KISS finds it hard to say farewell
KISS, a band that announced its farewell tour in early 2000 but never got around to announcing a final show, is apparently reconsidering its retirement from the stage.
KISS, a band that announced its farewell tour in early 2000 but never got around to announcing a final show, is apparently reconsidering its retirement from the stage.
“People do change their minds and in this case that goes along with being a living, thinking person,” guitarist Paul Stanley wrote this week in the “Paul Speaks” section of the band’s official website. “What one says one day with total commitment may at another time turn out not to be so.
“Am I doing this for the money or the fans? BOTH, and let’s not forget I’m doing this for me. That is the reason I originally started playing: because I wanted to, and only I can decide ultimately when to stop. As you know (assuming that you have a job) it is great to have both the appreciation of those around you and to be compensated financially. Don’t you agree?”
The band opened its farewell tour with much fanfare in March of 2000, billing it as the final opportunity for fans to see Gene Simmons, Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss together onstage. The group grossed nearly $63 million from 128 shows in North America that year, according to Pollstar.
Though the band’s lineup remained intact through early 2000, drummer Peter Criss was ousted from the group when contract negotiations broke down prior to the group’s 2001 tour of Japan and Australia. Eric Singer, the group’s pre-reunion drummer, has since been performing wearing Criss’ signature makeup and costume.
Frehley also left the fold earlier this year, and has since been replaced at some of the band’s one-off appearances by guitarist Tommy Thayer, who has donned Frehley’s signature makeup and costume.
Rumors have been circulating that KISS will tour this winter in support of the forthcoming hits set “The Very Best of KISS,” scheduled for release on Aug. 27. No dates have been confirmed.
“The Very Best of Kiss” features 21 previously released tracks, covering the period from the band’s self-titled 1974 debut to 1992’s “Revenge.
The full track listing, according to Kiss Online:
“Strutter"
“Deuce"
“Got to Choose”
“Hotter Than Hell”
“C’mon and Love Me”
“Rock and Roll All Nite” (Live)
“Detroit Rock City”
“Shout It Out Loud”
“Beth"
“I Want You”
“Calling Dr. Love”
“Hard Luck Woman”
“I Stole Your Love”
“Christine Sixteen”
“Love Gun”
“New York Groove”
“I Was Made For Loving You”
“I Love It Loud”
“Lick It Up”
“Forever"
“God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You II”
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