Category Archives: KISS News
“It’s something younger players would do well to learn from”: John 5 on the one thing no one does better than Ace Frehley

What makes a guitar solo truly great? Is it sheer speed, jaw-dropping technicality or the kind of melody that lingers in your head long after the song is over? According to John 5, when it comes to crafting a solo you can sing along to, no one does it better than Ace Frehley.
In a new interview with Ultimate Guitar, the former Rob Zombie guitarist and current Mötley Crüe shredder explains why the original Kiss lead guitarist remains his favourite. For him, it all comes down to the power of early inspiration.
“It’s just when you’re little and you see something, it could be a sports figure, it could be a race car driver or a hockey player, baseball or basketball. But mine was Kiss, and that’s what inspired me to do what I’m doing today,” says John 5.
“And I’m glad because I think inspiration is one of the most important things in the world. Because it stays with you forever, and it can change your life forever, as well.”
He adds that Frehley’s melodic style – featuring those solos you could sing along to – is something younger guitar players would do well to learn from.
“I was inspired by… I always liked things ‘to the limit.’ To the pinnacle, to the absolute most,” says the guitarist. “Like, the fastest race car driver, the best this, the best that. And with guitar, I wanted to take it to the absolute top, top, top. And that’s why I like all the crazy shredding.”
“But I love Ace and I love all that stuff. You know, like, with the melodic solos. No one does it better than him. I’m just so happy I got to be inspired by all these great players.”
KISS Alive II Stage 1:20 Scale Action Figures Deluxe Box Set #1 Convention Exclusive at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
- This one is numberd 1267 out of 1500!
- “You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!”
- KISS action figures with stage playset!
- Rock out to your tunes with included mini wireless speaker!
- The stage features adjustable rising platforms and a KISS light up logo.
What’s the next best thing to seeing KISS live in concert? It’s having their official action figures rock out on a replica stage to your custom playlist of course! That dream is now a reality thanks to the KISS Alive II Stage with 1:20 Scale Action Figures – Deluxe Box Set #1 – Convention Exclusive from Bif Bang Pow!.
This one-of-a-kind set features each of the KISS band members in 1:20 scale form. Each action figure has 9 points of articulation and they are wearing their character-specific outfits. The Demon even comes with a fabric cape! The Demon, Starchild, and Spaceman each come with a guitar while The Catman comes ready with a pair of drumsticks and a premium paper-craft drum set!
Like any great concert, the centerpiece of this incredible set is the stage itself that measures approximately 13 x 11 wide x 9.5 inches and includes manually adjustable platforms on each of the lower corner stage panels. In addition, the center stage platform is removable to allow for placement of the included mini wireless speaker so you can stream the classics to the stage (music not included)! Also, the stage’s backdrop feature graphics inspired by the band’s Alive II album and if that wasn’t enough, the prominent KISS logo is animated and lights-up for the ultimate mini-concert experience!
Every set includes a full sheet of reproduction of KISS themed temporary tattoos, similar to the ones that came with the original KISS Alive II album. Last but certainly not least, the set comes packaged in a deluxe box with Alive II album artwork with a 4-color wrap with distressed artwork. This is a limited edition of 1,500 pieces and each set is individually numbered with a holographic sticker. Fans and loyal supporters of the KISS Army alike will want to Shout it Out Loud with this incredible collectible inspired by one of the world’s most renowned rock groups! Prototyping by 3D Systems and Gentle Giant. Ages 14 and up.
This collector’s set contains all of the following items:
1x The Demon action figure (variant with horned cape and blood spattered mouth!)
1x The Catman action figure
1x The Spaceman action figure
1x The Starchild action figure
1x KISS Alive II inspired stage
1x Mini wireless speaker
1x Full sheet of reproduction KISS themed temporary tattoos
Dee Snider Slams KISS Vegas Show Following Recent Farewell Tour
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider voiced strong criticism about KISS’s newly announced Las Vegas reunion show on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement emerged 14 months after KISS completed their farewell tour.
“So I was told today that a KISS reunion in Vegas has been announced. 14 months since their last farewell,” Snider said. “That may be a new record for them.”
“I can’t believe people still put up with their sh*t,” he continued. “To me it’s insulting.”
