Reunion Tour

Lore & Background

The reunion brought back the specific character dynamics established in the early years: Paul Stanley as the Starchild, Gene Simmons as the Demon, Ace Frehley as the Spaceman (or Space Ace), and Peter Criss as the Catman. This lineup had been solidified after Ace Frehley joined in January 1973, completing the classic formation. The decision to reunite was driven by fan demand for the original four members who defined the band's shock rock style, featuring fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, and levitating drum kits. Unlike the 'unmasked' era that lasted from 1983 to 1996, where they performed without makeup after a resurgence in commercial success following Lick It Up, this period restored the full theatrical presentation that had made them pop culture phenomena in the mid-1970s.

Reader's Guide

Fans attending this era could expect a setlist rooted in the band's mid-1970s breakthrough hits, performed with the full pyrotechnic spectacle that defined their live shows. The tour demonstrated the commercial power of returning to the original formula, contrasting sharply with the unmasked period that began after 1983. While the band had previously toured as opening acts in 1974 at venues like the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, this reunion headlined massive arenas worldwide. The success of this tour paved the way for future events, including the final worldwide tour announced in January 2019, which concluded with a final show in New York City in December 2023.

Did You Know?

• The 1996–1997 reunion tour grossed $143.7 million, making it the band's most successful tour at that time.
• Ace Frehley created the iconic logo, making the double 'S' look like lightning bolts, but he did not draw it over a poster for their former band Wicked Lester.