Paul Stanley from Kiss says ‘bombastic will be the word of the day’ at their Grand Final show

The US rock gods have pledged to bring an “arsenal” of flame and fire to the MCG on Saturday and revealed one death-defying idea their manager vetoed over safety concerns.

Kiss promoter Andrew McManus has revealed details of a death-defying stunt that would have seen rock god Paul Stanley descend 300-metres to the stage on a zip line for the supergroup’s AFL Grand Final performance.

However, after careful consideration with the band, management and stakeholders, McManus and Stanley scrapped the high-flying entrance.

“The zip line would have gone from the top of the grandstand, near the scoreboard to centre stage,” McManus told the Herald Sun.

He added: “Paul would have descended 300-metres, from the top of the MCG to the stage. But I had to veto it. Kiss has a show to play at the MCG on Saturday, and Sydney next week.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Stanley says ‘subtlety is not our strong suit’. Picture: Al Soluri

The US supergroup, helmed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, have vowed to perform a game-changing spectacular before the Magpies do battle with the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

“Bombastic will be the word of the day,” Stanley said.

“We will have a no-fly zone over the stadium because we are going to blow a lot of stuff up. Subtlety is not our strong suit.”

Stanley said he considered “some very interesting proposals” for Kiss’ pre-match performance at the MCG on Saturday, adding: “Some I said no to, because I want to live another day.”

That said, Kiss plans to pull out all the stops for their last-ever performance in Melbourne.

“We have firepower,” he said.

“The amount of pyro we’re using, and flames, is far beyond anything that anybody has used. It’s an arsenal. Dare I say it, Melbourne has never seen anything like we’re going to do.

“To have that once in a lifetime chance to come back and do it one more time … the only people who complain about that are those who would want us gone, and we’re not here for them anyway.

“We’re here to do what people expect, and more.”

Kiss are tipped to perform classics Rock And Roll All Nite and I Was Made For Loving You. Photo Steve Pohlner

Kiss is expected to perform classics including Rock And Roll All Nite and I Was Made For Loving You.

“As a courtesy, because we are guests, we asked for a consensus of what people want to hear and we went with that and respected that,” Stanley said.

“We’re very fortunate to have so many songs that are considered not only classics but essentials. We will do them in all their glory.”

Kiss bassist Gene Simmons added: “Everybody’s got their favourites, but at the end of the day, we just work here. The bosses are the fans. The fans have a lot to say about it. We like the idea of ‘of the people, for the people, by the people’.”

Stanley said the band will work hard to live up to its legend.

“You have this feeling of being superheroes, but it’s also humbling because of the tradition and history that we have,” Stanley said.

“It’s not just a matter of talk the talk, we walk the walk — in eight inch heels.”

Kiss, and their longtime Australian tour promoter Andrew McManus, stepped in to save the Grand Final entertainment after last-minute declines from Kylie Minogue and Crowded House.

Kiss performs at the MCG on Saturday, and Accor Stadium, Sydney, on October 7.