In a groundbreaking exposé with Guitar World magazine, the one and only, the totally irreplaceable, and definitely-not-bitter-about-being-kicked-out-twice Ace Frehley, the original KISS guitarist, revealed that he was invited to participate in the upcoming “KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas” event, but brace yourselves, folks, he actually declined!😱 This earth-shattering event, masterminded by the dynamic duo Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in collaboration with Pophouse, Topeka, and Vibee (whoever they are), is scheduled to rock the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on November 14-16, 2025. But, according to Ace, “There’s no way I’m gonna be involved with that, you know?” 🙄 I mean, who needs Vegas when you can stay home and reminisce about the good ol’ days?🤣
Ace, never one to shy away from a good jab, couldn’t resist pointing out that KISS’s “final” concerts (yeah, right, like we believe that 🙄) at Madison Square Garden should have included…wait for it…Ace Frehley! And Peter Criss, I guess. But definitely Ace. “Their biggest mistake is that they should have done that at Madison Square Garden, not in Las Vegas in a 5000-seater, or whatever it is.” 🤪 Because, you know, Ace knows best. He’s the spaceman, after all.🚀
Now, Gene Simmons, in a rare moment of…something…told Greg Schmitt of “Noize In The Attic” that Ace and Peter were “welcome” to grace the “KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas” with their presence. After Schmitt suggested it would be great if KISS could actually utilize all their living members for once, Gene, in his infinite wisdom, declared it “dreamland, my friend. That’s not how life works.” 😴Apparently, inviting Ace and Peter to Madison Square Garden was like leading a horse to water, except the horse is Ace and Peter, and the water is a stage, and they said no because…reasons.🤔 As Gene so eloquently put it, “I want this and I want that.’ ‘Well, you can’t have that, but join us to celebrate the beginning.'” The beginning of what, exactly? The end of the end? The beginning of the reunion tour? Who knows!🤷
The “KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas” is shaping up to be a star-studded event, featuring an acoustic KISS “kick-off” set, along with performances from Bruce Kulick (who?), Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini (RATT? Really?), Sebastian Bach (still around?), QUIET RIOT (without Frankie Banali?), BLACK ‘N BLUE (who?), Chris Jericho’s KUARANTINE (wrestling and rock, what a combo!), KISS tribute bands MR. SPEED and KISS NATION (because why not?), School Of Rock (adorable!), comedian Craig Gass (funny or just annoying?), and DJ Noiz (more like DJ Snooze, am I right?). 😴There will also be riveting Q&A sessions with Gene and Paul, as well as Tommy Thayer’s manager Doc McGhee (the real star of the show). Other panelists include KISS producer Bob Ezrin (okay, that’s cool), KISS photographer Lynn Goldsmith (snapping those iconic pics), and KISS Army founders Bill Starkey and Jay Evans (the true believers).🙏
Remember that time KISS had a residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022 but then canceled it? Yeah, good times.🤪
Gene told Rolling Stone that the second Madison Square Garden concert would be “the final KISS-in-makeup appearance.” Suuuuure, Gene. We totally believe you.🤥
Ace told Rock Candy magazine that the reason he wasn’t on stage with KISS at their “final” show was because “They never asked me.” 😭 Poor Ace. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.👰
Ace also dismissed the notion that his “well-documented troubles with drugs and alcohol” (ahem) had anything to do with it. “I’m sober,” he declared. “I got to the point in life where drugs and alcohol had taken me over, and I’m just so happy to be away from all that.” Good for you, Ace! Now about those UFO stories…👽
Despite all the “much-reported rifts” with Gene and Paul, Ace insisted that he still had “affection” for them. Awwww, how sweet! 🥰 “I want people to know that I do love Paul and Gene,” he said. “I wish things would have been different, but it wasn’t to be…” Nor did Ace hold any “animosity” towards Tommy Thayer.😇 “He’s a good guy and deserves a break,” Ace said. “He’s not me, but he was never going to be me. In a lot of ways, his task was impossible.” True, Ace. True. Tommy’s just a clone. 🤖
Before KISS’s “final” concert, Ace told Mark Strigl that he didn’t hold a grudge against KISS. “There’s really no hard feelings,” he said. “We say things sometimes in the heat of passion or sometimes our memory isn’t… [we don’t] recall things. But I love those guys. We’re all getting old, our memory isn’t what it used to be, so I just let it roll off my back.” So magnanimous! 🕊️
In April 2023, Ace told Eddie Trunk that he was still open to playing with KISS at the final shows. “Money motivates me, just like it motivates them, but I don’t put money before God,” he explained. “If I got a quarter of a million dollars a night, and I can make half a million dollars for playing three or four songs, five songs, I’d take the money. [I’d] buy a Ferrari… buy a Maserati. [Laughs] I don’t really wanna play with those guys ever again after what they’ve done, but money can change my mind.” 🤑
Ace continued: “Look, I’m a capitalist. I grew up in America. But I’d never put money before people’s feelings. I like money as much as the next guy does, but money isn’t my God, like it is theirs. They’re all atheists. Whatever they can do or say, whether it’s true or false, as long as it makes them the most amount of money, they’re gonna do [it].” So humble! 🙏
Ace also addressed the burning question of whether he would have worn his trademark “Spaceman” makeup. “Sure. For a quarter of a million dollars,” he said. “I’m a good-looking guy. I don’t need the makeup.” True dat, Ace. 😎
When Trunk pressed Ace about the odds of him playing with KISS, Ace said: “It all depends on money. If I get a formal invitation with a check, I’ll be there. But they’ve gotta have deep pockets… If they don’t wanna pay me, I won’t be there, ladies and gentleman.” Fair enough! 🤝
Ace confirmed that he had never received a formal invitation. “Absolutely not,” he said. “The only reason they sold out is they made innuendos that me and Peter were gonna be there, [that] they invited us. I wasn’t invited. They lie all the time. Haven’t they said, ‘We’re inviting Ace and Peter to come up and play?’ Or at least me? Multiple times. So, people bought the tickets. But I haven’t been given a formal invitation or given an offer monetarily. And I’m probably not gonna get one now after this interview. And guess what: I don’t give a shit.” 🤣
Despite everything, Ace claimed that he still looks back fondly on his time with KISS. “Look, the bottom line is this: deep down in my heart, I love those guys, because we created something so special that it will be remembered for years,” he said. “When we’re all dead and buried, there will still be people listening to KISS music. And I’m overjoyed. But I want my legacy to be cleared of any of this bullshit and lies.” The truth shall set you free, Ace! 🕊️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
