It’s been 40 years since KISS released their self-titled album (and their sophomore album, Hotter Than Hell, which also came out in 1974). And while they’ve never been critical darlings, with their impending induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 15 years after they first became eligible, they’re finally making the cover of Rolling Stone. Given that the band’s 20 albums have probably gotten about 26 stars combined in the magazine, that’s pretty impressive.
KISS have been adamant that the current lineup, which includes Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer alongside Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, be included in their induction, which has led to them not performing when they get inducted. But much like the Rock Hall of Fame, the Rolling Stone article focuses on the original four members. The magazine cover is a shot from 1975, and the interview catches up with Gene, Paul, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Simmons says he thinks about Frehley and Criss while insulting them:
“I keep thinking about Ace and Peter,” Simmons admits. “”What are they doing now? Where are they?’ It’s gotta be close to the end. How do you make any money? How do you pay your bills?”
Ace and Peter, for their part, said it would be an insult to play alongside Thayer and Singer, while Simmons replied that the two “no longer deserve to wear the paint.” So in other words, business as usual in the KISS camp, but now they’ve got another magazine cover to have framed. Another revelation in the interview is that Simmons says that the band says he has “three more tours, two if I have a life change of some kind,” in him. It doesn’t note whether or not this Summer’s tour with Def Leppard counts as one of those. The full article will be online tomorrow (26) and on sale on Friday, March 28.
