Earlier this year, KISS announced a 3-day “KISS Army Storms Vegas” event set for November 14-16 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s storied fan club. It will mark the band’s first appearance since their “End Of The Road” farewell tour concluded in December of 2023.
KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons recently chatted with Kyle Meredith about the event clarifying that the band is still sticking to their promise not to tour. “We promised we’re not gonna go back out on tour, and we’re not,” Simmons said. “We’ll jump up and do some tunes. There’ll be friends, guests dropping in, question-and-answer sessions — just be close with the fans, because, clearly, without them I’d be asking the next person in line, ‘Would you like some fries with that?'”
Simmons was asked if the occasion was significant for the fact that the band will perform “unmasked” at the event, akin to what the group did for several years through the ‘80s and early ‘90s.
“No,” Simmons said. “I mean, we toured during the ’90s from about… I’m trying to think of it… When we unmasked, it must have been actually in the ’80s, so we had a few records out, as members tended to change within the band. Ace and Peter were in and out of the band three different times, if you can believe that. No other band would give anybody that many chances — nor does life, by the way. So, Ace and Peter, bless ’em, have been in and out of the band three times, and as we got new members, we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we take the makeup off?’ And in retrospect, it didn’t matter. People wanted the makeup and those songs. And you’re always too close to something and you think, ‘Well, these are the rules.’ But you formed a band not to have rules. So we toured successfully and had platinum records and all that stuff without makeup. As a matter of fact, I remember when Ozzy wasn’t in Black Sabbath we headlined a stadium in Buenos Aires, I think, and opening was Sabbath, and then lots of other bands whose names you’d recognize. But this was without makeup. So it’s been a… There was a song — I don’t remember — it was Paul Simon. What a what a crazy journey this has been. Unbelievable. 50 years where I got to wear more makeup and high heels than your mommy did.”
Simmons said earlier this month that the Vegas event isn’t a concert but more akin to what the band did in the ‘90s with their KISS Conventions. “This is much more a fan gathering,” he told New York radio station 94.3 The Shark. “The Kiss Army … are taking over the Virgin Hotel and we will show up, but I don’t even know if the entire band’s gonna be there. I know Paul and I are gonna be there, and Tommy. Bruce Kulick probably will show up, and we’ll jam, answer questions and stuff. It ain’t a concert — we’re gonna do none of that stuff. I may even bring my solo band up there just for sh*ts and giggles. So this is more a fan event, like a fan gathering that we’re gonna be guests at.”
Simmons’ full interview with Kyle Meredith can be viewed below.
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