The rumors have finally become reality; the legends of rock known as KISS have set a date for their last show ever.
During an interview on Howard Stern’s satellite radio show, the cat came out of the bag and the gents told Stern, “December first and second is Madison Square Garden. Those are the last two shows of the band. We’re finishing up where we started.”
KISS LIVE | Photo by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
Founding member Paul Stanley said, “Look, some people have kind of snickered and said, ‘Oh this End of the Road tour’s gone on for years.’” He continued, “Yeah, we lost two and a half years to COVID. We would’ve been done already! So, yes, this is the end.”
KISS LIVE | Photo by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
The band’s other founding member, Gene Simmons told Stern he’s almost certain he’ll be emotional at that final bell. He explained, “I kid around a lot about, ‘Men don’t do that.’ I’m sure I’m gonna cry like a nine-year-old girl whose foot’s being stepped on. KISS was born on 23rd Street. It’s only taken us 50 years to go play the final shows 10 blocks away on 33rd Street, which is Madison Square Garden.”
Before they ride off into the sunset at Madison Square Garden, they will play 17 dates across North America as part of their End of the Road World Tour. Those dates include a stop in Southern California.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are still dynamic onstage, with an unreal pyrotechnic display all set to their era-defining hits, “Love Gun,” “Strutter,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “Beth,” “Lick It Up,” “God of Thunder,” “Deuce,” and “Rock and Roll All Night.” Their fans have supported them for decades – some who can remember with a smirk when they were teens and their parents referred to KISS as Knights in Satan’s Service. Guess we know who got the last laugh with the moniker.
If you can’t make it to MSG, catch KISS near you; SoCal KISS fans can watch rock and roll history unfold on November 1st at Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs, or November 3rd at The Hollywood Bowl. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 6th at 10 a.m. local time in a KISS Army presale. The general on sale for tickets is Friday, March 10th at 10 a.m. local time.
