They should give Singer and Thayer their own makeups or unmasked.

Not that there's anything wrong with a band staying together, but let's be reality, the most factor is how much money they can still make going on tour. KISS has always been more of brand than a band, imo.

Gene's ego. Pure and simple. Paul Stanley's isn't far behind. He's had more facial plastic surgery than Joan Rivers. He looks too much like Cher now, and that scares me.

Not the greatest Kiss listener in the world, but I can see why they continue, new members in old make up and all that.

With Kiss being a name brand and admittedly a show that still knows how to attract an audience, it's easy for Gene and Paul to continue with the original characters even if a couple are now played by other people. In my personal opinion, once they took off the make up it was the end of the classic era and by the time Ace was out of the picture for the first time, a lot of the uniqueness went out the window. After a long time trying to fit in with the times through the Late 80's-Mid 90's, Gene and Paul knew that continuing their classic era show updated was the best way to go.

Also, when a part of the show has songs from their first albums that crank out the sharp riffing that many best remember them for - and "Rock and Roll All Nite" certainly is an anthem defined - it's a given that when combined with a show that piles on the effects, there will be an audience. They're show biz with good riffs and a 70's Retro that still has some kind of appeal, and nothing's wrong with that - if they can continue they will.

WAY too much merchandise in my opinion, though. Amusing at first look, but damn...

I can't believe that earlier in this this thread some people tried to make comparisons between an amazing band like the Velvet Underground and KISS :(

I agree, Kiss are far more enjoyable.

Blasphemy!

folk have been burned at the stake for less

Imagine yourself living your whole long life as a musician. You're having a great time with it and you're in a successful act and getting paid. You've done it so long, it's basically who you are.

Then someone says you were better back in the day and because of that, you should give it up. What do you do?

But then again if you have a back catalogue stuffed full of hits and you can still cut it playing live and all your shows are sold out why wouldn't you carry on.

I'm not the slightest bit interested in hearing any new material from them but I'd sell a testicle to see them live.