ACE FREHLEY Says PAUL STANLEY Is 'Grasping At Straws' By Accusing Ex-KISS Guitarist Of Anti-Semitism

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley says that the band's lead singer, Paul Stanley, is "grasping at straws" by accusing Frehley and fellow KISS co-founder Peter Criss (drums) of anti-Semitism.

Stanley — who, like fellow KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, is Jewish — writes in his new book, "Face The Music: A Life Exposed": "Ace and particularly Peter felt powerless and impotent when faced with the tireless focus, drive and ambition of me and Gene. As a result, the two of them tried to sabotage the band — which, as they saw it, was unfairly manipulated by money-grubbing Jews." Stanley further confirmed that he believes Frehley and Criss are anti-Semitic, telling the New York Post: "Yes, I do [believe they are]. It's based on years and years of interactions. It's not pulled out of thin air."

During an appearance on this past Monday's (April 7) edition of Eddie Trunk's show "Trunk Nation" on SiriusXM's Hair Nation, Frehley responded directly to Stanley's claims, saying (hear audio below): "They can't call me a drunk or a drug addict anymore, so they're grasping at straws. I mean, Jesus Christ! My fiancée is Jewish. How can I be anti-Semitic? Is he out of his mind. [Laughs] [I've spent] 40 years in the music business [and] I've worked alongside Jewish people my whole life. And I'm anti-Semitic? It's ridiculous. I think he's trying to sell his book, and it's a pretty sad commentary if he has to resort to verbal slurs and innuendo. It's ridiculous."

With all the back-and-forth in the media, it will likely be pretty awkward when the guys are all together in one room, at one table, at Thursday's (April 10) Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Asked if he will address any of these issues when he sees his former bandmates in person later this week, Frehley said: "I'm not gonna get into it, because I believe in taking the high road and I believe in just accepting my award and enjoying the evening. I'm not gonna stoop to their level of ridiculousness." He added: "I think everybody's just gonna rise to the occasion and try to get along."

All four members of the current lineup of KISS will attend the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. They will be accompanied at their table by guitarist Bruce Kulick, who played in KISS during from 1984 to 1996.

Simmons and Stanley have chosen to have current KISS members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer dress up as Peter Criss' and Ace Frehley's respective "Spaceman" and "Catman" personas (designs owned by Simmons and Stanley).

Frehley left KISS after the band's 2002 "Farewell" dates, saying afterwards that he took the word "farewell" seriously.

Criss claimed that his contract with KISS wasn't renewed in March 2004.

Both charges have been disputed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

The 29th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 10 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The television broadcast will premiere on HBO on May 31.