Paul Stanley of Kiss preparing to shed tear at last ever UK gig in Scotland
16.02.2023 - 13:49
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Paul Stanley is preparing to shed a tear when he plays the last ever British Kiss show – in Scotland.
It’s been 50 years since the formation of the glam rockers – known for their outrageous make-up and costumes – and 40 years since they debuted in Scotland.
But on July 8 the group say their live farewell to the UK at the OVO Hydro Glasgow.
Paul, 71, said: “It’s a special place to say goodbye. Together, we will make it momentous and bombastic.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t a tear or two shed – and that will be me.”
Paul and Gene Simmons, 73, formed Kiss in 1973 from the ashes of their previous New York bands Rainbow and Wicked Lester.
Going further than other glam rock bands of the 70s, they created characters with make-up and costumes. Paul was Starchild and Gene was the Demon. Original members Ace Frehley was the Spaceman and drummer Peter Criss was the Catman. Since 1991 Eric Singer has been drummer and Catman and in 2002 Tommy Thayer became lead guitarist and the new Spaceman.
The band announced their farewell End of the Road World Tour in 2018 with the Covid pandemic postponing the last leg until 2023. After Glasgow there are just three more gigs – two in Sweden and one in Norway. There are rumours they’ll do one final gig in their New York hometown.
While the group – who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 and have sold 100million records around the world – are at their best live, there is no chance they will change their minds.
Speaking from his LA home, Paul said: “It’s gruelling to do what we do. If I could go out on stage in my jeans and a T-shirt, we could do another 10 or 15 years but we have to be athletes. We are running around stage with 30 or 40 pounds of gear and 8in platform