KISS-The End of the Road? (w/Martin Popoff)

[@MetalJesusRocks]

I saw KISS a couple weeks ago in Seattle…and the show blew my mind. Every single song was an event and it did feel special. I’m glad I was able to go.

[@b.g.5869]

It was definitely a great tour. I just wish I could have seen them more than once in this last go round.

[@annex4398]

They were much better years ago before Paul blew his voice out and started lip syncing the majority of the show.

[@StarlessBandNJ]

I agree with you totally, MJR. It was my first and only time seeing Kiss and I loved it. You should also be a guest on SoT!

[@theartofhavoc5467]

I can still vividly remember that day in March '81 when me and my school buddy (we were eight years old) sneaked into his older brother's room, switched on the lights and BAM! were awestruck by the dozens of posters of this weird and eerie-looking aliens with instruments. I was like "Wh... what is this?!" Buddy said "That's my brother's favourite band, they're called KISS and come from America!" Then he put on Side A of Alive II... and twenty seconds later, I had goosebumps all over and was hooked for life. (That being said, KISS (with make-up) should have called it quits in '97. Everything after that Reunion Tour sort of ruined the glorious image of Classic KISS in their prime.)

[@jonfargo7321]

I was really hoping you guys would do a KISS episode on this day. I was 8 yrs old in 1977 and remember getting Love Gun as a present. I was ecstatic. 6 months after getting that album I had the entire catalog and new every word to every song. I saw them on the Dynasty tour as they emerged from the floor. While other bands have come into my life I will always anoint KISS as my favorite. I like the whole catalog. My top 5 are Rock n Roll Over, Lick It Up, Dressed to Kill, KISS self titled and Dynasty. Their music will always be a part of my life. Great show guys.

[@thomasbeck2934]

Being here in Indiana, the founder of the KISS Army, Bill Starkey, is from Terre Haute and started the club from Terre Haute. At their recent show in Indianapolis he was recognized by the band. Had him stand up in the second row so he could be recognized by the fans. Pretty cool thing for the band to do that!

[@metaldams78]

Saw them in ‘96, which was my senior year in high school. So glad it’s the reunion tour I caught with all the originals. I have a bit of a weird personal history with KISS, but that aside, at the end of the day, the classic era is called that for a reason and other phases all have at the very least, some good songs. The past 20 plus years you can throw me in the camp who like Martin and Pete, likes the past two albums. I do hate having two guys not develop their own personalities and act as Ace and Peter and the past few years in particular have been incredibly rough in a lot of ways. Can’t say I’ve been supportive every step of the way but I’ll always try to remember the good stuff and will always view KISS ALIVE! as my favorite live album. But because of the past few years, this farewell seems merciful. Yes, I do think it’s over, Father Time always wins. Unlike the last farewell, they aren’t in their fifties anymore.

[@dtltmtgt]

Couldn't have said it better myself. I saw them in '96, so glad I saw the reunion. Saw them in '90, that was good and 3 more times since '96, hard to top the reunion tour for me.

[@CrazyCooter-ld6sz]

Martin is a total rock snob that likes crappy punk rock and crappy bands from Canada that never had a career. He scratches his head and talks about how a one armed guy on you tube is better than Neal Peart. He knows and has interviewed Ted Nugent and trashes him every chance he gets. Tell us Oh great Martin of the great lyrics any of your crap bands you wrote or your heroes the Clash wrote that were so great and important? He's a rock and roll snob that thinks punk rock garbage and the Clash is high art.

[@b.g.5869]

Kiss Alive will always be the definitive statement of Kiss. I studied that album when I was a little kid. I remember being fascinated by the pictures of the crowd; I remember thinking how some in the crowd looked weirdly sad. I was probably 8 when I first heard it which is crazy to think about. Kiss was definitely my gateway drug into heavy music.

[@sanderberkvens6270]

This is so great Pete that you guys do this episode.. 1979… the single Sure Know Something was released when the video was on Toppop here in the Netherlands.. I was 8 years old.. I literally fell on my knees in front of the tv and from then on Kiss became my lifeline.. Kiss has been with me every single day from then on. Screw all the negativity.. blabla.. words are just words.. the music will speak to me till the very end. And all of a sudden it’s december 2023… Thanks so much guys!!!!

