1/4: PAUL STANLEY’S TWEETS, VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON KISS HOF CEREMONY.
As I have said consistently since the announcement that Kiss will be going into the HOF, now is when much of the discussion and negotiation on what goes down starts to happen. You have what Ace and Peter want, what Gene & Paul want, and what the HOF itself wants to happen, and somewhere it all needs to be worked out. With the holidays behind us expect info to come out as we get closer to the date and the various parties talk. There is already some very differing information coming out now as a matter of fact. If you listen to my interview with Ace (now on my home page for all to hear), it is clear he would like the original band to be featured since they are the members actually being inducted. Speaking of that, there has been much debate since the announcement on even this topic. The HOF makes that call and they decided the founding members only. That’s what I was told by several people who actually have votes. That could also be an issue on how this goes down and something being discussed internally. My view on it personally is if it isn’t just the original band, then it should be ALL the people that have been a part of it. But everyone has consistently told me, including voters, it is only the original four actually being inducted. That does not mean however that others from the bands history won’t be there and won’t even potentially be involved as was the case with Heart and others. Ace also stated in the interview with me the HOF wanted the band in makeup which he was open to. Both Peter and Ace said they spoke with Gene and Paul and vibes were good before the holidays. Ace expressed concern in my interview about how the current band would be represented vs him and Peter who are actually being honored. Ace’s concern is also likely fueled by a VH1 Rock Honors event in 2006 where he was in the strange position of not being allowed to play with Kiss, while Tommy did dressed as him. Ace played with the tribute band that night to Kiss.
Last night Paul Stanley’s twitter account showed a glimpse into the very different views about what will and won’t go down and the issues that still need to be worked through. You can check the feed for yourself @paulstanleylive When asked last night if the original band would play together at the HOF his response is “seems unlikely”. When asked if he thinks working with Ace & Peter would be better now that both are sober he responded “No”. When asked if he would wear makeup with Ace & Peter he responded “No way”.
This is clearly a shift in what fans thought and were hoping for and what Ace and Peter mentioned. It also points to the various egos, posturing and control issues that could turn something the fans have wanted for 15 years into a train wreck! Paul’s answers do not surprise me at all. For Gene and Paul this puts them in a tough spot having to reconnect with members they’d prefer not to deal with no doubt, and who they have spent the last 10 years trying to recreate in the current band. Quite frankly coming out with the original band once again in makeup opens up a huge can of worms with fans that they have been trying to keep a lid on for a decade. It does not work with what they are currently trying to sell so well. And make no mistake, like it or not, they know seeing the original four in makeup again would be HUGE for fans and put a dent in what they have been selling to fans; that it doesn’t matter so much who’s behind the makeup. So you can already see how some of this is playing out. Gene & Paul on one side trying to protect the current Kiss and not go down reunion road again, and Ace & Peter wanting to be sure their night being inducted pays tribute to them, and not other versions of the band not being inducted. Nobody wearing makeup would take away some of the confusion as to who is who, but as per Ace the HOF really wanted the band in costume.
I understand Gene & Paul wanting to protect their current business model. Trust me, they know and have seen first hand the avalanche a reunion, even for a few hours, with Ace & Peter will cause (MTV Unplugged). It would be nice to think for one night the fans could celebrate the original bands induction with all of them working together for a few hours. Then bring up everyone from KISStory at the end for a jam or something. But I suspect this has many twists and turns still to come and Paul’s tweets last night give just a little peak into how this could unfortunately get very messy. If you are planning on buying tickets to this to see a Kiss reunion even for a couple songs as many have told me, I would seriously hold off. Looks like much still to be decided and as per Paul’s verified Twitter account it doesn’t sound promising at the moment. Listen to the interview with Ace I did a couple weeks ago, then read Paul’s tweets last night. This isn’t me stirring the pot or with any inside information. Just doesn’t take a genius to see there are some very different opinions as to how this should go down already. We shall see…I’m sure much more as we go.
I can’t blame Paul and Gene. Peter and Ace have had their issues for years and caused problems in the band. Peter is an ass and not a very good drummer. Paul and Gene just want the band to succeed for the future and not go backwards. Yes it would be nice to see the original members in makeup play but I can’t blame them for not wanting to go there.
Can’t understand why everyone likes to point out various performance problems with Ace or Peter but just looks the other way at the fact that Paul has not been able to sing now for a couple years at all and is croaking up there! Not taking sides as many will say, just calling it as I see it.
