In one of his recent Facebook posts, former Night Ranger guitarist Jeff Watson shared one of his experiences during the KISS’ tours of the early ’80s. Watson’s recollections helped resolve the mystery behind Gene Simmons’ backup plan for his iconic fire-breathing stunts.
During the 1983 ‘Creatures of the Night’ tour, Watson, then a part of Night Ranger, noticed an unusual but consistent burnt toast odor in KISS’ dressing rooms:
“We always smelled toast in the dressing rooms (as we were always next to each other), and didn’t think much of it, except it seemed they really sucked at making toast, as it always smelled burned. Anyway, most every night, I’d go up on stage right next to Gene’s rig and watch the show. And every night an older lady – like someone’s mom or older sister – would walk up right before they hit the stage, carrying a plate stacked with burnt white bread toast, and stand there the entire show watching Gene.”
Reflecting on those days, the guitarist revealed the reason behind this smell:
“It turns out that the flammable liquid Gene was gulping into his mouth before igniting with a torch was very toxic, and if he mistakenly swallowed any – which did happen – the fastest remedy before getting medical attention is eating as much burnt toast as possible. It does something to help neutralize the poison until proper treatment. And that’s why I always smell burnt white toast in my head whenever I see photos of the KISS lads.”
Simmons Got Into Trouble With His Fire Breathing Stunt Before
Simmons added fire-breathing into his act in 1974 after a suggestion from KISS’ manager Bill Aucoin, who gave them this idea due to their song ‘Firehouse.’ However, the very first time Simmons attempted this stunt, his hair caught fire.
Looking back on those days, Gene said the following about those moments:
“Bill Aucoin said, ‘You guys are doing a song called ‘Firehouse’ – one of you guys has to spit fire.’ Literally, the very first show we did, my hair went up like a f*cking matchstick. And the fans loved it.”
Despite the risks, these performances contributed to KISS’ reputation for their live shows.
KISS’ Future Plans After Farewell Tour
KISS approaches the end of their touring career, with their farewell tour drawing to a close. While their touring days are concluding, the KISS brand is set to continue its legacy through various projects, including a cartoon show, merchandise, and KISS-themed traveling shows with different musicians.
Moreover, plans for digital avatar shows are in motion, with a debut slated for 2027. So, it seems that the band plans on continuing their musical legacy with a new, innovative format. You can check out the details about these projects here.
