Goodbye KISS

Get ready to rock as the legendary American hard rock powerhouse, KISS, gears up for its ultimate performance at the iconic Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City tonight. Critics may argue that KISS should have called it quits two decades ago, and guess what? They did.

This marks KISS's second farewell tour, and skepticism looms large about whether this truly marks the end of an era. Ozzy Osbourne has retired multiple times, The Who embarked on a farewell tour in 1982, and bands like Scorpions, Judas Priest, and Mötley Crüe have all done the farewell dance, only to stage a comeback shortly after. Rock bands have a knack for defying retirement promises—just ask The Beatles, who managed to reunite despite half their members being gone for decades.

But why should bands retire as long as there's an audience craving their tunes? Take The Rolling Stones, for instance. When their upcoming U.S. tour kicks off in April (sponsored, amusingly, by AARP), both Mick and Keith will be in their eighties.

Yet, delivering the high-energy spectacle that defines KISS demands extraordinary stamina, and leaders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are both in their seventies. Stanley's vocal cords have seen better days. So, fingers crossed that this farewell is for real, if only to put to bed the drama between the band and its ex-members.

If you're a KISS aficionado unable to snag tickets for tonight's extravaganza, live vicariously through the spectacle via the Pay-Per-View event at the link below. Yes, it comes with a price tag—KISS doesn't do anything for free. For those seeking gratis entertainment, Eminem's concert on Fortnite is an alternative tonight.

Click HERE to access the KISS Pay-Per-View event

Despite the ample teasing KISS often receives (and some of it is well-deserved), it's undeniably strange to envision a world without the theatrics of KISS. Sure, they're a gimmicky, style-centric band where the showmanship often outshines the substance. Yet, they're undeniably a riot. My journey with KISS began 26 years ago, precisely on this day. Witnessing the return of the original lineup and makeup in 1997, despite the musical hiccups of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, was electrifying. And in 2015, catching them again with the current lineup proved the spectacle was just as mind-blowing. 

My first KISS show on December 2nd, 1996

So as the curtain falls and the final chords echo through Madison Square Garden tonight, we share a bittersweet goodbye KISS. For the final time: "You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the word: KISS!"