Legendary 70’s rock bands, Journey and KISS, launch new Las Vegas residency shows this December. Journey will take up residency at the Virgin Hotel, while KISS takes the stage at Planet Hollywood. Get your tickets now, for these short-run residency shows.
Journey’s residency at the Theater at Virgin Hotel runs December 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, and 11. Fans could also be in store for a special one-night symphonic performance at Caesars Palace Colosseum on December 18. Tickets to experience the legendary sounds of Journey starts at $70.
At Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater, the one and only KISS kicks off its residency beginning on December 29 and 31. The legendary monsters of Rock play through January 1, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, and 29. The raucous rock revival picks up again on February 2, 4, and 5.
Tickets to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers start at $79, and they’ll go fast; rumor has it this will be the last Las Vegas residency for KISS.
Journey, Classic Rock Mega Stars
Co-founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon, as well as Jonathan Cain, Arnel Pineda, Randy Jackson, Narada Michael Walden, and Jason Derlatka hit the stage performing hits like “Wheel in the Sky”, “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Who’s Crying Now”.
Journey started off big; the band first performed in 1973 at the Winterland Ballroom, for a crowd of 10,000. The very next day, the fledgling band flew to the Diamond Head Crater in Hawaii to perform for an even larger audience.
The band did not cut their first album until 1974; their self-titled debut album, Journey, hit the stores in 1975 to rave reviews. Journey has had its ups and downs, hits and misses over the decades, but their music lives on.
Most recently, Journey thrilled the audience with “Don’t Stop Believin’” at the huge, We Love NYC Homecoming Concert. That show also featured 80’s classic rock contemporaries Patti Smith, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Barry Manilow.
After the epic performance in New York City, the band hopped over to Long Island for yet another benefit concert.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monsters, KISS
Forming in 1971, KISS didn’t gain prominence until the mid-70s, when they donned their signature make-up and comic book costumes. Along with Alice Cooper, KISS pioneered the genre of shock rock, with live performances, which featured breathing fire, spitting up blood, shooting rockets, smoking guitars, and assorted pyrotechnics.
KISS is universally regarded as one of the all-time most influential heavy metal acts. Not only that, KISS has sold over 75 million records worldwide, earning more Gold records than any group in America.
KISS has earned:
14 Platinum albums
3 Multi-Platinum albums
30 Gold albums
2014: The four founding members of KISS were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
KISS ranked as MTV’s 9th “Greatest Metal Band of All Time”
Ranked 10th by VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock”
Ranked 3rd by Loudwire Magazine as “Best Metal and Hard Rock Live Band of All Time”
Following its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, KISS did a residency at the Hard Rock Hotel and recorded the album, Kiss Rocks Vegas Live.
Despite Mind-Blowing Success, KISS Must Still Tour
Before the band takes the stage in Las Vegas, KISS is also playing shows in:
- Ohio
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- California
- Washington
- Idaho
- Utah
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
Paul Stanley had this to say about the residency; “… the idea of a residency and leaving our stage setup, instead of breaking it down every night, was very appealing.”
71-year-old Gene Simmons commented when asked about the band’s upcoming Las Vegas residency, “Some things are matters of the heart and some are matters of the pocketbook. But, it’s great when those dovetail. That makes for a very nice payday. Vegas pays well and that’s a good enough reason. But it’s also easier on the band since we don’t have all the wear and tear of constant traveling.”
KISS Beyond the Grave in Las Vegas
Simmons has floated the idea of a post-retirement KISS stage production, akin to the Blue Man Group. Since the members of KISS are unrecognizable without their make-up, a cast of talented heavy metal musicians could be employed. The production would revolve around a storyline, undoubtedly one that elevates the group to superhuman status.
But until the legendary rockers retire following this final Las Vegas residency, you can see them live.
