THE insane success of the ABBA’s stage show is proof that avatars are the future when it comes to legendary acts putting on shows.
And Kiss are next in line, after being wooed by a number of major casinos in Vegas to work on their version of this show.
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Insiders told me last month how the band were close to signing a deal for a new show, which will feature Gene Simmons et al in their rock heyday.
Now guitarist Tommy Thayer has confirmed that they have been inundated with offers for their avatar show all over the world — with Sin City a frontrunner.
At the Keep Memory Alive 27th annual Power of Love gala in Vegas, Tommy said: “A show like this needs a theatre which is built specifically for the show, so we have to decide where it’s going to be. And there’s considerations about New York, Singapore, Dubai, London of course, but Las Vegas as well is a strong contender.
“And I’m a big fan of Las Vegas. This is where I live. So I can see something like that possibly happening here, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The band are working with Pophouse, who are the founding investors of Abba Voyage in London, and are now fine tuning the details on what their version could look like.
Tommy said the group gave the plans the green light after admitting they were getting a bit too old to keep hitting the road.
He added: “We’ve just basically ended the touring.
“Gene, Paul Stanley, myself and Eric Singer have decided that because of the physicality of what Kiss does, it’s a little bit different.
“It’s a heightened kind of a performance thing, and physically it’s even way beyond what the normal groups are doing.
“That’s why we’ve decided to kind of bow out when things are still really strong with the band and the band is still really hot,
“I applaud all the groups that are out there doing what they’re doing at an advanced age.”
That’s certainly a very polite way to put it.
While Kiss will be taking their lead from Abba, Tommy was keen to insist they wouldn’t be stepping on Abba’s toes — with their avatar show going on a tour in the coming years.
He added: “We don’t want to affect what ABBA does.
“Abba’s probably looking at other cities and other places, they might take that show too because it’s been so popular in London. But a group like Abba could work anywhere.”
An insider confirmed to me that the Pophouse and KISS avatar show location will be announced in due course.
If both these shows ended up on the strip, you can bet all your holiday money they’d be sellouts.
TOP OF THE HILL
FROM The Beatles to Michael Jackson, there was always going to be a lot of competition when running down selection of the best albums ever released.
But American singer Lauryn Hill is the shock topper of Apple Music’s list, which has been counting down its top 100 albums for the past ten days.
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She posed with this award, made from recycled Apple products, after being announced as taking the No1 spot with her one and only album, 1998’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.
Lauryn, who was also part of Fugees, said: “This is my award, but it’s a rich, deep narrative and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love.”
Lauryn finished just ahead of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and The Beatles’ Abbey Road. You can see the top ten below.
The top album released in the 21st century is Frank Ocean’s Blonde, which came out in 2016, while Amy Winehouse is the only British solo artist in the top ten, with Back To Black at No8.
Apple Music 1 DJ Zane Lowe said of Lauryn’s record: “It has not dated, not even a fraction. In fact, it feels more fresh and more relevant the more you listen to it.”
The list was put together by Apple Music’s team of experts alongside a group of artists, songwriters, producers and industry professionals – and I know it all comes down to opinion but I’m not sure I agree with Apple’s decisions.
I mean, give me a break, my beloved Simply Red didn’t even get a look in . . .
Apple’s Top Ten albums
- 1. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (1998), Lauryn Hill
- 2. Thriller (1982), Michael Jackson
- 3. Abbey Road (1969), The Beatles
- 4. Purple Rain (1984), Prince & The Revolution
- 5. Blonde (2016), Frank Ocean
- 6. Songs in the Key of Life (1976), Stevie Wonder
- 7. good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), Kendrick Lamar
- 8. Back to Black (2006), Amy Winehouse
- 9. Nevermind (1991), Nirvana
- 10. Lemonade (2016), Beyonce
Blooming heck
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GIRLS Aloud are back together but The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge is still very much flying solo.
She wore this slashed black dress as she joined a number of stars hobnobbing at the Vanity Fair x The Newt bash as part of the ever popular Chelsea Flower Show in West London.
The former I’m A Celeb contestant got in on the theme by adding a quirky white floral corsage on her shoulder.
Blooming heck.
UNHEARD OASIS? DEFINITELY
OASIS fans are in for a treat today after Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed they are releasing unheard versions of some of their best songs.
The warring brothers, above, have called on their team to put together a new record celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album Definitely Maybe.
It features tracks recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in South Wales and outtakes from Sawmills Studios in Cornwall.
Also on the record is a demo of their track Sad Song featuring Liam’s vocals rather than Noel’s.
The album is out on August 30. I’ll be adding it to my collection.
Megan wows in hot pink
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I CAN see why Megan Thee Stallion called her new tour Hot Girl Summer.
She looked incredible as she went for drinks with Cardi B after her show in New York.
Cardi had joined Megan on stage to perform together after they teamed up on WAP and Bongos.
Megan kicks off the UK leg of her tour in Glasgow in July, but I’m not sure her British fans will be treated to a surprise appearance from Cardi.
A girl can dream.
ALBUM 8 IS A SHEER GRAFT
ED SHEERAN may be in the final months of a mammoth, two-year world tour – but he’s still found time to make a new album.
The Shape of You singer says the upcoming record, his eighth, will see him go back to the sound of 2014 breakout second album, X.
Replying to one fan on Instagram, Ed said: “The album I’m currently making is the closest I’ve made to Multiply (X) in terms of sonics and subject matter.”
But don’t expect any new tracks to drop before 2025.
Ed recently said: “I released two records on tour last year and it’s quite a lot being on tour and releasing records. So I’ve made new music and I’m going to sit on it for a bit.”
If I was Ed, come his final show in September I’d be taking a well-earned break.
TEDDY FACES UP TO TATTOO CHALLENGE
TEDDY Swims is a man who likes to suffer for his art.
The Lose Control singer appeared on Capital FM’s Breakfast Show with its hosts Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby and decided to get a face tattoo live on air.
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Teddy had “Silly Goose” inked on after listeners call-ed in with their suggestions while he chatted about how much he loves a cheeky Nando’s.
Teddy, from Atlanta in the US, said: “What I like here is that food is real. I could eat like hell over here and I still lose weight. There is no garbage.
“We had a Nando’s after our last show. I am a big Nando’s fan. I am trying to get one of those black cards.”
I’m partial to a tattoo or two and my boyfriend has loads but if he rocked up from work with “silly goose” on his face I’d be having strong words with him.