Ex-Megadeth Guitarist Marty Friedman Recalls Being Told He Wasn't Tall Enough to Join KISS in Throwback Interview

Mar. 15, 2025

Marty Friedmanwas ready to “Rock and Roll All Nite” withKISS, but his dream was quickly put to rest.In a 2019 interview withSam Ash Musicthat’s been getting a second life online, the former Megadeth guitarist recalled a time where he was approached to join KISS — but was ultimately told he wasn’t tall enough to perform in the legendary rock band.“When they were changing guitar players a long time ago, I got a call from somebody from KISS’ people,” said Friedman, 61, who played in Megadeth from 1990 through 2000. “They say, ‘Do you think you’d be interested in auditioning for KISS?’ And I’m like, ‘Tell me when and where.’“KISS; Marty Friedman.Mick Hutson/Redferns; Jun Sato/WireImageNext, KISS' team had a few more questions. He recalled, “‘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 like 5’7 and a half, but I’ll have an operation, I’ll do something.'““They were like, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not going to work out.’ I was so bummed,” said Friedman.He added, “I totally get it, but I would’ve done anything. If there was an operation available at the time, I would’ve done it.“Marty Friedman.Terry Wyatt/GettyIt’s unclear exactly when the meeting went down, but the band’s latest guitarist is Tommy Thayer, who joined KISS in 2002 — about two years after Friedman wrapped his time with Megadeth.KISS’Gene Simmonsrecently shared his own thoughts on the band’s strict image,telling PEOPLEin April that the group may not have recently retired if their signature looks were different.“It’s not like having a Sunday walk, it’s not the same. In hindsight, we would have been smarter putting on T-shirts and sneakers and going out there Ramone-style, and just strumming the guitar,” he joked at the time.

Marty Friedmanwas ready to “Rock and Roll All Nite” withKISS, but his dream was quickly put to rest.

In a 2019 interview withSam Ash Musicthat’s been getting a second life online, the former Megadeth guitarist recalled a time where he was approached to join KISS — but was ultimately told he wasn’t tall enough to perform in the legendary rock band.

“When they were changing guitar players a long time ago, I got a call from somebody from KISS’ people,” said Friedman, 61, who played in Megadeth from 1990 through 2000. “They say, ‘Do you think you’d be interested in auditioning for KISS?’ And I’m like, ‘Tell me when and where.’”

KISS; Marty Friedman.Mick Hutson/Redferns; Jun Sato/WireImage

Mick Hutson/Redferns; Jun Sato/WireImage

Next, KISS’ team had a few more questions. He recalled, “‘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 like 5’7 and a half, but I’ll have an operation, I’ll do something.'”

“They were like, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not going to work out.’ I was so bummed,” said Friedman.

He added, “I totally get it, but I would’ve done anything. If there was an operation available at the time, I would’ve done it.”

Marty Friedman.Terry Wyatt/Getty

Terry Wyatt/Getty

It’s unclear exactly when the meeting went down, but the band’s latest guitarist is Tommy Thayer, who joined KISS in 2002 — about two years after Friedman wrapped his time with Megadeth.

KISS’Gene Simmonsrecently shared his own thoughts on the band’s strict image,telling PEOPLEin April that the group may not have recently retired if their signature looks were different.

“It’s not like having a Sunday walk, it’s not the same. In hindsight, we would have been smarter putting on T-shirts and sneakers and going out there Ramone-style, and just strumming the guitar,” he joked at the time.

source: people.com