Winning City of KISS Fan-Routed Tour Get KISSed-OFF

KISS have bypassed the city of Oshawa, ON in their tour schedule after the city won their KISS Fan-Routed Tour contest. Thousands of Oshawa fans voted online and beat out every other North American city to win. According to KISS contest rules, the entire 2009 tour would be determined by the cities with the most demands. But when KISS announced their fall tour schedule yesterday, Oshawa was nowhere to be found.

Oshawa fans were devastated. "Gene (Simmons) told us personally that KISS would be in Oshawa. He said the top three in the contest are guaranteed a show." said Oshawa Councillor Robert Lutczyk in an interview with Sun Media.

KISS bassist Gene Simmons has yet to make a comment. A spokesman for the band said problems occurred that required booking shows in neighbouring market concert venues.

"This was necessary to make sure that all regional fans get a chance to see KISS with the band's full stage production," said spokesman Erik Stein.

Stein claims that KISS is preparing "something special" for the city of Oshawa, but would not provide any further details.

Many Oshawa fans were outraged and now suspect that the whole thing was a giant marketing ploy/publicity stunt.

"They never had any intentions of playing Oshawa and the fact that they lied to those people shows you the true character of Gene and his cronies." says one fan.

But other fans continue to believe that KISS will keep their promise.

"If Gene did say he will play here, I am sure his word is golden." says fan Bill Steele.

Councillor Lutczyk said he will be happy as long as "something special" means a concert for the auto capitol of Canada.

"Gene Simmons told me himself that KISS will play Oshawa and I have every reason to believe that he will keep his word."

Oshawa fans that want to see the Rock and Roll All Night hitmakers will now have make the trip to Toronto for the band's Air Canada Centre concert on Oct 2.

KISS started their Fan-Routed Tour contest in April. Only 4 of the top 10 winners were listed in KISS' fall tour schedule

The top 10 winners in the online vote according to the event website are:

1. Oshawa - 14,569
2. Winnipeg -12,913
3. Sault Ste. Marie -1,315
4. Kingston - 6,840
5. Calgary - 6,695
6. Peterborough - 6,355
7. Saskatoon - 5,603
8. Toronto - 5,304
9. Edmonton - 5,290
10. Sudbury - 5,207

Of the top 10, KISS have listed only 4 of the winning cities in their tour schedule: Toronto, Air Canada Centre, Oct. 2 , Winnipeg, MTS Centre, Nov. 9, Saskatoon, Credit Union Centre, Nov. 10 and Calgary, Pengrowth Saddledome, Nov 12.

KISS' new release Sonic Boom will feature the band's first new material in 11 years and is slated for release October 6 at Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.

The Detroit Rock City hitmakers will begin their KISS Alive 35 tour with 2 concerts at Detroit Cobalt Arena on Sept. 25 and Sept 26.

R L Rheubottom