Rock star cancels solo concerts; iconic band reuniting 2 years after farewell tour

Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons of Gene Simmons Band performs at Alcatraz Metal Fest on August 11, 2024 in Kortrijk, Belgium. (Photo by Elsie Roymans/Getty Images)Getty Images

An iconic rock band is reuniting 2 years after wrapping a farewell tour.

KISS announced a new concert that will be part of the Kiss Army fan club’s 50th anniversary celebrations Nov. 14-16. The group will perform an unmasked show at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, despite previously saying their 2023 concerts would be their last together.

However, frontman Gene Simmons told Rolling Stone that their “final” concert Dec. 2, 2023, would be “the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.” In other words, he left the door open to still reunite with bandmates Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer.

Details of the reunion concert will be announced later, according to Ultimate Classic Rock, but the band said the show will include “a special live performance from former Kiss member Bruce Kulick, along with other special guests, activities, exclusive experiences and more.”

The news comes days after Simmons canceled 17 tour dates with The Gene Simmons Band. According to NME, the 75-year-old rock star denied it was due to any health issues and said the shows would be rescheduled in 2026; refunds are being offered.

Simmons still appears to be scheduled to perform solo concerts May 15 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and May 9 in Huntington, New York.

The tour made headlines when Simmons offered “The Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience,” allowing fans to work as a roadie for a day and help with setting up the concert for the price of $12,495. Simmons would also join the VIP purchasers for a meal and introduce them during the concert.

KISS: End of the Road World Tour
Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer of KISS perform during KISS: End of the Road World Tour at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)Getty Images

KISS is a rock band known for its elaborate costumes, makeup and theatrical performances. Simmons (a.k.a. the Demon) and Stanley (a.k.a. Starchild) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 with original KISS bandmates Ace Frehley (Space Ace) and Peter Criss (Catman).

The group sold more than 100 million records over five decades of music, featuring hits “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” “Lick It Up” and “Detroit Rock City.”

Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert is a Reporter, SEO Lead and Content Supervisor for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard and Advance Media New York. He covers a wide range of topics including entertainment, Upstate New...