In a new interview with Guitar World (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), KISS main men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons said that they’re willing to entertain the idea of being joined on stage, for the band’s final world tour, briefly by guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. But, as Simmons put it, “they’re never going to be in KISS again.”
“Ace and Peter have gotten three chances,” he continued. “They were in and out of the band — fired — three times. For drugs, alcohol, bad behavior, being unprofessional… So the short answer… is we’d love to have Ace and Peter join us here and there. And if they don’t, it’s not going to be because of us.”
He added, “Would we welcome Ace or Peter to jump up onstage for a song or two? Of course. Could we depend on either Ace of Peter to do a full set night after night? Not on your f—ing life.”
So in response to those comments, guitarist Ace Frehley posted the following message on his Facebook page:
“…Gene, your memory is really incorrect!…I was NEVER FIRED from KISS, I quit twice (not 3-times) of my own free will, because you and Paul are control freaks, untrustworthy and were too difficult to work with!
…Your slanderous remarks about my bad habits over the years has cost me millions of dollars and now that I’m over 12-years sober you’re still saying I can’t be trusted to play a whole nights show! Well that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last 12-years with different configurations of “The Ace Frehley Band” to you and Paul’s dismay!
…I’m also the most successful solo artist to come out of the original KISS lineup , and proud of it!…You and Paul have tried to derail my solo career multiple times over the years unsuccessfully.
…I’ve tried to be nice and friendly by inviting you and Paul to perform on my past albums for eOne Music, give each of you guys one of my prized Gibson Les Paul 59’ models, but today’s comments have made me realize you’re just an a–hole and a sex addict who’s being sued by multiple Women, and you’re just trying to sweep it all under the carpet!
…The icing on the cake was when you groped my wife and propositioned her in Los Angeles at the Capitol Records building behind my back, when I was trying to help you out at one of your “Vault Experiences” which I only found out about several weeks later…she was planning on pursuing a suit against you, but I told her to call it off!!!
…Well now the gloves are off after your terrible comments today and I’m thinking that this really may be “The End Of The Road Tour” for you guys!!!
….Without a complete and heartfelt apology, an offer to give me my old job back, and removing Tommy from the Throne that I created… THE S–T WILL HIT THE FAN AND THEY’LL BE NO STOPPING IT-IT’S ON!!!”
additional source: consequenceofsound.net
its about time ace,good for you!!! enough of this nonsense,its so sad to see how this band has to take to hurting each other this late in the game,just goes to show that no matter how much fame or money you make,it does not buy you class.ace has never ,ever thrown barbs at the band.he has had is issues this is for sure as peter did,but every chance paul and gene get or has gotten over the years they are always trying to put these guys down,whats the point?does it help anyone?it only shows the true person that they both are…sad indeed
Ace should hit on Sophie lol
Good for Ace for calling Gene out. Those guys are real bastards. Just when you think this could be a special farewell tour Gene and Paul crap all over it.
This is really just pathetic – on all sides. Gene and Paul just can’t stop repeating the same line about Ace and Peter that we’ve heard a million times and now this allegation from Ace, with the stipulation that “…without a complete and heartfelt apology, an offer to give me my old job back, and removing Tommy from the Throne that I created… THE S–T WILL HIT THE FAN AND THEY’LL BE NO STOPPING IT-IT’S ON!!!” Uh…good luck with that “offer,” Ace. KISS – in all its various line-ups – has been one of my two favorite bands, along with Zep, my entire life. However, this is just too much. At a time when KISS has a great opportunity to go out with some class and thank the fans for decades of support and welcome back two original members, at least in some manner, doesn’t have to be every night, and go out as friends, we are instead treated to this garbage. What a great way to end things and kick off a farewell tour. I’m tired of all of them. Zep has had their minor issues over the years, but nothing like this and never anything personal like this. I will enjoy the band’s catalogue and all my great memories of seeing them live, especially the first concert in 1979, but I’m done.
This reminds me of the Sabbath fiasco, as well.
They could have also settled their differences, behaved like grown ups, and paid Mr. Ward. If he was unable to drum for an entire show, they could have had another drummer accompany them on the tour, to fill in for Ward, on select songs.
Since Priest is my favorite band, I can only hope, that when they finally decide to retire from touring, they will make the correct decision, in the end, ditto with Van Halen (although, I am not holding my breath on that one).
Also, while Stanley, and Simmons, may seem to put up a united front against their former bandmates, do not let this fool you. Simmons’ recent swipes about Stanley’s singing, makes me believe there is no love lost between them, either, and at this point, it may strictly be a business relationship.
Finally, as a woman, I have never seen such pettiness, cattiness, jealousy, and greed, from groups of geriatric “men,” it’s pathetic. It really makes one wonder, do they have testicles or ovaries? Sheesh.
