Time is a weird thing when you’re talking about rock gods. You look at the face paint, the seven-inch dragon boots, and the fire-breathing, and it’s easy to forget there are actually humans under there. Real people with joints that probably ache after a two-hour set. People ask how old are the members of kiss the band because, frankly, what they’ve done for fifty years seems physically impossible for anyone over thirty, let alone guys pushing eighty.
Honestly, the "End of the Road" tour wrapping up at Madison Square Garden in late 2023 was the end of an era, but the curiosity hasn't stopped. We’re in 2026 now, and the Kiss legacy is morphing into something else—avatars, biopics, and endless memorabilia—but the guys who started it all are still very much the center of the conversation.
The Demon and The Starchild: The 70s Club
It’s wild to think that Gene Simmons is now 76 years old. Born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, he’ll be hitting 77 this summer. Most people his age are deep into bridge tournaments or complaining about the lawn. Gene? He's still a walking business empire. Even without the blood-spitting and the 40-pound costumes, he’s got more energy than most twenty-somethings.
Then you have Paul Stanley. The Starchild.
Paul just turned 74 this January. He was born January 20, 1952. If you’ve ever seen him live, you know he was the one doing the heavy lifting vocally for decades. Singing those high notes in "Detroit Rock City" while dancing on a moving platform is a young man's game, but Paul did it well into his 70s. You’ve gotta respect the conditioning that takes. It’s not just luck; it’s a lifetime of not partying as hard as their peers and actually taking care of the "machinery."
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The Longest-Running Lineup: Thayer and Singer
People sometimes get pedantic about the "original" members, but let’s be real: the lineup of Simmons, Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer was the most stable version of Kiss we ever got. They stayed together for over two decades.
- Eric Singer: Born May 12, 1958. He’s 67 now. He’s the "young" guy in some ways, but he’s been behind the kit for the bulk of the band's modern history.
- Tommy Thayer: Born November 7, 1960. Tommy is 65. He stepped into the Spaceman boots and stayed there, providing the technical precision the band needed to keep the stadium shows tight.
It’s a bit of a trip to realize that the "new guys" are both in their mid-to-late sixties. In any other industry, they’d be looking at retirement packages. In rock and roll, they’re just the guys who kept the engine running.
What About the Original Spaceman and Catman?
You can't talk about how old the members are without mentioning Ace and Peter. The history is messy, sure. But the fans never stop wondering what they’re up to.
Peter Criss is the elder statesman of the original four. Born December 20, 1945, Peter is 80 years old. That’s a heavy number. He’s been mostly retired from the limelight for a while, surfacing for the occasional event or autobiography update.
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Then there’s the bittersweet part of 2026. Many fans are still reeling from the loss of Ace Frehley, who passed away in late 2025 at the age of 74. Ace was the reason a million kids picked up a guitar in 1975. His "Spaceman" persona was iconic, and even though he wasn't in the band for the final tour, his shadow over the group’s sound was massive. It’s a reminder that while the music is immortal, the people aren't.
Why We Care So Much
Why does the age of a rock band matter?
Maybe it’s because Kiss represented this idea of being "larger than life." When they finally hung up the platform boots in 2023, there was a collective realization that even the superheroes of rock have a shelf life. They didn't want to become a parody of themselves. Paul Stanley has been very vocal about the fact that he couldn't keep doing the physical stunts forever.
There's also the "Avatar" factor. Since the final show, the band has moved into a digital phase. They’ve basically immortalized their younger selves as high-tech holograms. It's a bit sci-fi, kinda weird, but it solves the aging problem. The "members" of Kiss can now be 25 years old forever, while the actual men can finally sit on a porch and enjoy the royalties.
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The Realities of Aging on Stage
Rocking at 70 isn't like rocking at 20.
Gene Simmons has often joked about how he'd like to see a 20-year-old try to wear his outfit for a night. The boots alone weigh more than a toddler. The heat from the pyrotechnics, the weight of the bass guitar, and the sheer stamina required to stomp around a stage for two hours is grueling.
- Physicality: Most bands just stand there and play. Kiss is a Broadway show on steroids.
- Vocals: Paul Stanley had multiple surgeries over the years to keep his voice and hips functioning.
- The Makeup: It’s not just face paint; it’s a ritual that takes hours. Doing that for 50 years takes a psychological toll.
Actionable Insights for the Kiss Army
If you’re looking to stay connected with the members now that the touring days are officially over, here’s what you should actually be doing:
- Follow the Solo Projects: Paul Stanley’s Soul Station is a great way to hear him sing without the pressure of a rock arena. It’s soulful, relaxed, and shows a different side of his talent.
- Check the Books: If you want the real story of the ages and the struggles, read "Face the Music" by Paul Stanley and "Kiss and Make-Up" by Gene Simmons. They don't sugarcoat the physical decline that comes with touring.
- Watch the Digital Transition: Keep an eye on the Kiss Avatar shows. Whether you love the idea or hate it, it’s the only way you’re going to see "Kiss" perform from here on out.
- Archival Releases: 2026 is a big year for "Off The Soundboard" releases and 50th-anniversary box sets. This is where the real history lives.
The members of Kiss might be getting older, but the brand is designed to be eternal. Gene and Paul were smart enough to realize that while they are the heart of the band, the "characters" of the Demon and the Starchild can live on without them. At the end of the day, age is just a number, but those 7-inch heels? Those are a heavy lift at any age.
Focus on the music they left behind and the archival footage that captures them at their peak. The band's legacy isn't about how old they are today; it's about how they made us feel when they were the loudest, hottest band in the world.