[@Junnu72]

Great episode. I was born 72 and was 10 years old when Kiss came to my life. It was Creatures..time and soon lick it up. KISS was big at 80's here in Finland. KISS has been part of my life always and i guess will be. Everytime I think of childhood and youth, KISS is part of it. Great memories.

[@b2tall239]

KISS was my first favorite band, circa '75 when I first heard "Alive" (like Pete and Martin, I was 11-ish). Saw them in concert in '77 and again in 2011. Except for a brief falling out during the disco era, I've been a fan ever since. That being said, please.....hang it up, guys. It's time to move on. Thanks for all the great music and memories.

[@ashfromlondon7008]

Kiss were a major part of my teenage years, I saw them in Manchester, England at their first show outside of North America in 1976... what a night that was...

[@scottlame6724]

Not a huge KISS fan but Strutter is my favorite song from them and a huge hit. Can't believe they aren't playing it.

[@jeremybright13]

Can’t believe “Strutter” isn’t on the set list.

[@robbraams6523]

My favorite Kiss song

[@RyanCMcD]

@@robbraams6523 Mine too. Shocked it's not being played.

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Ya probably hard for Paul to sing I guess. Haven’t really done Strutter in the show consistently since 2012, and few times in 2015

[@treff9226]

🎯🎯🎯🎯! No Strutter - geez, like bread with no butter! Shame!

[@Starman2112ofKings]

@@treff9226 ya I love it too but ya not for quite a few years………maybe the Avatar guys will do it. 🤣🤣🤣🤘🏻

[@matsnilson7727]

I sure liked Kiss back when I was between 9 and 12 years old in the early- to mid 80s, but they didn't stick with me like other bands did. I had some of the early stuff on cassette (compilations, not proper albums) and the first Kiss album I bought was Lick it up. Maybe not the best proper Kiss album to start with, since a lot of the 'mystery' and 'coolness' obviously disappeared with the removal of the makeup, but that just happened to be their new release at the time I started to spend my allowance on more than just candy. As an adult I've actually started to like it more. The title track does absolutely nothing for me, but songs like 'Exciter', 'Not for the Innocent' and 'A Million to One' are just fantastic in my book. Even though I've never been the biggest Kiss fan I must admit that it's hard to imagine a world where the band doesn't exist. These guys (well... Gene and Paul at least) have been around for as long as I've lived. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens to the Kiss brand in the future.

[@gregoryg3256]

🌠I saw KISS in Baltimore 11 /29 /2023 ....AMAZING... !!!

[@augustgeary5538]

Just got back from the final concert. Great farewell performance, everyone sounded great. Gene sang a lot, I think Paul was still feeling the effects of being sick last week but he was still spot on. Stage and effects were great, even brought out the original cats from the 70s on the raised drum kit. Apparently now they are gonna live on as AI avatars forever 😂

[@StarlessBandNJ]

I've never seen Kiss before and will be there tonight. Very excited

[@brucybabyy7355]

you will love it!

[@user-tt6be2zx3h]

how was the show?!?! Friday or Saturday??

[@StarlessBandNJ]

I went on Friday and had a great time. I really enjoyed the show and I'm glad I went.@@user-tt6be2zx3h

[@mikeharradence6549]

Brilliant video guys. Martin, I'm on the second of your three Rush books, they're fantastic. As for Kiss, I literally got into them back in July of this year; saw Gene Simmons talking to Piers Morgan on TV, and he mentioned they still had tickets for the London O2 show for the final tour. I knew of Kiss and liked what little songs I had heard, so I thought since it's the last tour, I would just go for it. Turns out I had a fantastic time and loved the show, and made me a fan. I'm currently (slowly) buying the 1997 CD remasters, and like Pete, Hotter Than Hell is my favourite album (so far)!

