Gene Simmons turned 70 just a few days ago. Kiss was performing in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday to Gene”. The Israeli-born bassist responded with “70 […] years old, baby! And it still works!”
While spirits were high both on stage and in the crowd, there’s no forgetting that this tour, aptly named End of the Road Tour, is scheduled to be Kiss’s last. In an interview to Australian Sunday Night, Simmons explained why the band decided to call it quits:
“It’s because of the pride that we have. Remember, we introduce ourselves with ‘You wanted the best. You got the best. The hottest band in the world: KISS.’” sais Simmons. “I want those words to mean something, even until the very last show.”
Referencing his age, Simmons went on to say: I’m gonna be 70. B*tch, you wanna get into my outfit, you wanna step into my shoes? Ten pounds each. There’ll be about 42 to 45 pounds of gear. Oh, yes, you have to shoot fire out of your mouth, sometimes out of your ass. And you’re exhausted at the end of it.”
“So, could I be in a band until my late 70s? Sure. But I’d have to join U2 or The [Rolling] Stones, put on a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt and just strum. But in terms of physicality, we’re the hardest-working band on earth.”
