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
Just two years ago, Gene said in an interview that they would play one last time together if they were inducted to the Hall, now he says they won’t do it? Not sure why the change of mind, but how would they do it if they were to play with Ace and Peter? You know Gene and Paul would want Tommy and Eric there, would Ace, Peter, Tommy and Eric all wear the make up? How goofy would that be? Personally as a life long die hard fan I think Sonic Boom and Monster are both very strong efforts and I wish they would play much more of that stuff live. I mean you supposedly want to move forward with Tommy and Eric in the band, put out two strong records with them and then hardly play anything from the records live? In my opinion at least half of their current set list should be made up of songs from Sonic Boom and Monster if you truly want to move forward with these two in the band. The Monster tour is the first tour I didn’t go see in ages just because of that reason. Anyway I also think it’s a an outrage the way they are treating Ace and Peter. If they are inducted I hope Ace and Peter show up and every Kiss fan there boos Gene and Paul mercilessly and chants Ace and Peter’s name all night. Gene and Paul deserve to have tomatoes and eggs thrown at them at the ceremony for this if it happens. By the way who are Gene and Paul kidding anyway? If a promoter came along and offered them something even reasonably close to say “Zeppelin Money” so to speak to reunite for one more tour with Ace and Peter, you know they’d do it for the money, they’re full of it they say wouldn’t.
I am a KISS fan since 1977, at the age of 6! But I agree, I am not a fan of Tommy and Eric. Ace has always been my favorite. I have seen him with KISS at the reunion and farewell tours, and a few times solo, and have met him a few times and he has always been gracious. When I have seen KISS without Ace, and Tomny attempts to play Ace`s signature Shock Me, well, I use that opportunity for a bathroom or beverage break. Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter ARE KISS to me, and always will be. Gene is a pompous ass and Paul just seems like a wimp to me. And yes, I will always love the original lineup.
I was a huge Kiss fan from 76 – 79. Big Ace fan to this day . I started playing because of him , like thousands of others. My personal opinion aside , when people think of Kiss it’s 1977. That’s the body of work that makes them relevant. I think everyone should be recognized and be up there at the presentation, but the jam should be the original 4
KISS GETTING INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME IS LIKE THE KISS ARMYS SUPERBOWL,,i AM A HUGE ACE FAN,,I LIVE IN BKLYN AND WILL ATTEND THIS,,I SWEAR IF ACE AND PETER DONT PLAY THERE WILL BE A RIOT ,,I SEEN EVEN ON THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAMES WEBSITE THEY ARE NOW POSTING THAT GENE AND PAUL DONT WANT TO PLAY WITH THE OTHERS,,GROW UP GENE AND PAUL ,, THIS IS NOT THE SANDBOX
WHY!!!!
I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST TOMMY AND ERIC ,
BUT NO!!!!!!
THIS WOULD RUIN EVERYTHING!!!
SORRY GENE BUT YOURE BLIND.
IF THEY WERNT IN THE BAND IN THE FIRST PLACE KISS
WOULDNT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY!!!
I’M LITERALLY CRYING!!
O THOUGHT THE FANS WERE THE IMPORTANCE!!
ACE,PETER,PAUL,AND GENE IN THE RNR HALL OF FAME HAS
TO HAPPEN!!!!!