KISS cancels Dubai show, sued by widow of former employee

IT’S been a reasonably big news week for KISS – and none of it’s been good.

Mid-week, the ageing glamsters announced they had cancelled their Friday night gig in Dubai, which was to be their last outside North America. The announcement came just two days before the show itself at Coca-Cola Arena and no reason was given.

But with Gene Simmons having been born in Haifa, Israel, and Paul Stanley also having Jewish heritage, it’s fair to speculate the unrest in the Middle East may have played a role.

All Things Live Middle East announced: “KISS has today confirmed that they have cancelled their show due to unforeseen circumstances and will be releasing more information imminently.

“We share the KISS Army and regional rock fans’ disappointment and wish the band members all the best.”

Then on Thursday, Rolling Stone reported that the widow of a former band staffer was suing, blaming the band for his death from COVID. Guitar tech Francis Stueber – who as well as working for the band since 2002 also featured in Gene Simmons Family Jewels and helped Stanley with his solo album Live To Win – died in 2021.

The lawsuit reads:”As a direct and proximate result of the dangerous condition created by Defendants, Decedent suffered fatal injuries and Plaintiffs suffered damages, including, but not limited to funeral and burial expenses, the permanent deprivation of the love companionship, affection solace, society, comfort, assistance, services and financial contributions, and moral support of Decedent in an amount according to proof at trial.

“The failure to enforce or have adequate Covid-19 policies or procedures caused a Covid-19 outbreak amongst band members and tour personnel.

“Defendants, and each of them, whether through acts and/or omission to act, breached their duty to Plaintiffs by their negligent production, operation, inspection, supervision, management and control over The End of the Road Tour that ultimately resulted in the death of Decedent.”

Stueber was only 53 when he died two days after being quarantined to a Detroit hotel room.

The band said in a statement at the time: “We are profoundly heartbroken at the loss of Francis, he was a friend and colleague of 20 years, there is no way to replace him. Millions of people have lost someone special to this horrific virus and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Please protect yourself and your loved ones.

“Our ‘End Of The Road’ world tour absolutely had COVID safety protocols in place that met, but most often exceeded, federal, state, and local guidelines. But ultimately this is still a global pandemic and there is simply no foolproof way to tour without some element of risk.”