Watch Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley Joke About Kiss’ Early Wages
Former Kiss bandmates Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley joked about the band’s early income during their first interview together in 16 years. The conversation was staged by Minnesota radio station 92KQRS ahead of the pair’s onstage reunion for a fundraiser concert last week.
“We started in New York in ’74, the first shows were in Canada in January ’74<" Simmons noted. "Within a year and a half we’re headlining Anaheim Stadium. So it happened very fast. And we were making 75 bucks a week salary.” Asked how long it took them to spend the money, Simmons replied, “I’m Jewish!” “He still has his,” Frehley added, before admitting “That’s my beer bill for a couple of days.”
The interview also featured Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder. Nielsen said he doesn't "do anything for money," at which point Simmons cut in with, “Yeah, I’m not like that." “Oh, come on, Rick," Simmons then said. "You hate to dive into a vat of poop, and some guy comes over and says, ‘I got ten million bucks for ya.’ ‘Oh, I love that! Let me go first!’”
There were rumors earlier this year that Frehley could rejoin Kiss on a temporary or permanent basis. Even though he and Simmons did end up writing two songs together, and Paul Stanley also recorded some songs with Frehley, Stanley emphasized that while he was delighted to rekindle relations with Frehley, “I am happy to do whatever i can for anyone who has helped put me where I am – but that doesn't include getting hitched again to somebody I unhitched from.”
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