Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley recently shared his perspective on tensions with bandmate Paul Stanley. He suggested jealousy may be behind some of their conflicts in an interview with Guitar World.
Frehley’s comments came in response to a question about why he hasn’t participated in certain Kiss events. He specifically addressed why he wouldn’t do a “Landlocked in Vegas event” despite having done Kiss Kruises before.
“There’s multiple reasons. About nine months before Kiss was going to play Madison Square Garden, both Paul and Gene were saying, ‘We’re going to bring everybody out on stage,'” Frehley said. “Then a few months before the concert, they both changed their tune and said, ‘Ace and Peter aren’t going to do it.'”
The guitarist revealed that the situation escalated when Stanley made disparaging remarks about the potential reunion.
“In fact, Paul went on to say, ‘If Ace and Peter got on stage with us, the band could be called Piss.’ So, I kind of got into an argument with him,” Frehley continued. “Ed Trunk let me use his show as a platform. But it was just… I got upset, and then I just kind of let it go.”
Frehley concluded his comments by suggesting that Stanley’s behavior stems from jealousy. He stated: “Paul says things off the top of his head without thinking sometimes. Jealousy can make you say stupid things.”
These recent comments reflect a broader pattern of Frehley’s cautious approach to Kiss-related events. They also show his ongoing concerns about the band’s direction without its original lineup.
Metal Wani reported that Frehley declined invitations to both the 2025 Kiss Kruise and the Las Vegas Kiss shows. These events were designed to celebrate the band’s legacy. His absence from these high-profile events underlines his desire to protect both his artistic identity and the original integrity of Kiss.
The Las Vegas gatherings are particularly significant as they mark Kiss’s first live performances since their ‘End of the Road’ farewell tour ended in 2023. American Songwriter noted that these shows will feature longtime Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick performing unmasked. This represents a departure from the band’s iconic makeup tradition.
Frehley’s decision not to participate highlights the complex dynamics still at play within the band. It also demonstrates his commitment to maintaining what he sees as Kiss’s authentic legacy. Loaded Radio confirmed that the guitarist has consistently expressed concerns about reunion performances that don’t include the complete original lineup.
The ongoing tensions between Frehley and his former bandmates continue to shape Kiss’s post-farewell tour activities. The original guitarist chooses to distance himself from events he feels compromise the band’s historical significance. His recent comments about Stanley’s alleged jealousy add another layer to the complex relationship dynamics that have defined Kiss’s internal politics for decades.
