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Gene Simmons says that Kiss has decided to truly go out on top — rather than carry on and scale back their show due to their age. Simmons, who’s now 71 — and Paul Stanley, who’s 69 — will kick off the next leg of Kiss’ farewell tour on August 18th at Mansfield, Massachusetts’ Xfinity Center.

Blabbermouth transcribed some of Simmons’ recent chat with Philadelphia’s 6 ABC Action News, in which the legendary bassist explained how he and Stanley decided to make this the band’s final trek, saying, “I’ll tell you why. I’m 71, although I’m in great shape. The hand doesn’t shake. I never got high or drunk in my life. I never smoked cigarettes; I never did anything of that. . . So, we’re in great shape and we can’t wait to get out there and do what we do. But there is such a thing as getting off the stage while the getting’s good.”

He went on to say, “I was a massive Muhammad Ali fan. He stayed in the ring too long. Go out on top. If you’re gonna go surfing, ride that tsunami — that’s a hundred-foot wave — and then don’t get back out there when there’s a little baby (wave). Go out on top. So, we’re gonna go out on top. I don’t wanna stay on stage too long. You don’t wanna ruin the legacy. . . You wanna have some pride in what you do — and don’t wait too long.”

Gene Simmons told us that he’s never once underestimated the importance of Kiss in his life: “The truth of it is, y’know the band has. . . it’s really changed my life. It’s been a hoot. ‘Couldn’t have imagined after the first tour that we would be here, having the time of our lives — gotten rid of the drug addicts and alcoholics in the band and become even bigger.”