Paul Stanley believes that Kiss‘ ongoing and oft-delayed “End Of The Road Tour” will be done a little over a year from now. Prior to the delays caused by the pandemic, Kiss had set a July 17th, 2021 end-date for the band’s final tour — but they’ve been forced to push the final show back.
Stanley told Ultimate Classic Rock, “I believe strongly by the beginning of 2023 we will be finished. It’s a different time than we had pondered (farewell tours) in the past. The fact is that, physically, it’s incredibly demanding to do what we do.”
He went on to say, “There’s really no thought about changing our minds. It has nothing to do with personalities in the band or tensions or a difference of opinion or musicality. It’s purely practical. You can play beat the clock, but ultimately the clock wins.”
Stanley, who’ll turn 70 in January — and has recently battled back against Covid — explained, “Look, we played (recently) in Austin, an outdoor show, 100 percent humidity. We’re running around for two-plus hours, not only with guitars, but I’ve got 30-plus pounds of gear on. There’s a point where you go, ‘Y’know what? This is more challenge than I want.’ And I only want to do it as long as I can do it smiling.”
Regarding the final date of the tour, Stanley offered up: “It seems only natural to be in New York. That is where the band started, and that was really the background for the band getting together and writing these songs and played loft parties and played clubs starting with an audience of probably 10 people. It seems we should go full circle.”
Kiss performs on Friday (October 8th) in West Palm Beach, Florida at IThink Financial Amphitheatre.
SIDE NOTES
- Set for release on November 19th is Kiss‘ Super Deluxe 45th anniversary edition of the band’s classic 1976 Destroyer album.
- Kiss – Destroyer 45th will be issued as a four-CD / Blu-ray Audio box set as well as on standard double black vinyl and limited edition yellow and red double colored vinyl, double-CD set, and across digital platforms.
CHECK IT OUT: Kiss on September 12th, 2021 performing “Shock Me” live at the VIP soundcheck in Wheatland, California: