The end of the road for KISS has been a long one.
But the classic band’s ongoing “End of the Road World Tour” is due to conclude at the end of this year after it was first announced in 2018 and, at one point, scheduled to wrap in 2021. Now, eying their final show in December 2023, KISS rocker Gene Simmons said KISS is really calling it quits this time — while they’re “on top.”
It’s just a matter of physics, he explained.
“At a certain point, Mother Nature takes over no matter what your plans are,” Simmons tells the Australian news show The Sunday Project, as Guitar.com reported.
READ MORE: KISS Canceled the First Show of Their Current ‘End of the Road’ European Leg
The KISS figurehead continues, “At a certain time, you’ve gotta have the dignity and pride but also the love and admiration of your fans to know when it’s time to call it quits.”
Comparing the endurance of KISS to that of an athlete, Simmons said the group he carries with longtime bandmate Paul Stanley doesn’t want to overstay its welcome.
“We’ve all seen boxers that stay in the ring too long,” the KISS bassist and co-vocalist adds, “and we’ve all seen bands that stay on the stage too long. So I’m still looking pretty damn good. But that’s not the point. The point is the physical nature of what we do is gonna limit how long we do it.”
KISS Quitting While the Quitting’s Good
Simmons says, “We introduce ourselves with, ‘You wanted the best, you got the best — the hottest band in the world.’ I don’t wanna be in one of those bands where the fans just say, Oh, you should have seen them back in 1804 when they were really rocking.”
He surmises, “Right here, right now, either be a champion or get off the stage. So we’re gonna quit while the quitting’s good — while we’re on top.”
Underneath the video, see KISS’ remaining 2023 tour dates for their End of the Road World Tour. Below that, find a list of other rock bands touring this year. Get Loudwire’s newsletter and the Loudwire app for more rock and metal news from around the world.
KISS’ Gene Simmons on The Sunday Project – June 4, 2023
KISS 2023 World Tour Dates
June 22 – Berlin, Germany @ Schmeling Halle
June 25 – Cartagena, Spain @ Rock Imperium
June 27 – Lyon, France @ Halle Garnier
June 29 – Tuscany, Italy @ Lucca Festival
July 1 – Mannheim, Germany @ SAP Arena
July 2 – Cologne, Germany @ Laxness Arena
July 5 – London, England @ O2 Arena
July 7 – Manchester, England @ AO Arena
July 8 – Glasgow, Scotland @ OVO Hydro
July 12 – Rattvik, Sweden @ Dalhalla Amp.
July 13 – Rattvik, Sweden @ Dalhalla Amp.
July 15 – Tonsberg, Norway @ Kaldnes
Sept. 1 – Crandon, Wis. @ Int’l Raceway
Oct. 7 – Sydney, Australia @ Accor Stadium
Oct. 13 – Dubai, UAE @ Coca-Cola Arena
Oct. 19 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Heritage Arena
Oct. 20 – Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesar’s Arena
Oct. 22 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Rocket Fieldhouse
Oct. 23 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena
Oct. 25 – St. Louis, Mo. @ Enterprise Ctr
Oct. 27 – Ft. Worth, Texas @ Dickies Arena
Oct. 29 – Austin, Texas @ Moody Center
Nov. 1 – Palm Springs, Calif. @ Acrisure Arena
Nov. 3 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl
Nov. 6 – Seattle, Wash. @ Climate Pledge Arena
Nov. 8 – Vancouver, B.C. @ Rogers Arena
Nov. 10 – Edmonton, Alberta @ Rogers Place
Nov. 12 – Calgary, Alberta @ Saddledome
Nov. 13 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ SaskTel Ctr
Nov. 15 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Canada Life Ctr
Nov. 18 – Montreal, Quebec @ Centre Bell
Nov. 19 – Quebec, Quebec @ Videotron Ctr
Nov. 21 – Ottawa, Ontario @ Canadian Tire Ctr
Nov. 22 – Toronto, Ontario @ Scotiabank Arena
Nov. 24 – Knoxville, Tenn. @ Thompson-Boling Arena
Nov. 25 – Indianapolis. Ind. @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Nov. 27 – Rosemont, Ill. @ Allstate Arena
Nov. 29 – Baltimore, Md. @ CFG Arena
Dec. 1 – New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
Dec. 2 – New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
Your Guide to Rock + Metal Bands Touring in 2023
Check out over 200 rock and metal bands’ touring schedules for 2023.
