KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons says that the legendary band are retiring out of “self-respect” and “love” for their fans.
Simmons stated that he doesn’t want to tarnish the KISS legacy by continuing to perform live long after the band should have packed it in.
Speaking with KLOS’ Whiplash radio show, Gene said that KISS will be taking their final bow while they’re still “on top”.
“The reason for stopping touring is because of pride and self-respect and a love and admiration for the fans,” Gene says. “The last thing you wanna be is to be a world-champion boxer and stay in the ring too long. It’s only a matter of time until your legs are not gonna be able to hold you up, and you’re gonna lose.”
“We’ve also seen boxers who’ve stayed in the ring too long and bands who continue touring too long. And they forget lyrics and you can see the deep wrinkles in their faces.
“I mean, it’s just the nature of life as we know it on earth. So we’re doing the right thing. We’re gonna quit while we’re on top, do the best we can, and it’ll be sad, but it’s also gonna be happy. On the last show we ever do as a touring band, I’ll be crying like a 12-year-old kid whose foot you’re stepping on.”
You can listen to the full episode at this location.
KISS launched its “End Of The Road” farewell tour back in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold last year due to the global pandemic.
“End Of The Road” was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last through early 2023, including a rescheduled Las Vegas residency.