[@jamescoderre9595]

A forgotten live Kiss release was Kiss The Millennium Concert, recorded in Vancouver, BC Canada, ( my hometown) on December 31, 1999, at BC Place Stadium. It was originally intended to be released in 2000 as ALIVE IV but was shelved when Kiss label Mercury Records was swallowed in the Universal /Vivendi merger . This Kiss concert ended up being included on the 4 CD Disc release KISS ALIVE ! 1975 - 2000 released in 2006 I was lucky to find a copy on Ebay it's also on Spotify for those who just want to listen to the audio I saw the Kiss End Of The Road tour here in Vancouver on November 8th at Rogers Arena, great show, loved the set list, glad I got to see them live one last time 😊

[@danielmcevoy976]

I heard KISS Alive at a neighbors house when I was 5 in 1975. I went to buy a copy and the store was out. I bought Dressed to Kill instead and played it every day. Alive 2 was my favorite after that...Rocket Ride is still my favorite song.

[@seekah1]

I was surprised how much Martin likes these guys

[@robertgentilejr.5700]

GREAT episode, fellas. KISS overall had a few years as my favorite band. Hotter Than Hell has been my favorite KISS album since the first day I heard it. I wish I had seen them more in concert.

[@jasonmarkle9016]

It's funny, KISS would never make my top 30 bands, let alone have any albums that would make my top 50 or 100 list, but every song on that setlist I know and could probably sing every word to it if it came on. I can't think of any band I can say that about.

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Well put

[@drummusicinc4027]

Like Pete, I found Kiss in ‘77. I was ten and got into them heavy for a year or two. In 80-81 I found the British heavy metal stuff, priest, maiden etc. that was it for Kiss. I paid a little attention around lick it up, maybe asylum. But not heavy like I did in 77. Creatures of the night is probably my favorite album. I guess I would say I grew out of them? Definitely a gateway to all other metal and hard rock stuff I still love today. I appreciate kiss for that.🤘

[@bigboyoz]

I saw Kiss here in Sydney Oz this year,it was a fabulous show and the band and stage show was outstanding! Cheers Glenn Sydney

[@johnpatterson4272]

It's now December 8th and the smoke has cleared on the final show at MSG. My lifelong love affair with KISS since 1975 ended shortly before 11pm on Saturday Dec. 2nd. At the moment KISS disappeared into 'the mists of time' at the end of Rock and Roll Al Nite, it was a fitting culmination of 50 years work and a visually stunning conclusion for me as a true KISS fan. Thereafter, in my dreams I see four unknown living, breathing figures emerge from the smoke wearing the Elder costumes, and a announcement of a tour that never happened. I would pay upwards of $125 a ticket to see a real-life KISS 2.0, I would pass on a $10 ticket to watch a glorified video game on a Sunday afternoon. A song I keep hearing in my head since Saturday night now is LET IT BE.

[@wolf1977]

It's always amazing to me how much discussion Kiss generates - not to dismiss it in any way (paraphrasing Star Wars: the power of nostalgia is strong with this one...). My first album purchase (that I can remember anyway) using my own money I think was an Elton John record, plus a few singles: T Rex/John Lennon/Beatles

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

Got to give them credit for longevity and staying pretty true to the ‘brand’ whatever that is. Are there better musicians out there? Sure but they have a deserved place in rock history.

[@dmac17x]

Love this guys. I believe that the millennium concert live album was originally going to be the Alive IV album but was shelved. I'm expecting a live album and dvd etc etc from the end of the road tour to be released at some point. Dunno if it will be as Alive V though as their have been the millennium concert, Rocks Vegas, Alive 34 as well as the five live soundboard releases (with more to follow) and the instant live albums since Symphony Alive IV. Anyway guys here's my ultimate KISS setlist. I Stole Your Love Deuce Take Me Strutter C'mon and Love Me Unholy Crazy Crazy Nights Heaven's On Fire Parasite Firehouse God of Thunder Christine 16 Calling Dr Love Cold Gin Do You Love Me Turn on the Night Lick It Up Detroit Rock City Black Diamond Love Gun Shout it Out Loud Rock N Roll All Nite

[@muziktrkr]

There is a documentary in the works from this tour so we might get a companion live album when that comes out. Alive,II,III, Millenium with the box set, Unplugged,and Symphonic…plus all the Off the Soundboards. The new live album would probably be called KISS Alive 50.

[@damiankarras]

Shout it out loud and I was made for lovin you were both number 1 hits in Canada

[@kolchak357]

I remember my older brother bringing home Kiss Alive and playing it for all the neighborhood kids. I was mesmerized. Love Gun was the first LP I ever owned. Easily my favorite band in my early years. I stopped buying new releases a long time ago, but I still hit shows here and there. If this really is the end, I will miss them. 🤘

[@briandunlap8534]

Alive was the first album I ever bought. Kiss was my first concert. The only Kiss album that doesn't have at least one song on it that I absolutely love, is Crazy Nights. If they are truly done, I'm gonna miss them.

[@BlackDuddi]

Thanks for another entertaining episode. For the Alive albums, there is also "Alive: The Millennium Concert". Planned for release in 2000, but not released until 2006 in the "Alive 1975-2000" CD box.

[@gaznathemoon1128]

I've seen KISS 6 times over the years, had so much fun at the concerts!!! Love the 70s output specifically and still listen to those albums on the regular thru the years. A couple years ago The Demon knocked at the door at Halloween, brought a huge smile to my face and he said his Grandpa gave it to him-haha. Told him I had one too:))

[@Rmesick-hm6yq]

I liked Monster more than Sonic Boom, but I liked them both as well. My introduction was hearing "Rock and roll all nite" on the radio, like it probably was for many. My wall filled with KISS posters. They will always have a special place in my heart. None of my friends like them at all, and they don't understand their appeal. I guess you have to be a fan. Great show, guys.

[@jasonrandell6523]

I think KISS should of ended after the reunion tour with Ace and Peter. The band members could have gone on to do more solo and side project albums, I think that would have been the best way to go.

[@flazjsg]

When you're 11 years old and they're your favorite band for 2 years - that's 1/5th of your life at that point in time, so it does seem like a long time - because it was at that point.

[@garym6688]

Like you guys, Kiss was my first favorite band as a young kid and I've stuck by them (to varying degrees, of course) for the duration. Regardless of what anyone thinks of them, it's a huge accomplishment to not just last for 50 years in the music business, but to finish your touring run with two nights at MSG. You guys are on point with saying that they get alot of flack from people about their "simplistic" music, but it's more due to their image than anything. I've always found it a bit ironic that the thing that truly set them apart and was most responsible for them becoming famous (i.e. the makeup & costumes) has also been their biggest detriment to being taken seriously as musicians/writers. Since Martin mentioned The Eagles, among others, take a song like "Witchy Woman," ... it's been a radio staple since the day it was released (and a pop chart hit as well), but it's essentially a song about a mysterious groupie - just like "She" or any number of Kiss songs. But if Kiss had released "WW" instead of The Eagles, it'd have been dismissed outright by the exact same people who tout Henley & Co as the greatest American band ever. Why? Because The Eagles wore jeans and plaid shirts and Kiss ... did not. At any rate, I can't imagine that Kiss won't live on in some form or fashion, be it Hologram tech, "official" tribute bands, Vegas residencies, the ongoing Kiss Kruises, etc. Gene & Paul probably look forward to a break from one another, but I tend to think Gene would be more likely to go out and do something on his own in terms of a solo tour. I think Gene would be content playing without makeup in theaters, possibly as part of some larger experience like a speaking tour or traveling Kiss museum, what have you. Paul seems to fancy himself as something of a renaissance man, with his art shows, cooking videos, soul covers, etc and I tend to think that he has always felt compelled to show people that there's more to him than just being the Starchild. So, who knows? I can't imagine that there won't be some type of Kiss 2.0 with all new members, if only because it would be so easy to do. They did themselves the favor of capturing an image that can be recreated at any point in time without looking dated or having people unsure of what they're seeing! It's already worked by having Tommy & Eric in Ace & Peter's gear, so the proof of concept has already been successful. Thanks for a great show, gents! Can't wait to see what comes next!

[@treff9226]

Kiss music is essentially about the hooks - smart song craft! Will eternally mean the world to me, captured my imagination like no other band! 🎸

[@kevinwheeler9009]

I never really thought about it until you guys brought up how people tend to not rank Kiss songs higher in their choices. I'm the same way. Kiss may not even rank in my top ten of favorites, but I can see how important they are in my life. I don't have all their albums, but damn if I don't have a huge chunk of them (18, and counting). I got to see Rush the opening night of their final tour here in Tulsa. The guys were still vibrant and relatively healthy. I don't think any of us thought that this tour would be the last we ever saw of Rush, period. We didn't know that less than 5 years later Neil would be gone and Rush would never be again. I pray this isn't the last we hear of Kiss. They still have some music in them, just stay healthy. Some solo work would be great. Truthfully, I'd like to see Paul and Gene put together something with just the two of them. Maybe something acoustic. Don't try to write any hits; just write the songs. These guys have circled the world together for 50 years; they've got some stories to tell.

