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
ah this is so old. these feuds & situations are nothing new,..people, fans need to distance themselves from the politics & drama, and just be fans!! All this concern is moot, the decisions are made, done. No matter what, anyone here or outside this band knows KISS’ true business, or all the facts…just save it , move on.
Kiss is the same as Bon Jovi and The Eagles. A bunch of generationally wealthy old geezers back stabbing those that helped them to get there in the name of making more money they don’t need and will never spend. Shame on any of you that keep these travesties on business.
According to Brett Bouchey (sp?) G&P’s new football partner in L.A. … the current band has now committed to play at the HOF induction. He just broke this on an Orlando radio station. There was continued pressure to play and this is where they settled. The Hall wants the band in makeup and the whole nine yards, and the band are offering current KISS as only option. He says that G&P will speak together at the mic first in costume & makeup, and A&P will go up after – no makeup because they’re not performing. And the Hall wants A&P to then introduce the band, which could be the highlight of the night, right?
“You wanted the best … well too bad, we only got this sorry halfass cover band”
If current band plays Ace and Peter likely don’t go. And I can only assume you are joking about all of this, especially when you say they would intro them..
I hope that’s not true. Otherwise, we’d have a statement from Paul and Gene about the current lineup playing.
I’m a life long kiss fan & I love when gene or Paul say it’s about the fans! Lol bullshit it’s about dollar signs & decimal points to them! If it was about what fans wanted this would be an easy thing but I think they have forget that from the early 80s to 1996 things were considered a far cry from kiss! Then we have the reunion and without that where would kiss be? We put money in their pockets were the foundation that holds this thing together “the fans”! playing an empty venue or looking at a kiss hello kitty doll on clearance won’t get Paul & gene anywhere! Remember again it’s about us fans!! Tommy & Eric are great stunt doubles but who goes to see an action movie for Arnold’s stunt double?
Ace & Peter are out of their mind if they do go knowing the 2 fakes are playing. I wonder if Jann Wenner goes with his Boy Toy or his family, he’s the crock of shit behind them getting in so late like Ronstadt.