The controversy sparked this weekend when Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons announced that no lineup of KISS would perform at the induction ceremony after Ace Frehley and Peter Criss told the public that they were told that they would not be allowed to perform.

Aucoin's former partner, Roman Fernandez had the following to say, "I'm going on record. I normally stand by the sidelines quietly watching the scrimmage in silence, but now, I feel I have to speak up.

"My late partner, Bill Aucoin, bothered enough in 1973 to wager his entire career as a successful television producer and bet all the money he had, as well as money he didn't have, on 4 kids from the streets of New York. He unfortunately can no longer speak for himself on the subject of KISS and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Aucoin gave KISS their start, as well as some of the best years of his life. KISS would, in fact, despite all his other successes, come to define Bill in the eyes of millions of fans and in the eyes of the industry. An industry that to a great degree didn't give KISS the time of day when it mattered the most. No one did except for Bill, Sean Delaney and Neil (and Joyce) Bogart. All no longer with us except for Joyce. But, Bill and I spoke about this subject on several occasions before he passed. Bill Aucoin was not the type to reflect in regret, and he harbored no animosity. But he was convinced that due to politics within the board of the Hall of Fame, the day would never come that saw KISS inducted. I'm pretty certain he was OK with that.

"But had Bill been alive to see the day it was announced that the group would indeed, despite every notion to the contrary, be inducted, might have been a nice parting gift for him. But it's done. He's gone. It could have just as easily been Paul, Gene, Peter or Ace. But they're still here. And I'm pretty sure this is what Bill might have said in light of all this nonsense: '(�.unintelligible noises) Look it, find a compromise, put everything aside for one night, be the larger than life rock stars you know you are, and then�. Onward and upward!'