Gene Simmons Explains Why He Stopped Eddie Van Halen From Joining Kiss

Gene Simmons has revealed that Eddie Van Halen once considered joining Kiss in 1982, during a turbulent period for Van Halen, and that Simmons personally convinced him not to do it.

Speaking in a recent interview with MusicRadar, Simmons explained that Eddie reached out at a time when tensions inside Van Halen were escalating, particularly during the Diver Down era. According to Simmons, Eddie was increasingly frustrated with David Lee Roth and was seriously considering leaving the band.

At the same time, Kiss were recording Creatures of the Night following the departure of Ace Frehley, and were actively looking for a new lead guitarist. Eddie reportedly told Simmons that Roth was driving him crazy, that he could not take it anymore, and asked directly if there was a place for him in Kiss.

Simmons invited Eddie to the studio to listen to the new material. After an eventful visit that included lunch and a high speed drive through Los Angeles, Eddie heard the tracks and reacted positively, clearly excited by what Kiss were working on.

Despite the opportunity to recruit one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Simmons said he ultimately advised Eddie against joining the band. He explained that Van Halen was fundamentally built around Eddie’s guitar playing, comparing his role in the band to figures like Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix in his own projects.

According to Simmons, Kiss simply would not have been the right environment for Eddie. He said there would not have been enough space for a guitarist of that magnitude without completely dismantling what Kiss represented musically and structurally. Eddie’s presence would have naturally taken over everything, not out of ego, but because of the sheer weight of his talent.

Looking back, Simmons believes the decision was the right one. Van Halen went on to release 1984, their final album with Roth, before continuing with Sammy Hagar and achieving even greater commercial success.

While the idea of Eddie Van Halen joining Kiss remains one of rock’s great “what if” moments, Simmons maintains that keeping Eddie in Van Halen preserved the identity of both bands.