Why KISS won’t make up

 

Peter Criss, former drummer of power-rock band KISS, has been charged with some non-musical discord: anti-Semitism.

In a new tell-all memoir, the band’s rhythm guitarist and co-vocalist Paul Stanley, who is Jewish, has revealed new aspects of the relationship between the original KISS lineup of Stanley, Gene Simmons, Criss and former lead guitarist Ace Frehley. He asserted that internal conflict within the band was, at least in part, caused by anti-Semitism on the part of Criss and Frehley.

“Ace and particularly Peter felt powerless and impotent when faced with the tireless focus, drive and ambition of me and Gene,” Stanley wrote in his new book “Face the Music: A Life Exposed.” “As a result, the two of them tried to sabotage the band — which, as they saw it, was unfairly manipulated by money-grubbing Jews.”

Criss and Frehley haven’t played with the band in a decade — and relations are so tense between the original members that the foursome refused to reunite for a concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center celebrating their impending induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Instead, Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz) and Stanley will play with “new” members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, who have been part of KISS since the original foursome parted ways in the ‘90s.

Nonetheless, Criss told TMZ.com that KISS’s conflict has nothing to do with anti-Semitism.

“Criss says he’s always been a loving supporter of all religions, including the Jewish faith — in fact, Criss tells us his favorite aunt was Jewish,” a TMZ report revealed.

I guess it’s too late for everyone to just kiss and make up?