[@toneman8478]

Rock n Roll Over and Dressed to Kill.. Great albums!!

[@martyndunn6337]

The whole 70s were awesome

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Love Gun and DtK for me, love that bubblegum cartoonish Kiss era.

[@patparadiserockstation]

Pat Paradise Rock Station doing a Tribute to Kiss on Live 365 App, love this video!

[@Hecatecrossways]

Best KISS songs Detroit Rock City 100,000 Years She War Machine I Want You Exciter Creatures of the Night Not For the Innocent Deuce I Still Love You Strangeways Parasite Black Diamond Love Gun Making Love God of Thunder I Was Made For Loving You Save Your Love Thrills in the Night All Hells Breaking Loose Rocket Ride

[@albertjohn3]

Saw them this past Wednesday in Baltimore, it was a good show.

[@scottlosey4978]

I think Asylum is a great record.....80s Kiss with Bruce had a distinctive sound. Who Wants To Be Loney and Tears Are Falling, I believe, are killer, MTV tunes.

[@jpmcmullan8666]

I really wish they would’ve done Mr. Speed or Strange Ways.

[@inmyhouse11]

The Professor should have been a special guest for this show since he is a big Kiss fan

[@wokebloke7019]

Great show. You guys were almost bang on with the AI.

[@luisantoniogarzadiaz1991]

Thanks for this. I've been a Kiss fan since 1975, when I was 17 years old. Pretty much part of my life. When I became a fan a lot of people told me that stink and they would'nt last more than a couple of years.

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Ya we won the haters well most all their bands probably have folded up their tent decades or years ago😁

[@darrylamaki2470]

Kiss fan since 1974, Kiss was the whole package..I’ll definitely pick up martins new kiss book.Kiss should’ve had the last shows shown in the theaters ..hopefully KISS release a live album too..

[@captainkirk70]

Surprised they aren't doing a pay per view. Certainly would have made more money than the Dubai thing.

[@stevehartke]

@@captainkirk70there is a pay per view of the Saturday 12/2 show… sorry don’t have a link

[@TheSylvanpass]

I wish you would've waited until after the final show to do this. You could be talking about their proposed avatar approach. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. I think it's great. I like it way better than a Kiss 2.0 tribute band. It's such a Kiss thing to do. Lol. Regarding live albums, they included one in the Alive! box set called "The Millennium Concert." With "symphony," that would be five live albums thus far.

[@muziktrkr]

KISS as a band - specifically Paul Stanley’s reign as frontman - is over. If Gene and Paul do shows, no more makeup,and no guarantee Tommy and Eric will be part of it. The possibility of new music is there because of the avatars or upcoming biopic.

[@Wayner71]

The great Kiss has called it a day as all bands must. Over the age of 70 its hard for the body to perform live. The saddest thing about these bands and artists retiring is that no one has taken their place. The current recording landscape is devoid of all rock. And these great artists have been replaced by young women talking about their careerist love affairs and make-up regimen..

[@iceclimbers22]

Agree with the first half, but if you think nobody has taken their place you just aren't looking. There are more current bands putting out quality hard rock and metal music than you can possibly ever hope to listen to. Pete highlights half a dozen every week on Wednesdays.

[@Wayner71]

True. Quality rock bands still exist. But they are not getting promoted by their record companies as bands used to be. Rock's profile has diminished in the last couple of decades even though so many of us love the genre. Unfortunately, rock has been replaced by diva pop at the top. I can only respond to what I see and rock bands are not being given their due any more. No one can compare the current situation to the 1970's or 80's. @@iceclimbers22

[@jimmycampbell78]

Yes there are artists/bands doing the music you like. It’s just not mainstream any more. In a way that’s cooler, because you can find bands that you can feel uniquely a fan of.