KISS recently announced a special performance featuring former guitarist Bruce Kulick in Las Vegas to mark the band’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Snider’s criticism draws attention to KISS’s pattern of farewell performances and subsequent stage returns. This history raises questions about the finality of such announcements.
KISS Plot Live Return With Unmasked Las Vegas Concert
Just 15 months on from their final performance, veteran rockers KISS have announced their return to the live stage with a one-off ‘unmasked’ concert.
The show was announced via an email sent to fans, confirming that the group would be performing as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event, which runs from Nov. 14 – 16 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Though a full rundown of activities are said to arrive shortly, the headline of the message is KISS’ intention to perform a makeup-free show as part of the event. The performance will be the band’s first since December 2023, where they wrapped up their End of The Road Tour with a two-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Despite their large-scale farewell tour (their second, after 2001’s fittingly-titled KISS Farewell Tour), fans had speculated that the band could indeed take to the stage again at some point. Bassist Gene Simmons was quick to nix that claim, clarifying the band’s plans in an interview with Rolling Stone in November 2023: “I’ll say right here, right now, my hand on the Bible, it will be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.”
Kiss filming the “Land Of Hype And Glory” NBC Documentary
Legendary rock band returning to stage 2 years after farewell tour
KISS wrapped up its farewell tour two years ago.
Turns out, it wasn’t a farewell at all, though, because the legendary rock band is returning to the stage in 2025. The news comes just days after frontman Gene Simmons announced without explanation that most of his solo 2025 tour was being postponed to 2026.
Loudwire.com reported that the performance is set to be an unmasked live show to take place as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event which is slated to take place Nov. 14-16 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Funko Pop! Moment Deluxe: Kiss’ Alive II Tour in 1978 Vinyl Figures (2022 Limited Edition Walmart Exclusive) at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Get front-row seats to an electrifying Pop! Moment of Kiss’ Alive II Tour in 1978. This Walmart-exclusive features Pop! The Demon, Pop! The Catman, Pop! The Starchild, and Pop! The Spaceman on stage, with spotlights, scaffolding, a drum set, and a fireworks spectacle backdrop in an array of colors behind them. The band’s name, Kiss, rises above, in lights. This unique collectible comes in a prepackaged case that can be hung on the wall or displayed in your music collection. The Pops! inside are secured to the case to keep your display looking pristine. This Pop! Moment Deluxe commemorates Kiss’ record-breaking sold-out nights for the Alive II Tour, which went worldwide. Get your tickets and all-access passes to re-create your favorite Pop! Music moments. Vinyl figures are approximately 4-inches tall. Approximate dimensions of the case: 13” H x 18” W x 4 5/8” D
KISS Reunites for 50th Anniversary Celebration & Bruce Kulick Joins the Party!
Ace Frehley says Kiss are lying about his departures from the group. Here’s his side of the story
Spats, temper tantrums and scathing retorts within the Kiss camp are no rarity, and Ace Frehley has been at the center of his fair share of them.
Now the guitarist, who hasn’t donned his Spaceman outfit since the turn of the millennium, wants to set the record straight regarding his two departures from the band.
The facts are straightforward.
Frehley successfully auditioned for the band in 1973, despite his antics nearly leading to Gene Simmons punching his lights out. He stuck around for nine studio albums, and helped turn the band into one of the most commercially successful acts around before making his unceremonious departure in 1982.
After reuniting for the band’s 1995 MTV Unplugged performance, the original lineup — Frehley, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss — regrouped the following year. Ace bowed out for a second time after performing at the closing ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake, Utah.
But why did Ace leave both times? According to Stanley and Simmons, he was fired. But as Ace tells Guitarist, that’s not what happened.
“A lot of the misconceptions were created by Paul and Gene,” he says. “They still say in interviews that they fired me, but I was never fired from Kiss. I hate when I hear that. And they say that both times I was fired. I quit both times.”
Gene Simmons does a screen test for the TV show “Grotus”
Gene Simmons:
“By 1981, I was spending more and more time in Hollywood. I was approached by Marcy Carsey, a producer of shows like The Cosby Show and Roseanne, to try out for a show to be called Grotus. I would be the star. I shot a short pilot and everyone seemed to like it enough to get me in front of the ABC staff. There were ten people around a table and we chatted for five minutes. Then they offered me my own TV series. I was stunned.”
