Rock band - Kiss give their farewell concert and now do it like Abba
US rock group Kiss ("Rock And Roll All Nite", "I Was Made For Loving You") have ended their stage career after 50 years with a concert in their hometown of New York City and at the same time announced a "new era" in which Kiss will continue to exist virtually.
The cult band played the last concert of their "End Of The Road" farewell tour, which lasted around five years and 250 concerts, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
"So this is the end of the road," said singer and guitarist Paul Stanley (71) in front of around 20,000 fans. "But tonight is an evening of joy, an occasion to celebrate what we have experienced together." Kiss, who are as famous for their striking make-up and glittering stage costumes as they are for their spectacular stage shows, had announced an extra load of fireworks for the final concert. After the last concert, bassist and singer Gene Simmons (74) was visibly struggling for composure. "I'm lost for words," he said with tears in his eyes.
Debut 50 years ago in New York
Kiss made their live debut in a New York club in January 1973. Back then, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss were part of the band alongside founders Stanley and Simmons. Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer have completed the quartet for around 20 years. The hopes of some Kiss fans that former members Frehley and Criss would appear as guests to say goodbye were not fulfilled.
However, the musicians' withdrawal from the stage should not be the end of Kiss. At Madison Square Garden, the rock legends presented their avatars - virtual images of the band members created by Industrial Light & Magic. The special effects company founded by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas had also created the avatars for Abba. Since 2022, the Swedish pop band has been performing virtually on stage in the "Abba Voyage" concert show in London.
Simmons, who is a big Abba fan, hinted at a similar project for Kiss last year. "Of course," he told the German Press Agency in an interview. "We're working on it." In a video on its website, the band has now shown a first visual impression. "We want to take Kiss to the next level," said Stanley. "Kiss will always be around." He did not yet give any details about a possible show.
Read also:
- The farewell concert for the iconic rock band Kiss was held in their hometown of New York City at the renowned Madison Square Garden on a Sunday night.
- Paul Stanley, the lead singer and guitarist of Kiss, addressed the crowd of around 20,000 fans, acknowledging the end of their stage career but emphasizing the joy of the occasion.
- Gene Simmons, the bassist and singer from Kiss, struggled to maintain composure after the final concert, expressing his emotions with tears in his eyes.
- Originally debuting in a New York club in January 1973, Kiss consisted of founders Stanley and Simmons, along with guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss.
- The current quartet of the band includes Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, who have been in the band for approximately 20 years.
- Paying homage to Swedish pop band Abba, who have also adopted a virtual concert format with the help of Industrial Light & Magic, Kiss announced their plans to continue their legacy virtually as well.
- Fans of Kiss in the USA and around the world will continue to be able to enjoy their music, as Kiss have teased a potential virtual show, with frontman Stanley revealing their intention to 'take Kiss to the next level'.
Source: www.stern.de
