By Fatma Younis
Kiss bassist and singer Gene Simmons, 77, has explained that the band ended its three-year farewell tour in 2022 to bow out gracefully and respect their audience. In an interview with NewsNation's The Hill, Simmons said the physical demands of performing — including wearing 50 to 70 pounds of armor, studs, and platform boots while spitting fire and flying through the air — made it necessary to step away.
Final Lineup and Legacy
Simmons and co-founder Paul Stanley, 74, were the only original members in the group's final touring lineup. Founding guitarist Ace Frehley died in October 2025 at age 74. Simmons emphasized that Kiss always aimed to give fans their money's worth with a level of spectacle he believed many other live acts lacked.
Embracing AI and Avatar Shows
Simmons also urged musicians to embrace artificial intelligence, stating the technology is inevitable. An avatar-based Kiss show is slated to launch in Las Vegas in 2028, with an estimated $200 million investment. He compared the project to ABBA's pioneering digital concert experience, saying the technology will allow the band to be "forever young and forever iconic."
