As the controversy surrounding KISS’ plan to not perform at their April 10th induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame continues, the band have announced a rare acoustic show without makeup a week before the event.
Billed as "Kiss: An Acoustic Evening And Stories With Kiss", the April 3rd concert concert at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, California will see the group performing stripped-down versions of its classic songs and telling stories, a setup that is said to be "not unlike" the "MTV Unplugged" episode the band filmed nearly 20 years ago and a format they used during KISS conventions.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 28 at 11 a.m. via Ticketmaster or at the box office at San Manuel; fans must be 21 or older to attend the show.
The partner of original KISS manager, the late Bill Aucoin, is the latest to join the fray over the Rock Hall controversy, which erupted last weekend when Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons announced that no lineup of the band would perform at the induction ceremony, following news that original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were told that they would not be allowed to perform.
Aucoin's former partner, Roman Fernandez, issued a statement encouraging the members of KISS to put aside their egos and differences for one night and deliver a Rock Hall performance for the fans who have supported them for 40 years.
“I’m going on record,” wrote Fernandez. “I normally stand by the sidelines quietly watching the scrimmage in silence, but now, I feel I have to speak up. My late partner, Bill Aucoin, bothered enough in 1973 to wager his entire career as a successful television producer and bet all the money he had, as well as money he didn’t have, on 4 kids from the streets of New York. He unfortunately can no longer speak for himself on the subject of KISS and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
“Bill Aucoin gave KISS their start, as well as some of the best years of his life,” he continued. “KISS would, in fact, despite all his other successes, come to define Bill in the eyes of millions of fans and in the eyes of the industry. An industry that to a great degree didn’t give KISS the time of day when it mattered the most. No one did except for Bill, Sean Delaney and Neil (and Joyce) Bogart. All no longer with us except for Joyce. But, Bill and I spoke about this subject on several occasions before he passed. Bill Aucoin was not the type to reflect in regret, and he harbored no animosity. But he was convinced that due to politics within the board of the Hall of Fame, the day would never come that saw KISS inducted. I’m pretty certain he was OK with that.”
Read more of Fernandez’ statement here.
Frehley broke the story to Q104.3 New York DJ Eddie Trunk during a call in to his show on Friday - read his comments here.
Criss issued a statement over the weekend with his thoughts – read it here.
KISS followed the pair’s comments with a statement here.
See also:
Original KISS manager’s partner speaks out on Rock Hall controversy
KISS will not perform at Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction
KISS drummer Peter Criss responds to Rock Hall induction snub
KISS will not reunite at Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction
Search KISS at hennemusic
