Rock & Metal

Gene Simmons: ‘KISS Became A Very Big Band Without Any Hit Songs’

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Gene Simmons recently shared in an interview with Michael Franzese that KISS didn’t need hit songs to achieve their legendary status.

“In a very strange way, KISS became a massive band without hit songs,” the bassist explained, discussing their rapid rise to fame. “It was all about the live performances.”

Simmons went on to say, “If you’re curious, go to YouTube. We would blow away any act that dared to share the stage with us. We’d just blow them off the stage.”

He added, “Part of it was strategy. We had a KISS logo that was six or seven feet tall, these bright lights spelling out KISS. Nobody did that, especially not in the way we did. It was like a Vegas show.”

KISS has long been known for its extravagant stage shows, but Simmons has no plans to replicate that on his solo tours. “No managers, no private jets, no 20 tractor trailers, no 60-man crew, no huge shows — and pyro alone for every KISS show costs ten thousand dollars, sometimes fifty thousand if we’re outdoors. The costs are enormous,” he told the Behind the Setlist podcast.

He continued, “It’s almost like renting amps in a garage, and everyone from the neighborhood comes in. It’s very informal, and a lot of fun.”

Simmons is currently touring with Brent Woods, Brian Tichy, and Zach Throne. Woods also manages their travel and concert logistics, with an assistant handling business matters. The spring 2025 tour will kick off on April 28 in Tallahassee, with stops including the Count Basie Center in Red Bank, New Jersey, on May 5, and wrapping up on May 24 in Houston.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

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