Category Archives: KISS News

PAUL STANLEY Shoots Down Rumor EDDIE VAN HALEN Almost Joined KISS

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Blabbermouth

Paul Stanley has shot down a long-standing rumor that Eddie Van Halen almost joined KISSnearly four decades ago.

Gene Simmons has claimed in several interviews that he once had to talk Eddie out of leaving VAN HALEN and teaming up with KISS. Asked in the April 2014 issue of Guitar World if it was true that Van Halen wanted to join KISS around the time of 1982’s “Creatures Of The Night”album, Simmons said: “That is true. And he was very serious. He was so unhappy about how he and [David Lee] Roth were — or weren’t — getting along. He couldn’t stand him. And drugs were rampant. And so he took me to lunch, to a diner right across the street from the Record Plant. Vinnie Vincent, who was not yet in KISS, tagged along, too. Sneaky guy. And Eddiesaid, ‘I want to join KISS. I don’t want to fight anymore with Roth. I’m sick and tired of it.’ But I told him, ‘Eddie, there’s not enough room. You need to be in a band where you can direct the music. You’re not going to be happy in KISS.’ I talked him out of it. It didn’t fit.”

During this year’s “Kiss Kruise”, Stanley was asked by a fan if there is any truth to the rumor that Eddie nearly ended up in KISS. Paul responded (see video below): “No. Eddie Van Halendid not almost join KISS. Eddie [came down to] the studio. I think there was some strife within the band [VAN HALEN] at that point, for him, and Eddie came down just to see what was going on. And I remember he was really blown away by the solo in [the song] ‘Creatures [Of The Night]’. He said, ‘Get that guy.’ That guy who played the solo in ‘Creatures’ was a guy named Steve Farris, who was in a band called MISTER MISTER, who had a bunch of hits. But the guitar player was great. And at that point, Eddie was getting into keyboards. And I remember he brought some tapes of some of the songs he was working on. And it was, like, this guy is this unbelievable guitar player. [I thought], ‘Eddie, what are you doing on keyboards?’ But that was the start of ‘Jump’ and all that other stuff that came afterwards. But Eddie was never going to join KISS and was never almost in KISS.”

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Goldmine

The November issue of Goldmine features an amazing cover story of Ace Frehley written by the well-known KISStorian Ken Sharp. Available  on newsstands of Barnes & Noble and Books A Million until November 5th.

Ace Frehley to perform his 1978 Solo Album in its entirety at New Jersey KISS Expo

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Blabbermouth

Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his acclaimed solo debut by performing the album for the first time in its entirety on the final day of the New Jersey Kiss Expo 2018, which will take place December 7-9 at the Hilton Parsippany in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Other guests scheduled to appear at the event include Lita Ford, Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON), Lydia Criss and artist Ken Kelly (“Destroyer”, “Love Gun”).

Tickets are on sale now at NJKissExpo.com.

Co-produced with frequent KISS collaborator Eddie Kramer, “Ace Frehley” is widely hailed as the best of the four KISS solo albums released simultaneously in 1978. It peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and outsold the solo efforts of his three bandmates.

Regarding how the decision to perform all of “Ace Frehley” came about, the guitarist told BUILD Series: “It came from the people putting the event together and some of the people who work for me. They all said it would be a great idea, and I said, ‘Yeah, I think it would be,’ so we’re going to make it happen.”

In addition to a trio of songs (“Snow Blind”, “Ozone”, “Wiped-Out”) that reflect Frehley‘s extracurricular interests at the time, the album includes a cover of HELLO‘s 1975 song “New York Groove”, which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and remains a staple of the guitarist’s live performances today.

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Interview: Ace Frehley On New Solo Album, Possible KISS Reunion

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Houston Press

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and original KISS lead guitarist, Ace Frehley has a new solo album coming out on October 19 called Spaceman; meanwhile KISS recently announced their multi-year ‘End of the Road’ farewell world tour. We got a chance to talk with Frehley about this and more over the phone recently.

INTERVIEW: ACE FREHLEY

Ace Frehley has a new solo album coming out on October 19 called Spaceman.

Houston Press: Why did you decide to call your new album Spaceman?

Ace Frehley: Actually it was Gene Simmons’ idea. [Laughs] I was doing a question and answer session with him in Miami at one of his Vault Experiences and I originally wanted to call the record 40 Years Laterbecause it’s been 40 years since my first solo album and I was kind of polling the audience to get a reaction and it was kind of lukewarm and then Gene got on the microphone and said [Imitating Gene’s Voice] “Ace you have to call it Spaceman,” so I went along with Gene’s idea.

Houston Press: That outfit you’re wearing on the cover of your new album; who came up with that? Was is something a wardrobe designer made for you or is that your own outfit?

Ace Frehley: Well if you check the internet you can find pictures of me in a similar outfit sitting on a plexiglass chair which was a photo session I did with makeup. The photo session was done with Barry Levine who at the time was a very big rock photographer and we did several sessions with him over the years. But I’m sitting in a plexiglass chair with a silver jumpsuit and there’s fog inside the chair and around me. So we kind of did a takeoff of that photo session with this new album cover.

Houston Press: I listened to your new album and I really liked it; the song ‘Without You I’m Nothing’ was that written about anyone in particular?

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Dan and Dan Music Podcast – Episode 83 “Paul Stanley of KISS!!!”

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Dan and Dan

Paul Stanley is the frontman for one of the greatest Rock and Roll bands of all-time, KISS. But did you know he is also a fine artist? He’ll be in the Philadelphia area this week to showcase his artwork and calls in to the podcast to talk about his love of painting and art outside of music. Paul previews the upcoming KISS farewell tour, details his relationship with Gene Simmons, tells us his favorite KISS album, and lots more. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Paul Stanley: Kiss farewell tour could include ex-members

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Wayne Parry | Times Union

In an interview in Atlantic City where he was promoting his artwork, Stanley told The Associated Press the band’s “End of the Road” world tour starting next year could include appearances by former members. He did not single out anyone by name, but living ex-members are guitarists Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick, and drummer Peter Criss.

Since the tour was announced last month, Kiss fans have been clamoring for a farewell that includes former members.

“I wouldn’t discount any possibilities,” said Stanley, who plays the Starchild character in the band. “I learned long ago to never say never. Would I negate the possibility of former members making appearances? Absolutely not. I don’t know in what capacity.”

Stanley then went on to extol the virtues and stability of the current lineup: himself, bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons; drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer, calling it “the crux and the core of the band on tour.”

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