ORIGINAL KISS GUITARIST ACE FREHLEY ON THE RRHOF INDUCTION: “YOU CAN’T HAVE [BOTH] ME AND TOMMY [THAYER] IN MAKEUP”
Original KISS guiatrist Ace Frehley was a guest on Eddie’s Q104.3’s, Eddie Trunk Rocks, radio show on December 20th. Excerpts from the interview appear below courtesy of blabbermouth.net.
Ace discussing performing with his fellow original KISS members when they are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next April:
“I always try to take the high road and be optimistic and hope that everybody’s gonna come to the bargaining table and do the right thing. Sometimes I get the support. But I have a feeling everything’s gonna work out. I mean, I spoke with Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist] and Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist]. I know they wanna perform with me and Peter [Criss, original KISS drummer]. I’m just not sure how much they want [current KISS members] Tommy [Thayer, guitar] and Eric [Singer, drums] to be involved. But since [Tommy and Eric] not getting inducted, I’m just gonna let that play out with the Hall and management and attorneys and all that stuff. I’m just excited about getting back with them and doing a great three or four songs. And I think it’s gonna be great. I’m hoping that everybody’s just gonna do the right thing.”
“I know for a fact that the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame wants the four of us to perform in makeup. That’s what they want, and we’ll see how it plays out. I’m hoping that everybody’s just gonna do the right thing and celebrate the four original members who started it all.”
On his conversations with Paul and Gene after it was announced that KISS was being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame:
“They actually called me today. We had a very nice conversation. They congratulated me. They actually have been trying to get hold of me since the announcement, but I’ve been in the studio working on my new record, so I wasn’t available. But they tracked me down today through [KISS manager] Doc McGhee’s office. And we had a nice conversation; it was very up and very positive.”
Speaking about how the current lineup of KISS should be included, if at all, in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony:
“Where KISS is now, that’s fine and that’s the way it is now, but what we’re celebrating is what Paul, Peter, Gene and Ace started back in 1972. ’73…
“I don’t have a problem with Tommy and Eric being there out of makeup, if I’m in makeup, because they’re a big part of KISS today. They had nothing to do with the beginning of KISS or had nothing to do with the designs or the costumes or the makeup, but they’re a part of KISS today and it is what it is; I don’t control that. But this is about the celebration of KISS and how it all began and started and it should be honoring the four original members.
“If those guys [Tommy and Eric] wanna come up out of makeup and do Rock And Roll All Nite with the whole cast of the show, that would be a great thing. They deserve a little. [But] I can only hope that [Paul and Gene are] gonna do the right thing.
“You can’t have me and Tommy both in makeup. You can’t have Eric and Peter both in makeup. That’s gonna be a farce. So hopefully the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will talk some sense into those guys [Paul and Gene] as far as that aspect of the show. Believe it or not, I have faith in those guys.”
Talking abouy whether he is open to doing more things with KISS in the future beyond the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction:
“Like I said to Rolling Stone [magazine], never say never. Anything could happen after that night. And I don’t wanna speculate at this point, but who knows? We’re gonna make rock and roll history one way or the other.”
“Look, if something was presented to me in the right way, anything is possible. That’s as far as I wanna go on that. I’m working on my new album. It’s gonna be released next spring. I’ve got a single coming out probably right around the time the ceremony is gonna be happening. And [my new record label] eOne is really excited about the new record. So who knows what’s gonna happen? But I’m not gonna scrap my record [to reunite with KISS], I can tell you that right now. [laughs]”
source:blabbermouth.net
Good call Ace! Anomoly kicked ass so bring on another album.
Ha! scuse me while I laugh. I love Ace, but Anomaly was the worst album of then year … well, the century… I bought it, And I’ve regretted ever since…..
It would’ve been ironically funnier if you regretted buying “No regrets”
I don’t think they should wear makeup. it would look beyond stupid for them to sit in the crowd in white face. they should do it all natural.
Huh?
What?
Go on Ace, you are the real Space Ace… and we all know it!
One thing’s for sure. It can’t turn out any more ridiculous than Van Halen when they had Velvet Revolver perform songs they were ill prepared to play, especially Run Around by Hagar. Of course, VH redeemed themselves by putting out a reasonably good if not excellent album (whatever the sources), and seem to be continuing their work, albeit without Michael Anthony.
At least in the case of Kiss, on paper it looks like the HOF will ensure that the original 4 show up and play songs in makeup which will be cool, if only for the night. I wouldn’t expect anything beyond that, but then again, if the crowd responds as they did during Unplugged in ’95, Gene might give in, and it seems like Ace is open to it. We shall see. All of the Kiss Army will be tuned in, and for what it’s worth, I have respect and admiration for Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam), Linda Rondstadt, Hall & Oates, and Peter Gabriel, but IT WILL BE KISS WHO WILL BLOW THE ROOF OFF THE BARCLAY’S THAT NIGHT!!!
Ace and Tommy, Peter and Eric on stage at the same time wearing the make up? It would be just like that scene in KISS meets the Phantom of the Park when the the real KISS takes on the robot KISS on stage. Can anyone (besides Eddie) tell me the song the robot KISS band was singing before the real KISS shows up and kicks their collective asses? Hint: Its sung to the music of Hotter than Hell.
Rip and Destroy. And I agree with you – it’d be reality imitating art – though I use the word “art” loosely. What’s next, Frampton and the Bee Gees vs. Aerosmith?
Well done John. No wonder why you and Richman are my favorites. Robin Gibb is the only one left, but I’m sure he and Frampton could still kick Aerosmith’s ass in a fight.
robin gibb is dead, only barry is alive, the oldest of the 4 gibb brothers,which must be an eerie feeling.
Thx for correcting me on my BeeGees snafu.
RIP RIP and Destroy (Hotter than Hell)
The answer to the “KISS ROBOT” song set to the tone of Hotter than Hell was “SEEK AND DESTROY”!
CONGRATS TO THE ORIGINAL KISS!! BEEN A FAN SINCE 1976(age 6), 44 years strong now and I am still a fan(from the 70’s, through the 80’s and 90’s, and The Millenium)! It’s a shame KISS was snubbed for so long, they should have been inducted into the ROCK HALL the year they became eligible! Maybe now “Houston radio” will start playing their music in the same rotation as Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin!!