In a recent interview with Rock Antenne, Ace Frehley shed light on the KISS farewell event at Madison Square Garden on December 2, revealing the truth about his purported invitation to the show. Contrary to publicized statements about his vocal prowess, Frehley claimed that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley disagreed, insinuating a sense of jealousy:
“I think that deep down inside, they’re jealous of me, and they always were. Very obvious. If you really go back – I mean, first of all, think back 6-7 months ago. They were inviting us publicly to play at the Garden. Both of them in interviews. Then, the last month, they trashed me and Peter and said we can’t play.”
Addressing recent comments about KISS fans and the band’s financial strategy, Frehley expressed frustration:
“If we got up on stage with them, you might as well call the band piss. That’s what really pissed me off when I went on the Eddie Trunk Show and gave him some s**t for that.”
Following KISS’s announcement of continuing as a virtual band using avatars after their farewell tour, Frehley shared his perspective:
“But those guys try to rewrite history all the time. I have no idea; I don’t get what this avatar thing [is]. I wish them well with it because I’m going to get money if they do. I still get paid on my makeup. Peter sold his makeup.”
Regarding his and Peter Criss’ absence from the performance, Frehley added:
“In press, they invited me and Peter, but I never got a phone call. Peter never got a phone call.”
In a prior chat a week before the show, Frehley accused the band of lying about inviting former members to boost ticket sales. On the flip side, Simmons claimed they reached out, but both Frehley and Criss declined the offer:
“But the older fans wonder about Ace and Peter. Well, I asked both Ace and Peter a few times, ‘Do you wanna come out for the encores? Do you wanna do some shows?’ And they both said ‘No.’ So, I don’t know what to say about that.” Simmons added that both Peter and Ace were welcome to join them on stage.
2 comments
I m a huge KISS fan from back in 1975. I had never seen anything like them..
I thank them for what they gave us fans over the years. ..
The original line up will always be my favorite. .THEY MADE KISS WHSTV THEY ARE TODAY. .
I wish Tommy & Eric would have took on an identity of their own as Eric Carr & Vinnie did ..they would. Have gotten more respect ..Both you are talented musicians.
As for the battle between Paul / Gene with Ace / Peter NO ONE WOULD HAVE ENJOYED ANY OF THE FORTUNE & FAME IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE ORIGINAL 4
Yepeel Doooo