Ace Frehley threatens to unleash 'dirt' on KISS if he doesn't get Paul Stanley apology
"Their careers will be ruined," Frehley claims
Last updated 30th Mar 2023
Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has threatened to unleash a 120-page manuscript containing “dirt” on the band if Paul Stanley doesn’t issue an apology over a recent interview.
In a chat with the Howard Stern Show earlier this month, Paul Stanley was asked why KISS didn’t perform at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2014 and invite Ace Frehley and Peter Criss with them.
"(The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame organisers) were demanding, quite honestly, that we play with the two original guys, Peter and Ace,” Stanley said.
“At this point, (performing with Peter and Ace) would be demeaning to the (current KISS) band, and also would give some people confusion. Because if you saw people on stage who looked like KISS but sounded like that, maybe we should be called PISS."
Ace Frehley was interview by Eddie Trunk on his Trunk Nation radio show yesterday (29th March) and he was asked about Stanley’s ‘PISS’ comment.
“Those guys have been bad mouthing me ever since I quit the band in 1981/1982,” Frehley said. “Calling me a drug addict. Calling me an alcoholic. Saying I’m unemployable. Saying I’m not dependable.”
Returning to the subject later in the chat, Frehley said: "You know what it is? It's Paul's frustration and insecurity that he has to use backing tapes. And we're only six months apart, and I can still get up there and belt it out and hit the keys, and he can't. And it's very unfortunate.
“I'm very sad that the fact that he's using backing tracks, y’know it's cheapening the brand, which affects my bottom line, because I still get paid from KISS on merchandising and whatever else they do. And I'm pissed off about it!"
He continued: “But what I’m more pissed off about is what he said. Because I think what he said was hitting below the belt. Because at the time he said that, I was already eight years sober.
“He’s making a statement and trying to project to the fans listening to the Howard Stern Show that I was unreliable at the time. It’s a complete falsehood and it’s a lie and I think he’s just pissed off that I left the group and I’m still successful. And they don’t always sell out show.”
Issuing an ultimatum to Paul Stanley, Frehley added: “As far as what he said on Howard Stern, I'm going to make a statement to Paul Stanley right now.
“Paul, if you're not listening, I'm sure one of your associates in the KISS group are. And I'm telling you that I want my formal apology for what you said and a retraction and an apology within seven days. And if I don't get that within seven days, I'm coming back on Ed Trunk's show – if you’ll have me - and I'm gonna tell some dirt that nobody knows about Paul and Gene that I've always kept to myself because I'm the kind of guy who doesn't talk about this. I like to talk about the positive stuff.
"You've read my book. You've read Paul's book. You've read Peter's book. A lot of times those guys are just throwing people under the bus. I mean, in Paul's book, he even threw Gene under the bus. What I tried to do was have a fun, entertaining book with interesting stories, and this is the way I am. I'm not the kind of guy who kisses and tells.
“When it comes to negativity - and we've all done things that we regret over the years — it's there. I have a 120-page manuscript that I wrote after I finished my book. My attorney has it in a safety deposit box. God forbid anything happens to me. My attorney is instructed to release it to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, API, everybody. So, they can't intimidate me with trying to hurt me or say, 'You'd better not say anything about me live on the radio.' Because then they're totally screwed. Their careers will be ruined."
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