Gene Simmons Hopes to Change Perception of Las Vegas Performers

Despite the city’s attempts to align its image with the 21st Century, the truth is a lot of people still think of a Las Vegas performer as a has-been, halfheartedly running through a set list of 30-year-old songs while sipping on a complimentary watered-down drink. But Gene Simmons hopes to change that.

The bassist says when he and his KISS bandmates kick off their Las Vegas residency in December, it will be the start of the “best party on Earth.” He adds, “The culture of Vegas has changed so that it welcomes punk bands and rap and all kinds of stuff, and lets them do their art their way, instead of saying that Vegas is about showgirls and magicians and stuff like that. So that’s exactly what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna be KISS, ’cause that’s all we know how to do.”

KISS’ string of Vegas shows kicks off December 29th at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater.