Doug Aldrich Recalls Auditioning To Replace Kis... Apr 2026

: When Aldrich called, Simmons answered a noisy party and simply said, "Lose this number," before hanging up.

: According to Ultimate Guitar , Aldrich realized later that getting a gig is 50% playing and 50% being a "cool hang." He felt his nervousness and age made him an uncomfortable fit for a tour bus with experienced mega-stars.

: Years later, when Simmons wanted Aldrich for the band House of Lords, Aldrich reminded him of the hang-up. Simmons remembered the incident, and Aldrich has since stated that he loves Simmons and appreciates his "super dry sense of humor". Doug Aldrich Recalls Auditioning to Replace Kis...

: Aldrich met Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley at the Record Plant. He recalls feeling "guilty" looking at them without their makeup, as their faces were still a secret to the public.

: Aldrich admitted his "maturity level was probably 10" and he had no experience managing adult responsibilities like paying bills or keeping a bank account open. : When Aldrich called, Simmons answered a noisy

On the first day of his audition, Gene Simmons wrote his phone number down for Aldrich. Six months later, while KISS was on tour, Aldrich tried to use the number to get tickets for himself and his friends.

Doug Aldrich Recalls Auditioning to Replace Kiss' Ace Frehley Simmons remembered the incident, and Aldrich has since

: During a session where he was asked to play over tracks for the Creatures of the Night album (including the song "War Machine"), Gene Simmons asked if he knew major scales. Aldrich, unfamiliar with the technical term, replied "What?" until Simmons sang "Do, re, mi..." to explain it.