KISS Axed Megadeth Guitarist for Being "Too Short"
Former Megadeth lead guitarist Marty Friedman has revealed a surprising story about how his height prevented him from joining KISS. During an interview with Sam Ash Music, Friedman was asked about his favourite KISS songs and shared a fascinating anecdote.
Friedman recounted that when KISS was searching for a new guitarist, he was contacted by the band's management. He was initially excited about the prospect of auditioning, but the conversation quickly took an unexpected turn. The management team began to ask him a series of personal questions about his appearance, seemingly unrelated to his musical abilities.
"They were like, 'Do you think you'd be interested in auditioning for KISS?' I'm like, 'Tell me when and where,'" Friedman explained. "They came back and were like, 'We've got a couple of questions for you. You don't have any facial hair, do you?' No. 'You got long hair right?' Right. 'You're skinny right?' Right. 'And you're over 6 feet tall?' and I'm like, 'What? I'm 5'7 but I'll have an operation, I'll do something.'"
Unfortunately for Friedman, his height proved to be a deal-breaker. "They were like, 'I'm sorry, it's not going to work out.' I was so bummed," he recalled.
While disappointed, Friedman acknowledged the importance of image for a group like KISS. "I get why they did it. KISS is meticulous about their image, and having a height difference wouldn't fit the band's aesthetic," he said.
KISS, formed in New York City in 1973, are known for their theatrical, blood-spurting, and fire-spitting performances. Their iconic face paint and elaborate stage shows have cemented their place in rock history. They have produced numerous hits, including the legendary "Rock and Roll All Nite" (1975).
Earlier this year, KISS made headlines again when Swedish company Pophouse, known for their work on ABBA's *Voyage
show, acquired the band's publishing, recording royalties, and trademarks, including their iconic logo and makeup design.
"We have a lot of plans for KISS," Pophouse CEO Per Sundin told *Billboard
in April. While Sundin confirmed that Pophouse bought out the rights owned by KISS frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, he explained that they will continue to work with the band to develop a new show, expected to open in 2027 in a currently unnamed US city.
"We want to keep to the legacy," Sundin affirmed. "We want to extend it and amplify it for new generations."
