Doug Aldrich Reveals Why He Missed KISS Guitar Spot
Doug Aldrich has opened up about an early-career near miss with KISS, revealing that his audition to replace Ace Frehley never turned into a permanent slot. The Dead Daisies and former Whitesnake guitarist revisited the story in a recent interview, describing how a mix of money, maturity, and band chemistry factored into why he didn’t end up in the makeup-and-fire-breathing institution.
In the interview, Aldrich said the process began after he was introduced to drummer Eric Carr through Carr’s then-girlfriend, and he ultimately went on to jam with the band at a recording studio and even play live with them a couple of times, Backstage Pass reported.
Aldrich also framed the experience as a lesson in what big gigs can require beyond chops. He recalled being just 18 at the time and feeling out of place socially around the older band members, suggesting that being a “cool hangout” can matter as much as playing ability when a group is deciding who fits its internal dynamic.
The anecdote echoes other KISS-related stories about how hard the band’s circle could be to break into, including a separate episode in which Gene Simmons snubbed a Whitesnake guitarist during a different era of the group’s orbit.
KISS ultimately went with Vinnie Vincent for the job, but Aldrich said the experience pushed him to improve and keep working. Decades later, he’s built a résumé that includes stints with Dio and Whitesnake, with the KISS audition now standing as a formative story about timing, experience, and the realities of landing a high-profile role.
