KISS News Bits

[fraroc]

Odd...my understanding was that Frehley LEFT the band of his own accord in 1982 AND 2002...

I mean, doubtless to a couple of guys who don't drink or use drugs, Simmons and Stanley would have unamused by Frehley's behavior, and understandably so...but I was always under the impression from what I've read that Frehley quit twice and Criss was fired twice.

In a larger sense, I guess it really doesn't matter that Stanley and Simmons opted to go on. I mean, realistically, what the fuck else are they gonna do at this stage of the game that's gonna make them the kind of money they make playing in the old makeup?

Honestly, even if Criss and Frehley did rejoin the band again and the group embraked on what was honestly a final tour. I wouldn't be bothered enough to go. I love what the band did in the 1970s and will still throw in the old records or watch the old footage once in awhile, but as far as seeing them in the here and now the thrill is gone for me: watching any band punch a clock and go through the motions for the money, where half the members can't stand being around each other...why bother?

Ace left after Elder in 1981, not 82. Remember it was Vinnie Vincent who played on Creatures of the Night. But because Paul didn't think up of the Egyptian God makeup for Vinnie, the album pictured Ace Frehley.

I do NOT EVER expect the original lineup to tour again. At the absolute most, they'll probably suck it up for a single final show and that's the end of Kiss.

And about Ace being a dick to fans, well even though Ace is a very funny man, keep in mind he DID dress up in an authentic Nazi uniform and scream "GIVE ME YOUR PAPERS! I VILL KEEL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!" right in Gene's face, something that even though Gene is a major cheap-ass dickhole, I do find to be rather innapropriate and strangley symbolic. Also fans do say that Paul Stanley and Eric Carr were the friendliest members of Kiss.

[Mr. Vengeance]

Ace left after Elder in 1981, not 82. Remember it was Vinnie Vincent who played on Creatures of the Night. But because Paul didn't think up of the Egyptian God makeup for Vinnie, the album pictured Ace Frehley.

.

He left but then came back. I guess the plan was to have Ace play on the Creatures tour. Vinnie played solos on the album and Paul did a lot of the guitar work. Producer Michael James Jackson has said that Ace did play a little bit on the album. You may recall though that Ace appears in the video for I Love It Loud, but Paul plays the solo, since Ace wouldn't mime a solo by Vincent. Ace also did some other promo appearances for the album but he clearly wasn't well, because of the booze. He left and Vinnie toured.

I believe that contractually, Ace had to appear on the album cover since he was still officially a member of KISS.

[fraroc]

He left but then came back. I guess the plan was to have Ace play on the Creatures tour. Vinnie played solos on the album and Paul did a lot of the guitar work. Producer Michael James Jackson has said that Ace did play a little bit on the album. You may recall though that Ace appears in the video for I Love It Loud, but Paul plays the solo, since Ace wouldn't mime a solo by Vincent. Ace also did some other promo appearances for the album but he clearly wasn't well, because of the booze. He left and Vinnie toured.

I believe that contractually, Ace had to appear on the album cover since he was still officially a member of KISS.

I think one of the only songs in which Paul played lead guitar was "A World Without Heroes" from Elder, which was actually not a shabby solo at all. Even though probably no one thinks that Paul is the best guitarist for Kiss, Paul had the potential to become just as good as Ace or Vinnie on guitar, but he willingly chose to ignore that gift he had

[indeedido]

Ace left after Elder in 1981, not 82. Remember it was Vinnie Vincent who played on Creatures of the Night. But because Paul didn't think up of the Egyptian God makeup for Vinnie, the album pictured Ace Frehley.

I do NOT EVER expect the original lineup to tour again. At the absolute most, they'll probably suck it up for a single final show and that's the end of Kiss.

And about Ace being a dick to fans, well even though Ace is a very funny man, keep in mind he DID dress up in an authentic Nazi uniform and scream "GIVE ME YOUR PAPERS! I VILL KEEL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!" right in Gene's face, something that even though Gene is a major cheap-ass dickhole, I do find to be rather innapropriate and strangley symbolic. Also fans do say that Paul Stanley and Eric Carr were the friendliest members of Kiss.

Paul dressed up in nazi clothes too and so did Peter. Jimmy Page used to wear the nazi officers hat on stage.

[indeedido]

Ace was a drunk for sure but I've never heard or seen a show where he couldn't play with Kiss. Maybe he coked it up after he got drunk and pulled it around. lol

[chefcraig]

Paul dressed up in nazi clothes too and so did Peter. Jimmy Page used to wear the nazi officers hat on stage.

Not merely the hat alone. Check out the trousers tucked into the jackboots as well, believe it or not.

[indeedido]

That's quite a goose step!

[Mr. Vengeance]

To be honest, Creatures was a lot like the Rolling Stones' Black and Blue, in that both albums were recorded while a member was having to be replaced, and there were a lot of guest guitarists. Vinnie only played the leads on 5 songs. There were about 5 other guys who played on the album, including some guys who played bass.

One of the things about the KISS box set that came out about ten years ago was, in one way, it was terrific, because you had all these rare tunes and the booklet with band commentary on every song. On the other hand it was bewildering because as a fan, you learned that so many of their songs, including some major hits didn't have the four guys playing on it. It would be Paul and Gene and some session guys. Credit them for listing all the names, but it was a bit of a shock to some long time fans who weren't aware of how little they were a "band" in studio. The "reunion" album, Psycho Circus apparently had so little of Ace and Peter on it, it's almost criminal that they called it a reunion.

