The manager of KISS has confirmed the group are in talks to launch a TV talent show to find replacements for frontman Paul Stanley and guitarist Gene Simmons – when the duo eventually retire.
It has long been rumored that founding members Stanley and Simmons hope to keep the band running when they decide to quit – but both men have been evasive when asked about whether any new members have been signed up and if the takeover will happen after their current world tour.
The rock veterans are the only original members left in the band, which was marred by the departure of Ace Frehely and Peter Criss and the death of Eric Carr in 1991 – the group now includes replacements Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer.
However their longtime manager Doc McGhee insists that there are indeed plans to replace all four band members and keep KISS alive for a new generation – they are close to signing a deal to find their replacements through an American Idol-style TV show.
McGhee says in a new TV documentary about the band, “I believe that KISS can go on forever. I believe that there is a way – and we are talking to people and we’re pretty close to getting it done – about finding the four new members of KISS.”
As our own Eddie Trunk reports in his Trunk Report, despite the fact that this article is dated 2008, Eddie writes, “the plan and closer than ever to happening…maybe two years away from launching.”
source: starpulse.com
192 Responses
Not sure I like this but what can you do? Maybe if they get four new guys and focus on new music it could work but it would be hard to listen to the classics being performed without any of the original members. If you are going to go in an all new direction it is probably best to retire the music of the original band and start fesh but what do I know? I am a fan of The Doors and it was hard to see someone perform in place of Jim Morrison, I saw them with Ian Astbury of The Cult, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. Anyway best of luck to the new guys as they are going to need it as for many, including myself, KISS is Ace, Paul, Peter, and Gene forever.
What makes a group, or a song, instantly recognizable is, for the most part, the voice of the singer, so if Paul’s and Gene’s distinct voices are gone, it will be a totally different game. So what you CAN do is is not buy anything this new cover band or incarnation will put out iof you have a problem with that, I surley would have a problem so I won’t go. I can only hope they will expand the current anniversary tour to Europe and see them one last time.
Concerning Paul’s voice and The current state of Kiss as a band; That’s a contradiction to everything you’ve said in previous posts. Please explain!
It is not, I have always been critical about the current lineup. I have also admitted that I would go buy a ticket for one more final tour if they came to Europe one more time. Other than that, I think I can clearly remember criticizing Paul for his shortcomings lately etc. Apart from that, I was talking about individuality and distinctiveness (whioch makes people love and follow something) versus puppets. it is BECAUSAE Paul’s voice is/was so recognizable, that fans find it sad to listen to him today.
What I’m confused about is how you have said Paul’s voice is shot. Did you change your mind about that? If you go see them one last time, based on your previous assessments, Paul’s voice would not be recognizable. If that’s the case, why go see them? Of course, I think you should because his voice, though not what it once was range wise, is still great.
To Mike below: of course his voice is shot and I do not think it will ever recover to its former astrength, still he is instantly recognizable as PS. Shot does not mean you cannot identify him (with eyes cloes) as PS, shot means he has lost the strength, the ability to hit the high notes, his voice is cracking quite often trying to hit these respective notes. But still, a new singer/member would have to emulate his voice like Thayer is emulating Ace’s sound. So there is no contradiction. I will go see them because even without Eddie’s last post here is has become apparent over the last one or two years that they are close to calling it quits, so I will go even though it will be sad to lsiten to P with his voice shot. It would be like a last farewell and I am sure many who still maintain their criticism will feel and do the same. I fear that when all these bands I grew uo with, Kiss, Ac/DC, Priest, are finally retired, where to go to? So if there is a chance to see one of them one last time I am sure many of us will go, maybe even those who now are saying they will never spend one cent again on Kiss.
Schocoman,
So, you will arrive with your arms crossed, judging every move and sound, then go on this site and complain how much you thought it sucked? Repeating everything you have said so far?
As much as I would like to please you mocking me, but no, I will enjoy the time, surprise???
I think it is great as far as I am concerned I will always follow kiss I have been since 13 and now 50 so kiss is kiss whoever is behind the makeup they say anybody can be replaced but I will still keep up with gene paul eric peter and ace no matter what I will always like the new kiss kiss is kiss no matter what we hardcore fans are a following but in my sense I still think there is gas in the tank of both paul and gene and when they decide to retire they will know
Pathetic. I don’t know why anyone would be interested in such a farce. Look at bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Guns n’ Roses, they have one original member each and it is a complete waste of time. Now, Kiss is talking about not having one original member and still continuing?
Are they the Hard Rock version of Menudo?
You do realize that this story was from 2008, right? Why are you reporting on it now?
It was sent to me recently as a new story. In fact it is old. But it doesn’t change anything. This is still the plan and it is closer than ever. Maybe a year away. So the differing opinions and discussion maybe more valid than ever..
The show would only….only….. have merit if Eddie, Jim, Don and Dana could be the judges!!!!!!!
Epic.
I don’t think Dana would be interested, she’s not really a big Kiss fan. 😉
LOL, Doug!
D 🙂
Scott,
Your comments never fail to make me laugh and smile, thanks! LOL!!
Dana 🙂
I think Kiss fans should call in and vote–of course that includes Eddie and Don.
You mean one of your people got it off of KISSfaq message board.
He’s reporting on it now because Trunk loves to stir the pot with the current verison of Kiss. To be fair, you should post something about Ace’s car wreck from 1974. It’s totally irresponsible to post something like this. But then again, I expect nothing less from the self-proclaimed “fan of all eras of Kiss”.
Really sir? Explain Paul saying this “old news” THIS YEAR on Ron & Fez and Rolling Stone? Only in Kiss crazy world can you be accused of stirring a pot for repeating what THEY said.
I just saw a photo of the crowd attendance at the Kiss/Def Leppard show at the LA Forum. Didn’t see any empty seats. Sooooo many group sales and 2 for 1’s, right Trunk? Or They probably just air-brushed those people into the photo, right? It’s not possible for THAT many people to actually travel to a venue to see the current version of Kiss, because that would mean there are alot of people out there who dont have your point of view. And as well know, that is impossible.
Kiss was my favorite band in late 70’s & throughout the 80’s, now they are a joke !!!!!!!!!!!