Yesterday (March 29th), original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was guest on Eddie’s Sirius/XM show, Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, where he discussed comments that Paul Stanley made on The Howard Stern Show, calling the original line-up, PISS.
Frehley stated, as per blabbermouth.net, “You know what it is? It’s Paul’s frustration and insecurity that he has to use backing tapes. And we’re only six months apart, and I can still get up there and belt it out and hit the keys, and he can’t. And it’s very unfortunate. And I’m very sad [about] the fact that he’s using backing tracks. It’s cheapening the brand, which affects my bottom line, because I still get paid from KISS on merchandising and whatever else they do. And I’m pissed off about it.”
He added, “Those guys have been badmouthing me since I quit the very first time in 1981, 1982, calling me a drug addict, calling me an alcoholic, saying I’m unemployable, I’m undependable. And then, when we did the Unplugged thing for MTV, all of a sudden I’m offered millions of dollars to come back to the band. Oh, what happened? Now I’m not a drug addict and I’m dependable and you’re willing to take a shot at hiring me again? In fact, they offered me more money than they offered [original KISS drummer] Peter [Criss].”
“The reunion tour was one of the most successful tours KISS ever did,” Frehley continued. “It grossed over 250 million dollars the first year. It was the largest-grossing tour of that year, by any band in the United States and Europe. And I got paid, and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll see you guys. I’m going back to my solo [career].’ And then all of a sudden they said, ‘No. We’re thinking about doing a farewell tour.’ I said, ‘Okay. What kind of money are we talking about?’ And it was acceptable. And I said, ‘Why not make a few more million dollars?'”
Returning to Stanley’s comments about him, the guitarist said, “Let me tell you something, my brother and the fans. Nobody knows this, but when I was living in San Diego with my [then-]girlfriend, I got a phone call from Paul, Doc[McGhee, KISS manager] and Gene. We did a conference call, and they were asking me to play with them on stage. They wanted me to play. They wanted to do it. And I said, ‘I’m not getting up on stage with Tommy [Thayer, current KISS guitarist] if he’s wearing my makeup. You expect me to wear makeup. There will be two Spacemen. Are you crazy? I’ll do it if it’s just us four — the original founding members who created something very special.
For the last 15 years they’ve had other people playing what Peter did, and Tommy’s copying every solo I ever wrote, and trying to copy my moves, and trying to be cool on stage, but unsuccessfully [laughs] — unfortunately. But with all the bombs and the smoke and mirrors, they’re getting away with it. Personally, I don’t give a s–t as long as I’m getting paid by them.”
“But as far as what he said on Howard Stern, I’m going to make a statement to Paul Stanley right now,” he said. “And Paul, if you’re not listening, I’m sure one of your associates in the KISS group are. And I’m telling you that I want my formal apology for what you said and a retraction and an apology within seven days. And if I don’t get that within seven days, I’m coming back on Ed Trunk‘s show and I’m gonna tell some dirt that nobody knows about Paul and Gene that I’ve always kept to myself because I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t talk about this. I like to talk about the positive stuff.”
“You’ve read my book. You’ve read Paul’s book. You’ve read Peter’s book. A lot of times those guys are just throwing people under the bus,” Frehley noted. “I mean, in Paul’s book, he even threw Gene under the bus. What I tried to do was have a fun, entertaining book with interesting stories, and this is the way I am. I’m not the kind of guy who kisses and tells. When it comes to negativity, and we’ve all done things that we regret over the years — it’s there. I have a 120-page manuscript that I wrote after I finished my book. My attorney has it in a safety deposit box. God forbid anything happens to me. My attorney is instructed to release it to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, API [sic], everybody. So they can’t intimidate me with trying to hurt me or say, ‘You’d better not say anything about me live on the radio.’ Because then they’re totally screwed. Their careers will be ruined.”
Despite everything that has been said between him and his former bandmates, Frehley acknowledged that would still be willing to share the stage with Stanley and Simmons when KISS plays their final shows in New York City this December. “I was actually hoping that maybe they’d invite me to come back for a third time, not because I really wanted to play with them because we created something really special and I’m the best fit in that band,” he said. “Always ways, always will be. You think Tommy Thayer can do what I can do? Impossibility.”
