Whether you call it hard rock, heavy metal, cock rock, hair metal, melodic rock, pop-metal, AOR, glam or sleaze, this is the place to find out what became of your favorite 80's rock bands.

KISS CONFIRMS ORCHESTRAL CONCERT IN AUSTRALIA: Kiss has formally announced its Australian concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for early 2003. As reported by LAUNCH last week, the group will perform on February 28 at Melbourne's Tesla Dome, and at a press conference in the city Kiss singer-guitarist Paul Stanley promised "a symphonic sonic boom, the likes of which the world has never heard before...You will see a lot of violins and a lot of violence." Stanley, singer-bassist Gene Simmons, and singer-drummer Peter Criss--who is back in the fold after bowing out over financial disagreements last year--attended the press conference. Stanley said he was hopeful that singer-guitarist Ace Frehley would play the show, but LAUNCH has learned that it's still in the discussion stages. Stanley said the show will consist of three parts--a straightforward Kiss performance; an unplugged segment, possibly with a small string section; and then the full orchestral performance. The show will be broadcast throughout Australia as a pay-per-view special. Simmons promised, "This is going to be one special event. We are here because we heard so much about the Melbourne Symphony. The best of the best deserves the best. Melbourne has always been wonderful to us these last 30 years. We probably have a few children running around. The least we can do is come back and embrace you all." There's no word on whether or not Kiss plans any similar orchestral shows for the U.S. Darren Davis courtesy of Launch