KIX, the legendary rock band with over 45 years of history, recently treated fans to an unforgettable performance at the York State Fair in York, Pennsylvania. Luckily, a fan-filmed video captured the entire July 24 concert, allowing enthusiasts to relive the thrilling experience.
In an exclusive interview with Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station two months ago, KIX’s vocalist, Steve Whiteman, opened up about the band’s decision to retire. Steve shared that he had reached this conclusion more than a year ago and had candidly expressed his feelings to the rest of the band. “Guys, at the end of 2023, I think I’m done,” he stated. He further explained that the constant travel, hotel stays, and waiting in green rooms had taken a toll on him. “It takes three days to do a show anymore because it’s all ‘fly dates,’ one-offs,” he added. Steve, who is 66 years old, expressed his desire to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle in sync with his wife’s retirement plans.
When asked about his thoughts on walking off the stage for the final time, Steve responded confidently, “Yeah, I have. And I’m ready for it.” The band’s perspective shifted dramatically when KIX’s drummer, Jimmy Chalfant, suffered a near-death heart attack on stage in November. As a result, Jimmy decided to retire in September, prompting discussions among the band members about their farewell tour.
Originally, Steve intended for the band to have a quiet exit without much fuss. However, his bandmates convinced him to go out with a bang by organizing a grand final performance in their hometown area. The chosen venue for this historic event is the Merriweather Post in Columbia, Maryland, with a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 to 16,000 people. The anticipation for the farewell concert is evident, with around 8,000 tickets already sold.