KISS sells song catalog, name and IP to Pophouse, company behind ABBA Voyage, in $300m deal

Legendary rock band KISS are selling their song catalog, plus name, image and likeness rights — including their face paint designs — to music investment firm Pophouse Entertainment.

Pophouse confirmed the deal in a statement obtained by MBW on Thursday (April 4) following reports by Bloomberg and The Associated Press.

While the company did not disclose the size of its investment in KISS, the news outlets reported it to be worth more than USD $300 million.

In addition to KISS’ brand name, song catalog, and intellectual property, the agreement also covers KISS’ artist share of the master recordings and publishing rights.

Pophouse’s vision extends far beyond simply acquiring a catalog of iconic songs like Rock and Roll All Nite and I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night. The company also intends to preserve KISS’ “iconic music, enigmatic personas, and expressive imagery for generations to come.”

The news arrives four months after KISS announced a partnership with Sweden-headquartered Pophouse on an avatar concert featuring digital versions of themselves. Pophouse, the creator of the ABBA Voyage virtual concert series, said in December that it will “continue to champion the KISS legacy for fans old and new, and for all generations.”

“Our partnership will fuse the rich history and iconic status of KISS with cutting-edge technology, allowing fans – now and in the future – to experience the band like never before,” Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, said at the time.

“Our partnership will fuse the rich history and iconic status of KISS with cutting-edge technology, allowing fans – now and in the future – to experience the band like never before.”

Per Sundin, Pophouse Entertainment, speaking about KISS partnership in December

ABBA Voyage, co-founded by Pophouse’s Bjorn Ulvaeus (a member of ABBA), has become a cultural phenomenon, selling out shows in London and grossing over $1 million a week. Audiences flock to the custom-built arena to witness digital avatars of ABBA perform their timeless hits with uncanny realism. In its first year of operation, ABBA Voyage contributed £322.6 million (approx. $408m) in turnover to the London economy between May 2022 and May 2023.

A key aspect of the KISS deal with Pophouse involves creating digital avatars of the KISS band members. This approach will allow KISS to continue performing for years to come, even after the band members themselves retire from touring. This technology was hinted at during the final KISS concert in New York when avatar versions of the band closed the show.

The first KISS digital avatar show is scheduled to arrive in 2027, according to a teaser clip posted by KISS on social media in December.

Most recently, Pophouse announced that it also plans to produce a biopic chronicling the band’s history in addition to the avatar show and a “KISS themed experience.”

“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. Because what Pophouse is doing, is breaking rules. We already have several plans in development,” said Gene Simmons, bassist and co-founder of KISS.

“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… We already have several plans in development.”

Gene Simmons, KISS

Pophouse says it will draw upon its “world-class, in-house creative and storytelling expertise” to unlock new audiences and revenue streams and create new content and experiences to enrich the KISS catalog for old and new fans.

“KISS is one of the most recognized and iconic bands in the history of music. They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new unchartered territories,” said Johan Lagerlöf, Head of Investment at Pophouse.

“The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our  mission is to fulfill the band’s vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward. With the help of the fans’ energy, the band, our expertise, and creativity – we will make that vision happen.”

“The band’s enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal.”

Per Sundin, Pophouse Entertainment

Sundin added: “KISS has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture. The band’s enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal.”

“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.”

This deal marks Pophouse’s second major acquisition outside of Sweden in 2024, following the acquisition of Cyndi Lauper‘s music catalog in February.

In September 2022, Pophouse acquired a 75% interest in the masters and publishing catalog of Avicii, six months after it bought the master recordings and publishing catalogs of electronic music stars Swedish House Mafia (including their writer’s shares).

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