2/27: MORE KISS HOF DISCUSSION AND THOUGHTS

Been doing press all day for That Metal Show and almost everyone is bringing up the Kiss HOF stuff with me. It is no doubt the story of the week and since it broke on my show last Friday when Ace called in many are discussing it with me. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s take on all of this. It’s also been interesting reading everyone’s comments here on this site and the loads of email about it. I get and understand ALL sides of this. People who actually take the time to fully listen to and read what I say realize there is no agenda here but being a fan and giving MY opinion when asked. I respect yours even if it differs from mine. Just like I respect your decision to go see the current version of Kiss, even if I decided a while ago it’s not for me. There is SO much misinformation out there. Not only about what I say and feel (anything positive doesn’t make a good headline) but about the whole HOF process to begin with. In a nutshell I think this whole thing again comes down to Gene and Paul not wanting to go down reunion road with Ace and Peter at all, and not wanting to open a huge can of worms like the MTV Unplugged. Again, I was there, once Ace and Peter came out for two songs it was a reunion avalanche they could not go away from. When you spend 12 years telling people (believe it or not) it doesn’t matter who is behind the makeup, you can’t bring Ace and Peter out and get a huge reaction and remind everyone it does matter! Eventually Kiss wil be a franchise with no original members in those personas. That is where this is all heading. Going back to the original band hurts selling that concept and is bad for the current Kiss business model. I don’t believe it is any real hate against Ace and Peter, it is just a bad business decision and we all know Kiss knows business! I don’t agree with this decision, but get it from a marketing standpoint.

 

There has also been a familiar cry from Ace and Peter detractors that “they had their chance, they fucked it up”. True, they will be the first to tell you they are far from innocent in their conduct at times while a member of the band. But what exactly does that have to do with now? NOBODY wants a reunion tour again. I sure don’t! Nobody can go forever. But it seems the past keeps getting thrown out there as a reason for the HOF issue. Why? It has nothing to do with the fact that the original four guys are the ones being inducted and a song or two is all anyone is looking for one night only. Nobody is also mentioning that these guys have been clean and sober for many years now. People change with time. A couple songs would have only damaged one thing, the current Kiss marketing plans. And I GET THAT. If I was trying to sell what was coming and owned the business of Kiss like Gene and Paul do I can’t say I would feel different from a BUSINESS angle. But we were always told the fans were the boss with Kiss. And no denying the MAJORITY of the fans who fought so long and hard to see this day are upset. But I still feel no performance in this instance (because the HOF decided only the original four are going in) is better than a current band performance which you can see any time you want pretty much.

 

I am curious if they all show up. To me it’s clear if you read the recent interview that Paul is annoyed with the whole process (rightfully so), the fact they were snubbed for 15 years, and the fact the HOF is ignoring other members for induction (again, the case can be made rightfully so). But most artists who complain about it still end up showing up. Axl Rose didn’t. he knew it was all a play for a reunion if even for a photo op and stayed away. I honestly don’t think the HOF cares that much if Kiss plays. Getting them in the same room together is a victory enough for them. Now we wait and see what happens next. Do all four guys show? What does the HOF put on since there is no performance from the band? Is there so much fan pressure that a last minute performance gets pulled together? One more thing; fans did not get Kiss in the HOF through voting. It’s a nice thought and the fans being so vocal about it helped sway voters, but the actual fan vote is minimal and can not alone get a band in. If it did bands like Kiss, Rush and Alice Cooper would not have been snubbed over a decade! If the HOF would have put Kiss in when they were first eligible in 1999 none of this would be happening, because the original band was still together then from the reunion! And we all know the fact that Kiss, like them or not, should have gone in first time eligible, NOT 15 years later! More soon no doubt.. Again, ALL opinions welcome here as always.

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280 Responses

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  • Sheila on

    Eddie,

    Words no better said. I agree 100% it’s a business standpoint and I get it.
    No one wants a reunion tour I certainly don’t. They can continue with current members I respect Eric and Tommy and feel for them in this whole issue as well. All I want and what a majority of Kiss fans want is to see the band they first heard 35 to 40 years ago. The band that as a 14 year old girl I was memorized by. This band changed my whole life as a teen, they were my first concert at 15 and this is the band I want to pay homage to at the HOF. I want to see Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace! Just one song would suffice. I wish they could put their pride to the side for just one night. Earn the respect of the fans instead of turning a blind eye and forgetting that for 40 years it’s the fans that have stood behind this band. I’d love to wave my Kiss Army badge proudly one more time. I’m being realistic though and not seeing this happen but a girl can dream right?


  • gerry on

    rock n roll hall o lame sucks.right eddie.no more kiss talk.listen to ur old kiss records already


  • Mike on

    There are theories surrounding why the Tommy and Eric Kiss are not playing now. Some say Paul is afraid to sing with his voice in the shape it’s in, the backlash after Ace made his announcement that the original band wasn’t invited to play by Gene and Paul, or Paul claiming he wants the other members inducted in order to play. I thin it’s either his voice or the backlash.


  • Gilbert on

    Great point I agree.


  • John on

    This is such a suck ass column. It’s like you don’t want to piss off Gene or Paul or the fans. “I can see both sides.” Fucking A. I get that things aren’t always black or white, but anyone can see that this is not about the fans. It’s only about Gene & Paul as businessman and the KISS brand. That being said, the whole HOF thing is bullshit anyway. I can’t believe what a money grab it is for them & what they’re charging to the show.


    • Kelly on

      If you have paid any attention to Eddie in the last few years, you know he has said plenty to piss off Gene and Paul. Why do you think they won’t appear on his shows? He’s been VERY vocal of his dislike of Tommy and Eric wearing the Spaceman and Catman makeup. The reason he is saying that he can understand both sides is because he can! He’s both a businessman in the music world AND a fan (though not as of late), which gives him a unique perspective, and he is simply sharing that.


    • Eddie on

      Doesn’t take much to “piss them off”. Just ask all the fans they blocked on Twitter just for having a differing view over the weekend. And yes, I stand behind my position on the Tommy and Eric wearing Ace and Peter personas, but have NO issue with them personally or them taking the gig. That decision comes from the top and if it wasn’t them they would find someone else


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