KISS Biopic, AI Live Show in the Works
KISS has become the latest big name in music to sell their catalog, but the new deal with the iconic rock band goes much further to preserve their legacy for years to come.
On April 4, Swedish entertainment and music investment firm Pophouse announced in a statement that it acquired the rights to KISS' music catalog, name, image, and likeness. According to Bloomberg, the company reportedly paid more than $300 million to close the deal. The band itself played its last-ever concert at Madison Square Garden in December 2023, and during that show, they previewed what was to come: AI avatars of themselves.
Pophouse is behind the avatar show for beloved Swedish band ABBA and their virtual ABBA Voyage show playing in London through Nov. 25. The company itself was co-founded by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus, so KISS isn't entering uncharted territory for a legendary group. Whitney Houston's image and likeness were similarly used for a hologram show that toured Europe and had a Las Vegas residency.
The new show, scheduled to launch in 2027, isn't the only way KISS will live on in the coming years. A biopic chronicling the band's 50-year history and a KISS-themed experience are also in the works.
"We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come," KISS bassist and co-founder Gene Simmons said in a statement. "We already have several plans in development, where the avatar show is one, a biopic another, and a KISS-themed experience a third. The future could not be more exciting!"
Lead vocalist and Simmons' co-founder Paul Stanley expressed a similar sentiment, claiming the collaboration is "fueled by the desire to eternally resonate across diverse facets of global culture."
"As we embark on this venture, we aim to weave our legacy into the tapestry of different worlds, ensuring that the KISS experience continues to captivate both our devoted fans and those yet to discover the thrill," Stanley said. "This partnership is not just a chapter; it’s an eternal symphony of rock ‘n’ roll immortality."
In other words, even though they've retired from the road, KISS will still be rocking all night and partying every day for years to come.