How many bands can say they have been a part of a band’s farewell tour twice? Not so many, but Skid Row is on the lead as they are opening for KISS on their continuation of the ‘End of the Road World Tour’ in Europe this summer.
When KISS had first announced ‘End of the Road’ as their final hurrah before they retire, Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan initially didn’t believe that it would be their farewell but rather a decent break or a hiatus as they had previously been a part of ‘The Farewell Tour’ in 2000 that was also supposed to be their last, but they continued.
It’s curious, though, as the two bands had some tension back in the day when Skid Row had doubts about whether to tour with KISS as the band was rumored to have played a role in the breakup of singer Sebastian Bach in 1996. However, it seems from being involved in two of their farewell tours, Skid Row and KISS have patched things up.
To be involved in KISS’ farewell the second time around is such an honor for Bolan as he idolized Gene Simmons growing up, so to have this chance again and go on the road with them as their opening act is a pinch-me moment for the bassist.
Rachel Bolan’s words about Gene Simmons and the farewell tour read:
“When we got these new KISS dates, the 12-year-old me is freaking out pretty hard again; you know, I think we’re one of probably the only band that could say we’re playing both their farewell tours, but it’s so exciting to go out with a band especially just zeroing in on Gene Simmons here’s the reason I even picked up a bass in the first place he’s the reason why I learned what a bass was you know I had no idea.”
He added:
“It’s a pretty great feeling to be asked to do something like this, and just it’s it now that they’re down to their final 50 shows and to know we will be doing about a quarter, a decent amount of them, you know, a big chunk of them is yeah it’s hard to kind of process you know it’s cool.”
Although it’s bittersweet that KISS is retiring, the twelve-year-old Rachel wouldn’t have ever imagined that he would get the chance to rock on stage before them and open the show, so this is an extraordinary moment to be a part of for him, but also as a part of Skid Row.
