KISS's original road manager, J.R. Smalling, who famously coined the band's "you wanted the best" introduction has died after a battle with bone cancer.
Smalling worked with the band from 1974 though their tour for "Destroyer" in 1976 and can be heard declaring at the beginning of the "Alive!" album, "You wanted the best, you got the best..." that the band has used since.
KISS took to social media to pay tribute to Smalling. They wrote, "We were notified that JR Smalling has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
"JR was the voice you hear on KISS Alive! and introduced us with the battle cry that still brings us on stage. He was fiercely loyal, proud and did whatever necessary to make sure we could do our full show no matter who stood in the way.
"His spirit is with us to this day and we celebrate his memory and mourn this loss."
Atreyu Plan Special 'Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses' Anniversary Reissues
Dokken and George Lynch Reunion Part Of KISS Kruise XI
Motley Crue, KISS Stars Part Of Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
KISS Stream Off The Soundboard Live At Donington 1996
Quick Flicks: Chicago Blues Reunion
Caught In The Act: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Rock Chicago
Caught In The Act: MixTape Tour - The New Kids On The Block, Rick Astley, En Vogue, and Salt-N-Pepa
Road Trip: Daytona Beach - Beyond the Sand - Part 2
Metallica Cancel Show Due To Covid-19
Robert Plant Wraps Up Digging Deep Series
Def Leppard Share Behind The Scenes Video From Stadium Tour
Becoming The Archetype Share First Song From Comeback Album
Miss May I Deliver Earth Shaker
Dio At The Rainbow In The Dark Celebration Birthday Celebration Announced
The Allman Brothers Band's 'Down In Texas '71' Coming Next Month
Behind The Album: Pollyanna's Slime