Formed in New York City in 1973, KISS originally consisted of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. That lineup looked very different over the next 50 years, but the band remained a pop culture phenomenon with their elaborate face paint and shocking pyrotechnics. In December 2023, KISS retired their makeup for good with one final show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
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However, many felt something was missing from that final concert—or someone. Several someones, in fact—founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley did not take the stage that night. Instead, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer stood alongside Simmons and Stanley in their place. Frehley and Criss were never mentioned or thanked by name. Nor were other former members Bruce Kulick, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, or Eric Carr. While both Frehley and Kulick have publicly expressed disappointment in this decision, Paul Stanley stands firm.
KISS’ Paul Stanley Says The Tribute Is “Us Existing”
Recently, Paul Stanley stopped by the Talk is Jericho podcast to discuss the past and future of KISS with host and professional wrestler Chris Jericho. There, the 73-year-old guitarist defended the decision to exclude his former bandmates from the big night.
“To be somewhat diplomatic, there were people who made unrealistic demands of what they required,” Stanley said. “And it’s not about that. It wasn’t, for example, a celebration of the beginning of the band. It was a celebration of 50 years of a band, as opposed to a tribute to the start.”
He continued, “What are we gonna have — videos up on the screen or draped photos? The fact that we were there, we were there because of everybody who participated—some more than others, but the tribute to everyone is us existing.”
“Kisstory Was Not Represented”
While Paul Stanley has doubled down on the final KISS lineup, some of his former bandmates have made it clear they aren’t happy.
“Kisstory was not represented for the final show,” former guitarist Bruce Kulick told Ultimate Classic Rock in January 2024.
Ace Frehley, who left KISS in 1982, called the tour’s early ticket sales “a sad commentary.”
“I don’t understand. I’ve offered my services, and they just haven’t made the decision to bring me back,” Frehley, 73, told KATT Rock 100.5. “And that’s okay, because I’m having a lot of fun as a solo artist. But I also am concerned about the fans as well. I wanna give the fans the biggest bang for their buck, and they’re not getting it at this juncture.”
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