Can’t sing AT ALL? That’s silly and overstated. He can still handle a lot of the material. Is he struggling however? Absolutely. Some nights are dreadful. But to say he can’t sing at all puts total lie to the “not taking sides” remark. Best wishes.
Eddie meant that Paul can’t sing that well anymore and he can’t. Paul has admitted that.
There is certainly camp Gene & Paul and camp Peter & Ace. 😉
Fair enough, I wouldn’t argue that Paul doesn’t sing consistently well anymore. But that wasn’t what Eddie said and I can’t infer his meaning. I took him literally and, as a factual statement, “can’t sing at all” is demonstrably false.
I saw KISS last year for the first and last time with this lineup and Ed is right Paul’s voice is shot I thought Gene actually sounded better.
As for Ace and Peter I think they can both pull it off Ace has been doing club tours for years and still sounds good and Peter looks healthy prob just needs to get the cob webs out from not playing .
If Gene & Paul dont let the 4 originals play this is just the last slap in the face for fans like myself who has been a fan since the 70s.
I agree Paul’s voice is shot to hell. Tommy is a good guitarist but is no way on Aces level.
What a croc of crap…”Paul can’t sing.” His voice is aging the same way all our other rock heroes voices are aging. Robert Plant can’t sing the same notes he could in his twenties, Years of abuse have certainly affected Ozzy’s vocal ability and the list goes on. Paul can still sing very well and owes none of us an apology for what he presents to us (his fans) on recordings or live performances. Now on to my next point, Ace is surely a great guitar player and I love his style of playing. Had it not been for the demons he’s battled all these years, in my opinion he might have been held in the highest regards, like many other guitar heroes. But he has battled these demons and it has affected his performances. Same thing with Peter. His drumming was not the greatest in his youth, but it has really been crappy as he’s aged. On the Unplugged concert and the Reunion Tour that followed, its documented that Peter had a great deal of problems keeping up with the tempos and that it was a constant struggle. It’s funny that Eddie doesn’t mind calling out Paul for a biological change in his voice but thinks Ace and Peter’s inadequate performances should be accepted. I don’t get it…. I certainly love the original 4. They are my heroes. I realized a long time ago that that part of my musical life had ended and it wouldn’t ever be the same. I choose to keep supporting my heroes and their products that they produce. I love Ace’s recent Anomoly album, but I also love the latest KISS albums Sonic Boom and Monster. What’s wrong with that? I would love to see the original 4 recognized in the HOF ceremony and they should all have a chance to have their time to speak and thank their many friends, family and fans. But I also believe that we shouldn’t consider these “new members” who’ve actually been in the band longer than some of the originals, as outsiders or enemies. They are just doing what they love, playing rock music and trying to please the fans. So as fans of Ace, Peter, Paul and Gene, lets quit all the infighting and name calling. Lets accept them, faults and all. I sure continue to accept Ace and Peter with all their faults. I feel like Paul and Gene deserve that same level of respect and devotion.
You have lost your mind. I have seen KISS 41 times and on the last tour with Motley Crue, Paul’s voice was in tune but an octive below what it should be. HE DOESNT HAVE THE HIgh range anymore at all. The other stuff sounds great but Paul Stanley was one of the greatest Rock vocalist and simply cant do it any more. Watched the Monster tour on access TV and it was the same old story. NOT EVEN CLOSE. The vocal surgery just did him in.
No. I think Eddie is stating that Paul had a physical problem with his throat, due to years of singing the way he does. As a result he had to have surgery on his vocal cords less than 2 years ago and currently cannot sing. If you doubt it, take a look and listen to the AXStv Monster World Tour concert filmed last may. Whether that ever changes , whether his voice improves? Who knows? But right now? I am a die hard KISS fan since 76. I think Paul Stanley is the greatest frontman of all time. As a singer I have been influenced greatly by him. Having said that, Eddie’s right .Paul can’t sing anymore.
If we may punctuate inconveniences about KISS performing we should not put aside that Gene has been forgetting the lyrics way back from the seventies. Everyone have had this kind of issues across KISStory and that’s why fans thinks G&P are forcing things for bad while keeping Paul groaning on stage. I have always thought they should have quitted right after Farewell Tour with dignity,
I agree, Gene at 63 or 4 in all that makeup flicking his tongue is laughable. I wonder how many years they will keep up with the façade.
Paul is still in pretty good shape for 61 and of course Tommy and Eric are a decade younger so they’ve got some more time. Gene and Paul should think of retiring KISS period. It should go out gracefully. But they won’t let that happen. Paul and Gene will both be onstage when they’re in a wheelchair and a walker.
