The iconic band kicks off its grand finale with the first of two final shows at Madison Square Garden

As “Shout it Out Loud” rang out early in the set, the crowd at Madison Square Garden eagerly obliged. After all, for most in the crowd Friday night (Dec 1st) it’s their last chance to see the black-and-white painted faces of these musical legends. Kiss has reached the end of the road as they wrap a 50 plus year career with their final show on Saturday.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers co-founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley invented glam metal when they emerged on stage as the Starchild and the Demon five decades ago. For the last several decades, they’ve been joined by Eric Singer as the Fox on drums and Tommy Thayer as the Spaceman on lead guitar.

In their career, Kiss set the bar for an arena rock spectacle. It’s a trademark of their legacy which they have embraced wholeheartedly. At the Garden, fireworks and flames abound, Stanley pulled off some aerial work. And of course, Simmons frequently displayed his genetically titanic tongue. A lot.

But somehow in amongst the camp of it all, the crown jewel is still the music. Kiss’ category is as iconic as their stage show. Show me a person who doesn’t have “Rock and Roll All Nite” or “Detroit Rock City” imprinted on his reptile brain, and I’ll show you a caveman.

“Tonight’s a night for joy, tonight’s a night to celebrate what we’ve done together,” exclaimed the Starchild, Stanley, in his affected stage voice early on in the night. For sure, each note seemed especially savored by both the fans and the crowd.

One thing that’s not discussed enough in KISStory (see—I knew I’d get one in!) is how well Stanley’s and Simmons’ voices complement each other. Stanley hits the higher notes with jet-fueled energy. And Simmons has a growling gravitas on numbers like “The Deuce” and “War Machine.” When their voices come together, the harmonies rise above the musical bombast.

Thayer took the stage solo to demonstrate his genius of shredding and pyro. He didn’t need the latter. You don’t tour the world for 30 years in a band with notoriously high musical standards if you aren’t one of the greats.

Singer was also featured during a drum solo, showcasing what the bedrock of classic rock sounds like. But he’s also a surprisingly talented keyboardist with a great voice, leading encore jumpstarter “Beth” with skill.

In 2023, technology blends in with bombastic fireworks and fire-breathing, with several octagonal screens raked high above the foursome. Also on each number were synchronized light-up wristbands, customized to the date of this show. (Folks on Saturday will have bands that say December 2.) This might sound schmaltzy, but those little bracelets do make you feel a part of the show. It’s simple yet effective immersion.

Kiss fans have immersed themselves in the band for years. Kings of branding and synergy since around the time Star Wars invented being “toyetic,” there has been no shortage of collectible merch, rare moments, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. For years, the band has known how to turn their music into an experience through their marketing skills.

Though this may just be the very last of those gotta-see-em-all chances, in which Kiss changes the music industry will be with us forever. Hell, the modern rock industry almost single-handedly has Kiss to thank for vertical integration.

Kiss showed generations that if the music is good enough, a band can be and do so much more. you can throw a big spectacle, wear crazy costumes, or sell bobbleheads, and fans will embrace it all.

We wanted the best. And for 50 years, we had it. Here’s to what the future brings for the iconic band that is known for their make up and characters as they are for their timeless music.

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