KISS: News, History & Updates

Kiss Biography by Greg Prato

Excerpts from Greg’s books exclusively for Alternative Nation

BILL AUCOIN [Kiss manager 1973-1982]: Gene was a teacher and always studious and taking notes. We didn’t allow Gene to talk too much, because he always came across like a teacher and not a rock n’ roller. So Paul did most of the talking. Paul tends to be a little bit shy, until you get to know him. Gene, of course, will be outspoken, almost too much. Ace probably was the ultimate rock n’ roller. I’m talking about living the rock n’ roll life. That was Ace. Very bright.

CHARLIE BENANTE [Anthrax drummer]: I loved [Peter Criss’] drumming on Alive! I think he was one of the big influences as far as having a huge drum kit. It was like, “Look at all these drums. What is he doing with all these?” Because at the time, you had like the “five-piece-kit-drummers” out there, like John Bonham and Joey Kramer. After Peter, Neil Peart had the big kit also.

BOB EZRIN [Destroyer, (Music From) The Elder, and Revenge producer]: Actually [Kiss and Alice Cooper] shared a lot of the same attributes. They had a great work ethic, great sense of humor. They were not “precious” about what they were doing, but they were very serious about it. And all they wanted was to do the best they possibly could, so they could make the best stuff for their fans. That’s what motivated both of them, that they were there for their fans. I think the Kiss guys are still doing that, and so is Alice. They’re all great entertainers. They’re all “show people,” in the classic sense of it. They give the fans a great show.

CAROL KAYE [Kiss publicist]: Kiss were the biggest band in the world. They were voted #1 in the Gallup Poll over and over again. Their concerts were sold out. There was a frenzy around Kiss. They were on the cover of every rock n’ roll magazine. We booked them on a lot of television shows.

EDDIE TRUNK [Radio host, That Metal Show co-host]: I was sad to see the original band break up [in 1980, when Eric Carr replaced Peter Criss]. But it also brought some new interest for me because, “OK, who is this new guy? What is his persona? What is he about? What is his character? What is he going to be like?” Even at that point, it gave me a little shot in the arm of excitement.

BRUCE KULICK [Kiss guitarist 1984-1996]: It was pretty interesting [when Kiss “unmasked” in 1983]. I mean, I knew what the guys looked like, so it wasn’t like, “Ooo!” But it was more like, “How are they going to handle it? How are they going to present this?” And I thought it was really cool. The only odd thing to me was I was always going to keep my eye on the position that I wanted…which was Vinnie Vincent. He didn’t look like he belonged.

ACE FREHLEY [Kiss guitarist 1973-1982, 1996-2002]: We were basically just doing what we did in the ’70s, right? [When Kiss reunited with the original line-up in 1996] I always thought Kiss was in their own category – theatrical hard rock group, with also catchy songs…and a big spectacle. I always thought we were kind of in our own category. It wasn’t that difficult at all for me, and oddly enough, when I was on stage I even had feelings of déjà vu. Because with the make-up on, we look a lot younger. [Laughs]

KIM THAYIL [Soundgarden guitarist]: Well, it was certainly influential, because Kiss was one of those bands – like the Beatles – that really inspired young people to want to play music. Or very specifically, pick up a guitar – in my case. But also drums and bass, as well. But I think the Beatles and Kiss certainly have a profound influence on many guitarists. In the case of Soundgarden, it also had an influence on our drummer [as a teen, Matt Cameron played in a Kiss tribute band]. So, aspiring to be a rock musician, I think Kiss did perhaps more to contribute to that with our generation – alongside metalheads, and thrash and punk and just regular rock guys, and probably even some country people, like Garth Brooks. And “ground zero” probably is Kiss.

DAVID ELLEFSON [ex-Megadeth bassist]: Ace was the quintessential cool cat [who passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74]. And as we’ve read the history, that’s how he got the name – he was the cool guy with the ladies. He was “The Ace.” He had a cool factor, a swagger – in how he looked, how he acted on stage. Especially when he had the make-up on. And in how he played up ’til the very end. You could tell it was Ace as soon as you heard him. And that is a quality of an artist that is so difficult to accomplish. And Ace had that. As soon as you heard him play guitar, you knew it was Ace.

QUOTE SOURCES (click links for order info):
Bill Aucoin: The Eric Carr Story
Charlie Benante: The Eric Carr Story
Bob Ezrin: The Eric Carr Story
Carol Kaye: The Eric Carr Story
Eddie Trunk: The Eric Carr Story
Bruce Kuluck: MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video
Ace Frehley: Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990’s
Kim Thayil: Talk to Me: Conversations With Ace Frehley
David Ellefson: Talk to Me: Conversations With Ace Frehley