Richie Wise, who fronted New York metal outfit Dust between 1969 and 1972, assisted behind the desk when Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and co recorded their 1974 debut record and its follow-up, Hotter Than Hell, the same year.

He tells KissFAQ: "Ace and Peter had no focus. They were hired hands as far as I was concerned. I knew they auditioned for the band �and the band was Gene and Paul, period.

"Ace, I understood exactly what he was doing. He listened to Page and Clapton and all those guitarists that I listened to, so I understood him well.

"Peter was, at best, a poppy adequate drummer. But he was solid; he really didn't get in the way and laid down the proper fundamental beat."