"There will be NO reunion of the original KISS lineup"-Paul Stanley

[That 70s Guy]

blabbermouth:

PAUL STANLEY Says There Will Be No Reunion Of KISS' Original Lineup - Mar. 9, 2011
According to PressTelegram.com, KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley told CNN that there is no possibility of a reunion of the four original KISS members. "The word that comes up is 'closure.' We had a good time that deteriorated over time. When we did the farewell tour I realized I didn't want to say farewell to KISS, I wanted to say farewell to two of the members."

KISS previously announced plans to enter the studio in March to begin recording its new studio album for a late 2011 release. Stanley will once again produce the new effort after things went so smoothly on 2009's "Sonic Boom". "Paul knows more what a KISS record should sound like than anybody, to be honest with you, so he is going to lead the charge and produce it again and we are all really excited about it," KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer said.

"Sonic Boom" sold 108,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked the band's highest-charting LP ever.

 

[Hardnecker]

My only beef with the current lineup is Tommy Thayer. He sounds more like Ace than Ace does. Doesn't he have his own style or does Gene not allow him sound like himself? If someone told you Ace played on Sonic Boom you'd be inclined to agree.

 

[Lynch]

Sad to see/hear, but I don't think anyone ever really expected another 'true reunion' with the original 4 members. That bridge seemed to burn down back in like 2002 or so when Peter was dismiss (or left). Ace was already gone by that point. I'm just happy that they are still touring after all of these years, still thinking about putting out yet another new album and still entertain me.

I'm also very grateful that I did get to see them on their 96, 97 and 98 reunion tours with those 4 original members. I had a blast at all of them, got some great pictures and overall enjoyed something that I was too young to see back in the 70's.

 

[Lynch]

My only beef with the current lineup is Tommy Thayer. He sounds more like Ace than Ace does. Doesn't he have his own style or does Gene not allow him sound like himself? If someone told you Ace played on Sonic Boom you'd be inclined to agree.

All good points. Interestingly enough, Thayer was actually Ace's guitar tech on the reunion tours and reportedly even gave Ace "lessons" on how to play some of those older songs again. Who knew at that time that he'd eventually replace Ace in the band?

As for his own style, I'm pretty sure it's part of the gig. They are still KISS doing KISS songs, you kind of want and need your lead guitarist to sound like Ace, because that's part of what KISS was. Ace is hardly the most technically sound or talented guitar player in the world, but he did have an impact on a lot of fans as well as a lot of guitar players over the years.

During the 80's and 90's, Bruce Kulick was the guitarist and did a hell of a job. Yeah, he played the older tunes as well, but he wasn't hired as "The Spaceman", rather was employed by KISS as himself as his own guitarist. Since they put the makeup back on, I'd have to say they are simply sticking with the nostalgia of what made KISS famous in the first place. I don't have a problem with it. At first I was unhappy that Tommy was the new "Spaceman", but I've come to terms with it. In concert, he does a great job playing that role and as you said, he plays Ace riffs better than Ace.

 

[Hardnecker]

All good points. Interestingly enough, Thayer was actually Ace's guitar tech on the reunion tours and reportedly even gave Ace "lessons" on how to play some of those older songs again. Who knew at that time that he'd eventually replace Ace in the band?

As for his own style, I'm pretty sure it's part of the gig. They are still KISS doing KISS songs, you kind of want and need your lead guitarist to sound like Ace, because that's part of what KISS was. Ace is hardly the most technically sound or talented guitar player in the world, but he did have an impact on a lot of fans as well as a lot of guitar players over the years.

During the 80's and 90's, Bruce Kulick was the guitarist and did a hell of a job. Yeah, he played the older tunes as well, but he wasn't hired as "The Spaceman", rather was employed by KISS as himself as his own guitarist. Since they put the makeup back on, I'd have to say they are simply sticking with the nostalgia of what made KISS famous in the first place. I don't have a problem with it. At first I was unhappy that Tommy was the new "Spaceman", but I've come to terms with it. In concert, he does a great job playing that role and as you said, he plays Ace riffs better than Ace.

It's on Sonic Boom where I scratch my head. I don't have an issue with him playing the classics true to form but you'd think he would have his own expression on the new tunes. Instead, he copied Ace's repetoire. Bruce played like Bruce on any new Kiss stuff. I miss him. I play the guitar and have for 35 years now and Ace was my guy when it all started. Considering the pleasure I have gotten from it, I owe Ace a big thanks.