For years, the members of KISS split what they earned. However, during an interview on The Fighter and The Kid podcast, Gene Simmons revealed the reason behind making changes in their share.
In the early 70s, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley played together in a band. They recruited Peter Criss, a drummer from Brooklyn who brought a jazz-influenced style to the mix, and Ace Frehley, a Bronx-born guitarist whose raw, inventive playing would become a signature part of the KISS sound. The chemistry clicked, and the four-piece band was complete. During an interview with VRP Rocks, Simmons spoke about Peter and Ace.
The departures of Criss and Frehley marked the end of the original KISS lineup and a pivotal turning point for the band. Frehley was out of Kiss for the last time in 2002, while Criss’ final run with the band ended in 2004.
However, Simmons and Stanley were determined to keep KISS alive. While KISS continued to evolve and achieve success, the absence of Criss and Frehley was keenly felt by fans.
Gene Simmons previously expressed his regret that former KISS members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were not part of the band’s farewell tour, attributing their absence to their past struggles. In interviews, Simmons admitted he wishes he had been tougher on his bandmates about their substance use, which he believes contributed to their multiple departures and reentries into the band over its 50-year history.
Simmons had explained that, as someone who has never indulged in such vices, he felt like an outsider and found it challenging to relate. He also shared that he invited Frehley and Criss to participate in KISS’s final shows but was turned down, stating that he made multiple attempts to include them for the benefit of longtime fans. While disappointed, Simmons noted that their involvement remained welcome but emphasized the importance of ending the band’s journey in its original, straightforward style—just four musicians playing together without added frills.
