Classic Rock recently re-released a 2009 interview with Chickenfoot online. The supergroup was working on its debut album back then.
The band’s manager took the chance to show their new logo to members Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith during the interview. The reveal led to a sarcastic comment from Hagar about Gene Simmons’ care for the ‘KISS’ trademark:
“Make sure you run this by Gene Simmons. Remember: KISS owns everything.”
Gene Simmons’ Focus On Trademark
Simmons made movies, comic books, coffins, pinball machines, drinkware, action figures, a reality TV show, a mini golf course in Las Vegas, and more under the KISS trademark in the past.
The vocalist also tried to trademark ‘devil horns’ gesture in 2017. He filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office but took it back a few weeks later.
An ad agency CEO told CNBC about the move:
“It is clearly a stunt. He knows he can’t really trademark the ‘devil horns,’ just like you can’t trademark the middle finger.”
The Brand Will Go On Virtually
KISS recently took their brand to the virtual world as well. They collaborated with George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic company to create their avatar holograms.
The band announced the new project during their last show at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023. Sundin revealed this week that the upcoming avatar shows will kick off in late 2027.