C.C. Banana Appears in "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," 3/26/07

C.C. BANANA APPEARS IN "GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS!"

From the Metal Sludge archives: C.C. Banana nabs the first official capture of Kiss!

We'll keep this short and sweet. This week's season premiere of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" -- the A&E reality series focusing on the personal life of the Kiss Demon and his surprisingly normal family -- features a cameo by a member of our own Metal Sludge family. During the segment documenting Gene's appearance (alongside Kiss bandmate Paul Stanley) on the MTV program "TRL" this past Halloween, none other than rock & roll fruit C.C. Banana can be seen hanging out in the pit! If you've already mastered the art of finding Waldo, you should have no trouble spotting the big yellow guy in the crowd.

Can you find C.C. Banana in this freeze frame from Gene Simmons' TV show?

The live MTV appearance was actually part of an entire day of Kiss-related activities in New York City, timed to coincide with the October 31st release of their "Kissology" DVD. Gene and Paul were also scheduled to serve as Grand Marshals of the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade before finally finishing up with an autograph signing at Virgin Megastore. Since the band's itinerary for the day had been posted on their official website, the Banana decided to just show up and follow the guys around. Though C.C. can usually be found working hard to acquire us his trademark interviews, it's nice to see that he can also just relax and enjoy being a fan. But once we spotted him during this week's broadcast, we knew we had to ask him for a full report. Here's what he had to say about how it all went down.

Howdy Sludge!

Yes, that was really me hanging out below the MTV studios during Gene and Paul's "TRL" appearance. I had actually been hoping to send you a recap of the entire experience way back when, but the universe seemed to have other plans for me at the time. Long story short... the untimely demise of my home's oil burner, the discovery of asbestos in my basement and the subsequent upheaval created by these events served to throw my life into prolonged chaos! To add insult to injury, my computer decided to crap out on me that very same week, making the assembly of an article all but impossible. Sheesh!

Anyway, here now are the photos detailing my Halloween Kiss adventure.

C.C. Banana http://www.CCBanana.com http://www.myspace.com/CCBanana

Sounds like the Banana had a run of bad luck there, but we're glad he was only bruised and didn't completely split. Hey, YOU try coming up with new banana puns for over 5 years and see when you start scraping bottom!

Some of you longtime Sludgeaholics may recall that C.C. first encountered Kiss on July 24, 2003 when he posed for the photo at the top of this page. That original story is chronicled HERE, if you feel like checking it out. Right now, here are some pictures from October 31, 2006 -- the day C.C. Banana stalked Kiss up and down the streets of New York City!

C.C. Banana arrives outside the MTV studios in Times Square, all decked out for Halloween!

Kiss fans have already begun to fill the pit area below the studio window.

Two die-hard European fans recognize C.C. Banana and come over to welcome him!

Fortunately, some Kiss fans are better looking than others.

The real Kiss arrives on the scene! Well... half of Kiss, anyway.

The Kiss family strikes a pose in front of the New York City skyline.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons with 4 of their illegitimate kids.

Gene and Paul shoot their appearance on "TRL" to promote the new "Kissology" DVD.

The sign behind them likely describes none of the people in this photo.

Paul wants YOU to buy the new Kiss DVD!

C.C. Banana pushes through the crowd to get a glimpse of the action!

Paul Stanley makes his Broadway debut in "Jesus Christ Superstarchild"

Kiss prepares to leave Times Square to attend a press conference for the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

C.C. Banana waits with his new friends to take the train downtown.

The Banana hops a ride on the New York City subway!

In Greenwich Village, C.C. takes a moment to pose for a photo with a fan.

Inside the press conference, Gene and Paul field questions from New York television and radio stations.

Since C.C. Banana has friends in low places, he is allowed to slip inside.

Gene makes the umpteenth reference to the floor being dirty.

The other reason to be at the press conference -- to see the one and only Elvira!

C.C. Banana sidles up to the Mistress of the Dark!

Leaving the press conference, C.C. is interviewed by local cable show "My New York."

Meanwhile, Gene and Paul have mounted the Kiss float for their trek through downtown Manhattan!

One of the Kiss girls must have forgotten her Arrid Extra Dry.

C.C. Banana catches up with the float from behind.

The sweaty Kiss girl attempts to dry her pits in the breeze.

Paul poses for fans atop the Kiss float.

Gene Simmons and friend, God and Goddess of Thunder!

Some brave photographer takes a photo of C.C. Banana's dental work! Paul Stanley's head is also visible on the top left.

Paul showing off his seven-inch... leather heels.

The ghost of C.C. Banana marches along in front of the Kiss float!

Kiss waves their final goodbye before heading back to Times Square for the "Kissology" DVD signing at Virgin Megastore.

In the long line of fans waiting outside, Sludgette Britney remembers C.C. Banana as "Ace Peeley" and snaps this photo with her cell phone!

Inside the store, Gene and Paul sign autographs for the fans. Since C.C. Banana hasn't brought anything to be signed, he has them autograph something for a friend. After which, the Banana strikes a pose and calls it a day.

And so we come to the end of C.C. Banana's lost Kiss adventure! Only in New York City can a grown man ride the subway in a banana suit without people so much as batting an eyelash (although the fact that it was Halloween probably helped). For more highlights of last year's "Kiss Day" festivities, watch the season premiere of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" on A&E this week. Thanks to C.C. Banana for taking the time to send in that report, even if it is 5 months after the fact. Thanks also to Sludgeaholics Gus, Peter and Dave for following C.C. around and documenting his every move. The photographic evidence you've provided may come in handy someday if Kiss ever decides to seek a restraining order against the fruit.

If they do, you'll read about it here first.

Metal Sludge Sludge & Roll All Nite

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