Gene Simmons and the rest of legendary rock band KISS have been officially announced as this year’s grand finale entertainment, but some footy fans have dismissed the move as they brace for a repeat of the 2011 Meatloaf disaster.
The AFL confirmed that KISS will play the biggest game of the year as part of their global End of the Road farewell tour after Kiwi icons Crowded House pulled out of the sporting event’s flagship event.
Formed in 1973, KISS is an iconic Detroit band renowned for their distinctive makeup and extravagant performances.
Their charts including Rock ‘n’ roll all night long And Detroit Rock Citymade them one of the best-selling acts in music history, with over 100 million record sales spanning 44 albums worldwide.
KISS’ lasting impact on the rock music landscape and their larger-than-life image have firmly established them as rock and roll legends.
Gene Simmons of KISS performs during End Of The Road World Tour at Madison Square Garden. The blood spewing rocker is coming to Australia to play the AFL Grand Final
Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer of KISS are still rocking in 2023 and receiving positive reviews for their farewell tour performances
The original KISS lineup of Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley. Criss and Frehley declined invitations to participate in the final KISS shows
While many AFL fans are happy to see them play on the biggest day in the sport with one message ‘Much better than an unknown Australian band’; Others feel that the best days of American rockers are behind them.
Some have even begun to compare KISS to the 2011 Meatloaf disaster.
“Really… Wasn’t the meatloaf bad enough?” a fan posted.
‘Wow! Four Meatloafs in one go!!’ added another one.
“It will be Meatloaf 2.0,” another posted.
Meat Loaf’s performance at the 2011 AFL Grand Final is remembered for its controversy.
Despite being a legendary rock performer, his halftime show performance was heavily criticized for his vocal problems and erratic onstage behavior.
This event remains a notable moment in AFL Finals history, sparking debate over the choice of halftime entertainment.
The aging rocker fired back, calling the AFL “the cheapest people I’ve ever seen in my life” and blaming a bleeding vocal cord for his appalling performance.
Meatloaf was revered for his rock ballads in the 1980s, but his disastrous performance at the 2011 AFL Grand Final was a hot mess that left fans scratching their heads.
AFL fans fear KISS will deliver another cringeworthy performance just like Meatloaf as they are well past their best
Meatloaf would then apologize to the AFL and its fans.
“I would now like to apologize for any angry or harsh words I have uttered towards the Australian Football League, their fans and the people of Australia,” he wrote on social media.
‘I am really sorry.’
While AFL fans are assuming the worst for the KISS show at the AFL Finals, it’s been a different story around the world, with the rockers earning critical acclaim for their 2023 tour.
“Apart from maybe Rammstein, I can’t think of any other rock band that can deliver this kind of production, and pull out of a pool of total bangers the breadth and depth of what KISS has created over the past five decades,” said one British reviewer. wrote.
“KISS truly delivered a legendary farewell show that exceeded all expectations and will be remembered for years to come,” wrote another reviewer after their show in Amsterdam this year.
“Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who appreciates great rock music, attending a performance on their current farewell tour was an absolute must.”
KISS performed in Australia in 2013 to a warm reception from the locals, but 10 years later they’re not so sure if the aging rockers still have enough in the tank
Musical performances at the AFL Grand Finals have always been a divisive affair, and the announcement of KISS has drawn quite a bit of criticism as well
‘Excellent, energetic show from the start! These guys rock it just as good as they did 40 years ago,” said one fan after seeing them perform at their last sold-out performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The band said they were looking forward to playing in Australia in a statement released through the AFL:
‘We are thrilled to be able to perform for 100,000 football fans during the biggest and best sporting event in the country! Be ready to ROCK because we’re going full throttle the ‘G. See you on that one day in September,” it read.
KISS will perform their farewell show The last curtain exclusively at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, October 7.