KISS, 50 Years of KISS in Germany fan celebration with Tommy Thayer
Published on 09/03/2026 at 07:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
KISS use 2026 to underline how important Germany remains for their fan base. On October 30, 2026, an official 50 Years of KISS in Germany celebration will take place at Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, as announced by the organizers and music press.
Official fan celebration in Düsseldorf
The 50 Years of KISS in Germany: Official Fan Celebration is scheduled for October 30, 2026 at Mitsubishi Electric Halle, a 7,500-capacity arena in Düsseldorf that regularly hosts major rock tours, according to the event announcement on Blabbermouth.
Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer is billed as the featured special guest for the celebration, joining the long-running tribute act Kiss Forever Band on stage for part of their live set, as detailed in the same Blabbermouth report.
Tribute band and German guests on stage
Kiss Forever Band, described by promoters as one of Europe’s most authentic KISS tribute acts personally endorsed by the original band, will perform a full concert at the Düsseldorf event, while KISS themselves will not appear as a band, according to the official fan celebration notice.
German metal singer Doro Pesch is set to join Thayer and Kiss Forever Band for the musical finale of the night, with veteran industry figures Ossy Hoppe and photographer Didi Zill also listed as special guests in the Blabbermouth announcement, giving the show a strong German angle.
All news and background on KISS
For more English-language updates on KISS, from archival releases to German fan events and tribute shows, our news overview keeps you up to date.
Where KISS stand in 2026
According to a May 2026 interview cited by Loudersound, Gene Simmons confirmed that KISS have been back in the studio and recently recorded a new song written by Paul Stanley, while also preparing material for a future avatar show planned for 2028.
The musical identity of KISS
KISS are known for a hard rock and arena rock sound that blends heavy riffs with anthem-like choruses, as heard on classic albums such as Destroyer, Love Gun and Creatures of the Night, releases that helped define the band’s place in 1970s and 1980s rock.
KISS at a glance
- Act: KISS
- Genre: Hard rock / arena rock
- Origin: New York City, United States
- Active: since 1973
- Lineup: Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), Tommy Thayer (guitar), Eric Singer (drums)
- Label: Mercury Records (classic catalog), various partners for reissues
- Key works: Destroyer (1976), Love Gun (1977), Creatures of the Night (1982), Alive! (1975)
- Current album/single: Destroys Anaheim '76, released in 2026 as a live archival album
- Charts / certifications: Destroys Anaheim '76 entered three U.K. sales-based album charts in early September 2026, including the Official Album Downloads Chart, according to a Yahoo Music report.
- Next live date: November 13–15, 2026, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas
Frequently asked questions about KISS
What happens at the 50 Years of KISS in Germany event?
The Düsseldorf fan celebration on October 30, 2026 features a full tribute concert by Kiss Forever Band, with KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and German metal singer Doro Pesch joining on selected songs at Mitsubishi Electric Halle.
Is KISS performing as a full band in Germany in 2026?
No, organizers and KISS-related communications specify that KISS will not perform as a band at the Düsseldorf celebration; live music is provided by Kiss Forever Band with special guest appearances.
When are the next official KISS concerts?
The next confirmed KISS performances are two unmasked shows during the KISS Kruise: Land-Locked in Vegas, taking place November 13 to 15, 2026 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as part of a three-day fan gathering.
