Rock band Kiss recently played their final farewell concert in New York, but their legacy will live on thanks to avatar technology. As the band left the stage, flying avatars took their place and performed the hit song “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You.” This technology, originally developed for the Abba Voyage show, will allow Kiss to continue touring even in retirement. Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist, expressed his excitement about being “forever young and forever iconic,” while singer Paul Stanley emphasized that the band deserves to live on because it is bigger than its individual members. The avatars were designed by George Lucas’s visual effects company and financed by Swedish conglomerate Pophouse Entertainment, which is co-owned by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus. Kiss’s avatars, unlike Abba’s digital replicas, are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers. The avatars were created using motion capture technology, but the band has yet to reveal their plans for them after the tour. Kiss, known for their extravagant performances and iconic makeup, became one of the biggest arena rock acts of the 1970s and 80s. Their hits include “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Black Diamond,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Crazy Crazy Nights.” While this farewell tour marks the end of Kiss as we know it, there are hints that the band’s legacy may continue in some form, possibly with a new lineup of musicians.

Original news source: Kiss to become ‘immortal’ thanks to Abba’s avatar technology (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Write down the names of famous rock bands, including Kiss, on separate pieces of paper. Divide the class into two teams. Each team takes turns choosing a piece of paper and acting out the band name without speaking. The other team has to guess the band name within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have the students read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on the key details and events mentioned in the article. Afterward, have a class discussion to compare and share their summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Assign each group a role, such as Kiss fans, critics, or industry professionals. Have them discuss and debate their opinions about Kiss using the information from the article. Afterward, have each group present their opinions and arguments to the class. As a class, conduct a poll to see which group’s opinion is most popular.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and put them in a hat or bowl. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will come up and choose a word from the hat, then they have to draw a picture to represent that word while their team tries to guess it. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will list the pros (positive aspects) of Kiss continuing their legacy with avatar technology, while the other group will list the cons (negative aspects). Afterward, have each group present their lists to the class and facilitate a class discussion about the pros and cons of using avatar technology in the music industry.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What technology allows Kiss to continue touring even in retirement?
2. Who designed the avatars for Kiss?
3. How are Kiss’s avatars different from Abba’s digital replicas?
4. What technology was used to create the avatars?
5. What are some of Kiss’s biggest hits?
6. What hints are there about the future of Kiss after their farewell tour?
7. Why does Gene Simmons express excitement about being “forever young and forever iconic”?
8. Why does Paul Stanley believe that the band deserves to live on even after retirement?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Rock band Kiss recently (1)______ their final farewell (2)______ in New York, but their legacy will live on thanks to avatar (3)______. As the band left the stage, flying (4)______ took their place and performed the hit song “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You.” This technology, originally developed for the Abba Voyage show, will allow Kiss to continue touring even in retirement. Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist, expressed his (5)______ about being “forever young and forever iconic,” while singer Paul Stanley emphasized that the band deserves to live on because it is bigger than its individual members. The avatars were designed by George Lucas’s visual effects (6)______ and financed by (7)______ conglomerate (8)______ Entertainment, which is co-owned by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus. Kiss’s avatars, unlike Abba’s digital replicas, are larger-than-life characters that (9)______ fire and shoot (10)______ from their fingers. The avatars were (11)______ using motion capture technology, but the band has yet to reveal their plans for them after the tour. Kiss, known for their (12)______ performances and iconic makeup, became one of the biggest arena rock acts of the 1970s and 80s. Their hits include “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Black Diamond,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “(13)______ Crazy (14)______.” While this farewell tour marks the end of Kiss as we know it, there are hints that the band’s (15)______ may (16)______ in some form, possibly with a new lineup of musicians.
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Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about the idea of using avatar technology to continue touring after retirement?
2. How would you feel if you went to a concert and the band was replaced by avatars?
3. Do you think it is fair for Kiss to continue touring with avatars instead of the original band members? Why or why not?
4. What is your opinion on the use of motion capture technology to create avatars for performances?
5. How do you think fans of Kiss would react to seeing the avatars perform instead of the original band members?
6. Do you think it is important for a band’s legacy to continue even after the original members retire or pass away? Why or why not?
7. What is your favorite Kiss song and why?
8. How do you think the use of avatars in concerts might change the experience for audience members?
9. Do you think using avatars in concerts takes away from the authenticity and live energy of a performance? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the use of avatars in concerts might impact the music industry as a whole?
11. What other bands or musicians do you think could benefit from using avatar technology in their performances?
12. How do you think the use of avatars in concerts might affect the relationship between artists and their fans?
13. Do you think using avatars in concerts is a creative and innovative way for bands to continue performing, or do you think it is a gimmick? Why or why not?
14. How would you feel if one of your favorite bands announced that they would be using avatars in their concerts?
15. What do you think the future of live music performances will look like with the advancement of avatar technology?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. legacy
2. avatar
3. retirement
4. iconic
5. conglomerate
6. replicas
7. extravagant
8. makeup
9. arena
10. musicians
11. farewell
12. hint
13. lineup
14. individual
15. emphasize

