1978 ?
Both Peter Criss and Ace Frehley sold their rights over the make-up back to KISS. Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have the original member's blessings to be in the band as neither WANT to be in the same band for a tour. It just won't happen. They have already done the "reunion tour", so it will never happen UNTIL they perform their last show - which won't be for a while. It was always the collective dream for all members to reunite at Shay Stadium for one last show.
KISS can use ANY material from the 70's right up to today. It will be the Band having TOTAL control over every aspect. This was why KISS rejected the idea initially, and they went with the Rolling Stones instead. Stern have no negotiation here. "KISS INC" control EVERYTHING.
The original members will still receive royalties for anything on the machine that they are entitled to. This will mainly be songwriting credits. To this day, the original members (Frehley and Criss) are still looked after. There's no real animosity between the members NOW. But they cannot be in the same touring band.
The pinball will need to represent their entire history. It cannot focus on just the 70's, and I don't think it will work without going back through to 1973. This is Stern's BIGGEST issue. Fans go to concerts to see the entire setlist, which is still heavily represented by their first 6 albums. The newer stuff is ok, but nothing like the Alive or Alive II setlist.
