Legendary '70s Rocker Announces Exciting News on 2026 Show
Gene Simmons, the legendary co-founder of KISS and one of rock music's most recognizable performers, is bringing his solo band to Wisconsin later this year for what organizers describe as a rare opportunity for fans to experience the rock icon up close.
The EPIC Event Center in Ashwaubenon announced that The Gene Simmons Band will perform on Nov. 5, 2026, alongside local favorites Bad Habitz.
The venue called the upcoming show "one of those ‘tell your friends you were there' nights," highlighting the intimate setting that differs from the arena-sized performances Simmons became famous for during his decades with KISS.
Tickets for the concert go on sale June 5 at 10 a.m.
Simmons remains one of the most influential figures in rock music history. Known worldwide as "The Demon," he helped build KISS into one of the biggest bands of the 1970s and beyond.
Along with bandmates Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, Simmons transformed the group into a global phenomenon through its music, theatrical stage shows and groundbreaking merchandise empire.
The announcement comes as Simmons continues an active touring schedule with The Gene Simmons Band following KISS' farewell run, which concluded in 2023 after the End of the Road World Tour.
While KISS officially ended its touring career in 2023, Simmons has shown no signs of slowing down.
The 76-year-old bassist and vocalist continues performing with The Gene Simmons Band, which features guitarist Brent Woods, guitarist Zach Throne and drummer Brian Tichy. The group performs a mix of classic KISS songs, deeper cuts from the band's catalog and select covers.
The Wisconsin concert announcement adds another milestone to a career that has spanned more than five decades.
Born in Israel as Chaim Witz, Simmons moved to the United States as a child before eventually co-founding KISS in 1973. The band achieved mainstream success with albums including Destroyer, the 1976 release that helped launch KISS into superstardom.
The album became one of the most important records in the band's history, featuring songs that helped define the group's larger-than-life image and rock sound.
Beyond music, Simmons built a reputation as a businessman, television personality, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of KISS in 2014 and was honored as part of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2025 alongside fellow KISS founders.
For fans in Wisconsin, the Nov. 5 show offers a rare chance to see one of rock music's most enduring figures in a smaller venue environment.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM.