Bassist Gene Simmons of KISS has frequently been vocal about the band’s handling of former members drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley. For a number of reasons, KISS’s original members’ relationships have frequently wavered between amicable and antagonistic.
Simmons discussed his reservations regarding the band’s original lineup in a recent interview with Backstage Pass. It turns out that he regrets not being harsher with Frehley and Criss for their suspected drug use.
“Looking back, I regret not being harsher with Ace and Peter, the two original members of the band who played guitar and drums,” Simmons remarked. “You know, hindsight is 20/20.” In that sense, I’ve always been an outsider because I’ve never smoked cigarettes or been intoxicated. It appeared that the rest of the world was drug-fueled.
“Ace and Peter… deserve just as much credit for the band’s formation as Paul and I do,” he added. Without a doubt, that chemistry was the cause. They each possessed distinct voices, distinct personalities, and all that. And fifty or fifty-five years later, they ought to be here with us, relishing the rewards of their effort. Unfortunately, they aren’t. And they are to blame. Three times, they were in and out of the band. The same old reason led to their termination three times. It’s not even special. If you go to practically any band, you’ll see that the patrons are affluent and can afford to consume more than the scumbag on the street corner. It’s depressing.
Simmons went into detail about how he managed to stay away from booze and drugs for so long. “Well,” he continued, “the word ‘no’ is in the dictionary.” I’ve never observed somebody who is intoxicated to be clever or witty. Have you? Additionally, high folks have an alien-like voice. Moreover, smokers have an ashtray-like stench. Look, I can see how smoking, drinking, or being high could make you more intelligent, wealthy, gorgeous, or have a larger shmeckel—all things we all wish we possessed. “I hope this.” I hope so. But basically, nothing occurs. In fact, it’s likely that the shoes your partner recently purchased will make you throw up. You’re not going to be clever. Your head will ache the following day, especially if you drink enough, your shmeckel is not gonna work. So I don’t get it. Chances are pretty good you’re gonna get into a fight
According to a story Simmons shared, he used to pick up females when his schoolmates were intoxicated. Simmons recounted, “I used to go to these teenage parties when I was 13, 14, and 16-year-olds would gather because I was always bigger, so they’d invite me.” They would assume I was older. I would wait for the boys to get intoxicated before swooping in and grabbing whichever girl I want, like a vulture on the side.