Reuinion-era Kiss: Frehley, Criss, Stanley and Simmons

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Kiss say their 1996 reunion with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss was a disaster mired with delusion.

In an attack thinly veiled by not using their ex-bandmates’ names, frontman Stanley and bassist Simmons have criticised the band’s original guitarist and drummer in the era the band put their makeup back on and recorded the Psycho Circus album.

The reunion ended with Criss leaving in 2001 and Frehley’s contract being allowed to expire the following year. The band continued with Eric Singer on drums and Tommy Thayer on guitar despite original plans to split up.

Now Stanley tells the Detroit Free Press: “What I learned towards the end of the farewell was, I didn’t want to say farewell to Kiss – I wanted to say farewell to some of the members.

“It was magical at the beginning. But ultimately the only magic I wanted was to make certain people disappear. It had the potential to be much more than a reuinion tour but it quickly became clear it couldn’t progress.

“I think we had people who were delusional about their songwriting and musical abilities. There was an unfortunate carryover of bad habits that people had sworn they’d never do again.

“It’s strange when people come back to a band nothing but grateful, with promises they’ve learned from their mistakes – and as soon as they have money in their pocket they quickly develop amnesia.”

In a separate interview Simmons has supported his bandmate and business partner’s position. He tells the Detroit News: “Family is the most important thing? No it’s not – love, respect and discipline is the most important thing. If your father abuses the family, kick him out. Blood is thicker than water? No it’s not – self-respect, discipline and honesty are the most important things.

“Love, respect and have pride for the band you’re in. When we get up on stage that’s holy ground. No one on that stage, me or anyone else, wears the makeup and platform heels by some kind of birthright. You’ve got to earn it – and when you defile Kiss, you should be thrown out.”

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