PAUL STANLEY 'Sets Record Straight' Regarding 'KISS Clone' Reality Show
- June 9, 2008
KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley has issued a statement in order to "set the record straight" regarding the possibility of KISS continuing with all-new members long after he and fellow KISS co-founder Gene Simmons decide to take off the make-up for good.
Video footage recently surfaced (see below) of Gene Simmons and the group's longtime manager, Doc McGhee of McGhee Entertainment, apparently confirming that the band is planning on finding the members of the "new" KISS through a TV show, similar to programs like "Rock Star" and "American Idol".
"The answer is yes," Simmons can be heard stating in reponse to a question by Stig Karlsen of Norway's NRK with regards to whether they would ever turn to TV in order to find the members of this proposed "new" KISS. "The deal has just been signed," Simmons added. "It's coming soon."
In a separate interview, Stanley was apparently not very happy to hear about his bandmate's statement regarding KISS' future.
"There is no signed deal," Stanley can be heard saying in the video. "Again, when we are both aked the same question sometimes, you get different answers," Stanley added, "What will happen, we'll see as we go along. But is something going to happen next week? Is something signed? No. But am I opposed to the idea of going out and trying to find new KISS members through the television? Of course not."
In the one-and-a-half-minute clip, which is part of a one-hour-long KISS special which will air on NRK in September, McGhee can be heard stating, "I believe that KISS can go on forever. I believe that there is a way — and we are talking to people and we're pretty close to getting it done — about finding the four new members of KISS."
In a brand new statement posted on KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, Stanley says, "A KISS clone reality show? First of all, contrary to what was said by anyone, there is no signed deal. Secondly, if we were to do a 'KISS II,' and I don't rule that out, it would be in addition to, and never in place of, KISS. If we were to do it, I know it would be done in a groundbreaking way and would be tremendously entertaining. KISS has always defined itself by the rules we break, so what's the big surprise? We are in the middle of our biggest and most successful tour of Europe ever, playing to over a half million people, and neither KISS or I have any plans to stop afterwards!"
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COMMENT | First post posted by : KISSFAN815 6/9/2008 5:18:55 AM
Long live Paul Stanley
Fuck you haters :)
COMMENT | "But am I opposed to the idea of going out and trying to find new KISS members through the televisio posted by : The Govner 6/9/2008 5:56:01 AM
Nothing is signed but you are still open to the idea?????
Maybe you can get more talented "scabs" to replace Tommy & Eric!
COMMENT | They wont do it... posted by : Dogface 6/9/2008 6:33:19 AM
Or maybe they will. If they do, then im walking away from them.
COMMENT | posted by : The Judge 6/9/2008 7:59:02 AM
Fuck KI$$, Fuck KI$$ Wannabees, Fuck Paul Stanley and his art, Fuck Gene Simmons and Fuck KI$$ Pinball Machines!
COMMENT | "Maybe you can get more talented "scabs" to replace Tommy & Eric!" posted by : aerodude 6/9/2008 8:15:47 AM
^^^^^ from "The Guvner" -- more talented SCABS??!! errr, Tommy is a very good guitarist, and though I love Ace, like the thousands/millions of fans thru-out the years, and Peter, let's all face reality (no pun intended)---Ace isn't nearly the guitarist he was back in the day, and who knows when he might fall off the wagon again, given time/money of a successful tour with Kiss. As for Peter, I saw him a few years ago with Kiss before Eric joined and it was SAD. I'm a drummer and he was my first real Drumming Hero, though I was young and would later learn to appreciate Peart & Bonham, Joey Kramer (under-rated big time!), Roger Taylor, Alan White, Terry Bozzio, etc, etc. - to see Peter "attempt" his solo that night was almost laughable. I don't know if it was the drugs or drinking over the years, but Something contributed (age??) to his drumming deterioration, and that's obv. one of the MAIN reasons why he was replaced. Eric Singer is a very very good drummer, and has great backup vocals and does the KISS songs that Peter sang, quite well---a similar raspy type voice if u ask me.
People need to realize that just becuz' Ace & Peter were the original players, and they contributed to what the Core of KISS was, if you can't hack it, you can't hack it. Why embarrass yourselves or the KISS name with subpar abilities? Ace maybe could do it, but Peter---no way. Seriously. Check out some of the shows from some of the last DVD's with Peter playing, and see for yourselves.
