Rock music is full of wild stories, but some are so surprising that they still shock fans decades later. One of those stories is the time Eddie Van Halen almost joined KISS. Yes — one of the greatest guitar players of all time seriously considered leaving Van Halen to join one of the biggest rock bands in the world. It sounds unbelievable, but according to Gene Simmons, it nearly happened in the early 1980s.
A Difficult Time for Van Halen
The year was 1982, during the Diver Down era of Van Halen. On the surface, the band was hugely successful. They had hit albums, sold-out shows, and a sound that influenced an entire generation of guitarists. But behind the scenes, things were tense.
Eddie Van Halen and singer David Lee Roth were clashing more than ever. Their personalities were very different, and their creative visions didn’t always line up. Over time, that frustration started to wear Eddie down. According to Gene Simmons, Eddie was unhappy, stressed, and seriously questioning his future in the band he helped build.
Eddie Reaches Out to Gene Simmons
During this rough period, Eddie did something no one expected — he reached out to Gene Simmons of KISS. At the time, KISS was also going through changes. Guitarist Ace Frehley had left, and the band was looking for a new lead guitar player.
Eddie didn’t hint around or joke about it. According to Simmons, Eddie drove to the studio just to talk. He was very direct. He told Simmons that David Lee Roth was “driving him nuts” and that he couldn’t take it anymore. Then he asked the big question: Would KISS want him in the band?
This wasn’t a casual idea. Eddie was serious. One of the most revolutionary guitarists in rock history was truly considering joining KISS.
Why Gene Simmons Said No
You might think Gene Simmons would jump at the chance. After all, Eddie Van Halen was already a legend. But surprisingly, Simmons shut the idea down almost immediately.
The reason wasn’t ego or competition — it was respect.
Simmons explained that Van Halen wasn’t just a band Eddie played in. It was a band built completely around him. His guitar style, sound, and creativity defined everything about Van Halen. Taking Eddie out of that situation, Simmons felt, would be wrong.
He also believed Eddie would never truly fit into KISS. KISS was a band where everyone had a strong identity and shared the spotlight. Eddie, on the other hand, naturally stood at the center of any musical project he was part of. Simmons felt Eddie would either dominate the band or feel creatively limited — and neither option would be good.
In simple terms, Simmons believed Eddie Van Halen belonged exactly where he was.
What Happened After
Eddie stayed with Van Halen for a few more years. Eventually, the tension with David Lee Roth led to Roth leaving the band in 1985. Van Halen went on to have several different lineups and continued success, but rock history would never be the same.
As for KISS, they moved forward with different guitarists and continued evolving their sound throughout the 1980s.
Why This Story Still Matters
The idea of Eddie Van Halen in KISS remains one of rock’s greatest “what-ifs.” It reminds us that even the biggest legends faced doubt, frustration, and difficult decisions. It also shows that sometimes the best decision isn’t the most exciting one — it’s the one that protects greatness.
In the end, Gene Simmons didn’t just turn down a guitar player. He protected a legacy. And because of that, rock music stayed exactly the way it needed to be. 🎸