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
I feel all members should be involed. The late Eric Carr , Rest his soul was in the band longer than Peter was. I have a lot respect for Eric Singer he step in when needed when they were having a beef with Peter. I think Eric Carr an Eric Singer should get inducted An Bruce Kulick should get inducted also.
4 in make-up inducted. F the rest. The HOF isn’t the other guys. Gene wants the Thayer-Singer line-up realized. Hey Gene, The Jersey Boys producers are calling, get your Kiss Boys auditions going.
I think that not only 4 original members should be inducted
But I really think Eric Carr (RIP) and Vinnie Vincent should be included as well
No doubt that even Bruce Kullick deserves the honor
But I highly DOUBTH that Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer deserve that honor
They are only paid workers that do what the bosses order
They are excellent performers no DOUBTH, but they never contribute on song writing as all the ones who really deserved to be inducted
About the make up I agree with the one and only Ace spaceman Frehley
I think that all the members of Kiss past and present should be included.. I’ve been a fan of Kiss since 74. Without all members doing what they’ve done and are doing 2 day there would be no need 4 Kisstory I say let them all rock out on stage 2gether and enjoy their fame..
The big 4 in make-up for three then the rest of them for the encore….pretty a given thing. Just think, a few months ago Gene said the three time losers ain’t welcome, it is Thayah n Singah. Hey Gene, you want Peter & Ace for gigs this summer: try paying them, I hear T&S get weekly checks no matter what the shows are.