A deal that marks the end of an era, iconic hard rock band KISS has sold its brand and song catalog to Swedish music investor, Pophouse Entertainment, for a figure believed to be upwards of $300m. This sale includes the group’s brand, likeness, and intellectual property, marking a significant milestone in the band’s illustrious career. Despite changes in the music industry, KISS’s legacy continues to rock on.
The deal is understood to be similar to that of the British band Genesis, but less than the back catalogue sale of Michael Jackson’s work ($600m/£474m). However, Pophouse will own not just the rights to the music but the entire KISS brand, including intellectual property sales, which will allow the Swedish firm to generate future AI-generated content.
KISS was founded in 1973 by lead singers Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The opening line-up, which also included Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, became renowned for their iconic face paint. In their 1970s heyday the band produced such hits as Rock and Roll All Nite and God of Thunder.
Speaking to BBC World Business Report, Gene Simmons, widely regarded as the entrepreneurial heart of the band, addressed questions about the scale of monies involved. He declined to put a precise figure on it but teased that it might be “billions of dollars” before suggesting that would be a tall and “unfair” claim.
