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Just 15 months on from their final performance, veteran rockers KISS have announced their return to the live stage with a one-off ‘unmasked’ concert.
The show was announced via an email sent to fans, confirming that the group would be performing as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event, which runs from Nov. 14 – 16 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
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Though a full rundown of activities are said to arrive shortly, the headline of the message is KISS’ intention to perform a makeup-free show as part of the event. The performance will be the band’s first since December 2023, where they wrapped up their End of The Road Tour with a two-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Despite their large-scale farewell tour (their second, after 2001’s fittingly-titled KISS Farewell Tour), fans had speculated that the band could indeed take to the stage again at some point. Bassist Gene Simmons was quick to nix that claim, clarifying the band’s plans in an interview with Rolling Stone in November 2023: “I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.”
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KISS had previously appeared without their makeup in 1983, beginning their ‘unmasked’ era alongside the release of their Lick It Up album. This era would continue until 1996, when the group readopted their iconic look ahead of their highly-anticipated Alive/Worldwide Tour.
Since the band’s final 2023 performance, news had emerged the group were to bring their live set to the digital space, with these appearances set to kick off in Las Vegas in 2027. “It’s a must-see, go-to experience,” Stanley told Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast in 2024. “It’s beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated.”
“We’re creating something that’s not a concert,” he added. “The idea of a hologram — and it’s not a hologram, but that term seems to get thrown around a lot — but the idea [of] a simulated concert is not what we want to do. Frankly, I would find that boring.”
Notably, the email sent to fans announcing the forthcoming November show also noted that “fans can expect a special live performance from former KISS member Bruce Kulick.” While it’s unclear if Kulick plans to perform with the band or separately as part of the event, the guitarist had previously been an official member from 1984 until 1996. One of only two musicians to have not worn makeup while a member of the band (the other being Mark St. John), Kulick had performed with the band again at their KISS Kruise events in 2018 and 2021.
News of the forthcoming show also coincides with the fact that Simmons had postponed 17 dates on his forthcoming tour to 2026. An announcement confirmed that the dates were not related to Simmons’ health, but offered no further details. This same tour also generated notice after Simmons revealed he would be offering fans the chance to serve as his “personal assistant & band roadie for the day.”
Legendary KISS bassist Gene Simmons is giving fans the chance to live out their dreams of rock stardom by letting them be his roadie for a day – but it comes with a hefty price tag.
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In 2024, Gene Simmons explained to Billboard that he was saving money on tour by traveling light. “There’s no managers, no private jets, no 20 tractor trailers, no 60-man crew, no huge shows,” he explained, revealing he makes more money now than as a member of KISS. “The local promoters provide the back line, and we just get up there and play,” he adds.
In fact, the whole production is a bit of a skeleton crew. Alongside Simmons, the crew also features drummer Brian Tichy, and guitarists Jason Walker and Brent Woods, with the latter also managing travel and concert production details. Only two others are on the road, including an assistant who helps with business duties and Simmons’ security, and one crew member for the musicians.
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Now, Simmons has launched a rather compelling way of saving money while expanding his crew, and it all involves allowing fans to pay for the privilege.
As the Gene Simmons Band prepares to hit the road again in April, the eponymous rocker has launched a handful of Experiences which fans can purchase ahead of the upcoming dates. One of them is the Gene Simmons Bass Experience, which allows you (and three guests) the chance to meet Simmons after the stage.
Alongside the ability to take photos and videos (and the potential to “find that Gene Simmons is very down-to-earth, funny, and knowledgeable on almost any subject”), purchases will also be able to take home one of Simmons’ bass guitars, which can be signed and personalized. In addition to the original ticket price, this experience costs $6,500 for a “non stage played” instrument, and $12,500 for an instrument that Simmons has previously played on stage.
The other of these experiences (dubbed ‘The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience’) allows the purchaser to become “Simmons’ personal assistant & band roadie for the day.”
Alongside a handful of merch benefits (a crew shirt and hat, a VIP laminate, and a signed setlist), it provides the opportunity to help with load-in at the venue, stage set-up, and the ability to sit in on sound check and hang out backstage. Meanwhile, photo opportunities are plentiful, Simmons will join the purchaser for a meal, and then will introduce the lucky roadie during the show.
This package costs a total of $12,495 (in addition to the original ticket price), and also includes a bass guitar that had been used by Simmons during a KISS rehearsal. Only one experience per concert is available, with 26 dates currently scheduled across North America between April and August.
Though some may balk at such a high price for the opportunity to work on Simmons’ tour, it’s far from the most unique offering that the musician and his bandmates have put on the market. Back in 2001, the Kiss Kasket was introduced, giving fans the chance to take their fandom into the afterlife. Though no longer for sale, the item was however used by a number of individuals, including Pantera and Damageplan members “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott.
“This is the ultimate KISS collectible,” Simmons said at the time. “I love livin’, but this makes the alternative look pretty damn good.”
One year on from their final live appearance, New York rock outfit Kiss have celebrated the anniversary of their split with a new video recap of their last show.
The final performance – which took place on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 – saw the veteran group return to New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the final date of their protracted End of the Road farewell tour.
