Forty years after the release of their debut album, KISS have finally made the cover of Rolling Stone. Marking the band’s upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the cover image is a classic 1975 photo of the band’s original lineup: Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, plus Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
The cover story, by Rolling Stone senior writer Brian Hiatt, tells the sad, hilarious and triumphant story of one of the biggest rock bands ever, taking an in-depth look at the founding members’ lives and careers. Hiatt hung out with all four original members in their homes (in San Diego, Beverly Hills and Monmouth County, New Jersey) where they shared fond memories and, inevitably, some intense backbiting. “I keep thinking about Ace and Peter,” Simmons admits. “”What are they doing now? Where are they?’ It’s gotta be close to the end. How do you make any money? How do you pay your bills?”
Even Stanley and Simmons have had their differences. “We’ve always seen each other as brothers,” says Stanley. “What we seem to be at odds at is how you treat your brother. Gene’s priority, by far, has always been himself. And he’s not one to let anyone else’s feelings or contributions get in the way.”
They also explain precisely why they won’t be reuniting for a performance at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Stanley and Simmons offered to allow the former members to jam with KISS’ current lineup, featuring guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, but Ace and Peter found that proposition deeply insulting. “I won’t be disrespected,” Criss says. “How can you put me in the Hall of Fame and then tell me to go sit over there in the corner while another guy puts on my makeup and plays? That’s an injustice. To the fans, too.”
Simmons counters that Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint.” “The makeup is earned,” he adds.”Just being there at the beginning is not enough… And if you blow it for yourself, it’s your fault. You can’t blame your band members. ‘Oh, look what happened to me. Oh, poor me.’ Look at my little violin. I have no sympathy.”
Frehley suggests another reason for the current members’ reluctance: “The reason they don’t want to perform with me and Peter is because the last time they did, they had to do a reunion tour. We play three songs, the fans go crazy. They don’t want to open up a can of worms.” Frehley, meanwhile, says he licensed – rather than sold – the rights to his Spaceman makeup to the band, and suggests that he’s due to get the rights back sometime soon.
Also in the story, Simmons says his touring days are almost done. “I’m 64 now,” he says. “Three more tours. Two, if I have a life change of some kind.”
KISS’ Rolling Stone cover story goes on sale Friday, March 28th and online tomorrow, March 26th.
source: rollingstone.com
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158 Responses
I am so glad I never got around to getting a KISS tattoo….
Funny you say that. I was thinking the same thing just yesterday. I do however have an ACE tattoo on my arm that I will never be ashamed of. I made the design myself and at the bottom is ACE is spelled out like he has it (in block letters). Last time I went to see them I took a black marker and crossed out ACE, wrote vinnies name, crossed it out, wrote Bruce’s name, crossed that out and wrote Tommy’s name. It was funny at the time. Now that I look back, I should have wrote Gene, Paul, Eric and Tommy and crossed it all out.
This is just so heart- breaking. To think that back in 1978 I started out loving Kiss with passion, and now in 2014 I hate them with a passion.
I love the original band but Gene is .100% correct. Kiss is a sacred special band and being in Kiss should be an honor and a privilege to protect and never take for granted and reckless immature behavior destructive to the band and completely disrespectful the fans like missing recording sessions,flights,showtimes,meetings,choosing poker,drugs,booze,. Imagine any of us doing any combination of those offenses at our careers and watch how fast our legacy and reputation would be ruined for life. But in the case of Peter and Ace they were forgiven and given the second chance none of us would be or rarely be able to haven . Gene and Paul pushed aside a successful era of Eric Singer and kulick to bring back ace and Peter. Again they eventually chose to irresponsibly abuse their chances and choose to stop or give up Kiss. In the case of Peter it was 3 chances as he was asked back for symphony. Gene didn’t say they never deserved to wear paint just that they have moved on and because of.their past choices no longer deserve the make-up,much like none of us after one mistake would deserve our jobs anymore with that behavior. I believe they both are sober and straight now but still far from responsible..
Dont forget running off to manage cabaret singers in the 80s…which I think gene did…
Liza Minelli
You write about KISS as if it were I.B.M. or Intel, Inc – they are a ROCK BAND for God’s sake ! the 1970’s culture of Studio 54, Disco, ect – they were ALL doing IT. No excuse, you are right – for indulging, but that was the culture of the time.
