Original KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley, called into Eddie’s Q104.3 radio show, Eddie Trunk Rocks on February 21st to say, that the original members of KISS will not be performing at the Rock N’Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, scheduled to take place on April 10th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y..
Frehley said, “I don’t think KISS fans are gonna be too excited and happy about the news, ’cause at this juncture, [KISS leaders] Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] have decided to perform with [current KISS members] Tommy [Thayer, guitar] and Eric [Singer, drums], and it looks like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is going along with it.”
The guitarist went on to explain that the decision was made by Stanley and Simmons “in the last 24 to 48 hours.” He added, “The last time I was on [this radio show], it was a very exciting and happy call. And the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was very excited about having the four original members who are being inducted to perform at the ceremony. And that was shot down by Paul and Gene. And now it’s kind of, like, if I’m not gonna put on the makeup and do a three-song reunion for the fans, then what am I gonna do? And right now, I’m not even sure if I’m gonna show up for that, you know?!”
The guitarist added that Stanley and Simmons “shot down doing any type of reunion with [original KISS drummer Peter Criss and me] — with makeup, without makeup,” while Frehley himself ruled out performing alongside KISS’ current lineup, saying, “I’m not gonna get on the stage with Tommy wearing my makeup. That’s absurd.”
He continued, “It’s a shame. I know [the original lineup reunion is] what the fans wanted. I know it’s what the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame wanted. [But] it’s not gonna happen.”
When asked if he had any inkling as why Stanley and Simmons were so opposed to the idea of performing with the original lineup at the ceremony, Frehley said: “I don’t know, and at this point, I really don’t give a shit. [Laughs] I really don’t care. It’s, like, enough already. You don’t wanna do something for the fans after 40 years of them supporting you? It’s something the fans wanted, it’s something the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame asked of all four of us. They shot it down. It is what it is. I don’t completely understand it, but those guys do a lot of things that don’t make sense to me. It’s unfortunate for the fans. We’re being inducted because of the fans. And I feel like the fans are being let down. And I’m upset about it; I’ve gotta be honest with you. But I’m trying not to let it get to me because, like I said, I’ve gotta finish [my new solo] record and I’ve gotta think positive. And I wanna move forward. But it’s upsetting.”
He continued, “I’m working on my second book. I’ve got [my] new [solo] record [coming out]. What will be in the future will be. No matter what happens, I’m fine. And I’m having fun. And I’m creating great music. My life’s great. And I can’t let any negativity… I’ve gotta just let it roll off my back and continue doing what I’ve been doing — making great music. I’m at the tail end of [making my new solo] record… and this has just been a thorn in my side, because every day there’s a different story: ‘Yeah, maybe you can come and get up and do ‘New York Groove‘. And if you don’t do it with KISS, you can do it with a celebrity lineup.’ And that was shot down. It’s very frustrating. It’s also distracting my attention from the most important thing right now that I’m doing, [which] is working on music and creating. So it’s very frustrating and a little disheartening.”
Frehley also revealed the he won’t be attending the Rock Hall induction.
“It was very important that I let the fans know that because the tickets are going on sale on Monday, and I didn’t want people buying tickets thinking that they were gonna see a KISS reunion, and then be disappointed,” he explained.
Listen to the interview here.
46 Responses
On the positive side, Kiss fans are finally waking up to what Gene and Paul have really been about all these years. I can’t think of another band that’s considering having a totally unoriginal lineup going on, even when they’re gone. If you let them, they will screw you….even from the grave.
one night! Paul and Gene cant put their differences aside for one night. an insult to KISS fans
No one on this thread has any true insight to what really went down with the Original 4. The best that can happen is that no members of KISS show up for this. The RRHOF is a farce and this induction should have been done a long time ago.
Ace and Peter are just as much to blame for their situation as Gene and Paul are for holding their line. If you ever saw the original 4 in concert, they don’t owe you anything else. If you don’t like the current line up, don’t support them at the concert venue or wherever you buy music.
Sick of everyone on here that feels any of them owe you more than what you got with the CD or concert ticket.
The fans made this happen, so we are entitled to qbat WE want. What we want is a celebration of the 4 guys that made history. The four guys from Noo Yawk that changed rock ‘n’roll and gave the people what they wanted. KISS represented the outcasts who rebelled against everything and didn’t care. They were “the peoples band” and now, they are the ones who dont care about the people. Thanks Gene and Paul for giving us the finger.
The fans voted them into the hall. Now, we can vote again with our wallets! Interested to see how the tickets will sell. Hot knife through butter? I think not.
Just a general comment on the “fan voting” for the RRHOF – the fan vote is only a small part of the overall vote for who gets in. It’s still a panel of supposed “experts” and industry people that are buddies with the Rolling Stone magazine guy that runs it that have the majority of the overall votes that determine who goes in. I don’t know what the actual percentage or weight of the fan vote is, but it’s still only like 1/50th or something silly like that.
Great comment…It’s not like Gene And Paul should just be waiting for years to be inducted to the RRHOF to play with two members who have screwed things up twice! They had music left in them and went on with Tommy and Eric and now that this is happening it throws a wrench into KISS as it is today…I would rather the original four play non-makeup for a few songs because of the significance of the event, and do think it is absurd to play in makeup honoring 4 guys with 2 of them being impersonated while the “real” members are in the audience…However they owe me as a fan nothing and if they want to make a debacle of it,it’s their choice…
Well, if what Ace says is true, it shouldn’t be a big surprise. I choose to just listen to their music and ignore all of this ‘teenage drama’ happening right now. Kiss fans, spend your money wisely in the future.
I am officially denouncing my KISS Army membership.