Rock legend Ace Frehley will not be joining KISS Kruise XII: Land-Locked in Las Vegas this November at Virgin Hotels. This three-day event marks a change from the usual cruise setting to a land venue. Other original KISS members will be attending reunion concerts instead.
Frehley explained, “They asked me and I declined. There’s no way I’m gonna be involved with that. Their biggest mistake is that they should have done that at Madison Square Garden, not in Las Vegas in a 5000-seater, or whatever it is.” The 74-year-old guitarist mentioned ongoing tensions with his former bandmates, which grew during KISS’s End of the Road tour last year when reunion talks fell apart.
The Vegas shows will feature Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons performing without makeup, along with Tommy Thayer on guitar. Bruce Kulick will join as a guest star, adding his unique style to the lineup.
Despite the current split, Frehley remains open to future collaborations. “I don’t hate Paul or Gene,” he said. “We’re rock and roll brothers, and Peter, too. So, anything can happen.”
Frehley will kick off his solo tour on August 30 at Pennsylvania’s Great Allentown Fair and wrap it up in Tiffin, Ohio, on November 1. Fans can look forward to new tracks from his upcoming 2024 release, 10,000 Volts.
The Vegas event promises an exciting lineup, featuring Sebastian Bach, Quiet Riot, and Stephen Pearcy. Warren DeMartini and Black ‘N Blue will also perform. Special appearances will be made by behind-the-scenes figures like Doc McGhee, Bob Ezrin, and KISS Army founders Bill Starkey and Jay Evans. Plus, KISS will be honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on December 7.
