A ROCK icon has cancelled a huge chunk of his new tour – at the same time as his band revealed an iconic reunion show.
The 75-year-old – who is a fan-favourite in the group KISS – has scrapped 17 of his 26 upcoming dates in America in a move that is sure to leave long-time fans devastated.
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Gene Simmons has slimmed down his schedule for The Gene Simmons Band’s live offering, which now kicks off in Georgia in May, with the Texas dates scheduled to end the tour described as “postponed” and refunds offered.
The Texas gigs – in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio – would have wrapped the live shows.
These will now finish in Niagara Falls on May 15.
The Israeli-born American musician – who is KISS’ lead guitarist and co-lead singer- is said to be in good health, with medical reasons not thought to be a contributing factor.
Christina Vitaglano, who runs Gene’s backstage VIP fan experience packages, took to Instagram to write: “Quick update for GS band dates.
“The GS April dates and Texas May dates are being postponed until early 2026.
“YES the rest of the May dates are still happening!
“Yes, GS is OK, nothing wrong health-wise.
“If you bought tickets you will get a refund from wherever you purchased the tickets.”
One fan was quick to write of the switch up: “Bummer. Had tix to see him in Tallahassee.”
A second put: “They just announced the entire tour has been canceled didn’t they?”
A third then commented: “The ticket prices were absurd.”
The postponement came just hours after Gene was slammed for charging fans more than £9,000 to be his “personal assistant” for the day.
He has also come under spotlight after claiming to have slept with 5,000 women during his music career.
BAND REUNION
The I Was Made For Lovin You singer’s tour shake-up came as his band KISS revealed a new tour date.
Back in 2023 Gene, who performs as alter-ego Demon, spoke of the group’s Farewell Tour that year.
He told us: “It’s the end of the touring band because we have enough self-respect.
“We don’t want to be like boxers who stay in the ring too long.“
After Kiss played their final concert in New York in 2023, they surprised fans with digital versions of themselves created by the team behind the ABBA Voyage show.
Yet they have undergone a huge U-Turn and will perform unmasked for the Kiss Army fan club in November.
It will mark the group’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and span two days.
Dubbed The Kiss Army Storms Vegas, it will be held at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas between November 14 and 16.
Ex KISS band member Bruce Kulick has been confirmed to play in what will be the first performance since the Farewell Tour.
As a group, KISS made their debut in the 70s and went on to become one of the world’s most iconic rock bands.
Gene’s tour dates
Gene Simmons has cancelled more dates on his solo tour.
He was set to finish his tour in Texas, but these have now been axed along with dates in Indiana and Illinois.
Here are all the dates – both those going ahead and cancelled:
- CANCELLED – Apr 03: House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
- CANCELLED – Apr 04: Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA
- CANCELLED – Apr 05: Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park, CA
- CANCELLED – Apr 08: Muckleshoot Casino Resort, Auburn, WA
- CANCELLED – Apr 10: The Great Saltair, Magna, UT
- CANCELLED – Apr 11: Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO
- CANCELLED – Apr 25: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
- CANCELLED – Apr 26: Fillmore, Miami Beach, FL
- CANCELLED – Apr 28: The Moon, Tallahassee, FL
- CANCELLED – Apr 29: Florida Theater, Jacksonville, FL
- CANCELLED – Apr 30: Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
- May 02: The Fred Amp, Peachtree City, GA
- May 03: Beaver Dam Amphitheater, Beaver Dam, KY
- May 05: Basie, Red Bank, NJ
- May 06: Wellmont, Montclair, NJ
- May 08: Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA
- May 09: The Paramount, Huntington, NY
- May 11: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
- May 14: MGM, Northfield, OH
- May 15: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
- CANCELLED – May 17: The Horseshoe, Hammond, IN
- CANCELLED – May 18: Hard Rock, Rockford, IL
- CANCELLED – May 20: Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IN
- CANCELLED – May 22: House of Blues, Dallas, TX
- CANCELLED – May 23: Tobin Center, San Antonio, TX
- CANCELLED – May 24: House of Blues, Houston, TX
In terms of the band line-up, it has seen numerous changes.
Lead singer Paul Stanley and tongue-poking bassist Gene had a fraught relationship with guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss for decades.
The latter two were kicked out of the band in the early Eighties for unprofessional behaviour.
The current line up includes Paul, Gene, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer.
Yet it appears guitarist Bruce is also getting in the mix for the new gig.
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