Legendary rock band KISS has made headlines by selling the entirety of their music catalog, including publishing and master recordings, along with their iconic name, logo, image, and likeness, to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment for a staggering $300 million, as reported by Fortune.
This move marks a significant shift for the band, with KISS co-founder Gene Simmons declaring to Fortune that after an illustrious 50-year touring career, "KISS the touring band is over." However, the band's legacy is far from over, as Pophouse Entertainment plans to leverage their expertise, notably behind ABBA's successful live avatar show, to launch a groundbreaking KISS avatar show in the United States.
Simmons expressed enthusiasm about the venture, telling Fortune that what Pophouse has in store for KISS's images, music, and personas will be unlike anything the world has seen before. The KISS avatar show is slated to debut in 2027 in the United States, with the city yet to be announced, according to Billboard.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the move, Simmons shared with Billboard his awe at the ABBA avatar show and expressed confidence in the advancements in technology since then. He described the initial sketches of the KISS avatar show, likening the projected avatars to the impressive visuals of the X-Men.
Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, affirmed to Billboard the company's commitment to preserving and expanding KISS's legacy for both existing and future generations of fans. Sundin emphasized their intention to extend and amplify the KISS experience through innovative projects and initiatives.
Fans received a tantalizing glimpse of the KISS avatars during the band's final concert of the End of the Road farewell tour at Madison Square Garden. Large digital versions of the band members were projected onto video screens and the stage during the performance of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You II," offering a taste of the immersive experience to come.
The sale of music catalogs has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with artists like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber capitalizing on their catalogs' value. Bruce Springsteen notably made headlines in 2021 by selling his publishing catalog to Sony in a landmark $500 million deal. KISS's decision to sell their catalog underscores the evolving landscape of the music industry and the immense value placed on iconic brands and their creative assets.
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