Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley recently clarified his absence from the upcoming KISS Kruise: Land-locked in Vegas event. He revealed he was indeed invited but chose to decline, as reported by Guitar World.
Frehley provided a direct explanation for his decision when asked about his absence from the November event at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
“They asked me and I declined,” Frehley said. “There’s no way I’m gonna be involved with that, you know?”
The guitarist also shared his thoughts on the venue choice for the event.
“Their biggest mistake is that they should have done that at Madison Square Garden, not in Las Vegas in a 5000-seater, or whatever it is,” he continued.
The KISS Kruise: Land-locked in Vegas event is scheduled to take place this November at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Frehley’s decision to skip the Vegas event comes amid ongoing tensions with his former bandmates. It reflects his continued focus on his solo career. The guitarist has maintained a complicated relationship with KISS since his departure from the band.
This Vegas gathering holds particular significance as it marks KISS’s first live performance since their End of the Road farewell tour concluded in December 2023 at Madison Square Garden. YouTube sources revealed that the band will perform unmasked for this gathering. This represents a notable departure from their iconic makeup tradition that has defined their image for decades.
The event will feature longtime KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, who is set to appear and perform live at the gathering. YouTube coverage indicated that Kulick’s participation adds significant anticipation among fans, given his tenure during the band’s non-makeup era from 1984 until the 1996 reunion when original members returned.
Meanwhile, Frehley continues to focus on his independent musical endeavors. Great News Life reported that the guitarist recently performed at Four Winds New Buffalo’s Silver Creek Event Center in early July. This demonstrates that he remains actively touring and playing his classic KISS hits on his own terms.
The contrast between KISS’s Vegas event and Frehley’s solo performances highlights the ongoing divide between the original guitarist and his former bandmates. Both parties are pursuing separate paths in their musical careers.