34 Responses
These little pointless b**chy bombs that both sides fire at each other make them all look like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Ace makes all these salacious threats towards Gene/Paul, yet he’s more than happy and willing to get up onstage at the final KISS show if the price is right. That’s integrity for you!
RTunes68: That’s “doing it for the fans” for you…
Disagree with a lot of this.
One, I just saw Ace in a small club about six months ago, and he CANNOT “belt it out” and “hit the keys”. He started to sing “Deuce” and after a line and a half, had to point at the bass player (who was excellent, by the way) to take over.
I’ve seen Kiss too many times to count, and the last time with Peter was by far the worst. He was horrible, with his lame “tear” painted on his face and barely making it through a shortened set (it was the co-headlining tour with Aerosmith). I’ve seen them three times with the latest incarnation, and tis notion that it’s “not Kiss” is bull****. My kid saw the last one with me, KNOWING it wasn’t really Ace and Peter (so no deception) and thought it was the greatest thing she had ever seen.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I believe the “not playing” at the RnRHoF was a shot at the Hall, not at Ace and Peter. Paul has been candid about being very angry and disappointed that Bruce and especially Eric Carr didn’t get included (and he’s right; you have the Dead’s lyricist and backup singer in, The Cure’s touring guitar player in, and the entire E Street Band as their own entity in, and it’s a disgrace that Bruce and Eric weren’t inducted) and so why should Paul and Gene then turn around and give the Hall their “moment” (they LOVE the big jams; just look at how many videos they allow out there of the finale).
With all due respect, from someone who admits to not being a KISS fan, even in his heyday, I never thought Ace could sing. He is a couple of steps above, Lou Reed, with the sing talking style, of which, I am not a fan. On the flip side, I never liked Stanley’s effeminate voice, either.
Most KISS songs that I do appreciate, have Simmons singing lead, and I was impressed when Carr sang, Young and Wasted, on that KISS Animalize tour, that filmed for, at that time, VHS.
Good points. My daughters can’t tell the difference between Ace and Tommy, but I can, and we still had a great time seeing them live. Also, I admire Paul for telling the HOF that without Bruce and Eric, their induction was tainted and he wouldn’t allow them to see the original members play on their stage. I agree it wasn’t a slight on Ace and Peter, it was sticking to the HOF committee.
I used to have that VHS “Animalize” video tape concert, wish I still did! But thank God for YouTube! Eric Carr was a phenomenal drummer and a great/underrated singer as well! I think I’m one of only a few fans that loves 80’s KI⚡⚡ as much as 70’s KI⚡⚡!
Dana , I agree ace was never a good singer , I’ve never liked his voice to me he stills sounds like himself vocally , he’s never really hit high notes ever , as far as stanley and his below the belt ” piss comment ” I think he does owe ace and pete a public apology that was a pretty extreme thing to say
You know Paul isn’t going to apologize , I’m curious if Eddie will let Ace come back on and let Ace talk dirt on his show about the guys in retaliation . On a side note for those that listened to the interview, did anybody out there know that Ace where’s a wig ? That was funny as all hell . Poor guy wanted to talk some smack about the guys wigmaster and wigs and then came clean that he also where`s a wig ! Then proceeded to talk about how many people where wigs and what not. Oops
Ray,
Who else wears them?
D
He didn`t name names besides Gene , Paul and himself(which surprised me) . He then followed up saying alot of famous musicians wear wigs and actors . I didn`t know Ace wore one until he said something on the show,lol. It was during the part of the interview when he said gene and paul fired their wig maker of 30 yrs recently. sorry for the confusion
Oh, well I suspect JJ French from Twisted Sister does, both long and short ones.
We do have Brett Michaels with the wigdanna . Dude from faster pussycat Taime Downs, wig . There`s a ton of them out there for sure. Eddie should do a top 10 , best metal musicians with wigs .lmao
That would be hysterical.
I met Michaels up at Eddie’s once, and I know he does, but I really couldn’t tell. Not to mention, he is so damn pretty, and nice, it doesn’t matter. Plus, he supports vets, I love Bret.