Oshawa livid that KISS isn't coming this fall

KISS fans and civic officials in Oshawa are reported to be stunned and angered by the band's apparent decision to back away from a commitment to perform in their city this fall.

According to an article posted today on DurhamRegion.com, Oshawa has been left out in the cold because its General Motors Centre (concert capacity about 6,400) is too small to accommodate KISS’s production needs.

The article quotes KISS spokesperson Erik Stein as saying: "The size of the production turned out to require a larger venue. In this case, that turned out to be the Air Canada Centre [in Toronto]."

The Essar Centre website lists the Sault venue's concert capacity at 6,100 for a centre stage event.

The band released its 2009 tour schedule yesterday with neither Sault Ste. Marie nor Oshawa included among performance stops.

Last spring, more than 14,500 voters helped Oshawa earn top spot in a contest to determine which communities would qualify to host KISS concerts.

The community declared a 'KISS in Oshawa Week' and one Oshawa church posted signs encouraging locals to vote demanding a KISS concert.

In the Sault, Ward Two Councillor Susan Myers said she was opposed to any performance by "an individual whose act includes pouring out mouthfuls of blood," calling insread for entertainment to "encourage, delight and uplift the hearts and minds of all Saultites."

Contest results seemed to ensure that KISS would also play Sault Ste. Marie, which ranked third in the North America-wide contest.

The GMC’s general manager has responded to the news by insisting his building’s power supply and structural capabilities can indeed handle a KISS concert.

The Oshawa article also quotes a city councillor there who says Gene Simmons (shown) had told him earlier that KISS would be coming in mid-October 2009.

Here in the Sault, Trevor Zachary, the Essar Centre's marketing and events manager, told SooToday.com earlier today: "We have been informed that KISS will be in Sault Ste. Marie (including Oshawa & Kingston) and other secondary markets, at some point during the second (2010) leg of this tour."

Zachary said the Sault was "all but guaranteed a tour date" during KISS's current tour. "Although disappointed I remain hopeful," he said.

Oshawa officials are still hopeful the band will come to their community next year.

To read the full Durhamregion.com article, click here.