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."
KISS Announce Rescheduled Farewell Tour Dates
Anthrax's Benante Rocks All-Star KISS Tribute
Rescheduled KISS Kruise X Details Revealed
KISS's Original Road Manager J.R. Smalling Dies
KISS Postpone Remaining End Of The Road Farewell Tour Dates
KISS Classic Covered By Anthrax Star and John 5
KISS Collaborator Bob Kulick Dead At 70
KISS Icon Paul Stanley Releases Soul Station Video
KISS Forced To Postpone KISS Kruise 10
Singled Out: Ego Kill Talent's The Call
Sites and Sounds: Slaughterhouse 5 Opera Set For September Premiere
Singled Out: MkX's Down Featuring CupcakKe
Sites and Sounds: Texas Country At Sea
Singled Out: Mark May's My Last Ride
Black Sabbath Expand 'Paranoid' For 50th Anniversary
Roger Waters Plays Pink Floyd Tracks From 'The Wall' In Isolation
Shinedown To Stream Full Concert Online
The Sword Rock Rush Classic 'Working Man' For Lockdown Series
Slipknot's Corey Taylor Is Appreciating Making Music Again
Black Stone Cherry Release 'Again' Video And Announce New Album
Shooting Star Lead Renaissance Records Exclusive Vinyl Reissue Series
Rolling Stones Release Video For Jimmy Page Collaboration 'Scarlet'