[@TheMafrand]

I jumped on at the of 11 as well. But that was in 1987 with Crazy Nights :-)

[@hermannernst8876]

If I was a fan of this band, if I bin a music journalist, if i live in this area, I would go to this show, no matter what! But I live 10000 kilometers away.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Saw KISS in 1996 with all original members and I could swear their first farewell tour was soon after that. At this point, touring is getting harder every year, wouldn't surprise me if this is really it.

[@independenceltd.]

Farewell Tour was in 2000. lol

[@marswillrule2431]

​@@independenceltd. So soon after 1996. 4 < 23.

[@wernermoritz882]

Even though a little bit late it is great that Martin finally put the winter tires on.

[@tommyaddison6539]

Final show was their typical by the numbers thing….they’ve been on autopilot for 20 years. Now they’re launching a “virtual Kiss” 🤣

[@dsnyc5789]

It's not over. Gene's next album: Songs from the Crypt.

[@alternativepreacher4516]

Perhaps they saw Ken and Luis's rants on the Prog Seat and decided to call it a day.

[@brucybabyy7355]

yes! they cut to the core...

[@damienfoyer]

Great discussion, as always. I was not planning to see the show, yet was gifted a ticket for the tour in Sydney a few months ago and enjoyed it. The set list was similar to what you outlined and included Shandi. Which was a hit in Australia.

[@tylerpatterson4787]

I’ve only seen Kiss one time. They came to Toledo In 2016 and I was there with the dead daisies opening John Corabi in the band.

[@zundap100]

I remember well when the album Dynasty came out and the big mega hit "I Was Made For Lovin You". Disco-Rock music and songs like: I Was Made For Lovin You, Miss You, Da Ya Think Im Sexy`,...it was just perfect for the time of very late 70`s.👍

[@tillwesenberg1178]

Oh no, tears are falling.

[@GriefHammer]

I'd have liked to have Crazy Crazy Nights in the setlist, but realistically Paul Stanley would probably combust trying to sing that nowadays.

[@Starman2112ofKings]

It was in the set earlier in the tour and yes quite the train wreck for sure

[@mattflesch1365]

I hope a blue ray concert comes out from the last 2 shows

[@user-tt6be2zx3h]

💯

[@scottsunders]

My only complaint is that they could have chosen a much better modern song than “Say Yeah”. “Modern Day Delilah” is killer, for example.

[@cranstonsnord4334]

I am trying to imagine Kiss Now with Gene and Paul being in their 70's singing Christine 16!! 😁 I was never a Kiss fan but I know a lot of their songs because everybody I knew in high school except me liked them! I remember in 1978 I wanted to see ELO live when they were playing in the spaceship, but nobody I knew liked them, they wanted to see Kiss!

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Well maybe if Jeff Lynne breathed fire or spit blood they would of been more interested 🤣🤣

[@GuitarHack66]

Great discussion guys! Playing Say Yeah should be replaced by Modern Day Delilah or Hell and Hallelujah. Also if I never hear I Love it Loud again I'll be ok lol.

[@stephenmccagg]

Fan since I was a kid in the mid 70s, i dearly loved them, sad to say I just don't care anymore!

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Now that’s a great way to look at it without being rude and horrible like most have been 😁🤘🏻

[@ilj1259]

My only complaint about Kiss is they never should have stopped having a different makeup job for each new member. ... Other members wearing the catman and spaceman makeup didnt make sense.😮

[@lateramae]

You know, if this is really the end of Kiss (in terms of live performances), they should definitely consider recording new studio albums. New Kiss music, keep the creative juices running!

[@dtltmtgt]

Creatures of the Night and Revenge are VERY high for me.

[@sierramodre1]

Always enjoy the show guys; Why not one or two (depending) from all the records as a career retrospective?

[@robbjj1]

I came in to kiss with Dynasty. At 13 playing pong laying on my best friends sisters waterbed. Seen them live 11 times I believe. I only dislike a couple albums in the 80s. I'll miss them.

