Ryan Keller | Examiner
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Kiss is one of the most popular bands in the world, and is also one of the most recognizable brands. This has been accomplished largely due to the marketing genius of bassist/vocalistGene Simmons, though fellow vocalist/guitaristPaul Stanley deserves credit too. In fact, it could be said that Kiss is Gene and Paul, as the remaining two original members, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, haven’t played with the band in over ten years. Those roles are now filled by Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, respectively. But could Kiss live on without Gene and Paul?
According to Stanley, in a recent interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, the answer is yes.
“The band is bigger than its members,” said Stanley. “And it only takes, in this case, four like-minded people with a similar outlook and talent to further the cause and continue Kiss. It makes perfect sense to me. It may not make sense to other bands, but we’re not other bands. We don’t live by those rules. We never have.”
Both Stanley and Simmons are now 62, so, asks the Tribune, is there concern that the two “are growing too old to rock ’n’ roll all night?” According to Stanley:
I’m damn good at what I do. But do I think I’m the only person capable of doing what I do? Absolutely not. I’m not talking about a clone (of me), but somebody with the same passion, drive and love for the music I love. So, can I envision a time when I won’t be here anymore? Absolutely. It’s not tomorrow, or next week. But when it happens, I would be celebratory. Because it would prove that I was right and that Kiss is exactly what I believe it is: an ideal, a way of performing, a point of view. It’s an attitude, and the respect and love (we have for) our audience.
The Tribune also asked Stanley if there could be a reunion of the original lineup. “Never!” was Stanley’s response. He continued:
You only get so many opportunities and so many chances. And while I don’t wish (Frehley and Criss) any ill will at this point, you know, most people are fortunate to win the lottery once. When you win it twice, and throw it away, the opportunities are gone.
Plus, everything that those guys did, unfortunately, jeopardized what I do. Those who don’t learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. … The intent and spirit of what this band was founded on is more intact and alive today than ever. And it’s not because of the individual founding members or any of that nonsense, but because of people who have the passion, the love and commitment to live up to what Kiss is.
Frehley first left Kiss in 1982, returning in 1996 and finally leaving again in 2002. Criss left in 1980, returning several times throughout the ‘90s and leaving again in the 2000s. According to Stanley in an interview with BANG Showbiz back in July, the two had become “impossible and intolerable, on more than one occasion necessitating their removal.” Stanley also denied that they were ever friends, even during the 1970s, saying:
No I was never really friends with them. The band was never about friendship, the band was about commitment to a cause, but friendship? We were all very different people.
I loved them for what we created together, I certainly don’t love them today. But the band as it is today is far more the embodiment of what we started than what we became.
Kiss will be releasing their highly anticipated 20th studio album, Monster, on Oct. 16, and the band has promised that it will be one of their best. It will be a throwback to the band’s sound in the decades past and will also contain sounds from many of their influences. The first single, “Hell or Hallelujah,” was released in July.
The band is also currently taking part in “The Tour,” co-headlining with Motley Crue. For ticket information and dates, visit KissOnline.com and Motley.com.