KISS

KISS announce farewell tour (again)

KISS, who went on a farewell tour in 2000 but reunited two years later, and whose only original members are Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, are once again saying they’re calling it quits. They announced their final, “End of the Road” world tour during an appearance on America’s Got Talent yesterday (9/19). Tour dates are TBA, but you can sign up for presale access at their website. The official announcement reads:

After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS announced exclusively on NBC’s America’s Got Talent tonight that they are hanging up their 9-inch tall touring boots. The news was delivered in trademark larger-than-life KISS style with a blistering performance of “Detroit Rock City”, proving why the band is known as one of the most iconic live performances that simply can’t be missed. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have toured to nearly every city on the planet and played every venue imaginable. Having played for Kings & Queens, for U.S. veterans, and for millions of devoted KISS Army fans, they will play their final shows as part of the multi-year END OF THE ROAD WORLD TOUR. Dates have yet to be announced but KISSonline.com will have all the updates in the weeks to come.

“All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years. This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in… Unapologetic and Unstoppable,” said KISS.

Peter Criss announced his retirement from music last year, so it seems unlikely that he’ll rejoin the band for this last hurrah, but it doesn’t seem totally insane to wonder if Ace Frehley will make an appearance. Just a couple weeks ago, Gene and Ace played KISS songs together while on tour in Australia. You can watch a few videos of those appearances, plus one of KISS playing “Detroit Rock City” on America’s Got Talent, below.

Gene also plays bass on a song on the recently-announced Ace Frehley album, Spaceman (which is Ace’s eighth solo album and named after Ace’s persona in KISS, as Gene suggested he do). It’s due October 19. A press release reads:

Speaking of KISS brethren, let’s get back to those two songs on Spaceman that Ace didn’t play bass on. One listen of opener “Without You I’m Nothing” should be a dead giveaway. That mighty dinosaur growl of a bass tone belongs to Gene Simmons, who co-wrote that song, along with “Your Wish Is My Command,” with the Space Ace at Frehley’s home studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Ace recalls a relaxed three hours of hanging out, writing songs and eating sandwiches with Simmons, who roomed with him back in the KISS daze. A lot of barbs have been thrown by both over the past couple of decades, but there’s still a mutual love for one another, made clear during Ace’s recent stints on Simmons’ Vault Experience.

His reconnection with Simmons and fellow KISS vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley (who joined Ace on a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” for 2016’s covers LP Origins, Vol. 1) might be chalked up to the fact that Frehley has been sober for more than a decade (he celebrated 12 years of sobriety in September). Ace’s clean living no doubt has a lot to do with his productive streak, which began with the release of his top 20 Anomaly album in 2009, his top 10 Space Invader LP in 2014 (a first for any KISS member); and continues with Spaceman (a title suggested by Gene himself).

While the “End of the Road” tour dates are still TBA, KISS do have one upcoming appearance booked at the moment: The KISS Kruise, which is headlined by KISS and also includes Ace Frehley and other acts. That departs from Miami on Halloween.

In other news, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss’ 1978 solo albums are being compiled for the Kiss: The Solo Albums — 40th Anniversary Collection box set, due out October 19.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym3846j4BF4

KISS