Few things in life are constant but death, taxes and the KISS co-founders' arguments over money.

Kiss's "definitive" two-part band documentary, Biography: Kisstory, premieres next week (June 27 and 28 at 9 p.m. ET) on A&E. Though the film is billed as a celebration of the band, the music, the branding and all Kiss's other kreations, half of Kiss's co-founders were not involved.

Not that Kiss fans were holding their breath, but Paul Stanley recently confirmed that neither Peter Criss nor Ace Frehley contributed to the documentary. In fact, Stanley told Ultimate Classic Rock that Criss went so far as to deny that Criss went so far as to deny the band permission to use his song "Beth" in the film.

"It's sad, but that kind of fits into the whole dynamic," Stanley said. "We did the best we could. We tried numerous times in all different ways to have them be part of it, but this idea of final editing and money and this and that. ... It was like, 'No, your involvement doesn't warrant that.' And who ultimately loses out in a situation like this? They do."

According to the Starchild, both Criss and Frehley demanded "final editing rights" and hefty payments for participation in the documentary. As such, neither sat down for interviews for the movie; their sides of Kisstory will be told through archival interviews.

"I don't really want to trash those guys because we wouldn't be here today if they hadn't been in the band, and we wouldn't be here today if they still were," Stanley added.

Frehley continues to tour with his solo band, and has repeatedly made overtures to rejoin Kiss. Despite the friction with Stanley and Gene Simmons, Kiss's longtime manager Doc McGhee is still optimistic that Frehley will appear on that band's farewell tour at some point.

Criss, the oldest of the Kiss co-founders, retired from music in 2017. Aside from meeting some fans at a private event with Simmons in New York City the following year, Criss has stayed out of the fray since taking his final bows.

Photo: Getty Images

Bob McLaughlin

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