In a recent interview with Rock Antenne, Ace Frehley, former guitarist of KISS, candidly discussed the band’s farewell event at Madison Square Garden on December 2.
He expressed skepticism about Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley’s motives, hinting at jealousy and inconsistent statements regarding his participation. Ace Frehley recalled how, months earlier, Simmons and Stanley publicly invited him to play at the event, only to later disparage his and Peter Criss’s abilities.
Frehley, known for his straightforward remarks, criticized KISS’s current direction, including their decision to continue as a virtual band using avatars, a move he finds perplexing yet potentially profitable for him due to his rights to the makeup design.
He also highlighted the lack of direct communication regarding his and Criss’s participation in the farewell performance, stating they never received a call.
Gene Simmons, in contrast, maintained that he reached out to both Frehley and Criss, inviting them to join the encores or do some shows, but they declined.
Paul Stanley, however, expressed reservations about a reunion with the original members, emphasizing the farewell tour’s focus on celebrating KISS’s 50-year journey rather than just the original lineup.
As KISS transitions into its virtual era, Frehley is gearing up for more shows to promote his new album, ‘10,000 Volts,’ signaling a divergent path from his former band’s current ventures.
