As predicted, yesterday marked the official announcement of the match-up of Def Leppard and Kiss for a Summer 2014 tour.  My favorite part is that the announcement was reported by USA Today, a mainstream rag, using my once controversial tag line “pour some sugar on me” in a clever lead sentence: “One Will Pour Some Sugar On You, the Other Will Lick it Up“.  Should we be offended?  Should we ban USA Today?  Should we call our Congressman?  Oh I think not…. ’cause it’s only rock ‘n’ roll!

I would say the tour is to promote a Kiss album, but instead they are releasing new versions of their first and the 40-year anniversary of Hotter than Hell, and I really don’t think promoting new albums is why classic bands tour anymore.  Kiss will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10; they will release at least one compilation, and probably half a ton more Kiss thingies both before and after the tour, so not to sound jaded, but I think it’s Kiss being Kiss.  Def Leppard is at the start of their process of recording a new album, so for them it’s not a promotional tour either, not unless the record can be released before the first tour-date of June 23, and I doubt that.  Nevertheless, I’m thinking this will be good summer fun, seeing as many shows (not including that LA date at the newly revamped Forum) are to be played in amphitheaters.  Rocking out under the stars?  I think that sounds fun.  Just watch out for that sugar stuff!  And in case anyone’s interested, the dates and the places are listed by USA Today too.

Link to USA Today article:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/03/17/kiss-def-leppard-summer-heroes-tour/6525475/