The only problem I have is that Paul’s voice is gone.
Do we really need to see four men 60+ years old in the makeup? Simmons is already starting to look long in the tooth onstage in the Demon getup. Like you said Eddie, Paul’s voice isnt what it used to be. I bet if Gene & Paul had their way they would send out other people in their place and just collect the money. Franchise the KISS show!
To criticize Peter and Ace makes me feel that guy wasn’t a true fan. Ace influenced so many guitarists and Peter was a remarkable drummer. But the best drummer was Eric Carr and I hope he is included in someway. Bruce Kulick too.
Ed,
Your only concern at this point should be championing for Eric Carr to get inducted too.
I LOVED Eric, but you can not put him and then not Bruce, etc. ALL or just originals in my view
OMG!!! I fully agree with you. Peter and Ace sounded really great at your shindig and that was with only one rehearsal. Slamming Ace and Peter without giving them credit for their sobriety and current performance is a slam to the fans as well. God, I was completely turned off by Paul’s Tweets today that I had to start thinking about giving up my Kiss Army membership card that I’ve been carrying for the better part of 37 years…and that’s not easy for me to say.
I agree. Paul’s tweets have been offensive to me too- he is so flip about the two other guys that made KISS what they are today. If not for Peter Criss and Ace Frehley they may have remained an underground rock and roll circus like Gawr.
On the other hand to give fair credit they may have made it farther faster without Ace and Peter. Who knows? But for the most part, the fans speak all the time. KISS is and always will be for most: Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
The raw desire of all FOUR drove them to the top. That was back in a time when hard ass work paid off. Nowadays if you’re cute and can wield a guitar and the right person manages you, you can be a star in six months, talent notwithstanding.
If Gene and Paul had chosen other founding members, KISS might not even be relevant today. Gene and Paul should NEVER forget that. But somehow I think they have.
Amen to that. Why is it always Ace and Peter getting ridiculed?
Wow, you really asked that question? You know nothing about this band.
Eddie here’s the difference…Paul never left the band and I agree his voice is terrible today, but only for the last 2-3 tours…before that he was one of the best…Peter never was anything more than a mediocre time keeper….Paul’s voice along with Gene has kept the Kiss thing alive since the 80’s which is the ONLY reason the HOF is finally letting them in..40 years in the HOF can’t ignore them anymore. If the band stopped back in the 80’s with no Eric Carr, Vinnie Vincent, etc, there would be no HOF. They would’ve been viewed as a fad for a few years, but 40 years and sill going, not a fad..
So if time is the only reason explain Deep Purple still ignored and older than Kiss? You overestimate the 80’s greatly. The two biggest eras of Kiss were the 70’s and the ’96 reunion, fact regardless of what era you liked. If the HOF had any view on the 80’s they would be inducting those guys. Which by the way I am not against. Just ALL or only the original 4.
I’m going to stick up for Ace and Peter here. Yes they were out of control for years. They both admitted it many times, never in what I’ve read or heard have they tried to downplay their years of abuse and stupidity. I think they both own up to it.
In reading Peter’s book, I never walked away with the impression that he ‘blamed’ everyone else for his problems. I think people who dislike Ace or Peter will always find the negative or the hidden meaning between the lines. Point is, THEY were KISS. Whether they were good or bad musicians they were KISS.
Ace is a great guitarist, I never thought Peter was a bad drum player. If they were both that bad I don’t think they would’ve lasted for 7 years in the original incarnation, nor would they have been invited back for two more reunions- or Peter anyways. Yes their talents degraded as they fell down the slippery slope of drug and alcohol addiction, however I do believe both have gotten themselves clean. Peter especially since his battle and scare with cancer.
Even Gene admits he’s not that great a bass player or singer and Paul’s voice isn’t as good as it used to be.
But together in the ’70’s despite the problems, they were pure rock and roll magic and paved the way for many, many musicians and bands.
You obviously didn’t read the same Peter Criss book everyone else did…the entire book is about him whining and blaming everyone else except himself….he was always my least favorite but after that book I think he is pathetic as a man….and you, WOW….
Funny how I read a book that has a guy pointing a finger at himself as much as anyone..
You know George, that’s why we live in a free country. We’re entitled to our opinions.
On the other hand, my opinion is Peter didn’t whine his way through his book and I get really tired of hearing that from KISS fans who probably really aren’t fans, or who joined the fray in the late 90’s.
