When the Farewell Tour will be over and KISS is no longer a band, what will the individual band members do to fill their time? Will they still do things as a foursome and at least keep the name KISS alive or are they all going to continue on their own? Will Gene make sure the merchandise assault continues or is he going to focus even more on his Hollywood career again, will Ace manage to get a decent record deal and release a solo album, will Paul succeed on Broadway and really build a career in the world of musicals, will Peter retire at his new house on Hawaii or is he going to put it off as a jazz musician, etc. etc.? As you can see there are so many questions, that nobody - not even Gene, Paul, Peter or Ace - can answer until it actually happens (or not) but as no one ever died of speculating let's just take an indepth look (again) at what the future might hold for the KISS members and their fans.

In issue 31 we already had a huge article on the band's future (which was written when it was still unknown that the band in fact would be out on a Farewell Tour this year) with several experts/insiders, such as Bruce Kulick, Adam Mitchell and Ken Sharp, sharing their thoughts and opinions on KISS. But now with the KISS Farewell Tour 2000 having ended on October 7 and several things having become clearer, it's about time to focus again on what might happen once KISS really steps out of the touring arena. In particular Gene has stated that the end of the touring band is also the end of the recording band, so we don't have to expect any new KISS album(s) or at least no new songs. If the band and their record company can ever agree on the conditions for releasing Alive IV (which has been recorded over the last four years) we might see that one after all - but in all honesty a live album is nothing more than just another (live) compilation album and is not to contain anything new. It's also possible that some concerts (the final shows at New York's Madison Square Garden?) from the Farewell Tour will end up on Alive IV, or that there's even going to be an Alive V - as contractually the band still has to release two albums! But this is all speculation on my part, so don't bet on it (yet). It seems save, however, to assume that the little song the band recorded for the KISS Pepsi Cola TV commercial prior to the start of the Farewell Tour, is in fact the very last new recording by the band.

If anything, we can only expect new KISS material in the merchandise department I think. And hopefully that long awaited and much talked about 'mother of all box sets': the KISS Box Set. I doubt if it will be as awesome as especially Gene has made it look like whenever the band (briefly) talked about it in the past - in fact, right now I doubt if there will ever be a KISS Box Set at all - and can't help but think it will be only a few CD's worth of material that most of us die-hard KISS collectors already have in some sort of format (promo releases, bootlegs, MP 3 tracks, etc.). A decent KISS box set, in my opinion, should at least contain 10 CD's with hardly any material from all the official album releases but with lots of unreleased stuff (that preferably can't be found on bootlegs either) such as outtakes, unfinished demos, different takes of songs that ended up on albums, remixed tracks, rejected songs (especially from Ace, Peter, Bruce and Eric), material from Peter, Ace, Paul and Gene before they met in the early 70s, weird live versions of wellknown and lesser known KISS songs, tunes KISS covered from other bands (either live or, if recorded, in studio - such as maybe even Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock which the band intended to record for the Love Gun album but then decided not to do on the album due to Elvis' sudden death that year), etc.

Being the extremely visual band that KISS is, maybe they should not so much include CD's in the box but videotapes (DVD's) featuring at least one show from each and every tour between 1972-2000 plus all the KISS related TV commercials, videoclips (along with some unused/unedited material), etc. Plus, of course, a book featuring never before published photos from the band's own collection and this time the true, real, accurate story that should have been KISStory. And all this priced at a fair, untypical Gene Simmons price so that all fans can afford it. With all the many designers in the KISS Army, I'm sure there are a lot of volunteers who'd like to take care of the artwork for free (or at cost only). All the songs, videos and film have already been taped so that's not going to cost a lot of money either to produce, there only need to be some editing, remixing, mastering and stuff like that… In other words: give the fans their best Christmas present ever, next year, or if that's too soon: the year after!

Sorry for getting carried away there for a moment; let's get back to what the band members might be doing once they have taken off the make up for good. Paul doesn't keep it a secret he loves theater, especially after all the standing ovations he got when he played the lead role in The Phantom Of The Opera. His next role is likely to be the dual role as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Jekyll & Hyde, which was playing on Broadway this year with ex-Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach in the lead (because Paul couldn't take the role due to the KISS Farewell Tour). Paul has stated he's not interested in doing movies, as he thinks it can be too sterile and you have to shoot the same scene over and over again whereas in a theater you only get one shot to do it right, which is more exciting. In this year's Goldmine interview Paul said: "I really have no set plans, except there are four big offers to do theater. That's really the next challenge." And it wouldn't come as a very big surprise if Paul would release a solo album in the next few years, although he says he has no plans for it right now. His voice has grown so much since he did The Phantom Of The Opera, so even if he doesn't feel like writing new songs he should just re-record his 1978 solo album. And otherwise one of his musical roles should be released on CD, which is not very unusual for musicals. Paul even said (in the Goldmine interview) that he'd imagine doing more music projects with Gene. "We're not stopping in that sense" - but Gene on the other hand claims otherwise…

For Gene, a solo album - or music in whatever form or shape - is becoming less and less of an expected step in his future career. In the Goldmine interview, Gene stated the complete opposite of what Paul said: "We don't really want to make any more records together, everybody wants to move on." And if that's not clear enough for you, he also said: "I doubt the music will continue. We both [Paul & Gene - ed.] want to do other things." When Metal Edge asked him if they're clear of the record contract if the band breaks up, Gene said: "Sometimes you are. They can certainly prevent you from recording for another company. You're signed as an ensemble and individually. Paul and I are signed. Ace and Peter are not. We're on the contract." It's obvious (and it has been for a while) Gene is focusing on other things than music. He seems to think Hollywood is the only place on the map more than he ever did before, since he co-produced the flopped movie Detroit Rock City. Meanwhile he has been involved in many, many other movies and TV series, and even did some acting again (mostly very small roles in TV series, but also in the movie Wish You Were Dead), while he also seems to have his own book imprint these days and has put life back into his record company. Together with Paul, Gene was also involved in the recent KISS auction and he's still the mastermind behind a lot of the merchandise. And next year he'll be busy with his autobiography, for which he signed a deal with Crown Books.

Peter too has said he'd like to write an autobiography, but unlike Gene he doesn't have a deal yet with a publisher (as far as I know) - although in Goldmine he stated there is interest from a few publishers. During the mid-eighties Peter often mentioned a book he was writing about his life in and out of KISS, but back then rumor always had it that the book would never see the light of day because KISS (Paul & Gene) can afford much better lawyers to forbid such a book than Peter could ever afford a lawyer to win that lawsuit. And when the reunion became apparant in '95 nobody ever mentioned the book again. But recently Peter started talking about an autobiography again, as in Goldmine he claimed: "The thing I really look forward to, is my autobiography. I always wanted to write one, and I'd like to be the first one to publish his book before the other guys. (…) My story probably won't be a scandalous as Gene's, ha ha. If your first interest is sex, you should read Gene's book. If you wanna hear some crazy stories from Brooklyn about killings, gangs, drugs and the everyday insanity then my book is the answer."

Although Peter is tired of rock 'n' roll, he wants to stay involved in the music business and release another solo album. He even claims that he now owns his own record label called Catapult Records, on which he'd like to release the music that he really loves. In a Metal Edge interview earlier this year he said: "I love jazz, so I'd love to play jazz. That's always been my dream, because that's what I started out with. (…) During the tour I made a list of people I want to work with. I'm looking for a bunch of good musicians to do a Gene Krupa [the legendary jazz drummer who once taught Peter a lesson or two in drumming too - ed.] tribute album. That's probably going to be my first project." And there might also be an album with his Tony Bennett (and/or Frank Sinatra) covers as Peter's wife Gigi told him he should definately put out an album of his favorite Bennett songs (Tony Bennett happens to be Paul Stanley's favorite crooner, so he might enjoy that too).

And Peter said he's also interested in doing a rock album, and already talked with Skid Row's Snake Sabo about it when they were touring with KISS this year and Peter wanted to visit Snake in his studio to experiment. In the same Metal Edge interview Peter also said: "The musician Peter Criss is more wanted at the time than ever. People call me all the time for whatever projects." If you can't believe all this, sit back as Peter's fantasy goes even farther: "I always wanted to be an actor, and I also have a few TV offers." In an older Metal Edge interview Peter even stated: "I've always wanted to do it and I never got a fair shot at it. I'm not afraid of the camera, that's for sure. And I'm not that burned out that I can't remember a few lines. I think I'd be good at it and I'd have a good time with it."

Ace too claims he has offers to appear in movies, but other than that he is the one member who makes it a little easier to guess what he'll do next. The only thing he's good at, is rock 'n' roll. So he'll just do what he did in the last 30 years, although one wonders if he can do it on some sort of successful level or if he'll be forced to spent the rest of his career in the dark edges of the rock world like he did in the years prior to the KISS reunion. Ace himself appears to be very positive (or just plain stupid?) about the whole thing and claims whenever he can that he has two albums worth of solo material ready (including the five songs he wrote for Psycho Circus, that apparantly weren't good enough to be included - at least according to Gene/Paul). What label is going to release Ace's material remains the best kept secret of the last two centuries, however. Nevertheless, in a Metal Edge interview Ace claimed: "A few 7 figure record deals are awaiting for me, plus some soundtracks and cameo appearances in movies." And: "I always make music and I work all the time. When I'm not busy with KISS, I work with my own band. The only thing that has changed since my move to LA, is the fact that I have met a lot of movie people, directors and script writers who always offer me soundtracks, cameos and small roles." In Goldmine Ace pretty much said the same: "I haven't done a solo album in 11 years. Kids are dying for a solo album from me. I have two albums worth of new material. Plus, right now I've had offers from three different producers to score films, do cameo appearances. I was supposed to be in Austin Powers II but I got the flu. (…) I have a couple of cameos coming up in the next year."

