Pucker Up, Rockers, It’s KISS

KISS, preparing to embark on a four-month nationwide tour in the wake of its most successful chart hit in years, will perform at Reseda’s Country Club Wednesday.

The concert, sponsored by KQLZ-FM (100.3) in Hollywood, known as “Pirate Radio,” will begin at 8 p.m. All tickets--about 900--will be given out on the air to listeners in contests throughout the week.

The band, recognized as much for its makeup and theatrics as its hard rock music, recently scored with the song “Forever,” co-written with Michael Bolton, which climbed to ninth on the charts. Its new single, “Rise to It,” will be released in early May, along with a video showing band members donning their makeup again for the first time since 1983. The singles come from the album “Hot in the Shade,” which is their first release of new material since 1987. KISS’ new tour begins May 4 in Lubbock, Tex., with no dates scheduled yet for Southern California.

The group was founded in 1972, and amassed a huge worldwide following. Nearly every year since then to the mid-’80s, the band has produced at least one new album. Its live performances featured bursts of flame, explosions and rising and descending platforms for the band members.

“They’re legends,” said Shadow Steele, KQLZ’s operations manager and afternoon disc jockey. “They still have a legion of fans. Punk has come and gone. Disco has come and gone. And KISS is still around.”