KISS react to Peter Criss banning them from using 'Beth' in new documentary
Paul Stanley calls it 'sad'
Last updated 25th Jun 2021
KISS frontman Paul Stanley says it’s “sad” that original drummer Peter Criss has prohibited them from using their 1976 hit ‘Beth’ in new documentary Biography: Kisstory.
Set to premiere on A&E in the US on Sunday (27th June), Biography: Kisstory is a four-hour, two-night documentary celebrating the 48-year history of KISS from their humble beginnings in New York to global stardom.
Earlier this week, Paul Stanley revealed that Peter Criss has barred them from using breakthrough ballad ‘Beth’ in the Biography: Kisstory documentary. Criss co-wrote the song alongside friend Stan Penridge and producer Bob Ezrin.
In a new interview with USA Today, Stanley reacted to Peter Criss’ actions, saying: “It's sad, because it's a snapshot of somebody who has made a life of shooting themselves in the foot. When you do things like that, the only person who ultimately gets hurt is you.
“I don't want to throw stones and I don't want to disparage anybody, and at the same time, the truth is the truth. The band could never have existed without Peter and Ace (Frehley) in the beginning, and the band also couldn't exist today with them.”
Asked if Frehley and Criss had been asked to participate in the documentary, Stanley replied: “We had numerous people ask them and unfortunately, their demands were unrealistic. (They wanted) editing approval and final approval. Once again, it's the usual nonsense and we'll just go forward.”
Elsewhere during the interview, Gene Simmons said KISS have no plans to extend their farewell End of the Road World Tour beyond the planned final show in New York.
“When you get to a certain age, you really should get off the stage,” Simmons said. “And in all honesty, I could have been smarter about this. I could have been like Keith Richards: You pull out a pair of sneakers and a shirt, strum your guitar and you don't have to sweat. No, I had to wear seven-inch platform dragon boots – each one weighs as much as a bowling ball – and armor and studs and two hours of makeup, and then spit fire and fly through the air. And I've continued to do all that stuff for close to 50 years.
“If Bono, who's fantastic, or (Mick) Jagger, who's still doing great stuff, stepped into my outfit and did what I do, they'd pass out in a half hour. The physicality of what we do prevents us from doing this longer. And you know what? Half a century is plenty of time.”
KISS headline Download Festival on Friday 10th June 2022 as part of the next European leg of their End of the Road World Tour.
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