Paul Stanley COVID positive; KISS postpones shows

Stanley is fully vaccinated

KISS has postponed tonight’s (Thurs, Aug 26th) show in Burgettstown, PA due to frontman Paul Stanley testing positive for COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated. The rockers shared the surprising news earlier today on social media.

“Tonight’s #KISS show at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, PA is unfortunately postponed due to Paul Stanley testing positive for COVID. More information about show dates will be made available ASAP. Everyone on the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully vaccinated. The band and their crew have operated in a bubble independently to safeguard everyone as much as possible at each show and in between shows. The tour also has a COVID safety protocol officer on staff full-time that is ensuring everyone is closely following all CDC guidelines,” the note says.

Stanley says he’s feeling fine, despite rumors he’s in serious condition.

“PEOPLE!!! I am fine! I am not in ICU! My heart allows me to do 26 miles a day on my bike! I don’t know where this came from but it’s absolute nonsense,” he tweets.

He also shares a press statement is coming soon regarding upcoming shows.

“A Full Press Release Will Be Issued Shortly about upcoming KISS shows. I had been sick with flu-like symptoms and was tested repeatedly and was negative. As of late this afternoon I tested positive. The crew, staff and band have all tested negative once again. More to follow,” Stanley writes on Twitter.

Saturday’s (Aug 28th) show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh, NC has also been rescheduled. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced.

Earlier this month, Gene Simmons shared with us exclusively on The Music Universe Podcast that the band has safety practices in place to ensure the tour continues successfully.

“First of all we’re all gonna keep our staff safe because, you know, there are different laws in different states — and you can’t dictate to the fans, but once you get backstage, every road member, road crew, security, truck drivers, everybody’s gonna get vaccinated and wear masks. And the rest of you have a choice because you live in, ‘Oh so free America.’ There’s a law that says you have to wear a seatbelt and there isn’t a law that you have to wear a mask to protect others in case you infect them? That’s crazy.”

Simmons also confirms the band will not be meeting with fans on the trek due to the virus.

“That’s for the fans as well as us,” Simmons announces. “If one fan infects anyone of us, the entire tour is canceled and the insurance company goes insane and everybody sues each other — just one asshole who didn’t care about you — who cared only about his freedoms. Even as a courtesy when you yawn, you cover your mouth, don’t you? And you’re not willing to wear a mask that might endanger somebody else?”

KISS resumed their End of the Road final tour last week. North American dates are currently scheduled through October.

Tesla, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foo Fighters, Buckcherry, Korn, Mammoth WVH and The Cadillac Three are among those who have been forced to postpone or cancel dates due to an active case within their touring camps, including some band members themselves.

Meanwhile, major promoters, such as Live Nation, AEG Presents and Danny Wimmer Presents, are requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID test before entering its venues, festivals or offices starting this fall, including Bonnaroo, Coachella and Stagecoach.

An alarming number of growing acts canceling treks as COVID cases spike around the country. Last week, Florida Georgia Line called off their I Love My Country 2021 Tour as well as BTS cancelling their delayed Map of the Soul world tour, which had them visiting North America later in the year.

Garth Brooks, Nine Inch Nails and Stevie Nicks are among those who have also canceled the remainder of their 2021 dates due to rising COVID cases. Organizers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam have also postponed festivals due to the surge of COVID cases nationwide.

Last week, California became the first state to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend indoor gatherings of one thousand or more people or outdoors with ten thousand or more starting in September. Attendees are no longer allowed to self-attest the verification status, as proof of physical or digital vaccine card or negative test within 72 hours of event — along with ID — will be required at entry.

The California Department of Public Health replaces its own rules which initially applied to indoor gatherings of more than five thousand patrons. The mandate is in effect from September 20th through November 1st.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com