The bitterness between the current and former members who founded Kiss will not be quelled anytime soon. It’s been a little over a week since the group announced that it would not perform “in any lineup” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, following Ace Frehley’s comment that he would not perform with current guitarist Tommy Thayer wearing Frehley’s sometime makeup. Now, in a new interview with Guitar World, vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley has questioned Frehley’s talent.
“What we had at the beginning was magical. . . Ace and I played great together,” Stanley said. “But in my mind it’s a crime what Ace did: He threw away incredible potential and talent. The Ace I played with when the band first started out was a comet – and not [Frehley’s late-Eighties band] ‘Frehley’s Comet!’ But he was burning bright and really had the ability – and this would rub him the wrong way – to be a real contender. But he stopped practicing. He got involved with a whole lot of things that really diluted and diminished his craft. I saw that comet grow dim.”
Stanley added that after KISS fired drummer Peter Criss in 1980, he decided the band needed to reinvent itself, and that’s why they removed their makeup in 1983. It’s a decision he now feels hurt the band. “Rather than saying, ‘We’ve built these iconic figures together and we’re going to continue on with what we built,’ we bought into the idea of, ‘We have to have a new character,'” he said. “That watered it down. Some people may argue with me, but I feel that Batman is Batman whether he’s played by George Clooney, Christian Bale, Val Kilmer and on and on.”
additional source: Rolling Stone
238 Responses
Pathetic … the star child is angry…waaaaaaa!!! Ace stopped you from having your cover band play and shitting on him and his place in history ( not your crappy kisstory) so now your upset…sniff sniff.. Gene pass me a tissue..
I have to admit I see valid points on all sides. I was always pro Ace and Peter but after reading their books, I could sympathize somewhat with what Gene and Paul also had to put up with. I keep coming back to one thing from Ace’s book that really says it all for me. Although he obviously had his issues throughout the years, he walked away from millions (I believe twice)! Gene and Paul claim to be all about the music and the fans but in the end it is all about the money. I’m not saying they cheat their fans on stage because they don’t but in he end it is all about money. They turned KISS into a business and music was only part of that business. Condoms, coffins, lunch boxes, etc. It made the band a joke in many respects and the music suffered. Ace walked away from that cash machine and I feel that says a lot.
One of the greatest moments in my life was getting to see the original four in concert. I was too young to go the first time around and never thought I would get the chance. My first KISS concert was in Madison Square Garden with the original lineup!! It was a dream come true. My last was with the current lineup and I cannot begin to tell you how much I regret that.
Although I can enjoy some of the music without the original four, KISS to me was ALWAYS Ace, Paul, Gene and Peter. In the end, I’ve lost respect for all parties involved. I’ve grown tired of all the fighting and have come to see the flaws in all of them.
Gene and Paul,
I understand your issues with Ace and Peter and I also understand their issues with you two. You both have made more money than most people could ever dream of with your “business.” For once, could you please show that you actually care about the fans who made you what you are. No more lip service. I could care less about what you call KISS today. I saw it and wish I hadn’t. Please don’t let that be my last memory of KISS! The original KISS army waited a long time for this. Nobody is asking for a reunion tour. When it is over, you can go back to the farce of using Ace and Peter’s makeup on their replacements and continue to destroy the memory of what was once something great.
PLEASE!!!!
WE WANT THE BEST . . .
Ace, Paul, Gene and Peter
One Last Time . . . .
KISS!!!!!!
I’ve seen the current line up and they were great. A really tight band. You need to watch Rock the Nation in DVD. Its great even if you dont approve of the make-up situation.
Hm, walked away from millions – the three “reunion” tours might have included some 250 concerts altogether, so 250 x 40k dollars, how many millions do we have here? 10. Now, how many millions do you think Gene and Paul each made in the same three tours?? Just figure: arenas of about 25,000 people paying about 50 dollars per person …. And do not tell me they had to pay the manager, the venue, I know … How much do they earn per gig today surely again paying Tommy and Eric a lot less than those 40k (Ace) or 30k (Peter) per gig back then? Maybe Ace and Peter just left because money wasn’t the only reason for them? I know we cannot get back the original lineup, but I would be happy to spend some money on another club concert with Ace even if he DOES play sloppy because I would get something honest.
I really love all of the comments on here..There are some really valid points.. Ace does have one of the best guitar tones around period. And quite frankly Peter’s playing started to go down hill around 1976-77. But here’s a question.. Now I know Ace & Peter are clean and sober… I would LOVE to see them play a few songs for old times sake.. The original 4 should play one song together, then have Vinnie and Bruce play a song with them and then have Eric and Tommy come out and play R&RAN together and that way All parties will have a part in the evening… and would Eric and Tommy dressing as Ace and Peter even be an issue if they didn’t sell their trademark make up to Gene & Paul…..Food for thought!…
Ace can be broke, jacked on jack but that open marriage Gene has with all the c-list strippers and escorts tops anything sad. Gene’s a loser.
Well, that loser is worth around 300 million. He must be doing something right.
Sorry Paul Stanley you are so wrong there is only one Batman and that is Adam West. All the others are just actors. Just like there is only one Spaceman and one Cat (Ace & Peter) don’t forget where you came from Paul.
Yes, he came from Wicked Lester and started the band KISS. I doubt if he forgets that.