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.
, the R&R Hall and Gene's comments about Ace & Peter not playing, and more. Last night on the radio show ... )
Thank you Eddie! Just half an hour work posted on my opinion (positive about Gene and Paul) and not so about Ace and Peter. It’s probrably not your opinion (pro Ace and Peter, anti Gene and Paul). And after a few minutes, my post was deleted. It’s a pity, you’re showing just one side of the coin……
I don’t delete posts unless they are racists and offensive so not sure what you are talking about as all sides are represented here
KISS= Gene Paul Peter Ace
Hey Eddie;
Definitely respect and appreciate what you do, flying the flag for hard rock and metal for all these years. Much like you, I was into KISS in spite of the merchandising,theatrics, etc, for me it was always the music. As a 10 yr old the cover of Destroyer was the coolest thing I had ever seen but it was Detroit Rock City and Do You Love me that made me a fan. I also think some of the 80’s material is very underrated,at least before it became too pop on Crazy Nights and Hot in the Shade. I was certainly looking forward to your reaction when I fist saw’s Gene’s comments posted, and I have to say I’m a little disappointed. No question, it was way premature on Gene’s part to even comment on this, and it would be a travesty for Ace and Peter to not perform. That being said, as Gene’s life long work , he’s entitled to sell Kiss anyway he wants, not that I agree with all of it,such as Tommy singing Shock Me, but then again, neither you or I created it. I enjoy that Metal Show and listen to you on Sirius and you do a pretty fair job of cross promotion yourself. Your web site has recently appeared to be one continuous ad for your two books and most recent signing tour, not to mention the all access member option, LOL. You are certainly entitled to promote your own work as you see fit as I’m sure they were/are a labor of love for you. As such I do feel you are being somewhat hypocritical when you comment on the way Gene sells the current lineup. We’re all adults and if I choose to pay my hard earned money to see Tommy and Eric, then so be it, and I will continue to do so until I feel that they are no longer entertaining me in the fashion I expect. Based the last show I saw, that time may be getting closer if Paul’s voice continues to deteriorate. Although he sang in a lower register on the show from Zurich which I thought suited him and the band well. Anyway, thanx for allowing a free forum here, healthy discourse promotes thoughts and ideas.
Just got back from kiss Kruise 3 … gene and Paul did give some praise to ace and Peter .. I don’t get caught up in line ups in any band .. I really think you are doing yourself a disservice saying oh so and so isn’t in the band so I’m not gonna see them .. and I’m referring to any band .. With and celebrate and Peter they were playing the same set lists yr after yr .. There is no way I would have heard the oath live with Ace and end Pete in the band … but that’s just my opinion …
Glad you had a good time. And once again, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH TOMMY & ERIC BEING IN THE BAND. Just that they should be their own people! Thanks
You would think that Eddie would have been invited to the Kiss Cruise. I wonder why he wasn’t… hmmmmm Well, maybe next year.
Why would I want to go on a Kiss cruise when I choose to no longer see this version of that band?
Eddie, i agree with all you have said. Recently fake Ace Tommy got a Gibson Guitar labled the Spaceman, shame on Gibson for that one. And Tommy to accept that? Pathetic. If kiss put those other 2 in a different costume I would say ok. Just like Eric Carr and Vinny Vincent. To a degree you have yo blame Ace and Peter because if they never sold their rights to Gene this nonsense wouldnever have happened. If that thought of mine is accurate can be debated. The bottom line is this: If Kiss gets in the HOF and Ace and Peter do not play RNRAN which would be the ones song they should play together then I say forget Kiss. I have no respect for this fake band and how they sell it. My personal stance has been to not buy a thing of this band. I feel this strong and if you were to say Chris, I will give you a meet n greet for Free and front row tix and a day with the band, I would still decline. Some may say bs but I would not accept it because the person I am will say to all of them to their faces they are full of crap. Gene should just keep quiet cuz only he looks bad in this. I do not get why Gene would say a word but he blames only them. If a smidgen of Peters book is accurate about Gene and Paul then I say wow. And how all of a sudden Peter teams with Ace after how he said things about Ace in his book he has balls. Thats another debate. But still, Kiss today, are done in my mind. Its sad that this band and the fans alike, are even around. If no one showed up to a concert then this band would call it a day. Gene says he isnt selling these guys as Ace and Peter. No? Why does Tommy sing shock me and mimik Aces moves? Eric doing Beth is pathetic period. If you ever had an interview with Tommy I would call in an tear his ass apart. I feel that strongly about all this crap. And because of this, Kiss may not get in the HOF. Its possible the voters will not like what this band has become. Thanks
I only agree with one small part of your post. A smidgen of Peter’s book was accurate. His name was accurate and that he was in the band Kiss. That’s about it. The rest was embellished or fabricated.
Really? I guess you were there then to know that?