Gene Simmons Swears Kiss Is Finished After Their Final Show in December

[Turner Coates]

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... 234876243/

“My hand on the Bible,” he tells Rolling Stone on the phone from a hotel room in Edmonton, Alberta, the morning after a show at Rogers Place. “And I should know because my people wrote that book. In fact, my people also wrote the follow-up book, the New Testament. And so I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final Kiss-in-makeup appearance.”

[Whatever Happened To…]

"And so I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final Kiss-in-makeup appearance"

Non-makeup shows on the Kruise confirmed, then.

[RaceFan3]

Ah, of course the 'ol not-so-subtle "in makeup" detail.

In reality, they should've dropped the makeup for good after Peter & Ace were gone the second time. Gene & Paul could still have Eric and Tommy and just drop all the pageantry and tour as KISS, the rock band, and play songs from their whole catalog. Wouldn't be any different than just about every band still touring with only 1-2 original members. Who cares. I'd like THAT version of KISS a hell of a lot better, even with Paul's vocal problems---also, no different than most bands their age.

Of course, had they done that, there'd be that group of fans clamoring for the makeup again and possibly start a groundswell for another reunion tour, blah blah blah...so I can see the sort of catch-22 there. But I've long said, they should've kept the makeup for the original 4 only and just played regular, non-makeup rock shows with any other lineup. Maybe now that can happen.

[the_man_incognito]

Ah, of course the 'ol not-so-subtle "in makeup" detail.

In reality, they should've dropped the makeup for good after Peter & Ace were gone the second time. Gene & Paul could still have Eric and Tommy and just drop all the pageantry and tour as KISS, the rock band, and play songs from their whole catalog. Wouldn't be any different than just about every band still touring with only 1-2 original members. Who cares. I'd like THAT version of KISS a hell of a lot better, even with Paul's vocal problems---also, no different than most bands their age.

Of course, had they done that, there'd be that group of fans clamoring for the makeup again and possibly start a groundswell for another reunion tour, blah blah blah...so I can see the sort of catch-22 there. But I've long said, they should've kept the makeup for the original 4 only and just played regular, non-makeup rock shows with any other lineup. Maybe now that can happen.

After 96 instead of KISS just staying in make up and miking it to death, they should have rotated make up and non-make up tours..

[BernieTaupson]

They’d be playing theaters if they dropped the makeup.

They were gonna get dropped from Mercury in 95. The label heard Carnival of Souls and said wtf is this?

[Bono Nettencourt]

Yeah of all the dumb shit I've read on this board, "KISS shouldve dropped the makeup" is an all-timer... they did drop the makeup, in 1983, then, when they had run that incarnation of the band into the ground, they brought it back because they had a bunch of money thrown at them. As said, it was Kabuki or die at that point. They couldn't GIVE tickets to the Revenge tour away.

[Danzig in the Dark]

Haven't they been finished for years?

[Velvis]

"And so I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final Kiss-in-makeup appearance"

Non-makeup shows on the Kruise confirmed, then.

They already said they wouldn't be performing on future KISS Kruises.

[Velvis]

Ah, of course the 'ol not-so-subtle "in makeup" detail.

In reality, they should've dropped the makeup for good after Peter & Ace were gone the second time. Gene & Paul could still have Eric and Tommy and just drop all the pageantry and tour as KISS, the rock band, and play songs from their whole catalog. Wouldn't be any different than just about every band still touring with only 1-2 original members. Who cares. I'd like THAT version of KISS a hell of a lot better, even with Paul's vocal problems---also, no different than most bands their age.

Of course, had they done that, there'd be that group of fans clamoring for the makeup again and possibly start a groundswell for another reunion tour, blah blah blah...so I can see the sort of catch-22 there. But I've long said, they should've kept the makeup for the original 4 only and just played regular, non-makeup rock shows with any other lineup. Maybe now that can happen.

In reality, they wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful as they have been the last 23 years. They would be just like every other band out there touring with 1-2 original members, they would be playing in tiny clubs. There is no way they would have continued to play arenas and even if they managed small theaters after the reunion that would have only lasted a tour or two.

[Love_Industry]

They were gonna get dropped from Mercury in 95. The label heard Carnival of Souls and said wtf is this?

Proving that not all labels were asleep at the wheel in the mid 1990s.

Love or hate it, CoS is not a good Kiss product. No anthems about rockin' or getting laid = no Kiss. Thinking about it it may explain why CotN bombed too. Great album but only Keep Me Cummin' is about Paulie getting laid and ILIL is as much about VV wanting to be President as it is about rockin'.