Meanings:
(A) The cosmetics or paint applied to the face, especially for theatrical or artistic purposes
(B) Exact copies or duplicates of something
(C) A large venue or building used for concerts or sporting events
(D) A subtle or indirect suggestion or clue
(E) A final goodbye or parting, often with a sense of sadness or nostalgia
(F) People who play musical instruments, especially professionally
(G) A digital representation of a person or character, often used in virtual reality or entertainment
(H) A large corporation made up of different companies or businesses
(I) The arrangement or composition of a group of people or things
(J) A single person or entity, separate from a larger group or collective
(K) Widely recognized and admired, often representing a particular time or style
(L) Something handed down from the past, such as a tradition or inheritance
(M) The act of leaving one’s job or career, usually due to old age
(N) To give special importance or attention to something
(O) Excessive or elaborate, often involving a lot of money or resources
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What technology allows Kiss to continue touring even in retirement?
(a) Virtual reality technology
(b) Avatar technology
(c) Hologram technology
(d) Motion capture technology

2. Who financed the creation of Kiss’s avatars?
(a) George Lucas’s visual effects company
(b) Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus
(c) Pophouse Entertainment
(d) Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist

3. How are Kiss’s avatars different from Abba’s digital replicas?
(a) Kiss’s avatars are smaller and more realistic.
(b) Kiss’s avatars are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers.
(c) Kiss’s avatars are holograms.
(d) Kiss’s avatars are created using virtual reality technology.

4. What are some of Kiss’s biggest hits?
(a) “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You,” “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” and “Mamma Mia”
(b) “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Hotel California,” and “Imagine”
(c) “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “Paradise City”
(d) “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Black Diamond,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Crazy Crazy Nights”

5. Who expressed excitement about being “forever young and forever iconic”?
(a) Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist
(b) Paul Stanley, the band’s singer
(c) Björn Ulvaeus, co-owner of Pophouse Entertainment
(d) George Lucas, creator of Star Wars

6. What company designed Kiss’s avatars?
(a) Pophouse Entertainment
(b) Abba Voyage
(c) Kiss themselves
(d) George Lucas’s visual effects company

7. What did Kiss’s avatars do during their final farewell concert?
(a) They performed the hit song “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You.”
(b) They flew around the stage.
(c) They played all of Kiss’s biggest hits.
(d) They interacted with the audience.

8. What are some of Kiss’s iconic features?
(a) Elaborate costumes and synchronized dance moves
(b) Acrobatic stunts and pyrotechnics
(c) Extravagant performances and iconic makeup
(d) All of the above

