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“You’ve Got to Respect the Fans”: Gene Simmons Says KISS Knew When to Stop Touring
Gene Simmons has explained that KISS stopped touring because the band wanted to leave the stage while it could still deliver the spectacle fans expected. He said performers should know when to step away, and that respecting the audience meant ending the group’s touring career gracefully.
Simmons described the physical demands of KISS’s shows, including fire-breathing, flying above the stage and wearing up to 70 pounds of costume and equipment on platform boots. He said the band formed to create a kind of live performance they had not seen before, with the aim of giving audiences value for their ticket price. The comments came as he promotes *End of the Road*, a documentary about the farewell tour, due for release on 19 November.
In short
- KISS chose to stop touring while it could still deliver its signature show.
- Simmons said the costumes and stunts made performances exhausting.
- A farewell-tour documentary is due on 19 November.
Explained simply
KISS are an American rock band known for elaborate live shows, face paint and costumes. Gene Simmons, the band’s bassist and singer, is one of its founding members.
The group built its reputation on theatrical performances, including fire effects and stage flying. Such shows can be physically demanding, especially when performers wear heavy costumes and platform boots.
KISS’s farewell tour marked the end of its touring career. A documentary called End of the Road, due out on 19 November, follows that tour.