Peter wrote a brutally honest book, though I’m guessing some of the ‘parts’ were a bit embellished for the sake of rock and roll excitement, and what finger pointing he did do was pretty justified from everything that has been said over the years. He is the one who lived the life, and he is the one who knew what went down- whether he is exaggerating on those accounts or not, no one but him can be certain.
However knowing how Gene and Paul are greedy, soul sucking money machines, they deserved to have a few fingers pointed at them. I don’t dislike Paul or Gene, but they are both nose to the grindstone BRANDING machines. Ace and Peter wanted to be in a BAND not a BRAND.
Peter and Ace were motivated by music, hence why it was so important to them, more so for Peter to be recognized and to be a contributor to the band. Gene and Paul liked music, sure, but they liked the MONEY and branding more. The music/talent was just something that brought in the money. Sometimes the happiest musicians are the poore$t!
A lot of the above is why Ace and Peter fell from grace. Gene and Paul and by their OWN words admitted they ran the show, they wrote the songs, or wrote with someone else, wouldn’t let Ace or Peter use any of their material, and constantly downgraded their feelings and ultimate importance in the band. They were ‘businessmen’ they didn’t care about others careers or their feelings. That attitude would make anyone in any career angry, to be constantly ignored and belittled. Gene and Paul were good at that. It was always Gene and Paul’s band/brand, from the beginning Ace and Peter were little more than hired hands. So I can’t really be upset or put off by Peter feeling he got screwed. He ultimately did.
The drugs and liquor and erratic behavior along the way didn’t help the cause with Peter or Ace. Had they both stayed straight they might still be in the band and they might be more accepting of the payday instead of the glory. Who knows?
But it worked out the way it worked out.
So at the end of the day Peter’s book was pretty clear where the final blame lay: on himself. Anyone who sees that differently probably really didn’t read his book. They went online and read a few Amazon reviews. : /
It’s KISS not The Beatles so let’s not get too worked up by Paul’s tweets. Here’s what should happen… with or without make-up all 4 original members should play together. Also… I have no idea why Carr and Kulick are not also being inducted. That too me is the biggest misstep in the whole KISS HOF drama.
I agree 100% with Pat Francis on Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick not being inducted. Couldn’t the HOF induct the other members separately, as members of KISS?
The HOF ignored Kiss for 15 years! Do you honestly think they know or have regard for any replacement members? WE are Kiss fans, THEY have no clue. This is something they tried NOT to do for 15 years!
Bruce, who is a very good guitarist, had no feeling or soul in his playing. Just lots of 80s poser playing.
I’ve been a KISS fan for most of my adult life. My first concert was the Asylum Tour in’85. So I have seen several different versions of KISS. (no makeup, Reunion makeup, and new group in makeup) I loved all the versions. Kiss is an institution, musically and visually, to me. Personally, I really hope the guys in the band, original and new members, work out their differences and present the fans a cooperative, unified group of musicians that we can all celebrate as KISS. I really love the original members, (Ace has always been one of my favorite musicians) but I also feel a lot of other musicians have left their mark in a positive was (Eric Carr, Bruce Kulick, etc.) So, again, I hope KISS works it out, because, as it has often been said. “You wanted the best, you got the best!!” KISS, give us, the fans, your best, as you always have! We’ll continue to love you guys for it!!
Sorry, supposed to say “positive way” above, my bad.
Agree with everything you said, Eddie. As much as us old school fans would love to see the orig. 4 in makeup, I think the best thing would be that they play a few songs without it. Just celebrate the band with class & respect so everyone can just enjoy the night without opening up a big can of worms. The worst thing that can happen is if it all becomes a giant train wreck at the ceremony with everyone being upset or Ace & Peter feeling insulted and refusing to attend (like Van Halen). If you remember when Black Sabbath was inducted, they didn’t play, Metallica did. Sabbath just attended & had a great time. The fans deserve a celebration without egos & drama.
So sad how so called grown ups act. Let the fans decide. And in my opinion Tommy and Eric are just whores out for a steady paycheck,just my opinion. Thanks for all you do,Eddie. I was a listener back when I lived in Jersey. Loved your late nite WDHA show. Even won a few goodies from calling in!!
You mean if you got a call from Gene or Paul asking you to join the band, you wouldn’t do it? I’d be a whore if I had the skills to be in a band! 😉 You can’t blame Eric or Tommy for taking the gig! Blame the two guys calling the shots, Gene & Paul!