Watch KISS’ Gene Simmons Reunite With Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer During Solo Show
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The rock legend brings back familiar faces for a high-energy set in California
A Surprise Reunion at the Love Ride
Gene Simmons reunited with longtime KISS bandmates Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer during his solo performance at the Harley-Davidson Love Ride in Castaic, California, on Sunday. The rock icon, known to fans as “The Demon,” led an 11-song set with his Gene Simmons Band, featuring a mix of classic KISS hits.
Thayer joined the lineup on guitar for the final three numbers — “Let Me Go, Rock ’n’ Roll,” “Calling Dr. Love,” and “Rock and Roll All Nite” — while Singer stepped behind the drums for two of those songs. The crowd erupted as the trio shared the stage again, giving fans a taste of KISS’ legendary energy one more time.
Honoring a Fallen Bandmate
Simmons also used the night to pay tribute to late original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away last month. Before launching into “Cold Gin,” Simmons paused to dedicate the song to his former bandmate, saying, “That one’s for you, buddy. It’s heartbreaking that he’s not here to see your lovely faces and how much you like his song.”
The set also included a cover of Van Halen’s “House of Pain” — a track Simmons once helped the young band demo before their debut album. It was a reminder of his long-standing influence across the rock world, beyond just KISS.
What’s Next for the KISS Members
The Castaic show marked the first time Simmons, Thayer, and Singer had performed together since KISS wrapped their End of the Road farewell tour on December 2, 2023. The reunion comes ahead of this weekend’s KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas, where all four classic-era members — including Paul Stanley — are scheduled to appear.
The event will feature both electric and acoustic sets, with performances from other rock acts such as Sebastian Bach, Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini, Quiet Riot, and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
As Stanley said in a promo video, “The cool thing is, you don’t need a ship. We’ve got everything that you get on a KISS Kruise. We’ve got other bands playing. We’re doing a full set … we’ll be playing all the songs you wanna hear.”
