KISS played their first show in two years on Friday, and paid tribute to founding guitarist Ace Frehley, who sadly passed away last month as the result of injuries sustained at a fall at his studio.
The full KISS lineup — Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer — performed an unmasked acoustic set at their “KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas” event in Sin City, marking their first performance since ending their farewell tour in December 2023.
Prior to the band launching into its first song, Stanley addressed the audience, saying, “Before we get going, we just wanted to take a moment to think about somebody who is at the foundation of this band. And we’re talking about Ace. So, we certainly had differences, but that’s what family is about. And why don’t we take a moment, a little quiet, to think about him looking down on us — from [the planet] Jendell, probably — and let’s have a moment for Ace. Candles up.”
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A number of fans in the audience then held up battery-operated candles that were presumably handed out to them prior to the show.
KISS proceeded to play an 11-song set consisting of a number of deep cuts. The band will take the stage again at “KISS Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas” to play a full-on electric set on Saturday, but once again will be unmasked.
Watch KISS pay tribute to Ace Frehley, and perform their first show in two years, below.
Setlist:
Comin’ Home (preceded by Ace Frehley tribute)
See You Tonite (Gene Simmons song)
A World Without Heroes
Hard Luck Woman (first performance since 2019)
Christine Sixteen
Nothin’ to Lose
Goin’ Blind
Hide Your Heart (first performance since 2019)
Plaster Caster
Beth
Love Her All I Can