COMMENT | posted by : bigsled 6/9/2008 8:34:12 AM
its funny how nobody really posts any serious comments about kiss anymore....they've made themselves into a laughing stock... as far as sturgis, it wouldnt matter who is there. bikers dont go there to see a band. most all of them have never seen kiss before or own a kiss record or know their names. thats what gene does now with this tribute to the makeup band. play festivals w/ many bands to ensure ticket sales.play australia to ensure ticket sales, play places you havent been to in the uk in 10 years !!!!!to ensure ticket sales. .. co headline with big names to ensure ticke sales.. show up on every non music related thing( rachel rae, nascar, tongue, lane bryant, etc) to promote to non fans.. the sad thing is , they are doing this to make more money on ticket sales to people that couldnt even name all the members. while they slap their supportive fans in the face that bankrolled them for 30 years. we, the long time fans , would have been perfectly happy with no makeup on and bruce and eric playing. but lets face it, the arena's wouldnt be as full and thats all that matters to gene and paul..i bet anything they will not do a full us tour with a no name opener. why ? because most cities woulnt sell well. just like in 04 with poison where people from lawn seats were able to move down to closer seats.. do you know who was in the lawn seats ? people that never saw kiss and dont really support the band.. do you know who was suppose to be in the better seats ?? the kiss army....usa today called the 04 tour one of the biggest flops of the year!!! the rock the nations dvd was filmed at one of the few cities that sold... ironically, the kissology dvd's with ace and peter were selling like hot cakes !!! fuck gene and paul
COMMENT | aerodude posted by : bigsled 6/9/2008 8:39:53 AM
you're are missing the whole point. anyway, i guess you havent seen ace lately because he's playing better than i ever saw him, since 76. and anybody who has seen him this tour knows i'm not lieing.... i do agree though, ace is unpredictable .. but what kiss is doing now is pathetic.
COMMENT | Not many good Paul clones But... posted by : darkstar73 6/9/2008 9:08:36 AM
This guy seems like a good candidate
myspace.com/exciter120
COMMENT | Yeah... posted by : DocRock 6/9/2008 9:12:05 AM
I'm sorry, but KISS with completely new members is no longer KISS. Obviously just a ploy to keep the cash coming in long after Gene and Paul have retired from the band. Who's gonna write the tunes? Gene is too busy for that and plus I don't think they allow residents in the nursing homes to use sharp objects such as pens and pencils.
But in reality, they pretty much lost all credibility the moment a KISS lunchbox came off the assembly line... But they still have their old tunes and they will always put on a great live show for as long as they last...
COMMENT | Bigsled re: Ace's playing posted by : aerodude 6/9/2008 9:25:05 AM
hey "Bigsled", Yes, i've seen Ace in recent years, not "Recently" (I take it you mean his current CLUB tour?), but the last couple tours he did with KISS, I saw him. Yea, I guess he was prob. playing decent enough but isn't the reason they let him go, was due to his falling back into Old Habits (whether it was drinking or other substances, who knows)? first show was in 77' in Prov, and have seen them pretty much every tour since then when they were in my area (New England), so i've seen Ace enough times to know when he was "ON" and when he wasn't. Bruce is a fine guitarist, I guess they couldn't come to a working agreement, but Tommy is well-equipped to handle the duties nonetheless.
COMMENT | OMFG posted by : StMalice 6/9/2008 9:44:40 AM
I'm sure the mentality behind Gene is... Everyone wants to be me because I am the greatest of all time.
So it's basically Kiss, Inc. Paul and Gene are chairmen of the company and they're hiring noobs to make them money.
What a fucking joke. K.I.S.S Killing the Industry Simmons Style
COMMENT | I used to be a big fan from 1976 until 1983 or so posted by : paulussie 6/9/2008 9:50:00 AM
then Metallica and Slayer grab me. I lost total interest in KISS. With that said I can only say that KISS died the moment they put their makeup of in 1983(?) IMO we had 25 years of something that wasn't KISS. The revivel in 1996 made me go to another 2 shows in Holland but man did they suck.... Especially Peter Criss. Songs were played slow and drums were manipulated.
COMMENT | i have always defended kiss posted by : tpie 6/9/2008 9:50:40 AM
and it might be time to stop. oh, and DocRock, what on earth makes you think they would write any new songs!?
COMMENT | Pathetic posted by : WORDSFORWAR 6/9/2008 10:26:58 AM
I think I just threw up in my mouth.......
