KISS’ Gene Simmons has opened up about the end of the band and how talented musicians are often overlooked in today’s musical climate.
Earlier this year, we started hearing rumours about a farewell tour from KISS. While Gene Simmons explained that the band “can’t keep doing this forever”, some fans thought that this farewell tour could be in the same vein as the band’s last farewell tour at the start of the millennium.
Back in 2000, KISS began what was supposed to be their final tour before they would break up, with the tour serving as a way to “put KISS out of its misery”. Following 142 shows over the course of 13 months, the band played their last show in Canberra in March of 2001, before announcing in 2002 that they weren’t actually retiring after all.
With the band having announced a final run of Aussie dates for 2019, both current and former members have been opening up about KISS’ last shows. Now, Gene Simmons has explained why this will be the band’s final tour, and whether KISS could continue without any original members.
Check out Gene Simmons’ Lipps Service interview:
Speaking to US radio program Lipps Service (via Blabbermouth), Gene Simmons discussed that KISS’ ‘End Of The Road’ tour will definitely be the band’s final jaunt, explaining that the “idea is go out with some dignity”.
“The answer is yes, and I’ll tell you why,” Gene Simmons began. “It’s always interesting marketing when you say, ‘I promise,’ and all that.”
“KISS is the hardest-working band in show business — period. It doesn’t mean we’re the best, although we call ourselves that. But I wear about seven-inch platform dragon boots. Each one weighs 10 or 11 pounds. That’s 20-plus pounds on the legs. It’s like working out with bowling balls. Then on top of that, there’s another 30 pounds or so between the armor.”
“And so if you put Jagger and Bono — [who are] both great — in my outfits, they’d… like little girls, they’d fall down… They can’t do this,” Simmons continued. “And I’ve gotta spit fire and fly through the air and all that. It is physically exhausting.”
Check out KISS ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’:
Gene Simmons also discussed the idea of KISS continuing without any of its original members, noting that when it comes to drawing a crowd, it’s charisma – not talent – that fans come to see.
“Of course. We’ve had 10 different lineups. AC/DC has had 22 or so,” Simmons began. “And there are bands that tour now that sell out things with different lead singers and different guitar players.”
“At the end of the day, it is about the material and about the culture. Because there are better musicians — jazz musicians — that will never be able to make the money that people who are less talented but have charisma [are able to make].”
“You can go to school to learn guitar or bass — you can’t learn, ‘You’re exciting. You have charisma.’ There’s no school for that. Walk this way, do [it] that way. You just have it or you don’t.”
KISS are set to bring their legendary live show to Australia in November of 2019. Be sure not to miss out on seeing one of rock’s most iconic bands for the final time.
Check out KISS’ ‘Rock & Roll All Nite’:
KISS End Of The Road Australian Tour 2019
Saturday, November 16th
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 19th
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 21st
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Friday, November 22nd
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Saturday, November 23rd
Supercars Newcastle 500, NSW*
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 26th
QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 28th
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
