On the eve of
KISS' massive national tour with
MÖTLEY CRÜE, the legendary iconic rock band honors the U.S. military with an intimate concert at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia. On July 19,
KISS, longtime supporters of the military, will put on their infamous rock show for over 2,000 service men and women. Presenting sponsor
Boomer magazine, Virginia's source of entertainment for baby boomers, coordinated the free ticket distribution through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and various military agencies. troops and veterans attending will receive a special commemorative
KISS t-shirt.
KISS also teamed up with
Hiring Our Heroes, a campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and supported by
NBC News that aims to get veterans back into the workforce.
KISS has hired a military veteran to be a roadie for their upcoming national tour.
KISS co-founder
Gene Simmons said that hiring veterans "is the most important thing that we can do." The band held an open call and after receiving over 1,900 applications for the job,
Paul Jordan, an army serviceman from Buford, Georgia was chosen.
Jordan, who has devoted over 20 years to the military serving three voluntary tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a life-long
KISS fan and member of the
KISS army who sports a tattoo of
Gene Simmons on his chest.
Jordan reports for his new job as roadie, with his first full show on July 19.
Following
KISS's lead,
Boomer magazine held an online contest to support
Hiring Our Heroes and hired a veteran to conduct an interview with
KISS.
Robert Crespo, an Army serviceman, was chosen.
Crespo served in Iraq's combat zone and listened to
"Kiss Alive Symphony" often while in the desert. "
KISS was the motivation to keep going,"
Crespo explains.
Crespo's interview with his idols,
KISS, will be featured in the August issue of
Boomer magazine.
KISS will release its 20th studio album,
"Monster", on October 16 through
Universal Music Enterprises. Described in a press release as a "12-track, straight-ahead rock 'n' roll album," the CD features collaborations among all four members — including co-founders
Paul Stanley and
Gene Simmons and longtime members guitarist
Tommy Thayer and drummer
Eric Singer — in an album that shows the band at the top of its game.
