KISS Star Gene Simmons Honored by Niagara Falls with Key to the City in Advance of Local Concert with Solo Band

KISS co-founder Gene Simmons was presented with a special honor in Niagara Falls, New York, on Sunday, August 18, a day before his scheduled show with his solo band in the nearby city of North Tonawanda.

Simmons was awarded the Key to the City of Niagara Falls and had a street temporarily named in his honor. According to local TV station WGRZ, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was acknowledged with the honor because of his contributions to the local economy via his partnership with the Rock Steady Sodas company.

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As seen in a video posted on the Rock Interview Series YouTube channel, the ceremony was held on the steps of Niagara Falls City Hall. It included speeches by the respective mayors of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda, Robert Restaino and Austin Tylec. Joining Simmons were members of his band.

Gene also took the mic to say a few words to the crowd, recalling how kind and friendly the local people in the Niagara Falls area were when KISS first played there.

“The graciousness and the welcoming of you fine folks means everything to me, and I feel like I’m coming home in some way,” he said. “And this [honor] is close to my heart. I very much appreciate it. Thank you.”

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Simmons also was presented with a key to the city of North Tonawanda by Mayor Tylec during the gathering. The mayor also read a note that accompanied the honor: “Gene Simmons, thank you for keeping the arts alive at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York, 2024.”

In addition, Mayor Restaino held up a “Gene Simmons Boulevard” street sign that will be displayed for a limited time at a section of Main Street in Niagara Falls.

More About Simmons’ Soda Partnership

In 2017, Simmons teamed up with Rock Steady Sodas to launch the MoneyBag Sodas brand. The premium soft drink line is available in six different flavors—cola, diet cola, root beer, ginger ale, cream soda, and blood orange. The sodas are sold in local stores in the Niagara Falls area, and also are available in other U.S. locations on a more linted basis. Rock Steady Sodas is a Niagara Falls-based company that’s been operating since the 1930s.

About Simmons’ Concert Plans

The August 19 concert at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York, currently is the only upcoming show the Gene Simmons Band has scheduled in 2024. The concert will raise funds for the venue’s recent lobby expansion.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now via various outlets, including StubHub.

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