After 45 years, Kiss has announced that they will begin their farewell tour, End of the Road, in 2019. The announcement was made during an explosive appearance on the finale of America’s Got Talent.
Paul Stanley, singer, guitarist and one of the founding members made the statement after performing their classic 1977 song Detroit Rock City. Stanley said, “It will be the most explosive, biggest show we’ve ever done. People who love us, come see us. If you’ve never seen us, this is the time. This will be the show.”
Kiss, an American Rock band, was founded in New York City in January 1973 by Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Kiss is best known for their costumes and face paint. Kiss rose to fame in the mid-1970’s with their rocket shooting guitars, drum kits that floated in mid-air, smoking guitars and their flamboyant frontman that was best known for spitting blood into the crowd.
With their costumes and make-up, Kiss transformed into their alter egos: The Demon(Simmons), The Spaceman or Space Ace(Frehley), The Starchild(Stanley), and The Catman(Criss). Criss and Frehley had both left the group by 1982 due to creative differences.
In 1983, Kiss began performing without costumes or makeup after the decision was made that it was time to leave those things behind. The band then received a resurgence, and their videos were being regularly played on MTV. Eric Carr, the drummer that replaced Criss in 1980, died in 1991 of heart cancer and was replaced by Eric Singer.
In the mid-90’s, due to a wave of Kiss nostalgia, the original members reunited. This reunion came full circle with the return of the original stage makeup and costumes. Frehley and Criss have both since left the band again and have been replaced by Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. Kiss has continued with their original makeup, with Thayer and Singer playing Catman and Space Ace.
Kiss is one of the best selling bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. On April, 10th, 2014, Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Now, If you guys are like me, You’re sitting there wondering if Kiss is going to be finished this time since we’ve heard them say this in the past. I guess only time will tell. They are being pretty tight lipped about everything right now but they did recently announce the tour on their official Twitter account.
#KISS‘ #EndOfTheRoad World Tour. Sign up for updates & presale info: https://t.co/YNmPpzrLT2 pic.twitter.com/B1sL7zhS0B
— KISS (@KISSOnline) September 28, 2018
In a recent statement, they said, “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.”
If you’re interested in updates about the farewell tour, you can go to their website. https://www.kissonline.com/