Guitarist Chris Impellitteri (IMPELLITTERI, ANIMETAL USA) has taken to Facebook and responded to the news that Ace Frehley and Peter Criss won't be performing with KISS at the band's upcoming induction to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame:

"A message to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons,

Get your heads and egos out of your ass! I just heard you are not going to have Ace and Peter participate in your performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! FYI - your band is being inducted for the body of work that you created with Ace and Peter, and yes many other studio musicians! Thus, you should honor your fans (however, to be fair I do realize some of the other members may not have the ability to play as they once did, but either way you should wing it and honor your legacy."
"Additionally - I am sure I will get a shitload of hate mail for this - Gene, you often say in your press releases that you are going to teach all of the new bands how the big boys do it on stage. So be a big boy and work out your issues with the other two original members and show the new bands how it is done honorably. Oh, and by the way, any time you want to get on the same stage with Impellitteri, my band will be glad to let you attempt to teach us how it is done before we send you back home with your egos between your legs.. ha ha!"

On the February 21st installment of Eddie Trunk Rocks, which airs on New York's Q104.3 FM, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley confirmed that he will NOT be performing with KISS at the band's upcoming induction at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Trunk has checked in with a recap of the conversation:

"Exclusive new late tonight. Ace Frehley called into my radio show live tonight and confirmed that he and Peter (Criss) are being denied the opportunity to perform at the R&R; Hall Of Fame ceremony by Gene (Simmons) and Paul (Stanley), who will perform instead with the current band. Ace said (and the HOF confirmed to me directly) that the HOF wants the original band. However, Gene and Paul to date have declined to allow this to happen. Ace said it was important he let the fans know exactly what was happening since tickets are about to go on sale to the public and he didn’t want fans to purchase them expecting a reunion performance even for a song or two. Ace said he is undecided if he will even attend in light of this decision.

Even though the HOF would prefer the original band, they will not stand in the way of the current band playing if that is all Gene and Paul are willing to do. Assume anything is possible that something could change, but at this time there are no plans at all for Ace and Peter to play, or perhaps even be there depending what they decide. As I have said consistently when there was news to share I would let it come directly from a member, and tonight Ace let everyone know exactly what was going on. Said he was most upset for the fans who voted them in and were hoping to see a song or two, but also said it is now time to move on.

He is working on a new album and said the stress was really killing him about the HOF and he needed to let fans know what was up before tickets went on sale. Peter will likely have a similar statement on his site tomorrow. I’ll continue to keep you posted as more info develops but that’s where things are at now. I’m sure the audio will be on YouTube of Ace’s call but you can hear the entire show next weekend as usual on all affiliate stations and online outlets as well. Sad day for long time KISS fans but at least we know where things stand as of now."

Frehley is quoted from the interview as follows:

"I don't think KISS fans are gonna be too excited and happy about the news, 'cause at this juncture, Paul and Gene have decided to perform with Tommy (Thayer) and Eric (Singer), and it looks like the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is going along with it."
"It is what it is. I don't completely understand it, but those guys do a lot of things that don't make sense to me. It's unfortunate for the fans. We're being inducted because of the fans. And I feel like the fans are being let down. And I'm upset about it; I've gotta be honest with you. But I'm trying not to let it get to me because, like I said, I've gotta finish my new record and I've gotta think positive. And I wanna move forward. But it's upsetting."

Stay tuned for updates.

Joining KISS in the 2014 class of inductees are NIRVANA, PETER GABRIEL, HALL AND OATES, CAT STEVENS, LINDA RONSTADT, ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM, BRIAN EPSTEIN, and THE E STREET BAND.

Paul Stanley commented: "The spirit of rock and roll for me has always meant following the paths I choose regardless of what my critics or my peers think. For 40 years KISS has built an army that apologizes to no one and I'm honored to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame knowing we have remained true to ourselves and our fans."

Said Gene Simmons: "To the KISS Army, Ace, Peter, Eric Carr, Vinnie, Mark, Bruce, Tommy and Eric Singer, Bill Aucoin, Doc McGhee and to my partner of 40 years, the ever youthful Paul Stanley... and all the members of the KISS Family. This honor is for you. 40 years of Rockin' and still going strong."

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick states: "I woke up today with the amazing news that KISS has been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! Well it's about time! I know the fans spoke, and they listened. When you think of how influential this band has been, and how KISS is so strongly loved by fans all around the world, those who run the R n R Hall of Fame finally got it right! Fans of KISS, this award is about you as much as the band. You could no longer be ignored! Now go crank up your favorite KISS album right now!"

The artists' induction ceremony into the Hall Of Fame will take place April 10th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Complete details at this location. Check out a video report from Artisan News below:

(Thanks: KISSOnline)