KISS rock stars to ‘live forever’ as digital avatars after selling IP rights
Swedish private equity firm acquires KISS assets including trademarks, music catalogue and likeness | Pophouse will create ‘digital versions’ of the band as part of $300m "first-of-its-kind" deal.
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and their fellow KISS members will be “immortalised” as digital versions of themselves having sold the rights to their images and music catalogue.
As part of the deal, reported to be worth around $300 million, Swedish investment firm Pophouse, the company behind the ABBA Voyage hologram show, has acquired the music, brand name, trademarks and likeness—including renowned face paint designs—of KISS.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed and it is subject to certain conditions and regulatory approvals.
However, plans for a KISS biopic, an avatar show, and a KISS-themed experience are already underway, Pophouse said, adding that as part of the acquisition it would create digital versions of the rock stars that would allow the band and their unique personas to “live forever”.
A preview of the KISS avatars was unveiled at the final instalment of the band’s End of the Road World Tour, on December 2, 2023 in New York. The avatar show is scheduled for launch in 2027.
Morrison Foerster advised KISS in the deal. Spencer Klein, corporate partner and co-chair of the firm's global Mergers & Acquisitions Group, said: "This is truly a first-of-its-kind deal.
"Many artists have sold or financed their music catalogues, but this is the first time a band has partnered with the acquirer to use the band’s non-musical attributes so that they can be enjoyed by its fans for generations going forward.
"KISS is the obvious paradigm for the use of this technology given its brand recognition and the visual attributes that have contributed to the KISS legend. But you can certainly see other musical acts trying to do something similar, and KISS has paved the way for them."
Swedish firm lands large US brands
Stockholm-based private equity firm Pophouse focuses its investments in the music industry, and was co-founded by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus.
As well as developing the ABBA Voyage experience in London, Pophouse holds the rights to the Swedish House Mafia brand and a 75% stake in the work of DJ and producer Avicii.
In February this year, it announced a partnership with US singer/songwriter Cyndi Lauper.
CEO at Pophouse Entertainment, Per Sundin, commented: “KISS has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture.
“The band’s enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal.
“We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavours, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS.”
Lead vocalist and co-founder of KISS, Paul Stanley, said: “Our journey with Pophouse is fuelled 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.
“This partnership is not just a chapter; it’s an eternal symphony of rock ‘n’ roll immortality.”
KISS was formed in 1973 in New York with an original line-up of Stanley, Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and went on to become one of the US’ most successful rock bands.
The band concluded its final concert tour in December 2023, featuring Stanley and Simmons as well as Tommy Thayer on lead guitar and Eric Singer on drums.
Morrison Foerster is advising KISS in the sale of its assets to Pophouse, with the transaction being led by M&A partners Spencer Klein and Joe Sulzbach and M&A associates Gabriella Fortun, Shams Haidari, Sahana Ragunathan and Hannah Kim.
The IP aspects are handled by Anthony Ramirez and Yeram Choi, with critical tax structuring and advice provided by Anthony Carbone and Philip Jaworskyj.
This article has been updated since publication to include comments from Spencer Klein.
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