Geddy Lee Reveals KISS’ Attraction Technique
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 19: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart of Rush performs on stage during the R40 LIVE Tour at KeyArena on July 19, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
In a recent Q104.3 interview, Geddy Lee delved into the amusing tactics employed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to attract women, shedding light on Rush’s early days touring with KISS.
Rush’s Post-Show Scene
During the 1975 Fly By Night album tour, Rush found themselves opening for KISS. In the 2010 documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, Gene Simmons expressed surprise at Rush’s post-show activities, questioning their interactions with female party-goers. Geddy Lee explained that, in contrast to KISS’s elaborate after-show affairs, Rush opted for a laid-back scene, often indulging in marijuana and enjoying episodes of The Twilight Zone. He humorously acknowledged their rookie status in the industry, stating:
“We were like newborns. We didn’t know anything about the touring world.”
Contrasting Lifestyles: Rush and KISS
Detailing the differences in post-show routines, Geddy recounted how he, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart would unwind in their hotel room, occasionally catching glimpses of KISS members parading down the hallway in full stage makeup. The playful spectacle was part of KISS’s strategy to ensure their identities were recognized. Geddy quipped:
“‘I’m Gene Simmons!’ ‘Yeah, right!’ It was a circus every night, and it was really fun to watch.”
Learning from the KISS Experience
Reflecting on their early years touring with KISS, Geddy Lee acknowledged the instructive nature of the experience. In a November interview with CBC News: The National, he commended KISS for their stellar live performances, emphasizing the hard work and precision in their choreography and explosive pyrotechnics. While Rush may not have connected with every KISS song, Geddy highlighted that observing how KISS conducted their business provided valuable lessons for the burgeoning rock trio.
Rush’s initial opening gig for KISS in 1974 marked the beginning of a journey that saw them joining KISS on a U.S. tour, sharing stages with other acts like Blue Öyster Cult, Fat Chance, Billy Preston, and more.