I went outside with my business guy, who explained the deal to me. I would get $60,000 an episode. He told me if I left KISS, where I was making substantially more, I would in essence be paying for the privilege of being on television.
– “Kiss and Makeup” by Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons cancels solo band tour
The band cancels all April and May performances
Gene Simmons and His Band regret to announce the cancellation of their upcoming performances scheduled for April and May 2025.
The affected shows include April 3rd at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA; April 8th at Muckleshoot Casino Events Center in Auburn, WA; April 10th at The Great Saltair in Magna, UT; April 26th at The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, FL; and May 24th at House of Blues in Houston.
Ticketmaster sent the following message to ticket holders on Thursday (Mar 20th):
“Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event. You don’t need to do a thing. We’ll issue a refund to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, as soon as funds are received from the Event Organizer. It should appear on your account within 14-21 days.”
Automatic refunds will be issued.
It’s unclear why the shows were canceled.
Simmons began touring with his solo band after Kiss called it quits at the end of 2023.
3/21/2004 ~ CINCINNATI KISS EXPO 2004
“I was never fired from Kiss. I hate when I hear that”: Ace Frehley sets the record straight on his Kiss departures
Ace Frehley‘s relationship with his former Kiss bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley has been tumultuous over the years, to say the least. While tensions have mostly simmered down nowadays – Frehley referred to Simmons and Stanley as “just like brothers” last year – their feuds have been legendary as far as rock music goes.
Frehley was a founding member of Kiss in 1973, played in the band until his departure in 1982, and then rejoined in 1996, before leaving again in 2002. While it’s often thrown around that he was fired from the band, Frehley maintains that he left of his own volition.
“A lot of the misconceptions were created by Paul and Gene,” Frehley says in an interview in the new issue of Guitarist magazine. “They still say in interviews that they fired me, but I was never fired from Kiss. I hate when I hear that. And they say that both times I was fired; I quit both times [in 1982 and 2002].”
He even asserts that the first time he quit the band, Paul Stanley made efforts to get him to stay. “They didn’t want me to leave; the first time I quit, Paul showed up on my doorstep, took me out to lunch, and was trying to change my mind, but I had already made up my mind,” Frehley says.
Despite the success he enjoyed as a member of Kiss, Ace Frehley reckons he’s better off as a solo artist. “The success of my [1978] solo album [Ace Frehley] made me realize that I was more creative away from Paul, Gene, and Peter [Criss] than I was around them,” he says.
“And so, time marches on, but yeah, they’ve said shit, like, I’m late, and I’m lazy, and yeah, maybe not as much as they’ve said it, but it’s true. As far as when I’m working, and I’ve got an idea, and I’m excited about it – I have tunnel vision.”
Destroyer 3D Wall Art Sculpture Illusive Concepts at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
KISS Destroyer Resin Sculpture by Illusive Concepts – Limited Edition 3-D Image. Sculpture looks to be in mint condition. Original box has some minor shelf wear.
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the landmark live album KISS ALIVE!
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the landmark live album KISS ALIVE! with this jolting in concert retrospective. Created by Andrew Sgambati. View it at andrewsgambati.com
All Your Questions About the New KISS ASYLUM Tour Off The Soundboard are Answered
Please keep in mind since this was recorded last week a lot has already changed. The vinyl is sold out on KOL, you can order a CD from Japan and the shirts without Bruce and Eric have been pulled down.
Gene Simmons-Tom Green TV Show 2003-Interview
Kiss is interviewed by the TMT Show 1983
ACE FREHLEY – Fan-Filmed 4K Video Of Entire New York City Show Available
JPL Productions has shared 4K fan-filmed video of original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s entire Match 13 show at Sony Hall in New York City. Check it out below.
Setlist:
“Shock Me
“Deuce
“Cherry Medicine
“Love Gun
“Rocket Ride
“Parasite
“Detroit Rock City
“Rip It Out
“She
“New York Groove
“Cold Gin
– guitar solo – (Karl Cochran tribute)
“Shout It Out Loud”
“Rock And Roll All Nite” (with Richie “The Emperor” Scarlett)