[@DamnableReverend]

I definitely think they get crap from people because of their image, as someone else said here in the comments. The music is, like you guys said, very straightforward for the most part. I think a part of me expects down-to-earth guys when I hear music like that and so for me there's always been this weird cognitive dissonance between Kiss the band and Kiss the product/stageshow/etc. I'm all for theatricism but theirs has never really won me over. I used to be one of those people who dismissed the band completely, but maybe about ten years ago (in my thirties) I started coming round to just accepting that their music was fun. I really don't need any of that other stuff and to me it sours the rock 'n' roll experience by making it very plain that it's just a business designed to sell stuff. Even the members of Kiss don't even seem like real people, furthered by the idea that you could just replace some of those guys with other guys and it'd still just be the Kiss machine rollin' on. DOn't get me wrong, I finally came to enjoy some of their albums and acknowledge their place in rock history. Some bands I like a lot more than Kiss themselves have probably acknowledged their influence, and I think that's great. Hopefully though there won't be an official tribute band. That's too funny. I can go to some local bars and see pretty good Kiss tribute bands for less than $20.

[@steverinhop]

In the 80s, Kiss was a follower in the hair metal genre. NOT a leader. Kiss was desperately trying to keep up.

[@martyndunn6337]

In retro they looked ridiculous. Especially Gene 😂

[@steverinhop]

@martyndunn6337 Yes. Especially around Asylum and Crazy Nights.

[@flazjsg]

They were always followers. Took the makeup from Alice Cooper/Arthur Brown, music was similar to Sabbath/Led Zep (but mostly not as good), got into disco after the Stones and Rod Stewart did. I like KISS, but they were never leaders apart from maybe putting a ton of money into their production. They were also leaders in merchandizing.

[@Taffer9876]

We are the same age. 2-3 years was an eternity then. Now it is a blur.

[@captainkirk70]

Symphony is Alive IV. But then they released an Alive box set with a show called Alive! The Millennium Concert which is technically Alive 5. All remastered. The Symphony IV was not on it. Only 1 through 3 plus the Millennium album.

[@nmd14723]

Martin, would love to hear your thoughts on one of my favourite bands Blue Rodeo ?

[@michaelr4063]

My prediction: “Newsflash, Monday December 4th 2023. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS announce plans to record album of new material with founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Recording will begin late spring/early summer of 2024 with a scheduled Christmas release. A major 3 year world wide tour is planned to get underway in summer 2025. KISS is calling it ‘We’re back! The final reunion tour’. Rumors have already surfaced that Pete Criss intends to quit midway through the tour, however all $15,000.00 holographic meet and greets with all four original band members will be honored through the end of the tour. Tickets go on sale a week from today with pricing expected to start at $800.00.” In a related story, Paul Stanley thoroughly trashed former KISS members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer after both were fired from KISS following their shows this weekend at New York’s Madison Square Garden saying they weren’t pulling their weight anymore. Paul stated ‘it was just ok with them but we were just fooling ourselves and our fans. They’re still part of the KISS family and we’ve invited them to participate with us on our final ever tour, but we haven’t heard from Tommy or Eric yet. The fans demanded closure for the original KISS and KISS always gives the fans what they want-so get ready people for greatest rock show you’ve ever witnessed in the history of the world, the return of KISS!!!!’ In a related story Tommy Thayer was heard on a local radio show saying there’s no way he’s gonna appear on stage with Ace Frehley if Frehley is wearing Thayer’s Spaceman costume. Thayer continued, ‘I’m Spaceman- you can’t have two Spaceman’s on stage because THAT would be ridiculous!’ The story continues……

[@Starman2112ofKings]

Wow! That’s pretty good 😁

[@AndyTempleman-ot6lu]

Grew up in the seventies. Never jumped onto the Kiss bandwagon. Though a few songs are okay.

[@EdubertoPalitroke]

No rant about mimiking to tracks?

[@onekoolmedic]

Absolutely snoooooooooz on that set list.

[@jimmyjambhere]

Come on and love me, She & Parasite 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

Love it when you two do videos, always entertaining. I got off the “KISS bandwagon” after the “Farewell Tour” with Peter and Ace.🎧 #kissarmy

[@dtltmtgt]

Always found it funny how Shannon Tweed called Gene an accountant. She's not wrong, him and Paul are brilliant marketers and business men. You mention what is next. Gene said he never takes a vacation. In an article I read, he will go into Electric Lady Studios the day after the "final" show and record with fans. Brilliant. He also said that major cities will have official KISS tribute shows, they are NOT going away, just no big tours ...

[@themetalmeltdownofficial]

​I do not believe for a MOMENT that KISS is done. Every tour for 30 years has been the 'final tour', and they continue to pump out ungodly amounts of merch. The only way KISS ends is when Gene and Paul drop, and even then I can picture them trying some KISS Hologram shit.

