KISS’ singing bassist Gene Simmons says that although the band have reunited with former members Ace Frehley (guitar) and Peter Criss (drums) in the past, that fans should not expect that to happen in the future.
Speaking with The Tampa Tribute, Simmons was asked if the band would ever consider reuniting if their two estranged members “cleaned up their act.” The bassist stated, “Not a chance. We’ve already danced that dance three different times. No way will we reunite. It wouldn’t be fair to [current members] Tommy [Thayer] and Eric [Singer]. It wouldn’t be right.”
Simmons also addressed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with Criss and Frehley, adding, “We only did the induction with Ace and Peter because the fans wanted it. But it was a slap in the fact that they didn’t acknowledge Tommy Thayer and Eric. They’ve been in the band longer than Ace and Peter. If the Grateful Dead can have 10 members in and out of the band and a lyricist who was never in the band in the Hall, how can you explain that?”
KISS are currently on tour with Def Leppard.
additional source: loudwire.com
136 Responses
Do we really need to hear this anymore? For the 20th time I get it. I realize that the press asks these questions to stir something up. If they do why cant they just say No Comment!
Done,end of story. Have who you want in the band but enough of this.
Space invader
Hmmmm… another sold-out show in Charlotte last night for Kiss and Def Leppard. I’m sure the entire arena was “papered” and the footage I’ve seen was “doctored” by Paul and Gene to show more people in attendance than was actually at the show. Can it be that this current version of Kiss actually has a significant following and most people in attendance don’t give a rat’s ass about Peter and Ace? But… how? I thought Eddie Trunk and the handful of adolescent nay-sayers on this board had all the answers…… hmmmmmm How can it be???? What’s this world coming to? Is armageddon right around the corner? Is the rapture about to occur? OMG!!!!
Since you have all the inside news and know all the facts about attendance and how big this band is now can you explain why they are co headlining every tour now? Can you also explain how if this current lineup is so great and the albums they made with the lineup are such classic Kiss albums they are doing NO songs from them live?
Hey eddie, this guy must not have seen the charlotte show…kiss was terrible..lol…pauls voice problems werent surprising..what was, was singers drumming…very sloppy…if u have any reservations about kiss calling it quits, u should watch this show…its apparent more than ever, that they should retire..
So, if they are that bad, why would you spend an hour or more watching/listening to them? I have a hard time reading your posts because you are always criticizing Kiss. Again, why would you spend so much time on this? Oh…are you one of those laser pointers?!
An hour? I got that from the first song..lol…not pointing any lasers..just pointing out the obvious…if my posts are hard to read then dont read them…
The first song is not long enough to assess all members abilities. We’ll, keep posting–it makes no difference. You criticize without knowledge across the board. Everyone has a right to free speech–even the clueless. Oh, btw–lol!
The first song is plenty enough to go on considering pauls vocal issues in recent times…like I said…no surprise here…only eye opener was the sloppy drumming…putting the whole imposters thing aside, this lineup now officially stinks…hopefully no more shitty albums in the future…
And once again, Eric Heaton proves only that he doesn’t like KISS anymore. I saw the first three songs on the Charlotte Yahoo show: deuce, shout it out loud, and war machine. Everything you said was complete nonsense. They sound great and the faces in the audience look happy. I bet if you were there, you would be the only one scowling, and probably texting on your Smartphone, “this sucks–lol–they cant play anymore, lol–these guys are a cover band, lol.” Get a life!
Let me repeat- Sold Out
Eddie,
With all due respect to you, I do think the last two albums were great, especially Monster. Def Leppard, Rob Zombie, Motley Crue, Aerosmith (all great bands) are co-headlining these days so I wouldn’t think those arrangements have any bearing on a band being great. Kiss have always played what fans wanted. During The Tour and the tour supporting Monster, they played songs from the recent album. Its okay if they decide to mix it up a bit. They have started playing Hide Your Heart for the first time in probably 20 years. I can vouch for Monster and Sonic Boom being great albums. Monster is my favorite since Revenge.
