Fans of hard rock and heavy metal can rejoice because an epic team-up is about to happen this year. Legendary bands Kiss and Def Leppard are headlining a 2014 summer tour of the United States and Canada. Both groups made the announcement on Monday at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. The press conference was shown to the public via live streaming on the Live Nation website.

According to Kiss rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, the 42-city tour is bound to “deliver good news and excitement” to fans of both bands. It is scheduled to kick off on the 23^rd of June in West Valley, Utah and end on the 31^st of August in Woodlands, Texas. Tickets go on sale starting Friday.

Stanley added that Kiss “couldn’t pick a better band” than Def Leppard with whom to collaborate in this tour. He said that both bands have stood the test of time and putting them together promises a “great night of music”.

Kiss/Def Leppard press conference

Announcing @KISSOnline & @def_leppard tour. Tickets on sale this Friday. pic.twitter.com/Jzn5Ha6v3p

— Tommy Thayer (@tommy_thayer) March 18, 2014

While the two bands share several similarities including their brand of music and the era they first came out, this will be the first time that they share a bill. Stanley declared that the collaboration seemed to be a “natural fit” and that one of Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen’s earlier bands, Girl, performed as Kiss’ opening act in the early 80’s.

Def Leppard lead vocalist Joe Elliot said that he and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons first approached the idea of their respective bands touring together when both of them played in several South American gigs a couple of years ago as part of a rock ‘n’ roll all-stars tour.

I’m literally crying because def leppard and kiss are touring together this summer and they’re coming to my state

— amanda ☯ | 165 (@PINKFLOYDHARRY) March 17, 2014

Hah! @KISSOnline and @def_leppard on tour together this summer? A shiver of abject fear just went down my wife’s spine.

— Ron Marz (@ronmarz) March 17, 2014

Kiss is celebrating their 40^th anniversary this year with an induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this month. Elliot also revealed that Def Leppard has started writing music for the group’s upcoming album. Collen said that the album is expected be released in 2015.

Kiss/Def Leppard tour dates

Image via YouTube