Ace Frehley Explains Why Original KISS Lineup Fell Apart

In a new interview with the Guitar Tales Podcast, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley had an extensive conversation about a wide variety of subjects. One of the topics was why the original KISS lineup fell apart.

“In the early days, me and Gene used to room together at a Holiday Inn,” says Frehley. “And then after ‘Alive!’ hit, we each had our own suites. Everybody was going in their own direction, and it was kind of the beginning of the end. I saw it happening. And plus, with the success of my solo record, I realized I was a lot more creative away from Paul, Gene and Peter, than I was around them.”

Frehley also claims that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley stuck their noses up when it came to hanging with anyone on the road crew. “When I was in KISS, for example, Paul and Gene would not associate with the roadies or the truck drivers,” he said. “They had their nose in the air. I used to sit and play poker with the truck drivers. And hang out with my roadies, and we’d go to pawn shops together. I was accessible. Because I grew up on the streets, and I know what it’s like not to have money. So I don’t judge people by how much money they have. It’s about their character and their personality and whether or not they’re good people.”

Ace’s full interview can be viewed below.