Manager: We're 'Pretty Close' To Getting Deal Done To Find Four New Members Of KISS

June 5, 2008

Video footage has surfaced (see below) of KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons and the group's longtime manager, Doc McGhee of McGhee Entertainment, confirming what has been some fans' biggest fear for some years now that Simmons and KISS co-founder Paul Stanley are indeed planning to keep KISS running and touring long after they decide to take off the make-up for good.

During a familiar rant by Simmons about how KISS could go on forever, Stig Karlsen of Norway's NRK asked jokingly if the band would consider looking for replacements for Simmons and Stanley in a TV show, similar to programs like "Rock Star" and "American Idol".

"The answer is yes. The deal has just been signed," Simmons replied. "It's coming soon."

In a separate interview, Stanley was apparently not very happy to hear about his bandmate's statement regarding KISS' future.

"There is no signed deal," Stanley said. "Again, when we are both aked the same question sometimes, you get different answers," Stanley added, "What will happen, we'll see as we go along. But is something going to happen next week? Is something signed? No. But am I opposed to the idea of going out and trying to find new KISS members through the television? Of course not."

In the one-and-a-half-minute clip, which is part of a one-hour-long KISS special which will air on NRK in September, McGhee can be seen stating, "I believe that KISS can go on forever. I believe that there is a way and we are talking to people and we're pretty close to getting it done about finding the four new members of KISS."

According to NRK, Stanley said that the members of VELVET REVOLVER were planning a similar stunt to find the replacement for lead singer Scott Weiland, who was fired at the end of the band's European tour earlier this year. However, in the end the band decided not to do it, according to Stanley, because of VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash's wish to remain "cool" and credible to his fans.

"I don't have to be that cool," Stanley reportedly told NRK with a smile.

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