If you missed last Friday’s KISS concert at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, that might have been your last chance to see this vintage rock group perform live in person.
Of course, it’s never appropriate to never say never again, but the iconic 1970s rock legends have embarked on what they are calling their “Final Tour Ever — KISS End of the Road World Tour.”
The four founding members included Gene Simmons (bass and vocals), Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals) and Peter Criss (drums and vocals). Only Simmons, 72, and Stanley, 69, have withstood the test of time since the band made its debut in 1973.
Current band members include Simmons (The Demon), Stanley (Starchild), Eric Singer (Catman) and Tommy Thayer (Spaceman).
Due to creative differences, both Frehley and Criss had departed the band by 1982. KISS was introduced to a new generation of fans through MTV. Due to nostalgia, the original members of the band reunited in the 1990s and the reunion tour grossed $143.7 million.
The band, famous for its iconic makeup designs and stage outfits, is considered one of the most influential rock groups of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. MTV has ranked KISS as the ninth Greatest Metal Band of All Time.
The tour also marked the 45th anniversary of its “Destroyer” album, the first of the band’s albums to reach Platinum status.
“I Was Made For Loving You,” “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud,” among others, remain anthems to a multi-generational audience.
The original four members of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Chula Vista stop was hemmed between shows in Sparks, Nev. (Sept. 23) and Phoenix, Ariz. (Sept. 26). David Garibaldi opened for the band at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre.
The current leg of the tour, which includes 174 dates, will take the band through Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and back to Nevada.
KISS has scheduled shows in Las Vegas from Dec. 29 through Feb. 5 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood. The band heads Down Under to Australia in March and April, then to South America in April and May before landing in Europe in June.
The final world tour, which began in Vancouver on Jan. 31, 2019, is scheduled to end June 21, 2022, in Amsterdam.
Photos by Eric J. Fowler
Concert review by Eric J. Fowler
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer or known as KISS just survived COVID to make one final stop in Chula Vista on the band’s “End of the Road Tour”. KISS is approaching 50 years as a band and members played all their hits at a sold-out North Island Credit Union Amphitheater.
Set list:
Detroit Rock City
Shout It Out Loud
Deuce
War Machine
Heaven’s On Fire
I Love It Loud
Lick It Up
Calling DR. Love
Say Yeah
Cold Gin
Tears Are Falling
Psycho/100,000 Years
God Of Thunder
Love Gun
I Was Made For Lovin’ You
Black Diamond
Beth
Do You Love Me
Rock And Roll All Nite
It was a night of loud music, fire, pyro, face paint and great times all night long. Long Live KISS!
