During a recent conversation with Mark Strigl of SiriusXM‘s Ozzy’s Boneyard, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley denied being contacted for the band’s final show, stating that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons had made false claims to sell tickets.
Ace was asked if there is even a slight possibility that he would make an appearance at the band’s final show, to which he responded: “No. You know what it is? Those guys use my name and Peter‘s name months ago. They said that they invited us to perform at that show. I never got a phone call. Peter never got a phone call. They just said that to sell tickets. And recently, Paul Stanley has made negative statements about me and Peter. For example, I think the last negative statement he said, when people asked him, ‘Is Peter and Ace gonna perform at the Garden?’ he said, oh, we would mar the show if we got up and play — which is really insulting.”
Gene Simmons had previously mentioned that he had asked Peter Criss and Ace Frehley to return for the last shows, but they declined the offer.
“I feel sad. I feel sad and angry that both Ace and Peter aren’t here,” Gene told 519 Magazine. “I mean, they’re alive, but they’re not here to enjoy this unbelievable journey with us. They were there at the beginning and deserve all the credit. And when they look in the mirror, the only reason they’re not here with us is themselves.”
While this might be farewell from KISS‘ live performances, Simmons assures fans that the band’s brand will live on through various avenues such as movies, merchandise, and possibly Broadway, as the physical demands of touring have led to the decision to end touring.
The KISS experience will continue through a museum, cruises, a movie, a cartoon show, and various toys and games, along with different traveling shows in multiple locations.
