KISS perform in Krakow. Photo by Nashville69 via Wikimedia Commons.
This Saturday, KISS fans flocked to Madison Square Garden for what they thought was the final show of a farewell tour. Instead, the band announced their plan to perform eternally — as virtual avatars.
Though playing MSG this weekend in fleshly form, KISS teased their digital future on screen, projecting their first virtual performance of “God Gave Rock’n’Roll to You” from the Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey soundtrack. Additionally, the band has now released a trailer with the making of and behind-the-scenes looks at the avatars, with a caption reiterating the project’s vision: “The end is only the beginning. KISS have been immortalized and reborn as avatars to rock forever.”
The band worked with Swedish entertainment company Pophouse Entertainment Group and George Lucas’s company Industrial Light & Magic to make their virtual vision a reality. Pophouse has also recently worked on a similar project for ABBA’s latest tour.
The announcement's reception has been mixed. Facebook, Reddit forums, and more were covered in comments like that of Gary Stevens, a Paul Stanley impersonator in the KISS tribute bands Strutter and Kiss Revisited: "I couldn't be more disappointed, disgusted, and shocked at the hideous franken-KISS they have now created" (via CTV News).
Still, though the feedback from fans hasn't been universally enthusiastic, the band remains hopeful. According to bassist and co-lead singer Gene Simmons, “We can be forever young and forever iconic by taking us to places we’ve never dreamed of before.”
The other perk? Simmons adds, “The technology is going to make Paul jump higher than he’s ever done before.”