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
Basically turn kiss into a vegas show.
Exactly. When they are too old to continue (no need to comment- we all have our individual opinions on that matter), G&P will ensure a constant cash flow by having replacement members wear the makeup and tour.
At least then we will all know that they are ALL hired hands, have zero input on creative matters and we will not have to hear about any original members no longer being included in anything.
Personally, I think having a group of replacements taking up the touring sucks the spirit of rock and roll right out of KISS. If there is any left at this point.
Don’t they get it? Will they ever? Kiss already will go on forever, music, video’s, books, and so on. I don’t know, it’s too early for me to try to make any sense of this.
As long as they keep it in Vegas, it might work, after all, doesn’t everybody have an impersonator in Las Vegas? 😉
Wow, this is INSANE! I am at a lost for words. Paul and Gene have lost their minds and guts. I have not supported them since the final farewell tour with Ace and Peter. And to hear this news confirms i made the right decision. What happened to the 4 hungry NEW YORK band members. I am gonna go now…
Sickening!
Eddie was so right when he said KISS would continue without original members! Good call!
Uhhhh yeah, Paul and Gene alluded to that years ago. Good call on relaying others’ information.