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, in addition to founders Stanley and Simmons, the band also included guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. 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:
- People from all over the USA and Great Britain gathered in New York City to witness Kiss's farewell concert at Madison Square Garden.
- Abba, the famous Swedish pop band, has also been performing virtually since 2022, with special effects created by Industrial Light & Magic.
- Gene Simmons, a founding member of Kiss and avid Abba fan, hinted at a similar virtual project for Kiss last year.
- Paul Stanley, another founding member of Kiss, expressed joy and gratitude towards the fans during the farewell concert, saying, "This is the end of the road, but tonight is an evening of joy."
- Kiss made their live debut in a New York club back in January 1973, with the original lineup including Stanley, Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
- Despite fans' hopes, neither Frehley nor Criss appeared as guests during the farewell concert to bid farewell to their former bandmates.
- Kiss announced that despite their retirement from live performances, they will continue to exist virtually and continue to bring music to their fans around the world.
Source: www.stern.de
