The KISS bassist shared how his band gave the Canadian trio a chance and stood up to a promoter on their behalf.
KISS bassist Gene Simmons said his band brought Rush on their first major U.S. tour in the mid-1970s after other acts and promoters refused to work with the Canadian trio. Simmons and bandmate Paul Stanley decided to give Rush an opportunity after hearing their tracks “Working Man” and “YYZ,” deciding their origin did not matter.
Simmons also detailed a specific concert on June 1, 1975, at Winterland in San Francisco featuring KISS, The Tubes, and Rush. Before the performance, Geddy Lee came into the KISS dressing room asking for food because promoter Bill Graham had not provided any for the opening acts. Simmons confronted Graham and threatened that KISS would not perform unless the opening bands were fed, leading the promoter to get them burgers.