Regardless of that – the EARLY KISS is the REAL KISS. THAT band was the #1 band in 1978, ( I was there…were YOU ? ) ALL the great songs came from THAT ERA. AND – do you really think the UNMASKED KISS was THAT GOOD ???
Anyway – many people who criticise Ace and Peter WERE NOT FANS OF THE BAND PRIOR TO 1980 !
And Chad – I would assume – you were NOT a fan prior to 1980 .
I WAS !
With due respect to you being there prior to 1980 , contrary to what you want to assume about me I’m a fan since 1976,the first record I ever saved up my own money for was 1977 LOVE GUN and my first concert was Dynasty tour in Freeman coliseum, San Antonio Texas. I love the original band line up and I loved other eras. I’m saying and defending the current lineup because it is one of my favorite combinations of talent. I respect every one to their own favorite lineup but yes I was there and don’t need to be told I wasn’t there prior to 1980 when I was. Yes Ace, Peter,Gene,Paul is awesome but in MY opinion they moved on and I happen to also love Eric,Tommy,Gene,Paul. Different lineup doesn’t mean those men are fake. I just enjoy both lineups and the ones in between Sal. Take care and I respect your views as long as you please refrain from assuming when I came onboard. Thanks
Again….a retweet about someone putting down this era of Kiss as fake. There is nothing fake about a line up that tours and records 2 albums and is dedicated and talented and professional. I again take strong offenses to hearing my favorite drummer and friend of 25 .years is a fake. That a guitarist I have been a fan of since Black n Blue is a fake. For 11 years this whether you like or not has been Kiss. Now. Totally fair if you were to say a Kiss lineup I don’t like that would be fine…but fake is an insult not only to Eric and Tommy..(two gentlemen that don’t deserve to be called names) and disrespectful to two legends of rock in Gene and Paul. Where is the respect for them..this site shows it to so many rock legends not nearly as huge as Kiss but is disrespectful to Paul and Gene who have always been kind to my family and brothers who are wounded warriors. Gene has given us meet n greets. Sorry it’s always negative Gene and Paul and pro everything Ace and Peter and a hard rock site should respect that there are two sides to praise and celebrate. It is possible to be neutral. What is written in these articles and books by members isn’t always the truth. Is it their perspective? Yes. But not necessarily how all went down and we don’t know unless we were there and last time I was intoxicated my memory of what EXACTLY happened in the past was fuzzy at best. Interesting then so many talking two admittedly intoxicated during the living of what they wrote about taken as fact. Meaning during a lot of their admitted being in drug and alcohol states. Very interesting how detailed the books recall events.
Except for what pete said on tms, I havent heard anything bad from pete/ace…its been coming from the paul/gene camp…and by eric and tommy, you mean “fake frehley” and “cheater criss”? Lol
Chad, I agree with your posts. Bravo.
Then you and Chad ARE NOT real KISS fans.
There !
Sal. Sir I addressed your false assumption that I came onboard in 1980 or later. I came on board in 1976, and as I said above the first record I saved to.buy with my own money was LOVE GUN 1977. My first concert was Dynasty tour in San Antonio. Again I loved the originals and I loved lineups after and those records. I respect your views as well as long as you keep the incorrect assumption out from when I’m on board. Kiss lineup today I still great enjoy seeing and listen ing to on record. I know many of you find it odd to respect the entire life of Kiss but I do and I was just defending them being labeled as fakes because to me they are certainly not. I respect the way Gene and Paul reached out to my brother when he lost his legs. We all got meet and greets and Paul, Gene,Eric and Tommy came to hospital. These are not fake men. All views respected just realize the hurt of being told because I enjoy all lineups that I’m some late blooming Kiss fan. No I’ve been with them since .70s and I’m with them PROUDLY in 2014.
I’m pretty sure the man this website is named after (Eddie) has continuously stated that his door will always be open to gene and paul. They are welcome to share there side and another article was actually posted in which gene and paul state their opinions about ace and peter. Do not say this site is pro ace and peter. It’s just that a majority of fans are realizing that gene and paul continuously use their twitter to bash two former members (whom have blamed themselves countless times already). Gene and paul want the last word. Simple fact. Their egos are through the roof.
My door is and always will be open to any and all past and current members of the band. Can only talk with the ones that choose to talk to me.
Yes I should of stated all members of kiss. Eric and Tommy’s opinion would be interesting to hear but we know we’ll never get to hear it.
