IMO, the real KISS is Gene, Paul, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. But Ace and Pete got really greedy, demanding a lot of stuff after their ‘98 reunion, and so Gene and Paul simply said “Sayonara”.
Gene and Paul have been working together since 1966! Yes, 1966! Ace and Pete joined in the early 70’s and then both left to pursue solo careers in the early 80’s. In the meantime, Gene and Paul built businesses made entirely up of new and innovative KISS merchandise. Ace and Pete got their cut of whatever products had their likeness(es), but after ‘98 they were both demanding equal pay and equal cuts on old and dew deals, or the same as Gene and Paul (again, both of whom have been working together, non-stop, for 42 years).
So, Gene and Paul just replaced them. I actually like Bruce Kulick better than Tommy Thayer on guitar, but Tom can hold his own as well. Eric Singer is phenomenal on drums (and frankly, much better than Pete).
dew deals = “new” deals