KISS Sells Catalog, Brand Name and Likeness

KISS  have sold their catalog for over $300 million with with Pophouse, the Swedish company behind ABBA’s London hologram show, Voyage, according to the Associated Press.

In addition to the music catalog, including master recordings and publishing rights, the company will also acquire the band’s brand name and likeness. 

In a statement, Johan Lagerlöf, head of investment at Pophouse, said in a statement that the company’s aim is continue the band’s immortality, echoing the words Paul Stanley’s avatar proclaimed at the group’s final show at Madison Square Garden with the announcement that the band will continue as avatars. The KISS avatar show is set to debut in 2027. 

The deal with Pophouse, he said, will “let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward.”

“We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavors, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS,” Per Sundin, CEO at Pophouse, added.

“The record companies, the three big ones that are left, they’re doing a fantastic job, but they have so many catalogs and they can’t focus on everything,” he told the Associated Press. “We work together with Universal (Music Group) and Kiss, even though we will own the artists rights, and we’re doing it in conjunction with Kiss. But yes, we bought all rights, and that’s not something I’ve seen that clear before.”

“We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come,” KISS’ Gene Simmons shares. “The future could not be more exciting!”

Paul Stanley adds, “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.”