KISS sells catalog, name, likenesses, and more for $300M

Kiss the chode.

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That was my first thought too. I read something a year or so ago about how cultural reference points fade over time, and as an example it highlighted the 20-somethings who don't know or care who Lennon and McCartney are. Quite a lot of them didn't recognize 'Imagine' when it was played to them. (I don't like Imagine myself, but me and every other Gen X-er on the planet knows it). So yeah, I do wonder how big the audience for holograms performing 'Beth' is going to be in 10 years.
I'd like to know the sample size of that survey. My 20 something, and all of her friends, absolutely know who Lennon, McCartney, and the Beatles are. Largely in part to that great arrangement of Eleanor Rigby from Cody Fry a few years ago. It was constantly on whatever station high school and college kids use for radio, used as a sound on TikTok, Instagram, and videos everywhere. Between that, Blackbird, and the more mainstream Beatles tunes heard everywhere I have difficulty believing this one.

Both of my kids (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) know tons of older songs. As a jazz musician, I have absolutely no influence on their popular music taste... but I constantly hear the youngest playing music from ABBA, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Bowie, 80's Hyperpop, Skynyrd. Stuff I would never expect her to listen to. There's also a new wave of young musicians playing some cool 80's influenced alternative stuff that's mostly in Spanish but has a cool sound and she listens to that a bunch too (she's bilingual).

The Gen Z daughter listens to a lot of the above, but has also gotten into classic country (Hank, David Allen Coe, etc...). I blame that on her being away at college and keep thinking maybe it's a phase. She also loves Rocky Horror, Selena, and of course Spinal Tap (mea culpa).

However, I don't recall either of them sharing any knowledge of KISS.
 
It seems odd for someone to pay so much for their catalog. Some acts from the past certainly have continuing appeal to younger folks, but I don't see Kiss as being one of them. Is anyone who's under 40 or 50 a Kiss fan? I am in those age groups and I have never seen or known anyone my age who wore a Kiss shirt or went to a show. Most popular bands I could name a friend or an acquaintance who's a fan of that band, but Kiss I cannot. How many years longer will people attend their shows even for the novelty of holograms?
 
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I read about this and Gene says they are not stepping away from their work at all, that they will be advising and collaborating as things progress.
Given they were an analog version of an AI generated hologram in their heyday, It would somehow be fitting to see KISS as the first AI generated holographic touring act. Their Kabukiesque spectacle has proved to have a timeless appeal to prepubescent kids and we are not going to be running low on children any time soon. As long as rock and roll does not fall victim to the current wave of puritanical performative posturing currently sweeping our nation, this could well be the first true renaissance of rock and roll in a post rock and roll world. :D
 
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Doubt any of these investors really know if what they are paying is worth it.

But Kiss is a band with worldwide appeal versus some other artists that are more US or UK-centric. I would think this gives the new owners more upside given that there will be a global market for advertising and merchandise.

A lot of their most popular songs were co-written by Desmond Child in the 80s. I wonder how that plays into the sale? I assume he continues to get his songwriting cut for every spin per usual.
 
Like I said, I'm frequently wrong. From the comments I'm seeing from older fans, here, FB, and the webz in general, it's going to be hard. A lot of negative comments.

Isn’t that par for the course whenever KISS and Gene Simmons are the topic?