A resurfaced comment about KISS’s 1982 claim that Ace Frehley’s departure was only “temporary” has gone viral. Fans were reminded that his return didn’t happen until 14 years later. Eddie Trunk shared the comment on social media, sparking laughter and nostalgia across rock circles.
The viral moment emerged from a fan discussion about Vinnie Vincent replacing Ace Frehley as KISS’s lead guitarist. Eddie Trunk offered historical perspective on the band’s original announcement.
“I think a lot of people forget that when this change was first announced on the Creatures tour they told fans it was temporary and Ace would return,” Trunk said. “Which was true except for the return was 14 years later! Ha.”
The comment has resonated with KISS fans who remember the band’s 1982 promise during their Creatures of the Night tour. Frehley’s departure was initially presented as a temporary arrangement rather than a permanent lineup change.
The lengthy gap between Frehley’s exit and return reflects one of rock music’s most notable lineup changes and eventual reunions. The guitarist’s departure marked the end of KISS’s original era. His eventual comeback would prove to be both triumphant and complicated.
WDRV reported that Frehley officially rejoined the original lineup in 1996. The band announced their reunion tour on April 16 aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City. The announcement generated massive excitement among fans who had waited over a decade for the classic lineup’s return.
The reunion’s commercial success was immediate and overwhelming. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that tickets for the first reunion show sold out in just 47 minutes. This demonstrated the enduring appeal of the original KISS lineup and validated fans’ long wait for Frehley’s return.
However, the reunion wasn’t without its challenges. Blabbermouth revealed that Frehley later expressed concerns about the tour’s direction. While the tour initially felt great, it eventually lost its enjoyment as old tensions resurfaced within the band.
“I felt like a hired gun without a say in band decisions,” Frehley revealed. He described how the reunion’s initial excitement gave way to familiar frustrations that had contributed to his original departure years earlier.
