KISS’ Gene Simmons: ‘On the Very Last Show, I’m Going to Cry Like a Young Girl’
When a band announces a "final tour," the public usually writes off the notion and assumes they'll be back for a reunion at some point. KISS's “End of the Road” tour kicked off in January and is projected to end sometime in 2022. Don't hold your breath for a reunion though - according to Gene Simmons, "it's time."
“We’re the hardest-working band in show business, and that’s exhausting,” Simmons tells London's Evening Standard. He'll be 72 when the tour finishes, and thinks that it'll be a good age to retire once and for all. “I’m up there every night in 8-inch platform boots and 40 pounds of armor. I did five mile walks almost every day for a year to get in shape.”
The bassist describes the current live show the band is putting on as their absolute best yet, from the outfits and gear to the fireworks. “You can sing along with 'I Was Made for Lovin’ You' and 'Rock and Roll All Nite.' But even if you don’t know a single song, if you’re five or 50, you’re going to walk out of there saying, ‘That’s the best show I’ve seen,’” he states.
Though Simmons is prepared for his touring life to come to an end, he admits he'll be upset when it's over: “On the pragmatic level, this tour is a victory lap. You’re proud of what you’ve done. More gold records than any American band … But I know on the very last show I’m going to cry like a young girl.”
He isn't too sure if he'll miss the extravagant attire, though.
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