As part of the 2015 hennemusic Rock News Awards, the site is counting down the Top 10 Rock News Artists of the year.
Finalists for the 6th annual hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers: winners are determined by the combined total page views of the top 50 hennemusic rock news stories of the past twelve months.
The 2015 hennemusic Rock News Awards winners will be announced on Thursday, December 31.
2015 hennemusic Rock News Artist Of The Year – Top 10
10 – DEF LEPPARD
09 – QUEEN
08 – JUDAS PRIEST
07 – THE BLACK CROWES
06 – CHEAP TRICK
05 – LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Rock News Artist of The Year No. 4 – KISS
KISS frontman Paul Stanley kicked off 2015 by delivering a pair of KISS classics with the Foo Fighters as that group marked Dave Grohl’s birthday with a last-minute show at The Forum in Los Angeles on January 10.
In late January, KISS released a new single with Japanese Idol pop band Momoiro Clover Z; a week later, they played a tour of Japan as part of the continuation of the band’s 2014 40th Anniversary World Tour.
April shows followed in South America concert ahead of a three-week European run in late May.
In mid-March, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider slammed KISS for its reuse of original makeup by non-original band members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer.
Thayer dresses in original lead guitarist Ace Frehley’s makeup and stage outfits while Singer does the same with original drummer Peter Criss’ gear, while each perform songs by their original counterparts.
“I don’t see how people could accept this,” Snider told Eddie Trunk. “Tommy Thayer? I’m sorry. It’s insulting. Not only did he play with a tribute band of Kiss, he’s imitating Ace in his entire act!”
April saw Stanley and Gene Simmons honored with the ASCAP Founders Award at the 32nd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Hollywood.
In July, KISS teamed up with Scooby Doo and the gang for a new direct-to-video animated film, “Scooby Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery.”
KISS members voiced their own characters for the project, which centers on a Halloween concert at the group's amusement park Kiss World.
Stanley debuted his new soul tribute band, Soul Station, at The Roxy in West Hollywood in September before KISS wrapped up their 2015 live schedule with shows in Australia and New Zealand in October.
The group hosted the 5th annual KISS Kruise in late fall, a trip that saw them perform 1975’s “Alive!” in its entirety.
Just a handful of 2016 concert dates have been announced by the band so far, with more expected to be added in the coming months.
See also:
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