Paul Stanley exclusively discusses the possibility of a new Kiss album with Geoff Barton, Blackmore’s Rainbow have some interesting news about their future, Steven Adler’s in hot water again, the New York Dolls and Todd Rundgren are working together again, Richie Sambora talks the future plans of Bon Jovi and Paul McCartney reveals the existence of a 14-minute ‘Beatles opus.

Kiss rhythm guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley has confirmed to the Clog that the band are seriously considering recording a new album. Rumours of a brand new Kiss release first surfaced last week on photographer Ross Halfin’s blog. Now Geoff Barton has taken it upon himself to grab the Classic Rock poker and agitate the embers of speculation (poetic, huh?!).
Barton recently talked to Stanley and asked him:
What does the future hold for Kiss?
It looks like we’ll be touring Europe as well as the States next year. You’ll be getting more of what you saw at the Download festival this past summer – the Kiss Alive! vibe amped up to the max. There might even be a new Kiss album at some point. I have been ambivalent to the idea in the past but I’m much more open to it now.
Why is that?
Well, I thought that I’d be content for Kiss to remain a heritage act, just playing our greatest hits – Detroit Rock City and all that. But the new Kiss line-up with Tommy Thayer (guitar) and Eric Singer (drums) is proving to be so good, so strong in spirit, it would interesting to see how we perform in the studio. I must stress that no recording time has been booked at this point. But it if we were to go into the studio, the intention would be to make a Kiss album in the style of our 1970s recordings. A classic Kiss album, unmistakably.
(Read more in the January issue of Classic Rock, on sale December 10.)

Blackmore’s Rainbow are planning to re-form… well, almost. Deep Purple website The Highway Star reports that Jürgen Blackmore, son of ex-Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, is forming a new band called Over The Rainbow. Besides Jürgen, the combo will feature ex-Rainbow members Joe Lynn Turner — vocals, Bobby Rondinelli — drums, Tony Carey — keyboards and Greg Smith — bass. Over The Rainbow have apparently lined up some dates in Russia for February 2009. Read more here.

Ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler pleaded no contest on Friday (November 14) to a heroin possession charge in the hopes of avoiding jail time by entering a treatment program, officials said. Adler, 43, who was fired from GN’R over drug problems in 1990, also hopes to reunite with his old bandmates, said his attorney, Barry Gerald Sands. “When he gets sober they’ll accept him into the band and then they’ll do a comeback album and a world tour, that’s the dream of Steven Adler,” Sands told Reuters news service. Sadly, the Clog suggests the former GN’R tub-thumper shouldn’t hold his breath. Adler appeared this year on the reality television show Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew during an earlier attempt to get off drugs.

The New York Dolls and Todd Rundgren are to get back together in the studio for the first time in 36 years. Rundgren will produce the Dolls’ new album at his studio on the island of Kauai. Production is scheduled to start in January 2009. Rundgren produced the Dolls’ self-titled debut album, which was released way back in 1973. “We’re really excited to be working with Todd again,” says Dolls frontman David Johansen. “We’re hoping to recapture the same magic on the forthcoming album.” The Dolls will follow the release of the new album with a world tour in 2009. Rundgren is currently touring Europe, promoting his new album Arena.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has outlined the band’s future plans in an interview with Billboard.com: “We’ve been filming a documentary and are in the process of mixing a live DVD of our Lost Highway concert tour,” Sambora revealed. “Also, I think we’re looking at doing a greatest hits album next year. Jon and I are writing some new songs for it and to just load up for the next Bon Jovi record.” Sambora said he expects the DVD and best-of effort to be packaged together for release in autumn 2009. Read more here.

Paul McCartney has confirmed the existence of a 14-minute long, unreleased track from The Beatles. McCartney told BBC Radio 4 the track – called Carnival Of Light – was not released because the other Beatles thought it was too adventurous. The improvised track was recorded in 1967 for an electronic music festival. McCartney said he was fond of the track, which was inspired by experimental composers John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen: “I like it because it’s The Beatles free, going off piste.” Ringo Starr and John Lennon’s and George Harrison’s estates would have to agree before a release goes ahead.