Gene Simmons was in attendance, and set to perform, as the legend from band KISS helped open the newest Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar at ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield, Washington on Tuesday.
Pamplin Media Group photographer Jaime Valdez documented the event with some great photos.
Also, ilani, located on the Cowlitz Reservation, was celebrating its seventh anniversary on Tuesday with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and free concert performance set for 8 p.m. by Simmons and his band.
KISS finished its "End of the Road" tour in 2023, basically ending its touring career. The band has a Portland-area connection, as guitarist Tommy Thayer has been with the band for many years.
Simmons co-founded Rock & Brews with longtime bandmate and guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley.
The Rock & Brews team includes CEO Adam Goldberg; entrepreneur, restaurateur and hotelier, Michael Zislis, who is behind some of Southern California's most well-known establishments like The Strand House and Shade Hotels; as well as concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano. The team opened the first Rock & Brews near LAX Airport in Southern California in 2010. Since then, they have quickly expanded the growing franchise to include over 23 locations in California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, with more coming soon.
More: rockandbrews.com .
Thayer has been the band’s guitarist and “The Spaceman” character since 2002. It was the position in the band held for years by Ace Frehley.
Working with band co-founders Simmons and Stanley has been a pleasure, Thayer once told the Portland Tribune.
“I’ve been blessed to be in an organization like this, where everyone is so professional, from Gene and Paul on down,” Thayer said. “They are dedicated and committed,” and they have helped KISS stay relevant for parts of six decades and, “Who else can you attribute that to?”
He’s a Sunset High School grad, and son of late U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James Thayer. He has served on the board of trustees at Pacific University in Forest Grove and president of the Thayer Family Foundation among his many off-stage endeavors.
Simmons and Stanley celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar at ilani Casino Resor late last year.
From publicity: With a passion for music at its core, Rock & Brews provides a high-energy, family-friendly atmosphere complete with rock ‘n’ roll playlists, quality handcrafted American food, craft rocktails and an unrivaled selection of 24 local and craft beers on tap. The 10,000 sq. ft space will feature 15 LED screens and a vast performance stage to host local artists and well-known national acts. The venue will include two full-service bars, countertop gaming and plenty of room for dancing.
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