In March, KISS announced details of a special three-day fan gathering called KISS Army Storms Vegas taking place November 14–16 at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The extravaganza will feature a variety of performances and other events, including a special KISS unmasked reunion performance.
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In a recent interview on The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers podcast, KISS co-founder Paul Stanley shared some details about the KISS Army Storms Vegas experience.
“This will be, for lack of a better description, it’s a KISS Kruise in Vegas,” Stanley noted. “It’s a KISS Kruise without a boat or without a ship. We’ll take over the Virgin Hotel, and all the things that people have come to expect on a KISS Kruise will happen.”
He continued, “It’s a chance for international fans and friends to convene, as they always have. And there’ll be Q&As, time spent with each person in the band. We will play, although looking more like this [without makeup or stage outfits] than in classic gear. It’s gonna be really, really cool.”
The 73-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also revealed that “a lot of things are being added to” the event’s already-announced lineup.
“I would’ve liked to have perhaps had the menu to give to everybody a long time ago, but it’s still evolving,” Stanley added. “So, there’ll be great people playing, great bands, all kinds of competitions, all the things that we’ve done in the past on the cruise. Just like a tribal gathering with music and entertainment. … Like I said, it’s a landlocked KISS Kruise.”
More About the KISS Army Storms Vegas Gathering
As previously reported, KISS’ latest lineup will reunite at the KISS Army Storms Vegas event to perform for the first time since the band’s final show of its End of the Road farewell tour at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023.
Stanley, founding singer/bassist Gene Simmons, drummer Eric Singer, and guitarist Tommy Thayer will perform without makeup. They will be joined by former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick as a special guest.
The KISS Army Storms Vegas gathering also will feature performances by ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, Thayer’s former band Black ’N Blue, and two KISS tribute acts—KISS Nation and Mr. Speed.
In addition, the original co-founders of the KISS Army fan club, Bill Starkey and Jay Evans, will make a special appearance at the event.
KISS Army Storms Vegas will celebrate the KISS Army’s 50th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the first KISS fan convention. Various surprise guests also are expected to appear and/or perform.
Another highlight of the extravaganza will be an exclusive Q&A session with Simmons, Stanley and longtime KISS manager Doc McGhee. During the presentation, Simmons, Stanley, and McGhee will share stories, reminisce about behind-the-scenes moments, and answer fan questions.
Vibee is offering packages for the KISS Army Storms Vegas experience that include a three-night hotel stay, an unmasked photo with KISS, a Q&A with the band, themed activities, a curated “KISS Army Storms Vegas” gift, other memorabilia, exclusive merch, and more.
Tickets to the event are on sale to the general public now.
Simmons Said KISS’ Other Founding Members Are Welcome at the Vegas Event
In an interview on the Noize in the Attic YouTube channel earlier in May, Simmons was asked if fellow founding KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were welcome at the KISS Army Storms Vegas event.
“Of course!” Gene replied. That being said, Simmons went on to discuss how he invited Frehley and Criss to join KISS at the band’s final show, but they said no.
(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
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