KISS’ GENE SIMMONS WISHES ORIGINAL GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY A “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” AND INVITES HIM TO “JUMP ON STAGE” WITH THE BAND ON THEIR “END OF THE ROAD” TOUR
KISS vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons has invited original guitarist Ace Frehley to take part in the band’s End Of The Road tour.
Earlier today, Simmons took to his Twitter to wish Frehley a happy 71st birthday, and he added, “The invitations still stand. Jump up on stage with us for encores. The fans would love it.”
Three years ago, Frehley said he was open to the idea of playing with his former bandmates, but only if the price was right. Speaking to Rock Candy magazine, he said, “It would be nice to go back out again with them. But it’s not my call. I think we have a really good relationship now. I text Paul [Stanley] and forth and we’ve worked together, as I have with Gene. I would seriously consider it, but the money would have to be right. I’m not gonna take [current KISS guitarist] Tommy Thayer‘s salary.”
“It would certainly sell more tickets with me involved,” he added. “I have a gut feeling it will happen.”
KISS’s current lineup consists of original members Simmons and Stanley, alongside later band additions, Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).
If only it was that easy, Gene…..
I don’t think a reunion with the original four will ever happen. Gene and Paul publicly speak to a naive fan base as if it a routine gesture to perform together with Ace and Peter, as if its solely up to Ace and Peter. Unfortunately, it’s a business and money/egos will be hard to overcome. Yes, “fans will love it”, but all four love money more….
Gene knows exactly what he’s doing and the deluge of comments that this article is going to generate will only prove my point. I think the birthday wish is genuine. I think the invitation to “jump up onstage” is to provoke loyal Ace fans and make headlines. That said, on its face, there is nothing wrong with Gene’s invitation. The problem is, Ace will never “jump up onstage” without getting paid – and he’ll probably demand to be paid an equal share as Gene and Paul. That’s never going to happen. So I think we can all dismiss Gene’s suggestion as either good natured (if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt), or take it as a tease/provocation (if you’re cynical).
Either way, fans are never going to see Ace in his spaceman costume playing onstage with Gene and Paul.
I’ve heard enough intv w/Ace to agree w/u. He’ll never do it without a payday. He’s always talking about getting paid.
Pay him …. don’t continue with this blatant bs statement designed to excite and get more people to the shows – Gene not everyone was born stupid….
I agree.
I agree. Give him a million to do a couple of shows. Without Ace there would only be an ok Kiss band. Not a great Kiss band. He gave them a lot of that Kiss sound. His first solo cd sold more than the other members by far and launched his own solo band. Something Gene and Paul tried to do but failed really bad. Live to Win. Hey asshose. hahahaha!
Ace’s last solo cd Spaceman is really great! Happy Birthday! And thanks for all those great Kiss and solo songs!
I think Gene says that because he knows Ace won`t do it unless they pay him and he has no intention of paying him . This way he doesn`t come off as the bad guy . I think it would be cool to see what kind of shit could be stirred if Ace did play some encores at a show without pay . He does it just for the fans and gets to jam with the guys for a last time . Also I think that would really create some serious controversy and possibly get Ace paid for future gigs with kiss , kinda like what the unplugged session did . It would be a cool little slap on Gene and Paul if Ace could show it`s not always about the money .