I was at the St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild preseason game at Wells Fargo Arena when I got a text from Bonnie Lucas. KISS opened Wednesday night's "America's Got Talent." Bonnie knows my favorite band in the world is KISS and wanted to make sure I didn't miss the performance.
The performance of "Detroit Rock City" is here - right above the article that breaks the news: my favorite band is launching a final world tour.
Now understand that KISS is the undisputed world champion of rock 'n' roll marketing - they ALSO did a farewell tour in 2000! - but THIS does feel like the end. Gene Simmons turned 69 years old last month.
And, yes, Paul McCartney was 75 when I saw him earlier this year at Wells Fargo Arena - but Paul never donned seven-inch heels and agreed to be suspended above the light rigging for a song. I LOVE the spectacle and unashamed AUDACITY of a KISS show and suspect that the band will never settle for anything less.
So yes, I will see them when they come to Iowa or NEAR Iowa. And they will forever be my favorite band - having provided the soundtrack for my life from the first day I heard "Rock And Roll All Nite" in grade school.