KISS hits Billboard Charts

from Billboard.com

KISS AND SAY HELLO: Kiss ends a 10-year absence from Billboard's rock airplay charts, as "Modern Day Delilah" debuts at No. 26 on the Heritage Rock survey (viewable every other week in the print issue of Billboard magazine).

Not a bad birthday present for the legendary group's Gene Simmons, who turned 60 last week (Aug. 25). (Paul Stanley celebrates the same milestone Jan. 20).

Kiss' Billboard chart history dates to April 20, 1974, when its self-titled set first appeared on the Billboard 200. The act will log its 33rd charting title following the Oct. 6 release of the Walmart exclusive "Sonic Boom," the band's first offering of new material this decade.

Kiss' last album, 1998's "Psycho Circus," became its highest-charting on the Billboard 200 (No. 3) and produced its first airplay chart No. 1. The title cut led Heritage Rock for four weeks and Mainstream Rock for one frame.

In a press release, Simmons sticks to the group's trademark understated and unassuming nature. "'Sonic Boom' may be the best new record we've done since (1976's) 'Destroyer'! It is 'Rock and Roll Over' meets 'Love Gun.' The world's biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6th!"