So, summarizing, we can conclude Paul is going to do more musicals and perhaps a solo album, Gene will be busy with all his movie projects, his autobiography and what not, while Ace and Peter hopefully manage to release at least one solo album and perhaps they'll quickly pop up in the background of a movie or two and Peter also hopes to put out an autobiography. Paul already spoke with Frank Wildhorn (who wrote the musical Jekyl & Hyde) and they're very much interested in him. Originally the Farewell Tour was to end in July, and Paul then considered to do theater again in October - but now that the tour has been extended several times it's hard to say when Paul will make his Broadway debut and perhaps turn into an immortal 'diva'. A little while ago Paul said he wants a 6 month vacation before he steps on a theater stage again. When he has to appear on Broadway (in New York) for six months at a time, Paul will still keep Los Angeles as his home. On still seeing the other members when KISS is over Paul told Goldmine: "I'm sure I'll still see them [Ace and Peter - ed.], it's just logistically we live at other ends of the country. Hey, Gene lives down the road from me and I rarely see him. But it's nice to know he's there."

Gene obviously will stay in Los Angeles, as his main focus is on Hollywood. He's involved in so many movie projects, and a couple of TV projects (including a KISS cartoon and of course the TV film Rock And Roll All Nite), that it's hard to imagine how he can find time for his autobiography and all these other things he's working on. The man's got all the money in the world, but still he is working his ass off. The term 'workaholic' should be replaced by a new term: 'gene simmons disease' or anything. And - just like Paul who as said above will also stay in Los Angeles - he had his Hollywood villa re-built and extended not too long ago. It's even bigger now than it was. Ace of course remains in New York, and apart from doing another solo album he'd like to produce young bands in between doing some movie scores. Peter plans on spending the winters on Hawaii, in his second house that he wants to build there, and live the rest of the year in his bigger house on the Jersey shore. Peter and his wife, who's 20 years younger than Peter, are also thinking of having a baby. Peter's daughter Jenilee is 19 now and as Peter loves kids ("I love Paul's little boy, he's a great kid. So are Gene's kids. We've become such a family") he and Gigi are talking about a child of their own.

On still keeping in touch with the other members when the band is history, Peter told Metal Edge: "I don't think it will be goodbye, end of story, close the door. Not for me. I will keep in touch with them till the day I'm in a box." But that of course remains to be seen as things don't seem to go over that well within the KISS camp these days. Apparantly our four heroes are fighting again over money and things like that. For months rumors have been going around as to what was going to happen with the Farewell Tour (going to Japan, Australia, Europe, etc. or not), but during the time that ticket sale for the tour went down quickly (August/September/October) new gossip started making the rounds. It claimed Peter (and probably Ace also) wanted more of an equal share than the 'tip' he's getting now, so word had it Eric Singer had already been contacted to experiment with make up ("The Hawk"?) and get ready to tour with KISS. And a replacement for Ace has always been at hand, as current tour manager (and ex Black 'N' Blue guitarist) Tommy Thayer impersonated Ace years ago in the tribute band Cold Gin and knows Ace's guitarparts better than the Spaceman himself (Tommy learned Ace how to play his solos before KISS went out on a reunion tour in '96). In fact, when Ace missed his flight three times before a show recently and was still not there when the rest of the band was applying the make up and everything in the dressingroom, Tommy put on the Ace make up and prepared to perform live on stage that night. About one hour before the band had to hit the stage, Ace walked in so Tommy could take off the make up.

But even when you don't consider these behind the scenes problems, the tour wasn't a big success anymore in its last month or two as at some shows they didn't even sell half of all the tickets available (and a couple of shows were being rescheduled and one or two even cancelled). The huge success of the first part of the tour was clearly over. When KISS announced a tour of Japan for November, it seemed like a good excuse to end the U.S. tour but just before the Japanese tickets went on sale the tour in the land of the rising sun got postponed - which gave certain fans in Europe high hopes that the band would first come over to Europe and then later on go to Japan (and possibly Australia or South America) after all. But at press time it seemed the Japanese tour not so much is postponed but actually cancelled and it could be that the very last KISS show ever, took place early October in some anonymous city somewhere in the States. On the other hand… I can't believe that Gene does not want to end in style, let's say in a famous big city such as New York at a legendary venue such as Madison Square Garden… So, maybe the guys just need a break for a while to come back one more time to end with a big bang at the Garden..? Or - as some people claim or at least hope - maybe they'll even go on for some more time and visit Japan, Australia and possibly Europe to then really end it all sometime next year in a few big U.S. cities. With KISS anything's possible! Meanwhile in an interview or two, Gene has pretty much said that indeed it's basically going to happen like that… Let's end this article with some wise words from the Catman: "Nowadays I have more respect for God. I think that these days I'm much more religious again. What I have, I really know how to appreciate. I don't take everything for granted anymore."