I know you 100% for sure have always said your door is open also to Gene and Paul. You have said that and I believe that but I am only saying others in rock super stardom also don’t come to talk with you and you speak very complimentary and.supportive of the hard work they do. Whether you think the Spider stage,last 2 studio albums and few tours by current lineup are good or not it’s the fact that level of work and effort by 4 guys is also Kiss and not just fake. I have loved Eric Singer since Badlands and Tommy since Black n Blue. I also love Ace,Peter,Bruce,Carr. The only thing that stings and is hard to swallow around this site is hearing the current line up treated as not valid. As I stated me and many Kiss fans accept all Kiss eras and while I loved and first fell in love with first lineup I equally love the current and my feelings are also a legitimate take.on all this. Above I wrote how this lineup visited my wounded brother in hospital and Gene and Paul gave us all meet and greets and were sincere and kind. I and my brother won’t forget Eric drumming privately on a single drum by my brother’s bed. Or Tommy and me talking guitar techniques. This Kiss is real to me and others I know. This is all I ask be accepted here. Not asking anyone to agree with me, just not be hollered a fake KISS lover or a koolaid drinker ya know. To those that may ask why come to this site than where so many appear to side only with Ace and Peter as the genuine nice guys, I say because I too respect and am a fan of Eddie. I have supported and continue to support his radio and I love TMS. I bought both his wonderful books and the fine information we get from here. I’m not trying to knock you Ed because I enjoy and am a supporting fan. It’s just the one thing…I’m still a huge Kiss fan in 2014 and I don’t think any member is and “ass” or want to be told lineup I enjoy is a fake.. I respect how others feel differently just respect that I and others aren’t wrong for liking all eras PROUDLY of KISS. Thanks.
I loved and supported all eras of Kiss too. But Gene and Paul had to know there was going to be a very divided camp with their fans when they decided to have Tommy and Eric impersonate the personas, stage mannerisms, and playing style of two icons of the band. To me they robbed those guys of the chance to carve out their OWN identity. I respect all opinions and judge no one. If you are cool with it fine. But I have never been as a fan and MANY agree, although few who are known in media or in other bands say it. But trust me, TONS do behind close doors. Even bands they have toured with over the years.. To each his own.
I’m upset because Sal on this site accused me of NOT being a REAL Kiss fan and he incorrectly assumed I came along after 1980 and as I stated 1976,first album I bought with my own money LOVE GUN and first concert tour Dynasty. I was a huge fan then and I’m a huge fan in 2014 and that stance should be just as real and valid as any other view on here.I said I respect.Sal to have his view why is it wrong I love all eras of Kiss. Eddie didn’t you say views could be welcome and would only be printed if they weren’t disrespectful to others?….I enjoy all you do and just want to be able to express myself without being disrespected on here.
Chad. Your the real deal and I see all your points on this ongoing emotional issue. Enjoy whatever you want to enjoy. Put on Creatures, one of my personal faves and remember the good times Bro.
Rock LEGENDS – I think legend is not what you ARE it is what you are MADE. Always imagine these superhuman beings sitting on the toilet just as you and me. It is typical of man’s behaviour to put people up on a pedestal and then either brainlessly worship them for no good reason or throw stones at them for mostly the same reasons.
Hey Eddie,
Do you know if Eric Carr and Vinny’s makeup/persona were truly their own creations and true extensions of themselves like Ace and Peter’s or did Gene and Paul have some kind of influence? I always thought it was little bit suspect. It’s like they lost one animal character (cat) and came up with the idea of having another animal (fox) to keep some continuity. The same goes for Vinny and Ace- They lost one eccentric, alien, weirdo in Space Ace and replaced him with another weirdo , the Egyptian-ish Ankh Warrior character. The idea also seems applicable to their names- Didn’t they go with “Eric Carr” because the syllables of the first and last name matched “Peter Criss” so it would still sound “right” when one says all of the band member’s names in a row? And Vinny was also known as “The Wiz” which is a similar idea to “Ace.” Reading about Gene and Paul now, this seems like something they’d do. It all comes off very “canned” and too calculated unlike the original Kiss at their inception. I don’t state this stuff as fact but it is fishy to me. It’s definitely not an idea as original/innovative or exciting as the first Kiss lineup. And for the record I love Vinny and Eric’s contribution to the band especially Creatures and Lick It Up as full albums. Not here to hate on Eric or Vinny. I even visited Carr’s mausoleum upstate to pay my respects. But if this is true then I would understand more so why the HOF wouldn’t want to induct anyone after Peter and Ace.