10/29: MY TAKE ON KISS, THE HALL, ACE & PETER, AND MORE.

I’ve seen SO many comments about Ace & Peter reuniting at my party, Kiss (as usual), the R&R Hall and Gene’s comments about Ace & Peter not playing, and more. Last night on the radio show had MANY calls on the topic with many opinions. I welcome all opinions as usual if based in some level of reality and not just blind worshipers one way or the other that drink the Kool Aid they are served. The biggest question I have heard from many is why would Gene & Paul (Gene most recently) continue to talk about what fuck ups these guys are (he hasn’t played with them in over ten years), talk about them being drunk or on drugs (both have been sober for many years now), and say they can’t play at a Hall induction when Kiss has not even been inducted yet (no matter how you feel, that is just INSANE!). The answer is simple. Gene is the ultimate salesman. He prides himself on this, that is no secret. His job is to sell THIS Kiss. Just like it was to sell all the other lineups when that was happening. Explains why he will tell you THIS Kiss is bigger than anything, when in reality they CO HEADLINE tours with Motley Crue instead of HEADLINING arenas in the US. Explains why he takes subtle shots about Ace & Peter doing signing shows, when he and Paul sell signed played guitars to fans after shows. Not a huge difference from what I see? But it’s about selling whatever he is doing and Kiss is doing now, which will soon be a sanctioned Kiss tribute with no original members. And who knows, that might be a pretty good band. Many will say the same old “Eddie is just backing up his friends, only cares about the original band”. Yes Ace & Peter are friends and did an amazing thing playing together for me recently. But I’m more just trying to offer some balance and objectivity as a lifelong Kiss fan myself, who HAS supported and loved all the replacement members and lineups. I simply chose not to support what they have been doing lately because the impersonation rubs me (and MANY others who won’t say it) the wrong way. That’s my huge sin to some I guess, so be it.

The real reason these barbs in the press from them continue at Ace & Peter is because they know the avalanche that would happen if they ever played with them again from fans and the media. Example? I was at the 1996 MTV Unplugged taping. Then they were all about the non makeup lineup with Singer and Kulick. That’s what they were selling then. When Ace & Peter came out for a brief appearance on a couple songs the entire crowd went nuts. From the second they stepped on that stage the electricity was insane, and they knew they had no choice but to go back to that band no matter how hard they were selling the Singer/Kulick band and about to release a new album with them. I felt a very similar energy in the crowd when Ace & Peter walked out on stage together at my event last Wednesday, right down to the ear to ear smiles from every fan and musician in the building! So I see it as a big defense mechanism by Gene & Paul. They know another reunion, even for a song, would ignite a huge fire once again. For the record I do NOT think there should be another original Kiss reunion. For a couple songs at a long overdue Hall induction, for sure! But for a tour, no way. I don’t think ANY of the original members could deliver enough of a high energy show to do the legacy justice at this stage. As I have said MANY times the current Kiss can and should do whatever they want. The fact that it’s not for me doesn’t matter. If you are cool with it enjoy what’s left of it. But the idea of the original band FINALLY getting into the Hall (and I must stress they were nominated before and passed over once already, so NOT a done deal!) and Ace & Peter not being invited and welcome to at least play a song or two would be a travesty to even the most hardcore Kiss fan. I look forward to your comments.

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173 Responses

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  • Jess Tilley on

    Has Gene ever considered letting Tommy and Eric be their own personas might create more interest in this current lineup? Not to mention the new merchandise they could sell, which is right up Gene’s alley. Well put post Eddie.


    • Eddie on

      I agree 100%! Can’t believe the merch op escapes him on this one! Plus they can evolve as players beyond being stuck playing the style of Ace and Peter on new music to sound like the old stuff


    • Jim on

      I don’t believe they are even thinking about being anything other than a Nostalgia band.


    • Bobby Lantz on

      Probably Gene would have to pay them. I’m not sure about that though. The way it is Now, most merch. is sold as being Spaceman, Catman, Not using their real idenities. If they have new characters Tommy and Eric might want their share of the money maybe.


    • John G on

      Reality imitating art. Funny “KISS meets the Phantom of the Park” had a fake KISS and a real KISS. Now they’ve devolved to the same!


  • Joe on

    Eddie, I think you’re right on target. It is bullshit how they treat Ace and Peter. I have been a fan since Alive II came out in 77 and have seen them numerous times. They deserve to get in the Hall and then hang it up for good. They have been touring for years now in makeup living off of a couple albums from the 70’s. I agree with the assessment about Paul and Gene being worried about the backlash if the group played together again, makes perfect sense. Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to some more of That Metal Show soon!


  • Mike on

    Is this the first time ace and Peter have played together since the reunion? Why havnt they started their own version of KISS (under a different band name other than KISS of course). Forget about the ace and Peter solo stuff and get together and tour damn it!! Before it’s too late!! -mike, Woodbridge nj


    • Eddie on

      with two guys dressed as Gene and Paul, haha. Imagine that lawsuit!


    • bigsled on

      Eddie ,
      1st – Can Ace and Peter sing the songs they had lead vocals on but didn’t write ?
      If so,
      have you ever talked to Peter or Ace about touring together since the farewell tour ?
      I’m not talking about makeup . Seeing Peter do Hooligan at your party on the internet here in Minnesota gave me goosebumps !
      They could do all the material they had lead vocals on. Even including the songs off of Dynasty and Unmasked . I would pay big money for that . I think the diehards would love it . You would have to convince Ace that the fans that would be interested in this would want to hear all the rare stuff and not throw in songs like Love Gun, etc. that he dosent even have vocals on that Ace like/thinks he has to do .
      I hate that when there is Ace” lead vocal songs ” he should be doing .
      I think they tried to tour together long before the reunion in 96 but it didn’t work ??


  • Allen Katz on

    The big question is if Peter and Ace play would they be in makeup? Would the current line up be in make up ? That is the million dollar question in my mind. 2 cat men ?? 2 space men???


  • Greg on

    I’d love to see the original KISS at RnR Hall of Fame come out for a few encores. I’d be real interested to see who would induct them! At the end, I’d like to see all past members, and related producers, ex-wives, children, managers join them on stage…like 30 people representing all eras of KISS. I loved them all and they all should be there.
    As for a Reunion Tour, I’d be good with seeing sorta what Sammy Hagar did when he had his current band play and then bring out Michael Anthony later in the set. Have current lineup play sans makeup, then original band play sans makeup and then everyone together. I can only dream…


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