The band recently launched their final run around the world
Rock icons KISS bid farwell to Philadelphia last night with an explosive performance at Wells Fargo Center. The band performed some of their biggest hits and deepest cuts, incorporating material from 12 different albums. An intense mix fire, blood, pyro, and lasers gave fans one hell of a show. But it wasn’t because it’s the last time. That’s just KISS. Every time.
As soon as Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” finished blasting from the speakers, the stage was set a blaze while bassist Gene Simmons, frontman Paul Stanley and guitarist Tommy Thayer descended from the rafters. They tore into into menacing opening riff of their heavy metal hit “Detroit Rock City.” Frontman Paul Stanley cried, “Get down, everybody’s gonna leave their seat,” but the capacity crows was already way ahead of him. After using more pyro than most bands do in an entire set, KISS seamlessly swung right into another seminal classic “Shout It Out Loud.” A textbook arena anthem, the track truly set the tone for the evening.
Other highlights included “Deuce,” “War Machine,” “Calling Dr. Love,” the rare gem “Psycho Circus,” and “Love Gun,” which saw Paul Stanley sing from the crowd on a remote stage. At one point, Stanley made sure to take fans on a mental trip down memory lane. “You might have heard this one at the Tower Theater,” the singer said. “You may have heard this one at the Spectrum. And we’re gonna do it for ya here again tonight.” The band proceeded to play “Cold Gin,” though it was tough to hear the intro over the deafening crowd. You can’t reference the Tower and the Spectrum in Philly and not expect it to get a little bit loud.
“All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years,” KISS said in a statement before the launch of the tour. “This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in – unapologetic and unstoppable.”
After this North American leg, the band’s massive farewell trek continues across the pond with several European headlining dates and festival appearances. KISS return to the States this summer for a second U.S. leg that wraps up on September 16 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. See the complete End of the Road tour date list HERE.
KISS are one of the most successful acts in music history, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. The band broke into the mainstream in 1974 with their self-titled debut album. In 1977, the band won the People’s Choice Award for Best New Song for “Beth.” KISS were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Hard Rock Performance.
From 1996-2000, the band garnered 16 Metal Edge Reader’s Choice Awards. KISS were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10, 2015 at the Barclays Center in New York. The band was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone in April 2014 for the first time in their career in light of their induction into the Hall of Fame.
