Kiss drummer Eric Singer has revealed why the band drew up plans for a TV game show to recruit the next generation of members – then abandoned the idea.
The discussion came after Gene Simmons talked up the notion of Kiss continuing once all the original men had gone, and came up with the game format alongside Mark Burnett, who devised The Apprentice.
The game show scheme was finally put to bed by band manager Doc McGhee.
Singer tells Talk Is Jericho: “There was talk years ago about trying to do a TV show they were going to call Kiss: The Next Generation, kind of like one of those reality shows, based on finding the members and putting them together.
“But the problem was, like Doc said, it’s a great idea – but once you do that, then Kiss as it is now, you’re done. You can’t do that kind of a show, then still keep being Kiss.
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“I think that’s what probably made it not happen. They realised, ‘No, we still want to play.’”
Paul Stanley has spoken for and against the suggestion of Kiss without any originals, while former guitarist Ace Frehley has slated it.
Singer says he doesn’t “really know the feelings of Gene and Paul” on the matter, but adds: “If there’s a fanbase out there for it, obviously it’ll work.
“I think it might be cool to do it through a TV show, kind of like American Idol, where you create this whole thing and then it goes on tour.”
But he still feels the same way about taking part himself: “That’s not something I would want to do. For me, if Gene and Paul aren’t doing it, it would be awkward.
“I’ve always maintained that if one of those guys is done, that’s when it’s done.”
Kiss are currently touring North America.
Kiss tour dates 2016
Jul 15: Spokane Spokane Arena, WA
Jul 16: Bozeman Breeden Fieldhouse, MT
Jul 18: Colorado Springs World Arena, CO
Jul 20: Independence Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, MO
Jul 22: Lincoln Pinnacle Bank Arena, NE
Jul 23: Springfield JQH Arena, MO
Jul 25: Wichita Intrust Bank Arena, KS
Jul 27: Sioux City Tyson Events Center, IA
Jul 29: Cheyenne Cheyenne Frontier Days, WY
Jul 30: Minot North Dakota State Fair, ND
Aug 01: Mankato Verizon Wireless Center, MN
Aug 03: Duluth Amsoil Arena, MN
Aug 05: Moline iWireless Arena, IL
Aug 06: La Crosse La Crosse Center, WI
Aug 08: Milwaukee BMO Harris Bradley Center , WI
Aug 10: Green Bay Resch Center, WI
Aug 12: Fort Wayne Allen County Memorial ColiseumIN
Aug 13: Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena, MI
Aug 15: Saginaw Dow Event Center, MI
Aug 17: Springfield Illinois State Fair, IL
Aug 20: Rockford BMO Harris Bank Center, IL
Aug 22: Dayton Nutter Center, OH
Aug 24: Toledo Huntington Center, OH
Aug 26: Youngstown Covelli Centre, OH
Aug 27: Erie Erie Insurance Arena, PA
Aug 29: Rochester Blue Cross Arena, NY
Aug 30: State College Bryce Jordan Center, PA
Sep 01: Allentown Great Allentown Fair, PA
Sep 03: Worcester DCU Center, MA
Sep 04: Portland Cross Insurance Arena, ME
Sep 07: Bridgeport Webster Bank Arena, CT
Sep 09: Richmond Richmond Coliseum, VA
Sep 10: Huntington Big Sandy Arena, WV
