KISS icon Gene Simmons has shed more light on the band’s upcoming appearance without makeup at the “KISS Army Storms Vegas” event, emphasizing its fan-centric nature and reiterating that the band will not be embarking on any further tours. The three-day gathering, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the KISS Army fan club, is scheduled for November 14-16, 2025, at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and will mark KISS‘s first significant appearance since concluding their “End Of The Road” farewell tour in December 2023.
Speaking in a new interview with Kyle Meredith, Simmons explained that the Las Vegas event is primarily an initiative by their dedicated fanbase. “[The fans are] putting it on. The Kiss Army, in November, is a gathering of the tribes. They’re gonna take over the Virgin Hotel,” he stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
While KISS will be present and perform, Simmons was clear about the scope of their involvement and their commitment to staying off the road. “We promised we’re not gonna go back out on tour, and we’re not,” he affirmed. Instead, the Vegas appearance will be more intimate: “We’ll jump up and do some tunes. There’ll be friends, guests dropping in, question-and-answer [sessions] — just be close with the fans, because, clearly, without them I’d be asking the next person in line, ‘Would you like some fries with that?'”
When Meredith inquired about the “significance” of performing “unmasked” at this particular event, Simmons downplayed it, reflecting on the band’s history of performing without their iconic makeup. “No. I mean, we toured during the ’90s from about… When we unmasked, it must have been actually in the ’80s,” Simmons recalled, noting the various lineup changes involving original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, who “were in and out of the band three different times.”
He continued, “As we got new members, we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we take the makeup off?’ And in retrospect, it didn’t matter. People wanted the makeup and those songs.” Simmons pointed out their continued success during that unmasked period: “So we toured successfully and had platinum records and all that stuff without makeup. As a matter of fact, I remember when Ozzy [Osbourne] wasn’t in [Black] Sabbath, we headlined a stadium in Buenos Aires, I think, and opening was Sabbath… But this was without makeup.”
Reflecting on their extensive career, Simmons mused on the incredible journey, referencing a Paul Simon song about life’s unexpected paths. “What a what a crazy journey this has been. Unbelievable. 50 years where I got to wear more makeup and high heels than your mommy did.”
While Simmons focused on the fan-centric nature of the event in his discussion with Meredith, he has previously indicated that he, Paul Stanley, and Tommy Thayer will be there, with a possible appearance by former guitarist Bruce Kulick. He described the event as more of a “fan gathering” or convention, possibly featuring KISS tribute bands, where the members of KISS will be guests, jamming some tunes but not delivering a full traditional concert.
The “KISS Army Storms Vegas” event offers a unique opportunity for die-hard fans to celebrate 50 years of the KISS Army and interact with members of the legendary band in a more personal setting, even as KISS themselves maintain their vow to not undertake further large-scale tours.