COMMENT | I definitely believe..... posted by : chaosboy 6/9/2008 10:44:20 AM
They will try it.....no question. Remember the Psycho Circus tour and the " circus " pre-show ( or whatever the hell it was ) ? If you dont', I understand because I think ( don't quote me on this ) they only managed one show this way because the logistics turned out to be unreal ( I believe one of the monkeys ended up being a roadie for 6 months before anyone noticed....lol! ) but just plain ridiculous! Like them or hate them, they couls be just as famous for their absolutely unbelievable ideas.....The infamous KISS WORLD, An effect that would have had Peter turn into a real cat during the Dynasty tour....oh brother!! I don't care what they do, and I am a fan! The only way this might even stand a CHANCE is that they replace all the members, make an attempt at a legitimate album, new costumes, new stage....NEW EVERYTHING!....and I still think the chances are slim to none. I mean has a band ever tried something like this before?? They brought in two ringers to replace Ace and Peter and their was outrage...yet the numbers they are pulling in for this Euro tour and the fact that they are headling STURGIS.....says to me that maybe its more about a " feel " rather than who's playin'! I will give them credit as gamblers....cause the odds are slim at best, but I know that won't stop them from " trowing the dice "....I mean it's gotten them this far right?
cheers
COMMENT | Thats right posted by : JRSPON 6/9/2008 11:03:50 AM
Look how far they have gotten , even with the blabbermouth hatters, it just shows that you hatters dont make up for shit, you are not even listened to, 10 years from now you will be talking about how much you hate KISS, but they again will be going strong in some way, the hatters are probably less than .00000001% of the music/rock/metal fans. They still have fans everywhere.
COMMENT | posted by : RiotAct666 6/9/2008 12:00:40 PM
C'mon you know that Gene will go for this. Because it will rake in the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ which we all know that he is all about the money and not music.
COMMENT | Anybody else get the idea that posted by : His Royal Lordship of Excellence 6/9/2008 12:55:03 PM
Paul and Gene do NOT hang out together when they're not in the studio or on tour?
Something tells me Paul probably gets bullied into going along with a lot of this BS, because Gene runs the KISS Marketing Department, while Paul is busy being some new Bohemian artsy chick... I mean, DUDE.
COMMENT | JRSPON posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger 6/9/2008 12:56:39 PM
Blabbermouth HATTERS????? The last time I checked, nobody on here made HATS for a living, so how can we be HATTERS?????
"The hatters are probably less than .00000001% of the music/rock/metal fans."
Sucks to be a HATTER then.
COMMENT | My two cents... posted by : Hubs 6/9/2008 2:40:01 PM
I'm not crazy about the idea of a new Kiss...but i'm open minded to see what unfolds. Paul and Gene can't go on forever touring with the mega show that they put on. but i think i'd rather see them with Ace and Peter again with no makeup record a new cd and tour casual without all the theatrics!!!
COMMENT | Musical Box and Slippermen posted by : hmfc2112 6/9/2008 2:45:48 PM
two very talented genesis cover bands...I have no problem with cover bands provided they are totally endorsed by the Original band...I am in it for the music not some over the top fireworks dislapy where you just blow shit up. and play loud a fuck..I dont care who sings, plays bass, drums or guitar I am in it for the sounds. Clssical music is still played by orchestras world wide...100 years after it was written...so why not Kiss, Maiden, Priest Scorps ect its all about the music and the sounds that they created..not the performer
COMMENT | New Gene invention posted by : Scotts_Orange_Juice 6/9/2008 3:59:41 PM
Kiss Klocks
COMMENT | you gotta be jerking my prick posted by : goofybastrd 6/9/2008 4:41:23 PM
kiss are paul and gene, with ace and peter its the real kiss, just paul and gene is like a 65 on a test....its acceptable but not good. this idea of a new kiss, is not new, it wont work and no one will care...you know why...cuz it's already being done...it's called tribute bands. open a music paper and you will see a bunch of em playing in whatever town you live in. haveing the "kiss stamp of approval" doesn't mean diddly doo squat(if I may quote the late road warrior hawk)
COMMENT | Kiss Cover Band posted by : JRSPON 6/9/2008 5:49:11 PM
Most of the kiss cover bands play for bigger crowds than most of the metal bands on this site, 20 years from now, people will pay for tickets to see a kiss cover band play and see a jam up stage show.
COMMENT | posted by : steve_oz_49 6/9/2008 6:47:36 PM
new KISS
Guitar: Dean DeLeo Bass: Robert DeLeo Drums: Tommy Lee Vocals: Rob Zombie
Let's see what you guys come up with....... this could be fun
COMMENT | KISS said farewell a long time ago posted by : gbassman 6/9/2008 7:04:13 PM
There are many tribute bands out there now that are just as good if not better than what the real KISS is doing now,I love their tunes,but I don't agree with this or touring in make up with out Ace and Peter.I'll still listen to my CD's and tapes,but I will never see them live ever again.
that was eeerie.. he sounds more like Paul than he looks like him
myspace.com/exciter120
COMMENT | posted by : travyss 6/9/2008 10:05:35 PM
new Kiss
Guitar: CC Deville Bass: Michael Anthony Drums: Blas Elias Vocals: Dee Snider
steve_oz_49's, your lineup rocks!