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The avatars created for Kiss are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers.
2. The avatar technology was not originally developed for the Abba Voyage show.
3. Kiss has revealed their plans for the avatars after the tour.
4. There are hints that Kiss’s legacy may continue in some form, potentially with a new lineup of musicians.
5. Kiss recently played their final farewell concert in New York.
6. Avatar technology was used during the concert to have flying avatars perform in place of the band.
7. The avatars were not financed by Swedish conglomerate Pophouse Entertainment, co-owned by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus.
8. The avatars were not designed by George Lucas’s visual effects company.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What technology is allowing Kiss to continue touring even in retirement?
2. Who financed the creation of Kiss’s avatars?
3. How do Kiss’s avatars differ from Abba’s digital replicas?
4. What technology was used to create Kiss’s avatars?
5. What are some of Kiss’s biggest hits?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Avatar technology allows Kiss to continue touring even in retirement.
2. The avatars for Kiss were designed by George Lucas’s visual effects company.
3. Kiss’s avatars are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers, unlike Abba’s digital replicas.
4. The avatars were created using motion capture technology.
5. Some of Kiss’s biggest hits include “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Black Diamond,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Crazy Crazy Nights.”
6. There are hints that the band’s legacy may continue in some form, possibly with a new lineup of musicians.
7. Gene Simmons expresses excitement about being “forever young and forever iconic” because avatar technology allows him to continue performing and staying relevant, even in retirement.
8. Paul Stanley believes that the band deserves to live on even after retirement because Kiss is bigger than its individual members and has a lasting impact on rock music.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) played
(2) concert
(3) technology
(4) avatars
(5) excitement
(6) company
(7) Swedish
(8) Pophouse
(9) breathe
(10) electricity
(11) created
(12) extravagant
(13) Crazy
(14) Nights
(15) legacy
(16) continue
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. legacy
Answer: (L) Something handed down from the past, such as a tradition or inheritance

2. avatar
Answer: (G) A digital representation of a person or character, often used in virtual reality or entertainment

3. retirement
Answer: (M) The act of leaving one’s job or career, usually due to old age

4. iconic
Answer: (K) Widely recognized and admired, often representing a particular time or style

5. conglomerate
Answer: (H) A large corporation made up of different companies or businesses

6. replicas
Answer: (B) Exact copies or duplicates of something

7. extravagant
Answer: (O) Excessive or elaborate, often involving a lot of money or resources

8. makeup
Answer: (A) The cosmetics or paint applied to the face, especially for theatrical or artistic purposes

9. arena
Answer: (C) A large venue or building used for concerts or sporting events

10. musicians
Answer: (F) People who play musical instruments, especially professionally

11. farewell
Answer: (E) A final goodbye or parting, often with a sense of sadness or nostalgia

12. hint
Answer: (D) A subtle or indirect suggestion or clue

13. lineup
Answer: (I) The arrangement or composition of a group of people or things

14. individual
Answer: (J) A single person or entity, separate from a larger group or collective

15. emphasize
Answer: (N) To give special importance or attention to something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What technology allows Kiss to continue touring even in retirement?
Answer: (b) Avatar technology

2. Who financed the creation of Kiss’s avatars?
Answer: (c) Pophouse Entertainment

3. How are Kiss’s avatars different from Abba’s digital replicas?
Answer: (b) Kiss’s avatars are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers.

4. What are some of Kiss’s biggest hits?
Answer: (d) “Rock And Roll All Nite,” “Black Diamond,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Crazy Crazy Nights”

5. Who expressed excitement about being “forever young and forever iconic”?
Answer: (a) Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist

6. What company designed Kiss’s avatars?
Answer: (d) George Lucas’s visual effects company

7. What did Kiss’s avatars do during their final farewell concert?
Answer: (a) They performed the hit song “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You.”

8. What are some of Kiss’s iconic features?
Answer: (c) Extravagant performances and iconic makeup
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The avatars created for Kiss are larger-than-life characters that breathe fire and shoot electricity from their fingers. (Answer: True)
2. The avatar technology was not originally developed for the Abba Voyage show. (Answer: False)
3. Kiss has revealed their plans for the avatars after the tour. (Answer: False)
4. There are hints that Kiss’s legacy may continue in some form, potentially with a new lineup of musicians. (Answer: True)
5. Kiss recently played their final farewell concert in New York. (Answer: True)
6. Avatar technology was used during the concert to have flying avatars perform in place of the band. (Answer: True)
7. The avatars were not financed by Swedish conglomerate Pophouse Entertainment, co-owned by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus. (Answer: False)
8. The avatars were not designed by George Lucas’s visual effects company. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