Rumors that the rock band KISS would be included in the entertainment lineup of the North Dakota State Fair were proven true Friday when two new tour dates were announced on the band's Web site.
The State Fair office confirmed the booking of the ageless rockers in a news release Friday.
"We worked hard to get KISS here and we're very excited to have them as the first rock group on the new grandstand," said Renae Korslien, general manager.
KISS will perform at the State Fair on Saturday, July 24. Tickets for the concert are priced at $55 for standing room in front of the stage and $65 for reserved seating in the new grandstand, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2010 fair.
Buckcherry, billed as the "Next Great American Rock Band," is scheduled to appear at the fair Thursday, July 29, in front of the grandstand. Concert-goers who purchase KISS tickets have the option of buying Buckcherry tickets at the same time for $15. The regular general admission price for Buckcherry is $25.
Ticket sales for KISS and Buckcherry will begin April 7 at 8 a.m.
According to the news release, the fair's Grandstand Showpass tickets will go on sale March 25 at a cost of $75 standing room and $85 reserved seating. Included on that pass are Brooks & Dunn (Fri., July 23), Eric Church and The Band Perry (Sun., July 25), Enduro Auto Race (Mon., July 26), Demo Derby (Tues., July 27), Front Fenders & Collector's Car Show (Wed., July 28), Darius Rucker (Fri., July 30) and Sugarland (Sat., July 31).
KISS burst on to the rock music scene in January 1973, led by co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Their first major single, "Rock And Roll All Nite," was included on their "Dressed To Kill" album in 1975. Later that year "KISS Alive!" was released to huge sales, eventually becoming the group's first gold record.
In 1976, KISS released "Destroyer," an album which contains several of the feature songs that have become their trademark and that they still play regularly today. The following year the group gained fame with a memorable appearance at New York's Madison Square Garden.
As the KISS legacy continues to grow, their album sales have topped 100 million worldwide.