PS-Just because they may be younger in age, this doesn’t excuse the Dokken, Ratt, L.A Guns, Great White, name any band behaving like drama queens here, soap opera’s, either.
D 🙂
Given how great a businessman Gene is – he really knows how to eff up before going on the “final” tour.
Cannot wait for the youtube clips of the technical issues with the recorded tracks…..should be fun.
Hi, Dana. Great comments, below. Agree with all of them, especially in regards to Sabbath and Priest, two of my other favorites. My issue with KISS is they have been a huge part of my life since I was in the 4th grade and got Alive! for Christmas. From then on, I was hooked. Speaking of KISS, Rob Zombie once said, “If they put it out, I bought it” and I was exactly the same way. I recall certain events in my life based on what album KISS had just put out, etc. I was a card-carrying member of the KISS Army and very proud of it and everyone knew it. But these past several years have been no fun being a KISS fan. All the back-stabbing, the mud-slinging in all four biographies, Peter mad at Paul, Gene and Paul always bringing up the past about Ace and now this latest round of garbage. And I truly believed they would at least be able to get it together and play some shows as a band on this Farewell Tour. I mean, the Ace we see now IS the Ace I want to see onstage on a farewell tour, not the one we saw in 2000. But after this? No way it will happen and who wants to see it anyway when they so obviously can’t stand each other. Gene once said about KISS “were just four knuckleheads from NY who got very lucky.” He was right. They are exactly that and the joke has been on any of us who thought they could give us what we wanted and go out with some class. Farewell? No, at this point, good riddance!
I know, I feel your pain, it is very upsetting to see grown men acting like teenage mean girls. Grow up and be thankful for the luxurious lives, and gifts, you have been given. Most people will never be, even three quarters, that fortunate.
Maybe after the “End of the Road Tour” Ace and Gene will patch things up and the band will go out on the “Kiss and Makeup” tour…stanger things have happened lol
KB, I Know exactly how you feel, bro. I’ve told this story before, but here’s the short version. The first time I heard KISS’ first album, I had no idea what they looked like, or anything about them, but I loved what I heard, thanks to my older brother. For my 8th birthday in October ’74, he bought me Hotter Than Hell with his allowance. He knew that album was coming out the day after my birthday so he saved his money and surprised me with a late present, how cool was that?! After hearing HTH, like you, I was hooked. Felt this connection with KISS like no other band, except maybe for Aerosmith. I too became a proud member of the KISS Army in ’76, bought everything KISS that I could, became obsessed with them after the first time I saw them in concert in ’77 (Love Gun Tour) and was a die-hard fan all the way to 2001. Since then, it really has been a “Rock And Roll Hell!” I mean, all bands have differences, but the mudslinging backstabbing bullsh-t between these guys is absolutely the worst! I too was hoping for a happy End Of The Road ending, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.
Doug R – your story is incredibly similar to mine. In fact, I was also born in October of 1966 on the 20th…I got hooked when I was in the 4th grade when by best friend’s older brother let him borrow his copy of Kiss Alive! and bring it to school to show me and some other guys. I didn’t know any of the music but I loved what I saw on the cover and two months later, I got it for Christmas and it was the beginning of my obsession with KISS. I saw them the first time on the Dynasty tour (Tuesday, September 18, 1979) and will never forget that concert. This isn’t the way I wanted or expected it to end. At least I have all the great memories and memorabilia I’ve collected over the years. Just really disappointed today…
Dude, my fellow Libra, I was born on October 21st, 1966! And HTH came out on October 22nd, 1974! And you are so right, we’ll always have the music, memories, and the memorabilia from that magic time!
OK Eddie,
What are your thoughts on this statement from Ace. Sounds like Ace and Peter will not be on the tour as special guest………
Since it appears that bringing Ace and Peter was an afterthought to the marketing geniuses of Kiss, I hope Ace and Peter stay home. Gene and Paul thought this tour would be a complete sellout and they are finding out what the fans think of Kiss and the prices to attend a lip syncing concert.
I heard from Eddie that Paul will be performing an art class as the opening act- is that really true?
Maybe Paul can also have a cooking segment too based on his love of food – maybe he can feed everyone at the show.
Yeah I heard they were going to have a painter as the opening act.
So the real question is — Is Tommy going to wear the makeup while he paints? They could bring show clips of him painting Paul’s house.
Gene has really flipped his wig on this one
If true I hope Shannon takes Gene to the cleaners.
Peter has been awfully quiet the last few weeks (I think) Probably the smartest move.
Good for Ace, not that he is perfect – far from it but Gene is a prick and Paul has a God complex
One thing Gene & Paul are still good at, and that’s bashing their old band mates. That’s something to be proud of, I guess.
I hope the fans chant Ace’s name during these shows…..
Tommy Thayer…..Shock Me!!!!! lololol