Just days before the original KISS lineup are to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the feud amongst band members has devolved into accusations of anti-Semitism following this week’s publication of Paul Stanley’s memoir, “Face The Music: A Life Exposed.”
"Ace [Frehley] and particularly Peter [Criss] felt powerless and impotent when faced with the tireless focus, drive and ambition of me and Gene," writes Stanley. "As a result, the two of them tried to sabotage the band – which, as they saw it, was unfairly manipulated by money-grubbing Jews."
Both Frehley and Criss have responded publicly to the accusations made by Stanley.
"They can't call me a drunk or a drug addict anymore, so they're grasping at straws,” responded Frehley during an appearance on this past Monday's (April 7) edition of Eddie Trunk's show "Trunk Nation" on SiriusXM's Hair Nation (audio below). “I mean, Jesus Christ! My fiancée is Jewish. How can I be anti-Semitic? Is he out of his mind. [Laughs] [I've spent] 40 years in the music business [and] I've worked alongside Jewish people my whole life. And I'm anti-Semitic? It's ridiculous. I think he's trying to sell his book, and it's a pretty sad commentary if he has to resort to verbal slurs and innuendo. It's ridiculous."
On Tuesday, Criss told TMZ that all of Stanley's claims are bogus. The drummer told the tabloid outlet that he's always been a loving supporter of all religions, including the Jewish faith, explaining that his favorite aunt was Jewish. He also denied 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.
Meanwhile, Stanley stands by his claims, telling Artisan News (video below), "Unfortunately, I can't say it's taken out of context. It's very clear that there are a lot of people who are anti-Semites. There are a lot of people who, underneath the surface, have a resentment towards the resiliency or the determination of Jews. If you wanna hang your inadequacies or your failures on somebody, it seems that, 'Hey, it's his fault.' So, no, I stand behind what I said and I have no agenda and I'm not saying anything to be vindictive, I'm not saying anything to be malicious. I'm just stating the facts."
This Thursday, the original lineup of KISS will be inducted into the 2014 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello at a ceremony at New York’s Barclays Center; other honorees include Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens, Linda Ronstadt, and The E Street Band.
The night after the induction, the current KISS lineup will perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday, April 11; the program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on NBC.
See also:
KISS: Ace Frehley to play Rock Hall induction All-Star jam
KISS preview KISSTERIA The Ultimate Vinyl Road Case
Motorhead’s Lemmy performs coin toss at first L.A. KISS home game
KISS to perform on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon
Search KISS at hennemusic
