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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I do think the fact that we all respectfully have opinions and are still talking about this band speaks volumes for their mark on all of our lives and for that point alone Kiss to ne means so much…this band in its original form brought me out of so much and provided a positive escape that caught me up in the magic that is Kiss. Those of you that don’t find them relevant or importan t to u anymore for whatever reason you cite I can respect that..I often wonder why if they don’t matter to you why then u aste time letting all of us that DO STILL love them an get an escape from them feel like we are some kind of suckers that are under some “spell” of Gene and Paul. No I don’t always agree with their actions or comments but I’m proud of Gene and Paul keepin Kiss going 40 yrs. I want to end by sharing my little cousins story..Without ne buying it for him the 1st album he saved up for to buy was SONIC BOOM and it changed him much like the early records saved me. Together we got MONSTER and loved it and shared our different stories of Kiss helping us. A new generation still loving Kiss. We are Kiss fans loving all the members.
The only reason they are even considered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the legendary original lineup. Period. Gene, You lose. You can try and delude yourself that this is special but it is not. I bought Sonic Boom and Monster and they are enjoyable but they are not Classic/Legendary and did not influence a Generation. You should get on your hands and knees and thank Peter and Ace for the life you have because you are skating on the rep the Original Four created. That is why you whored out the others and made them wear The Cat and The Spaceman. I have lost some much respect for you Gene because your greed has damaged theKiss legacy more than Peter and Ace’s excesses. Get real with your fans. Be real.
Just throwing my two cents in here. @Eddie…I fully agree with everything you said about the situation regarding the Hall of Fame and I also respect that you don’t get into this lineup of Kiss because of the decision about the makeup. Really I do. I was severely put off when it fist happened But I feel that there are some aspects of the current Kiss lineup that gets either downplayed or ignored all together. That is that they are still nothing but a “nostalgia” act.
I would have agreed with you and everyone else on this matter if you had said that from 1999 to 2008. To me a “nostalgia” act solely relies on their past efforts and by the time 2007 rolled around that’s all they were doing BUT…in 2008 they became (IMHO) a viable band again with something to say and what they said was Sonic Boom. Whether you like the bands decisions (which I hate most of them such as their decision to play these GREAT tunes on there Kiss Kruises but all we get on a full tour is Lick It Up…but I digress…) or not, Boom is a good CD. Def some theft of Ace Riffs but still a killer CD. Monster on the other hand has Tommy shining on his own and bringing in a second ferocious CD. To me, this is not a “nostalgia.” They brought a brand new stage set to the pot and NO ONE can say that stage has anything to do with Nostalgia. I saw them in CT this past August and it was the best stage show they have ever done.
Again, many, many BAD decisions on their part over the years including the decision about who is playing with whom at the H of F if they get in but to just simply call them a nostalgia act doesn’t seem quite fair if they are coming up with great new music and (in this crap market) have it sell decently seems far from Nostalgia.
Now, about their choice in setlists lately…LOL…don’t get me started…
For Me, Kiss with Eric and Tommy is a watered down band. they are great Musicians but don’t really add to the Cinergy like ACE and Peter did. four personalities and voices adding to the mix. it would be like replacing George and Ringo with two other Musicians who got along better with Paul and John who may be better players but do they write, sing, and add to the mystic of the band? The band is Stagnant with Paul Stanley at the helm in recordings. Live they are OK but so are lots of Tribute bands some even better at this point.
Without Gene and Paul there was now no KISS anymore. Do you want that? No KISS? I like to take my kids to KISS-concerts these days. There are many new young fans. For us, the older fans, sure it’s not the same as in the early days. Also as Ace and Peter played now in the band. But the reality is: Ace and Peter don’t want to play long tours anymore and don’t have that ambition and drive. However, I think they can use the money, ’cause there is for both of them not a daily income from a working job. The last album from Peter (All for one) was horrible. Sorry, but he is no songwriter (Stan Pendridge was). I don’t like the solo-shows from Ace. You can’t look in his eyes, he’s always wearing sunglasses (yeah Gene also, but in private). Gene and Paul always has been the cart pullers, has the vision and focus. But as I see, some like the “bad guys” more than the hard workers with in their slipstream the most succes. Of course Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer wear the make-up that everyone knew. If not, half of the recognition is away. You can’t comparise the Creatures-era with Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent with their own make-up with how it is today. As I like the originals from 73-80 so much. But let’s face it. That’s almost a lifetime ago. Even the reunion tour is almost 20 years ago! This brand is going further in the future with the make-up from all originals. KISS is the only band that can do this and give the stick through for a whole new generation. Like it or not, but that’s what make KISS special also. Be happy with the 2.0 version for your kids. One last time a few songs on the induction with the originals and after that, the originals should all retire. For christ sake, they’re halfway in their 60’s!
Good post, Billy. I am glad there is still a KISS !!
Bravo, Billy. Good post. Hopefully they will make it in the Hall. When they do, they should all retire. It’s time.