KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons recently sat down with Classic Rock and discussed why makeup-clad band will never release a follow-up to 2012’s “Monster” album.
When asked about the possibility of a new KISS studio album and whether Simmons had something to reveal about it’s possibility, Gene said: “I do not. Not to say we don’t enjoy the creative process, but Kiss is not a charity. Working your ass off to have somebody download or stream your music for free is not my idea of how things should be. When you don’t put a value on music, it doesn’t have value. So all that’s left for Kiss is what’s happening now: The End Of The Road tour.”
Gene was also asked about how he feels emotionally, knowing that he will soon walk off stage for the final time.
Simmons said: “Quite honestly, I don’t really think about it much, because we really are having the best time ever. And we’re playing better than ever. But I know that at some point there’s going to be that last song that Kiss will ever play on stage, and I know I’ll be crying like a baby and won’t be able to hold back the emotions, because what an amazing journey this has been.”
Back in April, Gene spoke to ET‘s Kevin Frazier about KISS’s “End Of The Road” farewell tour which has finally resumed after a few previous hiccups mostly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We start playing the outdoor stadiums of South America, literally within two weeks, and continue on to Europe and Australia and eventually North America, Japan, all that stuff. Mexico,” Simmons said. “And this is going to be the last tour. We’re done.”
“We’re approaching 50 years of doing this, which is unbelievable because we never thought we’d last more than a few years,” he added.
Gene also stated that he and fellow KISS co-founder Paul Stanley are in agreement that it’s time to retire from the road.
“The last thing that you want to do is be a guy that stays in the ring too long and gets his ass beat,” Simmons said. “Get out of the ring when you’re a champion.
“You got to understand — we love [Mick] Jagger and Bruno Mars and Bono and anybody else, they’re all great, but if you put those guys — Beyoncé, put Beyoncé in my outfit with seven-to-eight-inch platform heels, dragon boots that each weigh as much as a bowling ball, the entire outfit, studs, leather and armor is about 40 pounds,” he explained. “The guitar and the studs is 12 pounds by itself. Then, you got to spit fire, fly through the air and do that for two hours. They would pass out within a half hour.”
“We are the hardest-working band out there and take pride in it,” Gene added. “And not every band should be out there too long. You’ve got to have some pride and not stay too long. Always keep them wanting. I’m the most blessed and grateful guy in the world to be able to be in a band where I can wear more makeup and higher heels than your girlfriend.”
“End Of The Road” was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended.