According to Ultimate Guitar, KISS frontman Gene Simmons told Radio.com that if the band is inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, they will not be re-uniting with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
Simmons stated, “No. How many chances in life do you get? When you stick your hand in fire, you get burned the first time. Fire and nature doesn’t care if you’re a good guy or a bad guy. Both of those guys had three chances to be in the band. Three times they f–ked it up. They were every bit as important as we were at the formation of the band and they would have been the ruin of the band if they had continued to be in the band. When you have a cancer in your system, it’s best to cut it out as fast as you can. It used to be a part of your body; it turned into cancer. You gotta cut it out.”
Simmons also added that he believes his former bandmates are much happier not being in the band, “I believe that both Ace and Peter are happier now. They’re healthier, they both look fine. When they were in the band, they were both on junk, or crack or alcohol. Clearly not a healthy place for them. They belong home doing autograph shows in clubs. They’re happier.”
See the entire interview below. The comments in question appear at 4:26.
source: ultimate-guitar.com
155 Responses
Gene has no class. their recent albums are a bore.
I got tired of reading all the posts on this, but I’ll throw in just for the heck of it. I’m not a KISS fan, I guess I like a handful of songs but I never really “got it” with them. I do however acknowledge their legacy and enduring fanbase, and think that they should be in the hall of fame, or shame, or whatever the hell it is at this point. As Eddie pointed out, they haven’t been voted in yet – it’s only (another) nomination, but for the sake of argument let’s say they get in this year. Trying to be somewhat objective, WHY are they there? Because of the band as it is comprised today? No. Their place on the high side of the rock mountain was attained in the 70’s and 80’s. And that was with Ace and Peter, and Bruce Kulick, and Eric Carr, or whoever else was there. How long was Vinnie Vincent in the band? I don’t think it was long but Kulick was like 12 years right? Like I said, I’ve never been much of a fan so I’m not sure. I really feel that anyone that was significantly involved and contributing to the band in that period should be included in the induction. If they can’t get over themselves to play together, well that would be a shame but so be it, but I can’t agree with acting like the time with the other guys never happened. Maybe they pissed their success away, but they were still part of it. It’s “KISS” that would be inducted, not just “Gene and Paul”. Someone who passed through the band for one album or tour I could see being excluded, but guys who were “core” for a while seems inexcusable. Isn’t this supposed to be about the band, the music, and their impact to the rock genre and its history? I couldn’t care less about how they managed their wealth and what drugs they did. And no disrespect to Tommy Thayer, but I would hope that even he would feel wrong being up there without Ace and Kulick. Since the guy’s job is to IMITATE Ace that should tell right there Mr. Frehley should be there.
KISS is a cover band without Ace/Peter!!!!!!!
Cover band or tribute band 😉
Yes. The tribut band formerly known as Kiss.
So Kiss are getting inducted? I thought they were just nominated.
I take Gene’s comments with a grain of salt. Even Paul has stated in past interviews that Gene loves the limelight and will embellish his stories.
I like a versions of Kiss as they all put out decent music. I do hate the politics but…to me, it is just about the music.
They are NOT in yet. They were nominated before too
Had Peter and Ace died as a result of drugs and alcohol abuse then Gene and Paul would be considered great guys for carrying on. Since their both still alive but for the grace of God, then Gene and Paul are these financial bullies who victimize Ace and Peter on a daily basis. The business of a major band is important and I’m glad KISS still exists. Would people be happier if Young and Young shut down AC/DC 30+ years ago? Is Brian Johnson a faker when he does Bon songs? Ace and Peter are great but not reliable so Gene and Paul kept it going with other guys and that’s a good thing. KISS has good songs without Ace and Peter. I’m a big fan of both of them but at the time they couldn’t get it done and KISS moved on.