[Bono Nettencourt]

Jack Black had the greatest take on ILIL - "The intro is so awesome that you don't want it to end." Unfortunately, it does, and then the song becomes a heavy metal accident.

[AlexVonHaig]

I would love to see KI$$ without makeup and also the stage show. I can't imagine a cover band as terrible as this. KI@@ are shite with a gimmick. The gimmick if for teenagers. Anyone older than 16 who still likes 2023 KI$$ is in Corky territory.

[CrankerBait]

Gene has been a serial bullshit artist for close to half a century, but I think he might actually be telling the truth about this.

[TooOldToCare]

Gene has been a serial bullshit artist for close to half a century, but I think he might actually be telling the truth about this.

I agree. He looks bored and done. Despite all the things we rag on related to the band, he's not going to talk down about going out on top, etc. It seems like he genuinely wants to wrap it up, keep other KISS income streams rolling in, and do whatever he wants. I think Paul will struggle with the end.

[Turner Coates]

I think Paul will struggle with the end.

He'll have more time to focus on his career as an influential black soul music diva.

[Dyslexicheart]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

[Turner Coates]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

Turncoat!

[Dyslexicheart]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

Turncoat!

I know! I'm just so sick of Gene and Paul's bullshit. I can't take it anymore!

[LAglamrocker]

It’s last MISS show
Kiss “brand “ lives on with all new members
Amber Wild “singer” won’t be invited cause he sucks

[TooOldToCare]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

Same. From 1975 thru 2004. Then I did a 180. I have boxes of merch in my basement. Action figures, masks, belt buckles, magazines. Probably a future garage sale or garbage day.

[BernieTaupson]

I agree. He looks bored and done. Despite all the things we rag on related to the band,

[Turner Coates]

^^^^^^^^^^
Lesbian bartender in Butte, Montana on Halloween.

[RaceFan3]

Ah, of course the 'ol not-so-subtle "in makeup" detail.

In reality, they should've dropped the makeup for good after Peter & Ace were gone the second time. Gene & Paul could still have Eric and Tommy and just drop all the pageantry and tour as KISS, the rock band, and play songs from their whole catalog. Wouldn't be any different than just about every band still touring with only 1-2 original members. Who cares. I'd like THAT version of KISS a hell of a lot better, even with Paul's vocal problems---also, no different than most bands their age.

Of course, had they done that, there'd be that group of fans clamoring for the makeup again and possibly start a groundswell for another reunion tour, blah blah blah...so I can see the sort of catch-22 there. But I've long said, they should've kept the makeup for the original 4 only and just played regular, non-makeup rock shows with any other lineup. Maybe now that can happen.

In reality, they wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful as they have been the last 23 years. They would be just like every other band out there touring with 1-2 original members, they would be playing in tiny clubs. There is no way they would have continued to play arenas and even if they managed small theaters after the reunion that would have only lasted a tour or two.

Of course not. G&P would never stoop to that level. They had to keep the party going in order to...keep the party going.

The problem is they've stayed at that party far too long.

Just speaking for me personally, I'd go see a "regular" non-makeup KISS show in a theater before whatever they're continuing to do with this neverending farewell.

[BernieTaupson]

Those pricks ran out of ideas decades ago. Why would you want to go see them at a theater without makeup, it’ll just the same lame stuff they’ve played every time they do a non makeup show, Plaster Caster, Goin Blind, Got To Choose, with fatboy Simmons pointing at the audience like a goof and saying “I like it” over and over again.

[MisterSinister]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

Yes, you don’t like something so nobody else should be able to either. Genius.

[LAglamrocker]

Gene is touring with his solo band
KISS will tour with no original members
Gene will probably open

Pearl Jam will continue touring nobody will give a f*ck except 50 year old dudes smelly and dirty

[Dyslexicheart]

Kiss for me was the band I loved more than anything as a young teen, and all the bullshit the last 40 or so years made them my most hated "band". Just fucking end it already.

Yes, you don’t like something so nobody else should be able to either. Genius.

That's what you got out of it? Seriously? haha. You're aware it's ending within weeks, right Kisstard?

[Gibsonite]

I think Paul will struggle with the end.

He'll have more time to focus on his career as an influential black soul music diva.

R-E-ETH-P-E-THEE-T!!

[Turner Coates]

R-E-ETH-P-E-THEE-T!!

[HueyRamone]

I think Paul will struggle with the end.

He'll have more time to focus on his career as an influential black soul music diva.

Say, what happened with Thoul Thation with the album release? Did Paul do a bunch of dates, or did sales underwhelm to a way bigger degree than expected (much like Peter's last album) and Paul quickly and quietly shelved it and went back to the mothership?