If Kiss ever decides to reunite, they’ll need approval from people outside the band.
Kiss performed their last concert on Dec. 2, 2023, the culmination of their End of the Road World Tour. It was promoted as the final performance in the band’s history (of course, they’ve said that before). Still, in a recent conversation with Detroit classic rock station WCSX, Gene Simmons explained why the iconic group would need permission to return.
“Kiss was actually sold — the makeup and the tunes and the publishing and all that — for a [a lot of money],” the bassist noted (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And a great company called Pophouse is our partner. We’re involved together in the future, so there’s gonna be a motion picture, which is being cast now, and there’s gonna be — I don’t know — cartoon shows, theme park, you name it, it’s all coming up. So it’s gonna be bigger and better than you’ve ever heard, including the avatar show.”
“But that also means that Kiss can’t play live without Pophouse’s permission,” Simmons continued, “because they own the makeup and everything.”
Gene Simmons Wasn’t Ready to Retire Following Kiss’ End
While the sale of Kiss was a smart financial decision for Simmons, he didn’t want to completely retire from performing. Thus, he created the Gene Simmons Band, which allows the rocker to still fulfill his desire to be onstage.
READ MORE: Kiss Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide
“I didn’t wanna stay away from the stage,” Simmons admitted. “It’s the most fun. Being up on that stage and rocking out is the most fun I can imagine with my pants on. And there’s a magic that happens there.”
“Imagine being a painter, and you paint something, and you’re really proud of it, and it just stays in your living room, and nobody sees it,” the bassists continued. “Or if you write a song, and you really like it, you go, ‘Whoa, this thing rocks,’ but you’re the only one who hears it. No, no, no. Whether you write a book, you don’t wanna be the only one that reads your own book. No, you wanna share it with people. Or if you’re gonna throw a party, and you’re the only one in the room eating potato chips and drinking Coca-Cola, that’s not much of a party. I need you to be in the party. What’s a party without you?
“So I can’t stay off the stage,” Simmons noted. “I love it too much.”
The Gene Simmons Band continues heavily touring in 2026, with concert dates stretching through December.
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Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening
