Marty Friedman recently opened up about the surprising reason he was turned down for an audition with Kiss. During a conversation with Whiplash.net, Friedman confirmed a long-standing rumor about his height being the decisive factor.
When asked if it was true that he missed the opportunity due to his stature, Friedman detailed the exchange (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar): "Yes, that's true. I was too short. I fit the other ones."
"When they were changing guitar players a long time ago, I got a call from somebody from Kiss's people. They said, 'Do you think you might be interested in auditioning for Kiss?' I'm, like, 'Tell me when and where.'," Friedman remembered.
"They go, 'We've got a couple of questions for you. First of all, you don't have any facial hair, do you? Correct. 'You have long hair?' Yes. 'You're single?' Yes. 'You're skinny?' Yes. 'Not blonde?' Yes. I fit all of those things. And then he says, 'How about your height? Are you six feet tall with no shoes?' I'm like, 'Oh shit, not even close.'"
"I'm, like, five foot, seven and a half inches, but I'll have an operation. I'll do something.' 'I'm sorry, it's not going to work out.'"
The interviewer humorously suggested that high heels might have resolved the issue, but Friedman explained that the requirement was uncompromising, and high heels or platform shoes wouldn't have made a difference.
"They said six feet with no shoes on. I wear high heels, anyway. They said six feet with no shoes on. I had everything else. And I was so upset. I was so bummed. But what can you do?… Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, how many Jewish guys are six feet tall without boots? Why did it have to be that way? I totally get it, though."
