KISS frontman Gene Simmons coming to Wizard World 2017 in Cleveland this week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – KISS co-founder Gene Simmons is a big fan of the city and wanted to give its people a big smooch when he agreed to be a guest at Wizard World Cleveland, which opens Friday, March 17.

“Wizard asked me to talk and pose for pictures, and I said I would,” said Simmons from Los Angeles. “They asked if I would sing a few songs, and I said I would, but not at the convention — it would sound awful. I said I wanted to go back to the Agora and do a complete show. And they agreed.”

Simmons said he was not about to leave things at that….

What: Wizard World Cleveland

When: Friday through Sunday, March 17-19.

Where: Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland.

Hours: 3-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: Admission prices vary from $35 on Friday, March 17, to $75 for the weekend, if purchased in advance. Tickets are $10 more if purchased at the door. VIP packages, which include photos with a guest, can run into the hundreds of dollars.

Parking: Street parking if you’re early or lucky; plenty of parking at nearby city and private garages.