Kiss Farewell Tour
The Farewell Tour was a concert tour performed by the American rock band Kiss. It started on March 11, 2000 and concluded on April 13, 2001. It was the last tour to feature original member Ace Frehley.
| Tour by Kiss | |
| Start date | March 11, 2000 |
|---|---|
| End date | April 13, 2001 |
| Legs | 5 |
| No. of shows | 142 played, 1 cancelled |
| Kiss concert chronology | |
Background
It was intended to be Kiss' last tour, however, in late 2002 they announced that they were not going to retire as planned. Although Kiss continued performing after the conclusion of the tour, this was the final tour with the original, reunited lineup. Paul Stanley later revealed the tour was an attempt to "put Kiss out of its misery" following the legal troubles during production of Psycho Circus, and the reunited band having underwhelming live performances and "being virtually prisoners to doing the same songs every tour."[1] The tour began on March 11, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona at the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion.[2]
During the show in Irvine, California, Frehley had missed his flight and ended up having to fly via helicopter to the show, where the band's manager Tommy Thayer was dressed in his makeup, ready to fill in for him.[3]
Peter Criss had effectively left the band following the final show in North Charleston, in October 2000; however, this was not publicly known at the time. His reunion contract had essentially expired and he and Kiss were unable to come to terms for him continuing with the band, resulting in Criss destroying his drum set out of frustration at the end of the show.[4] He was replaced by Eric Singer for the Japan and Australian legs. Frehley left the band following the farewell tour, intending to focus on his solo career.[5]
In the tour program for the band's final tour, Stanley reflected on the tour:
The Reunion tour made us the number one band again. We played to about two million people in one year. Then we did the Psycho Circus tour and after that we thought, "been there, done it." We're the champs again, let's retire on top and we felt there is nothing worse than having someone go away and you don't get to say goodbye so this tour really is for the fans and to celebrate the whole history of the band.[6]
Setlist
North American setlist
Encore |
Japanese and Australian setlist
Encore
|
Tour dates
Postponed and cancelled dates
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2000 | Minneapolis | United States | Target Center | The band was unable to fly out of Chicago due to poor weather conditions, rescheduled to May 18 |
| September 24, 2000 | Lake Placid | Olympic Center | Poor ticket sales | |
| November 13, 2000 | Hiroshima | Japan | Sun Plaza Hall | Cancelled due to ongoing contract issues with Peter Criss, all dates except Hiroshima rescheduled to March 2001 |
| November 15, 2000 | Osaka | Osaka Castle Hall | ||
| November 16, 2000 | ||||
| November 17, 2000 | Nagoya | Nagoya Rainbow Hall | ||
| November 19, 2000 | Tokyo | Tokyo Dome | ||
| November 20, 2000 | Yokohama | Yokohama Arena | ||
| April 1, 2001 | Adelaide | Australia | Hindmarsh Stadium | Due to soccer match between Adelaide and Marconi at the stadium on March 30 |
- ^Note 1 The band rehearsed at this venue several days before their debut show.
- ^Note 2 This show was troubled by major production errors. During the opening to the song "Love Gun" each night, Paul Stanley would ride on wire with foot sling to a small second stage in the arena floor where he performed the song. At this show, he became stalled a few rows out from the main stage and hung over the audience, helpless for quite a while before the road crew were able to reverse the wire and edge him back to the main stage. Many other errors occurred as well.
- ^Note 3 Ace Frehley was so late arriving to this show, the band was preparing to dress up Tommy Thayer to fill in. Frehley traveled by helicopter to make it.
- ^Note 4 The band and manager Doc McGhee presented Gene Simmons with a surprise, a giant birthday cake in the shape of a woman's breasts. He turned 51 that day.
- ^Note 5 Peter Criss' final drum solo in the song "100,000 Years". Criss had added a tear to his facepaint to signal his dissatisfaction with the band. He left the stage before the band took its group bow, so only Frehley, Stanley, and Simmons joined hands and bowed.
- ^Note 6 After failed contract negotiations over what he was being paid, Criss destroyed his drum kit at the show's conclusion in frustration, Criss' last show with Kiss until 2003.
- ^Note 7 Eric Singer's first show, after a five-year absence. Donned Catman makeup and outfit for the very first time.
- ^Note 8 Ace Frehley's last show
Personnel
- Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
- Peter Criss – drums, vocals (North America legs)
- Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
Additional musician
- Eric Singer – drums, vocals (Japan and Australia legs)
References
- PAUL STANLEY: 'The 'Farewell' Tour Was Us Wanting To Put KISS Out Of Its Misery', Blabbermouth
- Greene, Andy (September 27, 2018). "Flashback: Kiss Launch Their First Farewell Tour Back in 2000". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- Everley, Dave (September 23, 2020). "Kiss: how their long-awaited reunion turned into a catastrophe". Louder Sound. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- Greene, Andy (February 11, 2016). "Flashback: Kiss Play Their Final Classic-Lineup Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- Weiss, Brett (2016). Encyclopedia of Kiss : music, personnel, events and related subjects. Jefferson. ISBN 9781476625409.
- (2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, pg. 31.
- Gooch, Curt; Suhs, Jeff (2002). Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History. New York: Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-8322-5.
- "Kiss back on the road". Lawrence: Lawrence Journal-World. February 16, 2000. p. 2A. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
Sources
- Gooch, Curt; Suhs, Jeff (2002). Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History. New York: Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-8322-5.
