Blabbermouth

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is up for a reunion of the original band, but only if the price is right. Speaking exclusively to Rock Candy‘s Dave Reynolds for a 12-page cover story in the latest issue of the magazine, Space Ace discussed a wide range of issues, including his “bad boy” reputation and his current relationship with KISS leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. But the really exciting news for KISS fans is that Frehley is still ready and willing to perform with KISS as the band continues with its “End Of The Road” tour.

“It would be nice to go back out again with them,” Frehley said. “But it’s not my call. I think we have a really good relationship now. I text Paul back and forth and we’ve worked together, as I have with Gene. I would seriously consider it, but the money would have to be right. I’m not gonna take Tommy Thayer‘s salary.

“It would certainly sell more tickets with me involved,” Ace added. “I have a gut feeling it will happen.”

Ace acknowledges that he wasn’t always the easiest to work with in KISS, given his acknowledged problems with drink and drugs.

“I know that I put those guys through hell in the past,” he conceded. “Sometimes I was too drunk at soundchecks, but sobriety has made me more dependable and reliable.” Frehley says he’s been sober for 13 years now and would be fighting fit to rejoin the self-styled “Hottest Band In The World” for what would be an unforgettable experience, especially if original drummer Peter Criss were to come back into the fold.

“It would be really exciting,” he said. “Not just for me, but also for the fans. I’m ready. I feel reborn.”

Read the whole of this revealing article, and many more fascinating features, in issue 16 of Rock Candy, available in shops worldwide or direct online at this location.

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KISSmuseum.com

A great set of KISS 8-Track tapes from the ’70’s. We have some rare ones that are at auction on eBay, ending this Sunday – Check ’em out!

KISS 8-Track Tapes at KISSmuseum.com

Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

Ali Cooper | Metal Hammer

John 5 has worked with everyone from Marilyn Manson to Rob Zombie. We got him to show off his favourite and most unique guitars.

John 5 moved to LA at the tender age of 17, after a meeting with Whitesnake‘s Rudy Sarzo, the young virtuoso wound up playing with Lita Ford and opening for one of his biggest inspirations: Kiss (who wound up being some of his closest pals).

From there the colourful shredder’s career would only get brighter – he worked with Rob Halford and Trent Reznor and later, David Lee Roth. Then, after Zim Zum left Marilyn Manson, John 5 took his place.

Now, the guitar maestro plays for non other than horror rocker Rob Zombie, while simultaneously working on his own solo project (where he often collaborates with other incredible shredders, such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Jim Root).

In his spare time (and there must not be much of it!) the guitarist is an avid Kiss collector (all showcased on his instagram) and of course, boasts a pretty incredible hoard of guitars. We caught up with him to find out all about his collection and discover his favourite and most unique guitars…

When did your obsession with guitars start?

“I got my first guitar for Christmas in 1977 and I started taking lessons right away because that was part of the deal with my family. I had a really good teacher and he taught me some of my favourite songs at the time. It was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, that’s what made me never want to put it down.

“I got into Kiss at the same time, when Love Gun came out, and I have a Kiss collection as well as my guitars – my collection is the rarest of the rare, I probably have a lot of stuff Gene Simmons doesn’t have!”

So how many guitars do you currently have?

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Michael Brandvold

Matt Porter

Joe

Alternative Nation

KISS icon Gene Simmons revealed that his lovely wife Shannon Tweed Simmons sang with big names including Slash on a video for his 70th birthday party. Gene Simmons’ daughter rejected a man hitting on her a few days ago online.

“Thank U Shannon, Soph, Nick, Paul, Tommy, Eric, Doc, Slash, Duff McKagen, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Paul Rodgers, Tom Morello, Jon BonJovi & band singing The Beatles ‘Birthday’, & Ringo Starr!!! for wishing me good birthday wishes in our video 😎.”

Gene Simmons’ wife recently sent a touching message to Paul Stanley. dglaize posted a review of KISS’ show on Sunday in San Antonio on the KISSfaq.com forums, “So now with KISS. First observation I noticed was the stage. It’s one thing to see it on video. It’s another thing to see it in person. By far I enjoyed this stage more than any other. Excellent job with stage design and lighting. I will also say this is the most pyro I have ever seen them use. I have heard people knock them for not doing anything different with the stage show. Where there are certain things they do tour to tour they have tweaked it somewhat.

Much of the tweaking deals with the lighting system they are using I would say. I mean what are you wanting them to do? A KISS show is a KISS show… If it’s not broken don’t try to fix it. Yes I have been a dedicated fan since 75. Does not mean I am a kiss-ass because I am not overly critical? NO! I just look at this way… Would I have regretted not going to this show? The answer is yes I would. I know people are also critical of the set-list.

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Anti Music

KISS cofounder Gene Simmons revealed some of his thoughts and ideas that he shares on his speaking tours during a recent radio interview with 91.7 Giant FM in Niagara Falls.

“What I do is I grab the mic, I go into the audience and really talk to people about the choices they’ve done in life and how they can make more money,” he said. “How you can make more money predominantly comes down to one, being selfish. Me first. We’re not taught that. Two is having the right thing at the right place at the right time. If you can help yourself, you can help others.

“People who start businesses make sure that they pay taxes, and there’s people who work for the company, and you’ve got to rent and buy equipment and insurance, and everybody gets paid first, and then the guy that owns the company gets paid last if there’s any profit.

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Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

KISSmuseum.com

The line of KISS Gold Records will no longer be available for purchase after the end of this month. The company’s license is expiring and you will never be able to order them after September 30, 2019. These are unusual items as they are made-to-order and there is no extra stock produced. When the license expires, they will produce no more, ever!

KISS Gold Records are HERE until Sept. 30, 2019

Michael Brandvold