THE BEAST

Gene Simmons   has tested positive for COVID-19.

The   KISS   bassist/vocalist's diagnosis comes less than a week after his bandmate   Paul Stanley   revealed that he had also contracted the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, forcing the postponement of three shows on the group's   "End Of The Road"   farewell tour.

Earlier today (Tuesday, August 31),   KISS   released the following statement: " KISS   will postpone their next four tour dates. While   Paul Stanley   recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID,   Gene Simmons   has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms. The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9th at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates once announced. More information will be emailed to ticketholders directly."

Postponed shows:

Aug. 26 - Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug. 28 - Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug. 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Sep. 01 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sep. 02 - Dayton, OH @ Wright State University Nutter Center
Sep. 04 - Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sep. 05 - Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater - Summerfest Grounds

When   Stanley   first tested positive last Thursday,   KISS   said the whole band and the crew members who are traveling with them on the tour are fully vaccinated.

Members of   KISS   "and their crew have operated in a bubble independently to safeguard everyone as much as possible at each show and in between shows," the band wrote in the statement.

"The tour also has a COVID safety protocol officer on staff full-time that is ensuring everyone is closely following all   CDC   guidelines," the statement continued.

In a recent interview with   Rolling Stone ,   Simmons   urged fans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying: "I would highly recommend for everybody to get two   Pfizer   or   Moderna   shots, please — for the rest of us. Even if you believe the Earth is flat, it's not."

KISS   kicked off the summer 2021 leg of its   "End Of The Road"   farewell tour on August 18 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The concert marked the band's first full-length live appearance in front of an audience since March 2020.

KISS 's farewell trek was launched in January 2019 and was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

KISS 's current lineup consists of original members   Stanley   and   Simmons , alongside later band additions, guitarist   Tommy Thayer   (since 2002) and drummer   Eric Singer   (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by   Stanley ,   Simmons ,   Peter Criss   (drums) and   Ace Frehley   (guitar),   KISS   staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.