You apparently do not know what a Co headline tour is because Aeromsith and Motley are not doing them. It is when both bands gets EQUAL set time. Aero plays 2 hours, Slash 1. Same with Motley. Facts. I thought Sonic was way better than Monster, just my opinion. But when those albums came out Kiss told you they were new classics by the best lineup? Strange to not feature a song or two from such important albums to them made by their dream lineup…
Sonic and Monster had their moments, but the main issue I have with the band is that from their 1st album Kiss, all the way through even Dynasty, though that album was a bit more spotty than earlier efforts (1973-79), just about every album was a keeper, with very little fat/filler which predominated even their better efforts thereon. This is not to say that good music didn’t come from the band after 1979, but Gene and the fans, Kiss Army know damn well that Kiss’s reputation and the reason for them being in the Hall is largely based on the amount of classic songs created during their peak. He can work with Tommy, Eric, and whoever else as long as he wants, but the point I’m making is I liken Kiss to an athlete who has 10 great years, but insists on playing another 30 years with diminished skills/material. Name 1 album put out with any lineup after 1979 that stands up to the earlier classics. Not too easy! The Hall should have acknowledged Bruce, Vinnie, Mark St. John, etc…, but the band has been riding their glory period seemingly “Forever!”
Actually Eddie, I do know what a co-headlining tour is, but I meant that each of the bands I mentioned have co-headlined with other big names before. My point was that it has no bearing on how great a band is. Even if Aerosmith is not currently co-headlining, they did so with Kiss years ago. Slash with Myles seems like a big draw too.
I also seem to remember that you did not write a good review for Sonic Boom, which shocked me at the time. You even said “danger us” was lame. Have you listened to Monster yet? It’s hard to believe you didn’t like the album and even thought SB was better, which means you must really dislike Monster. Fair enough, but I think you misunderstood me. Nevertheless, I love the show and the website Eddie.
I think if Ace and Peter were still in the band, they would still have to co headline.Seeing the same ol stage show, hearing the same ol songs just gets old. Even Pauls stage raps are always the same.
Very possible if they stayed in this entire time and kept doing the same songs. The draw was starting to fade during Farewell tour
Not fair Eddie…most bands are co-headlining and it’s as much about splitting costs as it could be about doubling the audience…It costs alot for the fans, so if ticket prices are high, getting two for one is a better fan deal too. Stop ensinuating the tour is not going well, because it is going well and people are showing up in droves…As far as playing new music, most bands that have come out with albums are not playing much or any new stuff live…Aerosmith ring a bell?? Most fans want the classics, but I would say I wish they would play more new stuff because I like it…I get it Eddie you don’t like what they are doing “makeup wise” but the other shots and criticisms are off and many of the things you say about Kiss, you don’t say about other bands when it is true…You can’t deny people do still care and still like to see this band, even if it’s not for you…
I don’t care what anyone likes and doesn’t like, that is their opinion and it’s fine. What i can’t take is the total BS that is shoveled constantly. Most bands co-headline? Aerosmith isn’t, Motley isn’t, Queen isn’t, Sabbath isn’t, Priest isn’t. Aerosmith is playing a 2 hour set if you want to bring them up, and one new song from latest album. TONS of bands struggle to sell tickets at all levels, agreed. But this “Kiss is bigger than ever” garbage is just utter nonsense as they continue to try and rewrite history. Bigger than ever is 4 nights headline sold out at MSG, which they only did with guess who? God forbid reality creeps into some fans world.
Apparently, someone wasn’t held enough as a child when they were growing up, because they are still throwing tantrums. Poor Eddie. Thrown out of the Kiss inner circle and it’s always sour grapes with you. Your childish shtick is getting old. Like it or not, people are still going to see Kiss…..headlining, co-headlining, playing a small club…. It doesn’t matter. Why do you always sound like a child that just got his shovel and pale stolen out of the sand box? You’re almost 50 years old. Grow up already.
