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When I was a kid I was a fan of KISS' theater. When I was a teenager, I was a fan of their music. As I've became an adult (and had the priviledge of meeting Gene Simmons once) I became a fan of Gene Simmons the intellectual.

He is an amazingly intelligent man, an extrodinary businessman, and an unabashed capitalist and supporter of America. Despite how much his lifestyle is maligned by conservatives, many would be surprised to find out that he's never drank or used drugs (Ace Frehley on the other hand...). Like Mr. Simmons, My mother also grew up in Nazi Germany.

...many would be surprised to find out that he's never drank or used drugs...

Same with Stanley - these guys were hungry for success, and they knew that stuff would hinder their quest.

...Ace Frehley on the other hand...

Same with Criss.

Simmons loved Ace, but the guy was careening out of control and screwing up on stage. He doesn't love Peter I sense.

I saw KISS once, and I left halfway through the show. They were awful. Sammy Hagar, who opened for them, was stellar. What a stage-savvy and geeked showman he is.

Stanley and Simmons were always the anchor of that franchise. They never replaced the "thing" Ace brought to the music and team however. It's a unique elixer that bands lose when they start falling away from one another. It can't be duplicated by bringing another lead guitarist in. Marshall Tucker wasn't Marshall Tucker after Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash. The Allmans never had that same wonder after Duane and Barry died ... Little Feat was still good, but they weren't really Little Feat without Lowell George. It's like the Magic led L.A. Lakers, the original Saturday Night Live cast or the 80s era Edmonton Oilers, they were a whole of irreplacable and uniquely important parts.