Billboard

It’s taken 14 years, but pyro-glam rockers Kiss are finally being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After being passed over for so long, it was already a major story that the New York quartet (born of equal parts ambition, determination and desperation) had finally made the cut.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Paul Stanley in NYC

But since the four original members — singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, singer-bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss — haven’t been shy about expressing how they think the induction and celebratory performance should be handled, Kiss’ Hall of Fame entrance has become one of the most talked-about rock stories this spring.

Stanley, who co-founded the band 40 years ago with Simmons, sat down with Billboard to discuss the buzz surrounding the induction, which he believes is the Rock Hall’s “worst nightmare.”

“The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not the hall of fame of the people, or of other bands,” he said. “It’s a small group of people who decide who they want in their little club and who they don’t. The fact that they would only induct the four original members — and when I asked about that it they said it was a non-starter — is interesting. Because they’re pencil pushers and I play a guitar. So for them to tell me what is a non-starter is arrogance.”

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Wenn | Contact Music

Aerosmith star Joey Kramer has urged the original members of Kiss to rethink their decision not to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday (10Apr14), insisting they should just “lighten up” and play.

Founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons pulled the plug on plans to mark their induction with a live show when they learned that Hall of Fame bosses would not be honouring their current bandmates Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer at the bash in New York.

But famous fans like Slipknot’s Corey Taylor have blasted the decision and now drummer Kramer has weighed in on the drama, insisting all seven past and present members of Kiss who will be at the Hall of Fame event should get up onstage and perform.

In an interview as part of the podcast Totally Driven Radio, the Aerosmith star says, “You have to recognise the fact that there’s two other guys that have been in the band for the last 12 or 15 years. I mean, can you just ignore them? Is that fair? From my point of view, I think, basically, they should all play.

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Joh Wiederhorn | Yahoo Music

The four original members of KISS — guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley, bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons, guitarist Ace Frehley, and drummer Peter Criss – will attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony April 10 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York, along with ex-guitarist Bruce Kulick (who played with the band from 1984 to 1996) and the current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. But don’t expect any of them to rock and roll all night together — not that Simmons and Stanley didn’t originally want to.

“We volunteered to bring our ‘Monster’ stage for us to play with Tommy and Eric, and then for us to bring on Ace and Peter,” Stanley tells Yahoo Music. “We were told [by the Rock Hall] that was a ‘non-starter.’ That was the quote that started to irk me more than anything, because I don’t want to be told by a pencil-pusher what a ‘non-starter’ is, when I’m the person that has been playing the guitar.”

The roots of Stanley’s grievance go deeper than a basic disinterest in performing onstage with former band members. As the mob would say, it comes down to respect. According to Paul, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has fought KISS’s entrance into its elite organization since the band was first eligible 15 years ago. In February, KISS will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut.

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3wv

TMZ

Founding KISS drummer Peter Criss insists he’s NOT a raging anti-Semite, despite public accusations made by KISS guitarist Paul Stanley.

Stanley unloaded on Criss and another ex-band mate Ace Frehley in his new book “Face the Music: A Life Exposed,” accusing the two of chronic anti-Semitic behavior back in the day. Stanley also accuses Criss of being a racist who enjoyed mocking waiters at Chinese restaurants.

But Criss tells TMZ, all of Stanley’s claims are bogus.

Criss says he’s always been a loving supporter of all religions, including the Jewish faith — in fact, Criss tells us his favorite aunt was Jewish. He also denies being a racist in any way.

Although Criss says he’s spoken to a lawyer, he says he has no plans to pursue legal action against Stanley.

Jane Stevenson | Toronto Sun

Jorge Adorno

KISS frontman Paul Stanley finally faced the music and the timing couldn’t be better.

It took years but his autobiography, Face the Music: A Life Exposed, came out just a few weeks before KISS gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Thursday night and prior to the band’s summer tour with Def Leppard that hits Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on Aug. 12 for its only Canadian date.

“For decades I staunchly refused to write an autobiography because Orwell said, ‘Autobiography is the most outrageous form of fiction,’” the 62-year-singer-songwriter-rhythm guitarist tells QMI Agency in a Canadian newspaper exclusive.

“It wasn’t until I realized that my story could serve a purpose, that it could inspire, and could reach far beyond KISS fans. It’s really more about facing adversity in life and facing issues and how you choose to deal with them, and hopefully, overcome them.”

To that end, Stanley’s book begins with a strong Canadian connection.

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Joe Diaz

Had the pleasure to meet Paul Stanley at his book signing at Bookends in N.J. today…He took the time to take a photo with every fan and say hello and answer questions…as always a truly a class act…what a pleasure to meet him today with my son Scott…once again Paul reminds us why KISS is the greatest band in the world and embraces the greatest fans in the world !

Strange Ways

Episode 19 finds your KISS Army bros joined by Andrew Kiss, discussing someone near and dear to us. The unforgettable, one and only Fox of KISS! The late, great Eric Carr.

Krazy Knights