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
That news is from 6-7 years ago. The entire article was published in 2008 on Starpulse. Epic fail.
May be the case, but it is still very much the plan and the opinions are all very interesting. Maybe valid more than ever since so much closer/older now. The band has said this themselves..
So not only Gene and Paul will be replaced but “only recently accepted” members Eric and Tommy at the same time too ? We have plenty of Kiss cover / tributebands already. Welcome back to the tiny clubs KISS: it will then end where it all began; playing for 3 persons in a smoky bar.
Honestly, the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. Talk about clueless and mis-guided.
?? Confusing.. are they looking to replace just Gene & Paul as stated at the start of this post or all four current members as Doc has quoted). I thought it was just G&P being replaced with Eric and Tommy continuing on.
Kiss has now become a ridiculous band. I’m will not in any way shape or form support Kiss without any of the original members. If there is no original members then all you have is a cover band. Gene and Paul must now be committed to a mental Institute because they have really gone off the deep end with this. I’m sorry but after hearing about this and if it really does happen, I will no longer support Kiss, Gene and Paul or no Gene and Paul. Hard to believe my all time favorite band is letting me and all the fans down by doing this. If thought Tommy and Eric putting on Ace and Peters makeup was bad enough but Gene and Paul have really sunk to a new low. Such a shame that they are destroying what they worked so hard to create.