Yngwie Malmsteen recently revealed how a miscommunication about his height cost him the opportunity to join KISS as Ace Frehley’s replacement in 1982. He shared the story in an interview with Louder Sound.
The guitarist recalled the bizarre phone conversation that ended his potential involvement with the legendary rock band.
“Actually, I remember back in 1982, before I went to America, someone must have played KISS my cassette,” Malmsteen said. “They called me [after Ace Frehley left the band], and the guy on the phone was like: ‘You’re hot! You’re hot!’ I’m like:, ‘What? Hot?’ Then: ‘We heard you. We wanna get you in. But we need to know one thing: are you six foot tall?'”
The confusion arose when Malmsteen attempted to convert his height from metric to imperial measurements.
“Now, I’m six-three, but I didn’t know how to say that in feet,” he continued. “So I said I was one metre, ninety-two centimetres. They never called back. It was very bizarre.”
This missed opportunity occurred during a crucial period for KISS. The band was actively searching for a new guitarist following Ace Frehley’s departure.
Ace Frehley left KISS in 1982 after years as the band’s lead guitarist and “Spaceman” persona. Wikipedia documented that the band conducted extensive auditions to find his replacement. The search process proved challenging as KISS needed someone who could match Frehley’s distinctive style and stage presence.
The audition process extended over several months. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that various guitarists were considered during this period. The band ultimately selected Vinnie Vincent as Frehley’s replacement.
Vincent made his debut with KISS in December 1982. Kiss FAQ noted that he brought a different musical approach to the band. His tenure with KISS would prove to be relatively brief but significant in the band’s evolution.
Malmsteen’s height miscommunication represents one of rock history’s more unusual “what if” scenarios. Had the Swedish guitarist joined KISS instead of pursuing his solo career, both his trajectory and the band’s musical direction might have been dramatically different.
