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Legendary rock band KISS is taking over New York City this week in celebration of their final End of the Road World Tour shows at Madison Square Garden.
Various KISS-branded activations and events are scheduled to take place over the next few days — including special edition covers of the New York Post.
From Wednesday through Friday, brand ambassadors in authentic KISS costumes and full face makeup will be handing out commemorative wrapped copies of the paper — along with custom cookies — around Times Square, the Empire State Building and MSG, with an exciting, yet-to-be revealed announcement coming on Thursday.
The promotion leads up to KISS’ big weekend in NYC, where they’ll perform their final live shows ever — yes, ever, they promise – on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at MSG.
RELATED: How much are tickets to see the last KISS concerts ever at MSG?
Choosing the Big Apple as the place to take their final bows makes sense for Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who formed the rock group there in 1973 with OG members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer have replaced Frehley and Criss on lead guitar and drums, respectively, for the group’s final tour.
“We’re thrilled to be doing our final shows at MSG since the band originated in New York City over 50 years ago,” Simmons, 74, Stanley, 71, Thayer, 63, and Singer, 65, said in a statement. “We are thankful for our long legacy of fans, the KISS Army, and excited to be celebrating through these activations.”
Even more exciting for KISS’ loyal legion of fans is the fact that they’ll also get a chance to see Stanley’s eldest son, Evan, rock out on stage at MSG.
He will be opening both shows as the frontman for his own band, Amber Wild, featuring Marshall Via on vocals/guitar, Jacob Massanari on bass and Thomas Lowrey on drums.
“Madison Square Garden is the ultimate venue. To play it under any circumstance would be incredible, but this is something else entirely,” Evan, 29, exclusively told us.
“It’s a huge moment in music history and an even bigger one for my family. My dad and I have always bonded over music and this is about as cool as it gets.”
The musician noted that the “last-ever KISS New York shows” will mark the “first-ever New York shows” for his Los Angeles-based band, which is already paving the way for a new generation of rock ’n’ roll.
“I’m so lucky to be able to share that with [my dad],” he added. “We’re all really honored to be a part. It’s an amazing feeling.”
While NYC is going all out for KISS’ farewell run (more on that below), fans across the country can still be a part of all the action from home.
The final show on Saturday will be live streamed via Pay-Per-View at 8 p.m. ET at PPV.com and playing at all Rock & Brews locations (excluding airports and select casinos).
The restaurant – co-founded by Simmons and Stanley – will be hosting special watch parties across America, serving KISS-inspired menu items like the “Demon Chicken Sandwich” and the delightful “It’s Cold Gin Time Again” cocktail.
“We love the fans, and we don’t want to stay on stage too long, but we’re having the time of our lives,” Simmons previously told Page Six when he invited us to the restaurant’s El Segundo, Calif., location last year. “At the end of [it], no more touring.”
For the lucky fans who will be in the Big Apple this week, here’s a complete guide to all the KISS activations happening around town, in collaboration with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s industry-leading merchandise and brand management company.
KISSTORE POP-UP
Running Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 at 248 West 37th Street (just blocks away from MSG), this immersive experience features exclusive KISS merchandise, including apparel, accessories and collectible items from partnerships with Ed Hardy, Oxford Pennant, Trick or Treat Studios and Funko.
KISS NYC TAKEOVER GOOGLE MAP
This ultimate concert companion, built in partnership with Google Maps Platform, will let fans easily locate the KISS activation spots pinned throughout the city.
KISS METRO CARDS
50,000 limited-edition KISS branded metro cards will be available for purchase inside NY’s Penn Station and Herald Square Station.
NEW YORK RANGERS ‘KISS’ GAME NIGHT AT MSG
The New York Rangers take on the Detroit Red Wings Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, featuring special KISS-themed activities and limited-edition KISS x Rangers merchandise.
KISS TAXI FLEET
Starting Thursday, over eight hundred custom taxis will be driving throughout the city, with KISS digital tops and special KISS TTV content.
KISS x PELOTON
The rock band has also teamed up with Peloton for their “Artist Series,” featuring new KISS-themed workout classes on the bike, tread, row and app that drop on Thursday.
KISS-THEMED PIZZA
Visit Prince Street Pizza for KISS-themed pizza and collectible KISS pizza boxes.
KISS x SWATCH
In honor of KISS’ final live shows, the band teamed up with Swatch to create a limited-edition collaboration. The custom pieces – designed by the rockers themselves – will be available for purchase at the Times Square location (1535 Broadway, Suite 168) and on Swatch.com from Nov. 30 to Jan. 4.
KISS FLASH TATTOOS AND FACE PAINTING
Inked NYC (located at 150 W. 22nd St.) is offering complimentary KISS flash tattoos and face painting from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
KISS x RIPNDIP
Beginning Wednesday, exclusive KISS x RIPNDIP merchandise will be available for purchase at the RIPNDIP NYC store (located at 620 Broadway).