[indeedido]

For all intents and purposes.....Ace was on his way out around Kiss Alive II. Bob Kulick recorded Rocket Ride.....the best tunes on Dynasty and Unmasked were Ace's tunes.....and he barely contributed to The Elder....and I don't blame him one bit. Bob Ezrin killed that band....everyone loves destroyer....It's a good album but for me personally the first 3 and Kiss Alive! are there best stuff. Ezrin also did The Elder.....need I say more? I could side with Ace a little more if he didn't piss his career away during the 80's and 90's. I'm glad I was able to see the true reunuion in 1996 though....it was like seeing Kiss Alive! and it was great. Creatures was a great comeback album....too bad that was the album they should have made instead of Ezrin's awful The Elder. It's not that The Elder is so horrible, it's just not a Kiss album....it's Kiss trying to be Pink Floyd....who Ezrin also produced.

You're partially right but it wasnt Rocket Ride, that was Ace all the way. Ace didnt play on the other new songs on Alive II. Bob Kulick and Rick Derringer did. The reason they did the solo albums in '78 was because Ace wanted out. They talked him into staying and they said lets take a break and all do a solo album and come back. Ace was the only one that had success. Ace also played on The Elder. They actually cut a lot of what he recorded because it was supposed to be a rock album. When Ezrin got a hold of it it changed to what we know. When Ace heard the final version he was so pissed he quit. But he played on each track.

[78/84 guy]

ELVIS, has a Frehley's comet poster in his bedroom on the ceiling before he goes to sleep....

Yeah well Frehleys Comet is better than Kiss. By a mile.

[Mr. Vengeance]

You're partially right but it wasnt Rocket Ride, that was Ace all the way. Ace didnt play on the other new songs on Alive II. Bob Kulick and Rick Derringer did. The reason they did the solo albums in '78 was because Ace wanted out. They talked him into staying and they said lets take a break and all do a solo album and come back. Ace was the only one that had success. Ace also played on The Elder. They actually cut a lot of what he recorded because it was supposed to be a rock album. When Ezrin got a hold of it it changed to what we know. When Ace heard the final version he was so pissed he quit. But he played on each track.

Ace has said on many occasions that when he got the final version of the Elder sent to him, he took the tape and smashed it into the wall.

[chefcraig]

Ace has said on many occasions that when he got the final version of the Elder sent to him, he took the tape and smashed it into the wall.

Pretty much my reaction, as well. After listening to it about 5 times trying to force myself to like it (a practice that was repeated some 16 or 17 years later with VH III ), I first used it like a Frisbee for a while, and when that wasn't satisfying enough, I blew it up with some left over M-80s from the last 4th of July.

Yup, that was $8.99 I'd never get back.

[Terry]

Well, depending upon which source you read, Ace actually recorded some overdubs for Creatures Of The Night OR he didn't play on the album at all.
However, Ace DID appear with the band on a promotional European press jaunt (as well as appearing in the I Love It Loud video)...so while he technically may not have recorded with the band after The Elder (am unsure if he contributed anything to the then-new KISS Killers tracks), he was in the group for publicity purposes. The reason for that was because KISS were in the midst of suing their record company, Polygram (who bought out Casablanca in the early 1980s). Polygram had signed KISS fully aware that Peter Criss was leaving the group. However, the Polygram contract stipulated that the remaining three (Gene, Ace and Paul) had to remain in the group for the royalty rates to remain intact. Basically, KISS was trying to pull a fast one on Polygram for as long as they could until the lawsuit KISS brought against Polygram (involving Casablanca shlocking KISS albums Casablanca without the bands consent) could be settled.
Once Polygram eventually found out that Ace WAS gone, the KISS contract (rates for royalties and advances on records) was adjusted downward for Gene and Paul (Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr were paid salaries).

[Zing!]

Yeah well Frehleys Comet is better than Kiss. By a mile.

You betcha, eh. I liked that album!

[Mr. Vengeance]

Well, depending upon which source you read, Ace actually recorded some overdubs for Creatures Of The Night OR he didn't play on the album at all.
However, Ace DID appear with the band on a promotional European press jaunt (as well as appearing in the I Love It Loud video)...so while he technically may not have recorded with the band after The Elder (am unsure if he contributed anything to the then-new KISS Killers tracks), he was in the group for publicity purposes. The reason for that was because KISS were in the midst of suing their record company, Polygram (who bought out Casablanca in the early 1980s). Polygram had signed KISS fully aware that Peter Criss was leaving the group. However, the Polygram contract stipulated that the remaining three (Gene, Ace and Paul) had to remain in the group for the royalty rates to remain intact. Basically, KISS was trying to pull a fast one on Polygram for as long as they could until the lawsuit KISS brought against Polygram (involving Casablanca shlocking KISS albums Casablanca without the bands consent) could be settled.
Once Polygram eventually found out that Ace WAS gone, the KISS contract (rates for royalties and advances on records) was adjusted downward for Gene and Paul (Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr were paid salaries).

Yeah, I pretty much said that...but thanks.