Ed, Gene Simmons and Dave's book

[Mezro]

Came across this on Gene's site:


Hey Gene,

I recently finished reading David Lee Roth's book, "Crazy From The Heat". In it, he claims (back in the day) that_you were trying to steal Eddie Van Halen from_Van Halen_to become the new guitarist in KISS, which is the complete_opposite of the story KISS fans know (that being Eddie was the one who wanted to join KISS). I believe it happened the way you have always said. Can you shed any light on this?

Thanks!
Andy


Response from Gene:

While we were recording Creatures of the Night at Record Plant in LA, Edward called me and wanted to know if he could come down and visit. I answered I would be happy to see him anytime. While he was there, we played him a few tracks. He then played some of "Jump" and it caught us all by surprise. Synthesizers!!! He then asked if he and I could have lunch together. We walked across the street to the diner and over lunch he asked if we would consider him for our lead guitarist slot. Ace had left the band by then (for the first time...and we were looking for a lead guitarist)._

I told him that no matter how tortured he was with Roth, he should try to stick it out and that in either case, his talent wouldn't be able to be fully shown within KISS.

That's the entire story.


Mezro...the demon, the starchild, the fox and...the lying dutchman...and Gene had problems with Ace being a drunk...

[horty07]

I believe Genes' story at this date, but in Daves book he talkes about Kiss trying to get Ed to join them well before V/H even had a record deal.

[jacksmar]

Great post mezro. That really speaks volumes about EVH.

[MAX]

Nice find Mez.

I just find it a bit odd regarding the timing cos in '81 Van Halen's popularity was steadily increasing while KI$$ was steadily declining. Who knows with that little drunk though and Gene? Anything's possible.

[DLR_EngineRoom]

Originally posted by Mezro
Came across this on Gene's site:

Hey Gene,

I recently finished reading David Lee Roth's book, "Crazy From The Heat". In it, he claims (back in the day) that_you were trying to steal Eddie Van Halen from_Van Halen to become the new guitarist in KISS, which is the complete_opposite of the story KISS fans know (that being Eddie was the one who wanted to join KISS). I believe it happened the way you have always said. Can you shed any light on this?

Thanks!
Andy


Response from Gene:

While we were recording Creatures of the Night at Record Plant in LA, Edward called me and wanted to know if he could come down and visit. I answered I would be happy to see him anytime. While he was there, we played him a few tracks. He then played some of "Jump" and it caught us all by surprise. Synthesizers!!! He then asked if he and I could have lunch together. We walked across the street to the diner and over lunch he asked if we would consider him for our lead guitarist slot. Ace had left the band by then (for the first time...and we were looking for a lead guitarist)._

I told him that no matter how tortured he was with Roth, he should try to stick it out and that in either case, his talent wouldn't be able to be fully shown within KISS.

That's the entire story.


Mezro...the demon, the starchild, the fox and...the lying dutchman...and Gene had problems with Ace being a drunk...

lol....as previously stated in several of my posts, Gene is a family friend, and he has stated on several different occasions that he much prefers the DLR era of Van Halen than Sammy Fartscar. Dave expressed his views as he saw it, but to this day, Gene doesn't hold any grudges toward Dave and continues to 'prefer' classic Van Halen.

[Mezro]

Thanks guys...

Yeah, the first thing I thought of was how fucked in the head Ed was to have wanted to jump ship.

It would have been funny to see him struggle with his make-up; the shakes do not contribute to painting ones face.

Mezro...and I'm sure it would have been really hard for Ed to learn Cold Gin...

[Terry]

Have read that Ed and Al both played on the LOVE GUN track Love For Sale, which was released in either 1977 or 1978 (one of the two).

If that was true, wouldn't amaze me that Simmons was trying to get EVH in the band before the 1980s.

Plus, in 1981, Fair Warning wasn't exactly selling like hotcakes even though the tickets to the live shows were, and Ed claims he wanted to leave the band during ther Fair Warning period, so I can see where Ed may have wanted to join KISS, not knowing then that the payday of 1984 was just around the corner.

Kinda goes a long way to validating Roth's barb that Ed hasn't enjoyed ten minutes of his success.

[Mezro]

Originally posted by DLR_EngineRoom
lol....as previously stated in several of my posts, Gene is a family friend, and he has stated on several different occasions that he much prefers the DLR era of Van Halen than Sammy Fartscar. Dave expressed his views as he saw it, but to this day, Gene doesn't hold any grudges toward Dave and continues to 'prefer' classic Van Halen.

I want to sit down with Gene and ask him about his many loves, business ventures and wigs that have been part of his life over the years:D

Mezro...have you ever seen Gene's wallet? Of course not...he doesn't carry one..he lets other people pay his way...:D

[DLR_EngineRoom]

Originally posted by Terry
Have read that Ed and Al both played on the LOVE GUN track Love For Sale, which was released in either 1977 or 1978 (one of the two).

If that was true, wouldn't amaze me that Simmons was trying to get EVH in the band before the 1980s.

Plus, in 1981, Fair Warning wasn't exactly selling like hotcakes even though the tickets to the live shows were, and Ed claims he wanted to leave the band during ther Fair Warning period, so I can see where Ed may have wanted to join KISS, not knowing then that the payday of 1984 was just around the corner.

Kinda goes a long way to validating Roth's barb that Ed hasn't enjoyed ten minutes of his success.

Ultimate Band Lineup:

David Lee Roth - Vocals
Gene Simmons - Bass
Paul Stanley - Rhythm Guitar
Eddie Van Halen - Lead Guitar
Tommy Lee - Drums

[DLR_EngineRoom]

Originally posted by Mezro
I want to sit down with Gene and ask him about his many loves, business ventures and wigs that have been part of his life over the years:D

Mezro...have you ever seen Gene's wallet? Of course not...he doesn't carry one..he lets other people pay his way...:D

Gene's -
Loves - KISS & Makeup
Business Ventures - Sex, Money, KISS
Wigs - Animalize CD

[Smart Ass]

I thought creatures was recorded in Toronto.

[5150Clown]

Interesting. You know, wheather this is true or not...i don't know, but if it was, it would not suprise me. Ed is a strange man. He seems to simplify it all in interviews (like the victim that only wants to make music) but it seems that everyone around him that works with him can't stand him for a minute....only big sister.

Gene wouldn't have turned down Ed. If he did...he probably was just thinking about the bigger picture of things. Kiss was going down and who could replace ACE? Ed would have been the winning formula. But if Gene turned down Ed is because he saw Ed as someone that would probably outgrow the band in 2 seconds, or would not conform to a "gun for hire" state replacing Ace.

[degüello]

$immons' story sounds like a crock of shit... as usual.

[Wayne L.]

Gene was right with his version of story in his great autobiography Kiss & Makeup about Eddie wanting to join Kiss while Dave's spin in his excellent autobiography Crazy From The Heat is probably correct as well from HIS perspective!!!

[DLR_EngineRoom]

Originally posted by degüello
$immons' story sounds like a crock of shit... as usual.

whatever hater....the truth is that Gene didn't want Ed (and Al, the deal was that both would come aboard) to be separated from Dave, since Gene loved/loves the original line up. The other reason Gene said no was because it would have meant kicking Eric Carr out of the band, and both Gene and Paul both felt that Eric Carr was the perfect drummer for KISS.