[@JosephSterle]

They never said or implied there wouldn’t be any more products, it’s just the end of them touring.

[@themetalmeltdownofficial]

@@JosephSterle They'll continue to tour. You know it, I know it, they know it, lets not fool ourselves for one moment here. Hell they'll have to hit the road to make up for the Canadian dates they cancelled recently. Nukes could drop tomorrow and it wouldn't stop KISS.

[@noahhamm2814]

Also, they’re almost 80 so at some point you have to look at this and say, can you continue probably not especially with how much stuff they wear.

[@mike04574]

they'll continue kiss with new members

[@brucybabyy7355]

i,ve always thought they would do a " blue man group" thing. have multiple touring shows at the same time.

[@rick063092]

Might not be popular but…Something I’d never thought I’d say, after seeing the show last night, I’d rather hear the tapes .. yowza.. the noticeable switch between the “address the crowd voice” to singing voice ended up being a running joke in my section .. for me the “concert” part of Kiss left a long time ago, but I’m happy with the Broadway play/circus on steroid’s entertainment aspect of the show…Paul’s actual voice was just the elephant in the room, the crowd was also pretty tepid for MSG (imo) and the band could feel it and mentioned it at several points .. incredible atmosphere in and around msg prior, had a blast with old friends and the show still had its moments , just fell a little bit flat for me ..

[@stevenbruno2752]

Along with Iron Maiden and Jethro Tull, Kiss is one of my favorite bands of all time. But I thought the last time they came a few years ago was it, and I have no interest in seeing them again on this tour. Also, as great as Paul Stanley was as a vocalist, it's hard to listen to him nowadays. They still put on a great show, but I'm long over the impersonations with Eric and Tommy in the costumes. Paul and Gene tend to change their tune depending on what the money is telling them. I'm actually more interested in what comes afterward, if anything.

[@zoef234]

Saw Kiss over the last 2 tours here in Australia. Thoroughly enjoyed the shows but Paul was unfortunately struggling. End of the road for his voice. “Let’s put the x in sex… loves like a muscle and you make me wanna flex”. - Genius!

[@marc-olivierbouchard8717]

I'm the kind of KISS fan that would want the following on the setlist: Room Service, Strange Ways, Got to Choose, Parasite, Mr Speed, Take me, The Oath.....and none of the Psycho circus or Sonic boom stuff. They have a predictable setlist but not one i would love particularily

[@guillermomaldonado6277]

I can easily see the brand KISS going on in the future, with Erik and Tommy as the "legacy" guys and two young "Paul" and "Gene" stand-ins; I mean, Foreigner is basically a tribute band right now right? Why not Kiss. The question would be, how many fans will be on board? Thanks! 🍺🤘

[@SuperStrik9]

I can totally see that happening. I'm pretty sure Gene has talked about it before.

[@carlosdanger6129]

I wouldn't pay 10 cents to see people lip sync

[@DrJimmy88]

There's no way they're done touring. KISS as an entity will tour until the earth is engulfed by our sun.

[@jeremymiller3800]

Good show.

[@rockjagg1]

Based on the business sense Gene and Paul have around this band, you’ve got to think they’ve worked out a long term plan for the Kiss brand. I can easily see them having a 21st Century Kiss of all younger guys take over, run by a management company that makes band decisions with profits split between Gene and Paul’s estates. Why have a bunch of cover bands profit off your image and songs when you can effectively do it yourself with new hires. Not something I’d be a big fan of, but if any band will do this, it’s Kiss.

[@davidg3019]

I saw in an interview where Gene said that this the last show "in makeup." But he also seemed to indicate no more touring.

[@SWEETFA24]

I was there tonight for the ? Grand Finale. Its my last for sure . An entertaining show though I'm a deep cuts person.

[@AXXXDEAN]

I would like to hear an album of Tommy....Eric...Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons

[@captainkirk70]

No way the last performances. I would bet a long residence in Las Vegas. Charo is still doing a residence. I saw her there in 2001. However her guitar playing was obviously fake. So KISS will fit right in.

[@seekah1]

lol

[@onekoolmedic]

They might be done touring but I think they will do one offs and festivals.