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.
173 Responses
I read a lot of the posts since I put my 2 cents in. I say the entire band with all members should get in. Kiss is a band named Kiss and within that have been many members. You cannot select some of the band. Many have some good points and how Gene and Paul kept it going. Well yeah what the heck else are they gona do? Be scientists? Musicians play music. They do not have many options like athletes do such as color commentary of games, announcing etc. Kiss is a brand. Been that way a long time. As a band, they are what they are. If kiss were to play with all HOF members of the band that would be interesting since Vinny sued them. I highly doubt he gets an invite yet he played on 2 solid albums that some of his music is still played live to date. So you have to give him credit here for Creatures and Lick it Up. He gave them a harder edge back then. Eric Carr had a big shoe to follow too. I feel him not having makeup on was best for him as a drummer and it showed. Great drummer. Singer is a great drummer and was there beforehand. Tommy? No. Not a fan of the guy who got Aces coffee. He has zero credability. I would have no issue if kiss called it quits. All things come to an end. These guys are in their 60s. Less eric n tommy of course. As fans we all have our favs over the years. I commend all members less tommy sorry. I like nothing of what he stands for. I mean cmon man your acting like Ace, singing like Ace, walking like Ace. Gene and Paul created this mess and blame Ace and Peter. All are to blame for some things and yet Gene said to me on twitter no. Bs. You are not innocent. We fans pay for their lifestyles and no one else. Kiss at this point should walk away.
Well, he probably didn’t get Ace coffee – it was probably alcohol – which lead to the demise of Ace’s career. But Gene and Paul created this mess…? You’re not very credible.
I have been a fan since i was 12 and i am now 50! I am so fed up with the whole ordeal. The new records simply dont hold up. As a fan to see my heroes implode is a major dissappointment. I go back to the old stuff and enjoy. Kiss as i knew growig up is over. Sad but the business is what it is all about. The part of others wearing the makeup is the last straw for me.
People say that the new albums do not hold up because they have a nostalgic fondness for the old albums. Hell, who doesn’t? They remind us all of a simpler time; when we were kids. We can all remember listening to those albums and pretending to be in Kiss. Hell, my friends and I used to crank Destroyer in my friend’s basement and we’d all play brooms, pretending they were guitars. It’s nice to hold on to your youth, but we’re not youths any longer.
Earth to SS ;
It has nothing to do with nostalgia .
Sonic Shit and Monster are utter shit compared to 70’s Kiss
The reason why your time was simpler back then is because you didn’t spend your time trolling around the internet making idiotic statements.
Oh silly little boy. You were probably born circa 1981?
Hi eddie my name is Kyle I am 21 years old and I have seen Kiss twice on the motley tour and monster tour I enjoyed it both times I’ve been a Kiss now for about 6 years now ny room is filled with merchandise I enjoy the new lineup I think tommy and Eric are doing a great job in kiss tommy is one of my favorite guitarist ever and is an inspiration to me I am not a 30 year plus kiss fan like you and most of the kiss army so maybe that’s why I don’t mind tommy and Eric in ace and peters makeup I respect the hell out of ace and Peter for what they did for music and kiss but I just prefer tommy and Eric BUT I don’t agree with the hall of fame situation I think gene and paul are full of themselves and should let ace and Peter don the makeup one last time to go out with a bang now just cause I prefer tommy and Eric doesn’t mean I want them to preform at the hof I most def want to see the original 4 up there playing and have tommy and Eric without makeup jam a few songs I love all the old kiss records my favorite of all time is creatures of the night maybe I prefer tommy and Eric because I found kiss with them then I went back and found ace and Peter I love the original lineup they had amazing success made a lot of money but I think they’re time is over now gene and paul wants to continue the band without them which I don’t agree with but it happens ace and Peter sold there rights and gene and paul had every right to put the make up on tommy and Eric I don’t mind it but I wish they had there own personas but I fully agree with the original lineup playing one more night for the original fans to give them closure god bless you eddie!
I have been a KISS fan since 1975 and was able to see the original lineup play 7 times, including the last time they all played together in North Charleston, SC in October of 2000. Was a fan of the non-make up era music as well. I had friends give me copies of Sonic Boom and Monster since they knew I was a KISS fan. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have bought them myself but I don have to admit that they both have some decent songs on them. Tommy and Eric have songs on both albums so why not have them play those live? Tommy should not be playing Shock Me and Eric should never even think about singing Beth though I know he has. There is no way that KISS should ever be inducted in the Hall of Fame without Peter and Ace involved. Gene and Paul must realize that this is what the true fans want to see. I have read both Ace’s and Peter’s books as well as Gene’s. I will probably get Paul’s when it comes out as well. As a fan of the original lineup, I really get tired of the “mud slinging” that goes on. The 70’s lineup was my band and that lineup would be the reason for being inducted in the Hall so Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace should be there to get the recognition. I also think that Vinnie, Eric Carr, Tommy and Eric Singer should also be recognized as well as they have all played a role in the band’s history. But the original lineup should be present and perform for the fans.
I forgot to include Bruce Kulick and Mark St. John in my list of other musicians that have played in KISS. I am looking forward to seeing Bruce perform this week with Grand Funk Railroad. It will be my first time seeing him perform live.