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Gene Simmons has kept himself plenty busy after KISS played their final show in December 2023. The following year, he went on a solo trek and is gearing up for another North American tour next month. In a new interview, the bassist/singer opened up about why he decided not to retire from performing.
"I tried to stay away from being on stage, but it's too much fun," Simmons admitted. "I thought I was gonna take a few years off after the band I was in for 50 years decided to call it quits. I have other stuff — a restaurant chain, a movie company, a lot of stuff. But I couldn't stay away. Last April we got an offer —'Hey, why don't you put a band together and come and headline the Sao Paulo (Summer Breeze Open Air) Festival?' I said, 'What? Do you mean in a stadium?' 'Yeah, a stadium.' "Wow...OK.'"
"We did this before; when Kiss took some time off I put together a band of usual suspects," he noted. "We have a ball. Most importantly the fans and the band are having the time of our lives — that's what this band is about."
It's a little different than strutting around in eight-inch heels and makeup, and Simmons is grateful for that. "I've been there, done that," he said. "Half a century of that is plenty of time, and I firmly believe — and Paul (Stanley) believes the same thing — you take something as far as it can go and finish on top. This is more like if your favorite band comes to your house and sets up in the garage and opens the garage door and the whole town comes informally and hangs out. We have conversations and bring kids up on stage, teenage musicians. It's just about having a good time."
Speaking of a good time, Simmons is offering fans a "roadie for a day" experience during the upcoming slate of shows. Only catch is it'll cost you $12,495.