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“One year ago, today – December 2, 2023 – The last KISS Tour ever reached The End Of The Road with one final epic performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City!” the group wrote on social medoa. “Re-live the magic of that night with this awesome MSG concert recap.”
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Across 23 tracks, the band waved goodbye to their legions of fans with a fitting set full of their famous hits and live favorites – complete with their trademark stage spectacle. The concert was also streamed live via PPV.COM, and now Kiss have shared a new video capturing footage of the band before the 20,000-strong crowd.
Notably, Kiss’ final show was accompanied by the news that the group intend to live on as digital avatars after their split. The band made the surprise announcement at the end of the show, with vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley telling fans “your love, your power, has made us immortal”.
“The new Kiss era stars now!” he added.
Kiss’ avatars were created by George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Sweden’s Pophouse Entertainment Group, according to the Associated Press. The companies previously collaborated on the ABBA Voyage show in London, a virtual concert performed by the Swedish pop group.
“Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this,” Pophouse CEO told the AP.
Though specifics were not made clear at the time, the band announced only weeks later that their digital appearances would kick off in Las Vegas 2027. ““It’s a must-see, go-to experience,” Stanley told Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast this year. “It’s beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated.”
“We’re creating something that’s not a concert,” he added. “The idea of a hologram — and it’s not a hologram, but that term seems to get thrown around a lot — but the idea a simulated concert is not what we want to do. Frankly, I would find that boring.”
Marty Friedman, the former lead guitarist of Megadeth, recently shared a surprising story about how he missed out on a chance to join KISS because he was “too short”.
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In an interview with Sam Ash Music, Friedman, best known for his decade-long tenure with Megadeth from 1990 to 2000, was asked if there was any KISS song he would have liked to play guitar on.
His response revealed a fascinating piece of rock history: “I would’ve wanted to be on any KISS song. I’ll give you a quick story about that – when they were changing guitar players a long time ago, I got a call from KISS’ people.”
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The conversation quickly took an unexpected turn when KISS’s management started asking Friedman a series of questions, seemingly unrelated to his guitar skills.
“They say like, ‘Do you think you’d be interested in auditioning for KISS?’ I’m like, ‘Tell me when and where.’ They came back and were like, ‘We’ve got a couple of questions for you. You don’t have any facial hair, do you?’ No. ‘You got long hair right?’ Right. ‘You’re skinny right?’ Right. ‘And you’re over 6 feet tall?’ and I’m like, ‘What? I’m 5’7 but I’ll have an operation, I’ll do something.’”
Unfortunately for Friedman, his height proved to be a deal-breaker. “They were like, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not going to work out.’ I was so bummed.”
Despite the disappointment, Friedman acknowledged the importance of image for a group like KISS. “I get why they did it. KISS is meticulous about their image, and having a height difference wouldn’t fit the band’s aesthetic.”
This attention to their image was crucial for KISS, one of rock’s most theatrical and elaborate bands. Formed in 1973 in New York City, KISS quickly became known for their blood-spurting, fire-spitting, face-painted performances. The group have delivered numerous hits to the Billboard Hot 100, including classics like “Rock and Roll All Nite” (1975).
This year, the band made headlines again when Pophouse, a Swedish company known for its work with ABBA’s Voyage show, acquired KISS’s publishing, recording royalties, and trademarks. This includes the band’s iconic logo and makeup design.
“We have a lot of plans for KISS,” Pophouse CEO Per Sundin told Billboard in April. Although Sundin says the company bought out the rights owned by frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, they will work with the company to develop the show, which is expected to open in 2027 in a U.S. city that Sundin declined to name.
“We want to keep to the legacy,” Sundin says. “We want to extend it and amplify it for new generations.”
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Kiss fans from around the world will be able to watch the final stop on the End of the Road Tour at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (Dec. 2). The final KISS concert will be available to live stream on pay-per-view.
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Read on for more details on the show, plus when and how to watch from anywhere.
How to Watch
The End of the Road concert will stream live from Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Kiss fans can purchase the concert live stream for $39.99 at PPV.com. The digital ticket includes replay access.
Visit PPV.com to watch live or stream through the PPV app — you can find it in Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store. Watch live on a PC, laptop, TV, mobile phone and other compatible devices. PPV.com is compatible with Android 10+, iOS 15.0+, Mac OS 11, Window 10+ and Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers.
Kiss is back on stage after canceling several dates on the End of the Road Tour as frontman Paul Stanley came recovered from the flu. The band has just two more shows ahead of the final show on Saturday.
Kiss will perform at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on Wednesday, Nov. 29 before heading to New York for two, back-to-back performances at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.
Last-minute tickets to the three remaining shows in Baltimore and New York City are available online. Prices range from $89-$334 at Vivid Seats and $67-$319 at Seat Geek (use code: BILLBOARD10 to save $10 off eligible purchases of $250+. Valid on first purchase only).
Kiss announced the pay-per-view concert on Nov. 9 writing in an Instagram post “50 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 1 Final Show. Rock out with @kissonline one last time! Their final concert ever, LIVE from @thegarden, streaming exclusively worldwide on PPV.COM.”
Need something to wear to the Kiss concert? Shop End of the Road tour merch here.
Watch the trailer for the final concert below.
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