Kiss farewell tour could include ex-members

Paul Stanley, singer and guitarist for the rock group Kiss. Photo / AP

It won't be all night, but former members of Kiss might get the chance to rock 'n' roll with the band one last time.

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley (picture) says the band's (second) farewell tour could include former members performing.

In an interview in Atlantic City where he was promoting his artwork, Stanley said the band's End of the Road world tour, starting next year, could include appearances by former members. He did not single out anyone, but living ex-members are guitarists Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick, and drummer Peter Criss.

Since the tour was announced last month, Kiss fans have been clamouring for a farewell that includes former members.

"I wouldn't discount any possibilities," said Stanley, who plays the Starchild character in the band. "I learned long ago to never say never. Would I negate the possibility of former members making appearances? Absolutely not. I don't know in what capacity."

Stanley then went on to extol the virtues and stability of the current lineup: himself, bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons; drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer, calling it "the crux and the core of the band on tour".

That lineup is already rehearsing the farewell show, even as its elements remain undecided. Stanley said the set list will be expanded from the recent 16 songs to 25, adding the band has "thrown away every piece of hardware that we used on any of the previous tours and created a completely new show".

Stanley has sold over US$10 million worth of art through the Wentworth Gallery in the past five years.

- AP