Ace Frehley thinks KISS continuing without any original members is ridiculous

Ace Frehley thinks KISS continuing without any original members is ridiculous

Blabbermouth has reported the following on an interview that ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley did with Boston radio station WZLX 100.7 FM (with slight edits):

During an interview with the “Karlson & McKenzie” show on Boston’s WZLX 100.7 FM radio station, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was asked about the possibility of the band one day carrying on without any original members, including main songwriter Paul Stanley.

“That’s the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard [Stanley and KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons] make,” Ace said. “I think the only reason they make those statements at this juncture is to try to validate the fact that they have two other guys in the band that aren’t the original members. So they’re trying to rationalize to the fans, ‘Well, you know, we replaced Peter [Criss, original KISS drummer] and we replaced Ace, and eventually we’re gonna replace ourselves. That’s like [The Rolling Stones singer] Mick Jagger saying, ‘Yeah, after me and Keith [Richards, The Rolling Stones guitarist] die, The Stones will continue on with two other guys.’ I mean, it’s a joke.”

The entire article can be read at Blabbermouth.

Back in October 2009, Sleaze Roxx reported on an interview that Stanley did prior to KISS taking their Sonic Boom tour to Toronto, Canada:

Q. Part of the problem might be that they’re wearing Ace and Peter’s costumes and makeup. With no disrespect to Tommy and Eric, a lot of fans see that as a slap in the face.

Stanley: That there are people who take issue with it is all well and good. To say the vast majority don’t agree would be an understatement. The fact is, there are four iconic figures that are what KISS is. To change that because someone is no longer in the band cheats me, because I busted my butt for 35 years making this what it is. So why would I let somebody deny me and the majority of the fans what they expect? That’s what we owe to people; the representation and embodiment of what KISS has been since the beginning.

Q. So if you left, you wouldn’t mind someone else putting on the star?

Stanley: I would hope it would happen. It would only affirm that the band is bigger than any of us. That the band is about an ideal, about a point of view, about a way to deliver a show, about a philosophy that puts the fans first. I’m not delusional enough to think I couldn’t be replaced.