A supergroup would be catchy. A bunch of unknows... Not any Kiss fan will care.
COMMENT | More things to laugh about ... posted by : wazc 6/9/2008 11:13:40 PM
Ace Frehley is right, this is getting embarrassing. It will definitly be embarrassing if KISS go down the Rock Star path, look at what good it did INXS! Its obvious Paul and Gene are on different planets to each other.
If KISS were to do a KISS II, both Frehley and Criss would have to be consulted. I don't think it would be too bad an idea, a bit like the Pink Floyd experience shows, it will never be the same. But it would be good if done properly. It will probably become a standard in years to come where there are authorised and certified shows with the Beatles, the Beach Boys, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and whoever else. It happens with Mozart, so it will happen with rock bands as well. But what they could do is do a KISS spectacular where all of the KISS make up era's, excluding the 90's and present, are all in the show. As these shows are seen as the ultimate tribute and nothing more.
The other thing is if KISS has to go a broad to prove they are succesful because they are not in their home town, it means their home town can see through the bullshit.
The band is fucked with out Ace Frehley. I can handle no Peter because he is physically not up to doing big tours any more, and I'd handle it if Eric Singer was given his own make up identity.
Critics know this. They also know Frehley won't come back. They have noted that the stuff Gene wrote about him in his full of shit book turned Ace off ever doing anything with KISS ever again. Although he says, never say never, its obvious Ace doesn't want to.
As I have said, it must be killing Paul and Gene knowing that Ace Frehley is back and not going away and the critics are loving it. His appearance on the Dunkin' Donuts ad's would have been bittersweet to them, having them directed by Zach Biraff is no small thing, and the fact he wanted Ace tells you something. Everyone loves Ace!
I think it'd kill Paul and Gene if Ace did a show a Madison Square Garden, and its quite possible he could do it and sell out. Particularly if he focused a good portion of the show on his 1978 solo album ... perhaps a whole section dedicated to just that. There is no reason why it wouldn't work.
COMMENT | KISS 11 posted by : JRSPON 6/10/2008 9:50:12 AM
By now Peter and Ace are probably CLOSE TO BEING BROKE AGAIN, IF THEY WILL WORK CHEAP ENOUGH THEY MIGHT BE PROSPECTS FOR THE JOB, BUT THEY WOULD PROBABLY FUCK THAT UP TOOOOOOO.
COMMENT | Take a chill pill JRSPON posted by : wazc 6/10/2008 6:36:47 PM
JRSPON: Why would Ace or Peter want to do that, Ace in particular has a lot more integrity about himself these days. It could just be that Paul and Gene fucked it all up with the big business plan for the band. Rock and Roll is not a business. If you watch the Tom Snyder interview which Gene calls horrific, Ace pretty says what is on everyone else's mind bar Paul and Gene. If you start believing your own rheotoric, you believe your shit don't stink either. Kiss are a joke ... wake up and smell the coffee mate! I am so glad Ace has ... the best musician Kiss ever had.
COMMENT | JRSPON posted by : Dave Levine 6/10/2008 10:57:35 PM
Damn, I haven't seen you get like this! You're in some rare form! This guy who posted before me has said what I've been trying to say for quite some time now. INTEGRITY and love for music means more to many musicians then who makes more money. Ace doesn't make as much money as KISS on his own. I just can never understand what is trying to be said by the album and concert attendance comparisons. People on this website are NOT impressed by this. It just doesn't change their minds about who is good and who isn't. Many of the shittiest music sells well. The greatest musicians do not sell - jazz and classical. There is more to music than rock. For every lover of KISS, I'm sure there are three haters. There comes a big price to pay with fame sometimes. By demonstrating their sales just won't change someones opinion. You have spent so much time and energy on bringing these statistics up but it hasn't suayed peoples opinions. You know I am a fan. You have every right to write whatever you wish but you are a cool dude and I don't want to see you getting this frustrated over your love for a band. No one can take that from you. I'm actually going through a heavy RUSH revisit. Damn they are one of my favorites. Great, great creative, genius, non-egotistical musicians! You like them right?
COMMENT | Dave Levine posted by : KISSFAN815 6/11/2008 7:10:20 AM
For every lover of KISS, I'm sure there are three haters
I don't agree with you I think for every hater of KISS there are three lovers.. But anyway we all have opinions and I respect yours ;)
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