50 years have gone by since KISS began performing live shows. If that makes you feel old, well...it does me too. The band has certainly gone through stages such as with make-up, without, back to the make-up, and now maybe without again, at least for a one-time show.
The KISS Army fanfest is happening in Las Vegas from November 14-16 at Virgin Hotel. This marks the 50th anniversary of the group, and there were expected to be special live performances by at least one former member of the band, among others. But what fans might not have known is that KISS was also going to play. They will do so unmasked., and will play live for the first time in two years.
Why? Who knows? The band has a right to do as they wish. Plus, we have seen them unmasked before, so what's the big deal? It might still feel more fitting if they had their make-up on, but just having them should be much fun.
KISS make a big announcement and so does Gene Simmons
One founding member, Gene Simmons, is canceling a lot of his solo shows, however. 17 in all. The reason is unclear, though the Simmons camp has made sure to let everyone know that there are no health issues involved. This makes sense, as the shows that are canceled seem fairly random.
There is also a chance that gigs are simply postponed until 2026 and not completely canceled, but refunds were made immediately available for the shows that were postponed/canceled and that seems telling. Here is the randomness of the shows no longer with the shows that are still on the books:
- Apr 03: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA (CANCELED)
- Apr 04: Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA (CANCELED)
- Apr 05: Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park, CA (CANCELED)
- Apr 08: Muckleshoot Casino Resort, Auburn, WA (CANCELED)
- Apr 10: The Great Saltair, Magna, UT (CANCELED)
- Apr 11: Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO (CANCELED)
- Apr 25: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL (CANCELED)
- Apr 26: Fillmore, Miami Beach, FL (CANCELED)
- Apr 28: The Moon, Tallahassee, FL (CANCELED)
- Apr 29: Florida Theater, Jacksonville, FL (CANCELED)
- Apr 30: Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL (CANCELED)
- May 02: The Fred Amp, Peachtree City, GA
- May 03: Beaver Dam Amphitheater, Beaver Dam, KY
- May 05: Basie, Red Bank, NJ
- May 06: Wellmont, Montclair, NJ
- May 08: Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA
- May 09: The Paramount, Huntington, NY
- May 11: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
- May 14: MGM, Northfield, OH
- May 15: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
- May 17: The Horseshoe, Hammond, IN (CANCELED)
- May 18: Hard Rock, Rockford, IL (CANCELED)
- May 20: Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IN (CANCELED)
- May 22: House of Blues, Dallas, TX (CANCELED)
- May 23: Tobin Center, San Antonio, TX (CANCELED)
- May 24: House of Blues, Houston, TX (CANCELED)