Watch: KISS Returns To Live Stage For First Time In Nearly A Week

After canceling three shows on the “End Of The Road” farewell tour due to Paul Stanley‘s battle with the flu, the KISS frontman and his bandmates returned to the stage Saturday night (November 25) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

During the pre-show soundcheck and question-and-answer session, Stanley addressed his illness, saying: “I’ve done shows with cracked ribs, I’ve done shows with a 102[-degree] fever. [And with how I felt this time around] I was wondering if it was my time. But anyway, I’m here and it’s awesome.”

KISS scrapped shows Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (November 21),Toronto, Ontario, Canada (November 22) and in Knoxville, Tennessee (November 24) after Stanley fell ill.

Four days ago, Stanley said he had been battling the flu, causing the cancelation of KISS‘s final shows in Canada.

“Toronto and Ottawa… I’ve done everything possible to get onstage and be a part of the incredible 2 1/2-hour celebration we planned but this flu has made it impossible. I along with Gene, Tommy and Eric couldn’t be more disappointed and send our deepest apologies,” Stanley said Wednesday.

The canceled shows are not expected to be rescheduled, since KISS is planning to end its farewell tour in early December.

KISS‘s final runs of shows will wrap up on December 2 with a massive concert in the city where it all began for the legendary rock act. New York City has been a part of the band’s ethos and storyline for more than four decades, so they felt it fitting to culminate an iconic Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-worthy career on stage at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden.

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“End Of The Road” was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band’s classic song “Detroit Rock City” on “America’s Got Talent”.

KISS‘s current lineup consists of original members Paul Stanley (guitar, vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass, vocals),alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first “farewell” tour in 2000, the last to feature the group’s original lineup.