With the conclusion of Kiss’ farewell tour, Paul Stanley has candidly expressed feelings of being somewhat lost and disoriented. The iconic frontman shared his thoughts during a recent episode of the podcast Rock of Nations With Dave Kinchen & Shane McEachern. He reflected, “There’s no way to give that up and not feel a sense of, if not lost, kind of disoriented.” The emotional impact of such a monumental career shift can be profound, and Stanley emphasized that while it was time for Kiss to cease touring—an intellectually sound decision—it doesn’t diminish the emotional challenges that accompany such a change. Being at home now feels routine, but the absence of the touring lifestyle is undeniably a new and strange experience for him.

Paul Stanley went on to clarify the distinction between the enduring legacy of Kiss and his personal life, as well as his on-stage persona. “Kiss remains,” he asserted, highlighting their involvement in the band’s ongoing projects and the exciting future of their groundbreaking virtual performances. He mentioned the upcoming Kiss avatar show, which is designed to keep the band’s spirit alive. However, he also acknowledged a sense of finality, stating, “to not be up there — I see video from 10 months ago, 11 months ago, and it almost seems like a lifetime ago.” Coming to terms with not performing live again has been an emotional journey for him, as he embraces the legacy of his alter ego, Star Child, while acknowledging that his time on stage has concluded.

Anticipating the Future: The Kiss Avatar Show

The Kiss avatars were first revealed in December 2023 during the band’s final performance, marking the end of the celebrated End of the Road tour. Following this momentous event, Gene Simmons took to social media to announce that the virtual band would not debut until 2027, saying, “A show is coming.” This innovative approach to performance is set to revolutionize how fans experience the band’s music, even in the absence of live concerts. Meanwhile, Stanley has no regrets about stepping off the touring circuit, emphasizing the importance of personal choice in an artist’s career trajectory.

He stated, “I think that we’ve all earned the right, and always have the right, to decide what we do and for how long. An audience has a right to stop coming. But the rest is up to the individual.” This sentiment reflects a mature understanding of the evolving nature of the music industry and the dynamics of audience engagement. As Kiss transitions into new forms of expression, Stanley’s insights underscore the importance of artists’ autonomy in a rapidly changing landscape.