LATEST KISS MAGAZINE COVER: ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE

KISSï¿½ history with Arizona is ï¿½pretty long and pretty steamy on all sides,ï¿½ says singer/rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley.

But donï¿½t press him for details.

ï¿½Iï¿½ve spent my fair share of time there with and without the band,ï¿½ says Stanley, whose legendary act kicks off its summer tour on July 4 at Casino del Sol in Tucson.

ï¿½I have some long-term ties there and I have some great memories. I wonï¿½t go much more into detail. We have been going to Arizona, whether itï¿½s Phoenix or Tucson, for as long as I can remember. Itï¿½s always been hot in more ways than one. Thatï¿½s rock ï¿½nï¿½ roll.ï¿½

Stanley could be talking about debauchery, KISSï¿½ trademark pyro or the Sonoran Desert temperatures. One thing is clear: On this tour, KISS is supporting soldiers by partnering with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) and Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix). KISS is hiring for the enviable role of ï¿½Roadie for the Dayï¿½ for each show and donating tickets to VetTix.org.

Stanley says itï¿½s imperative to support the troops.

ï¿½They just donï¿½t get a fair shake,ï¿½ he says passionately. ï¿½They volunteer to go into harmï¿½s way. They volunteer to risk everything they have. Itï¿½s difficult for them physically and psychologically.

ï¿½We forget about their families. So many people are impacted by their service. Anytime we can shed a light on that is great.ï¿½

Stanley says he and his bandmatesï¿½bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singerï¿½see charity work as something thatï¿½s required of them.

ï¿½I think the more success weï¿½ve gotten, the more itï¿½s clear that charity isnï¿½t an option. Itï¿½s an obligation,ï¿½ Stanley says. ï¿½The greatest reward is giving.ï¿½

KISSï¿½ giving nature extends to live shows. Stanley adds that KISS still enjoys playing the hits like ï¿½Detroit Rock City,ï¿½ ï¿½Cold Ginï¿½ and ï¿½Rock and Roll All Nite.ï¿½

ï¿½Listen, I love what I do,ï¿½ he says. ï¿½When bands start rearranging songs itï¿½s because theyï¿½re bored. Theyï¿½re also showing that the songs donï¿½t hold up as they were. Theyï¿½re also showing a lack of respect for bands. Fans donï¿½t want to hear a reggae version of a song.

ï¿½They want to hear it the way they remember it. Otherwise, it shows blatant disregard for fans. Weï¿½re there for the fans, not vice versa.ï¿½

Stanley says yes, there will be plenty of pyro on July 4.

ï¿½Weï¿½re never known for subtly,ï¿½ says Stanley, who also fronts Soul Station, his 13-piece R&B band. ï¿½We will be in our full glory. The bandï¿½s never been better. At this point, we donï¿½t compete with anybodyï¿½just our legacy and our history.

ï¿½When we go out every night, itï¿½s not only to live up to our past, itï¿½s to surpass it. We donï¿½t want someone to say, ï¿½You should have seen them when ï¿½ï¿½ Every show is the only show that matters. We make sure itï¿½ll be a show to talk about for some time to come.ï¿½

KISS, Casino del Solï¿½s AVA Amphitheatre, 5655 W. Valencia Rd., Tucson, 855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com, 8 p.m. Monday, July 4, $100-$1,250.