I’m the child and you write like that? Now THAT is funny. Thrown out of inner circle? Well I guess I could be in that circle still if I was a blind worshiper with no objective honest opinions that buys everything they sell every day and every story told? Gee, sign me up! I’m the child but Kiss blocks their own fans on Twitter who have a differing opinion from the current mandate? Too funny!
I agree that Kiss are not as big as the 96-97 reunion tour. I think the fascination by the general public has worn off to a degree. What Kiss enjoys now are devoted fans that like them regardless of who used to be in the band. Kiss is a successful band receiving a great deal of support and publicity. In my opinion, if the music is still good, they should continue on. Paul still sings better than many big acts out there today, but I only hear shots being aimed at Paul on this site, not others. Maybe the reason is because of Paul’s statements about Peter and Ace and not so much because of his voice?
Once again, your disdain for the current lineup of the band clouds the obvious definition of the statement, “Kiss is bigger than ever.”. That is not referring solely to concerts and albums. It’s referring to the Kiss brand. Restaurants, tv shows, sports teams, licensing, etc…. All that taken into consideration, that statement is accurate.
Apparently you weren’t around in the mid 70’s hey day of TV movies, action figures and lunch boxes…
They are not bigger than ever, not even close, but they certainly still have a following…plus, Mötley is having issues selling tix and they just opened for Kiss less Ghana hear ago…Aerosmith is with Slash so not a true co-headliner, but why did Aerosmith do a co-headlining tour with them a few years ago? As much as I love Priest, I was at a Hard Rock show that you were at too in Hollywood Florida and it there was maybe 2,000 of the 5500 seats sold…Sabbathnis selling out because they are Sabbath and have a great new album and have just reunited…I’m not saying I even love the current Kiss, but just be fair in your criticism of them as most bands are co-headlining….will you bust Def Leppards balls when they are on TMS next time for opening for Kiss?? I don’t think so…just keep it real Eddie, I love ya and all you do for the genre, but think you like a lot of fans who don’t like current Kiss, take it too far..
Good God nobody gives a shit about this anymore.
Every time there is a post for KISS, there are at least 100 or more responses. More than any other band or artist it seems. Someone cares about it.
Indeed
Tommy and Eric “being in the band longer” means absolutely zilch when it comes to the Hall of Fame. It has absolutely nothing to do with how long you’ve been in a band to be inducted. Zilch! Squat! It’s what you do and what kind of an impact you’ve had in the time you’ve been in the band that qualifies you to be a part of a band getting inducted. Tommy and Eric do not fit that criteria. Period!
So the point is, why did the RRHOF allow other bands to include everyone? There are people in the Hall no’one has ever even heard of!
Bob…I’m sorry but I think they do. My opinion anyways. They have both put in a tremendous amount of time & passion into this band. As much as I don’t agree with them wearing the makeup they still were fans just like us and they put the work/spirit into the band. The RRHoF has never given KISS or us fans ANY respect at all. They just shit on all of KISS and all of us fans. I do get pissed at Gene & Paul for the negative comments…..I believe it is hard for them to forgive but in reality, Eric & Tommy really have done nothing negative to KISS or us fans. I so love Ace & Peter…..would love nothing more than to see Gene, Peter, Paul & Ace bury this high schoolish negative energy because I really believe the. Core 4 have love for each other…..Joe in The Cuse
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is about impact and influence. Tell me who Tommy Thayer has influenced over the last 10 years? Anyone out there that has said “oh, Tommy Thayer has influenced me to pick up a guitar.” I’d love to see it, but there isn’t anyone. And what, musically has Tommy and Eric done that anyone is ever going to remember? Eric, maybe because he played on Revenge, and fans still talk about that album. Other than that, no. Tommy and Eric are not qualified to be in the Hall of Fame.
In that case, half the inducted can be excused because not every member of every band had any kind of impact. Tommy played on Psycho Circus, Symphony, Sonic Boom, and Monster–all great albums. Are you sure he does not belong in the RRHOF? Some are in there for much less.