So much for the original members of KISS getting along. Things seemed all hunky-dory, when Ace was invited to perform with his solo band on the KISS Kruise this past fall. But I guess old wounds get easily reopened.
In a recent interview with Guitar World talking about their final tour, KISS frontman Gene Simmons made it clear that original members Frehley and drummer Peter Criss were welcome to perform one or two songs but not much more:
“Ace and Peter have gotten three chances. They were in and out of the band—fired—three times. For drugs, alcohol, bad behavior, being unprofessional … they weren’t carrying their load. … So the short answer to your question is we’d love to have Ace and Peter join us here and there. And if they don’t, it’s not going to be because of us. But they’re never going to be in KISS again.”
“Three times is the charm; ‘I promise I’ll pull out’ doesn’t work. It’s the boy who cried wolf: ‘Oh, I’ve been straight for a million years.’ Terrific! Have a good life! … Would we welcome Ace or Peter to jump up onstage for a song or two? Of course. Could we depend on either Ace or Peter to do a full set night after night? Not on your fucking life.”
This did not sit well with Frehley, who went off on Simmons in a Facebook post, accusing Simmons of being a sex addict. (Simmons has been accused by at least two women of harassment and had been banned from Fox News for inappropriate behavior.) Frehley also accused Simmons of once groping his wife. Here's Frehley's full statement:
“My Reaction to Gene’s Post Today
…Gene, your memory is really incorrect!…I was NEVER FIRED from KISS, I quit twice (not 3-times) of my own free will, because you and Paul are control freaks, untrustworthy and were too difficult to work with!
…Your slanderous remarks about my bad habits over the years has cost me millions of dollars and now that I’m over 12-years sober you’re still saying I can’t be trusted to play a whole nights show! Well that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last 12-years with different configurations of “The Ace Frehley Band” to you and Paul’s dismay!
…I’m also the most successful solo artist to come out of the original KISS lineup , and proud of it!…You and Paul have tried to derail my solo career multiple times over the years unsuccessfully.
…I’ve tried to be nice and friendly by inviting you and Paul to perform on my past albums for eOne Music, give each of you guys one of my prized Gibson Les Paul 59’ models, but today’s comments have made me realize you’re just an asshole and a sex addict who’s being sued by multiple Women, and you’re just trying to sweep it all under the carpet!
…The icing on the cake was when you groped my wife and propositioned her in Los Angeles at the Capitol Records building behind my back, when I was trying to help you out at one of your “Vault Experiences” which I only found out about several weeks later…she was planning on pursuing a suit against you, but I told her to call it off!!!
…Well now the gloves are off after your terrible comments today and I’m thinking that this really may be “The End Of The Road Tour” for you guys!!!
….Without a complete and heartfelt apology, an offer to give me my old job back, and removing Tommy from the Throne that I created… THE SHIT WILL HIT THE FAN AND THEY’LL BE NO STOPPING IT-IT’S ON!!!
I guess there's more to this? Seems like if Ace wanted his job back, which didn't seem like a likely outcome, this recent messaging is going to make it far less likely.
But we'll be over here with the popcorn.
