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 ... )
Both are passes opportunities. Ace & Peter both also has turned down requests (to be in the new movie by Alan G. Parker). Peter’s bitching in his book about Gene, Paul (and Ace) is also not good for a new understanding. And beside, Peter had a minor contribution in KISS. Paul en Gene always wanna make it work. Some are lazy en complainers. You’re right, they are all too old for a new reunion tour. But a few songs for the hall of fame……should be a nice ending…….
BTW – the MTV Unplugged taping was in August 1995. The VHS tape came out in March 1996.
Otherwise, I agree with everything you say.
As usual Eddie you hit the nail on the head, Gene and Paul have always been salesmen for what they are doing at that moment, no matter how much it contradicts what they said a year or a day before. We could spend all day going over their contradicting statements over the years. It is disappointing to hear continued insults from Gene and Paul because they simply aren’t necessary. I still go and see the current band, is it as good as they were 15 years ago? No, but who is besides Iron Maiden and Rush who are actually better! Is Paul’s voice what it once was? No, but if we are being honest it’s no worse than Brian Johnson’s, Rab Halford’s or Ozzy’s at this point. I guess I’m just guilty of the mind set that being able to see KISS in this incarnation is better than not being able to see them at all. But I digress, Gene and Paul taking shots at Ace and Peter at this point is stupid and frankly cowardly, and to say they won’t be asked to perform with them if inducted to the travesty that is the RnR HOF is beyond ridiculous. But let’s face it, should any of this surprise us at this point? Gene and Paul are who they are, and Peter and Ace are who they are, non of that is changing at this point. It was great to see Ace and Peter playing and sounding great, hope to hear more from them soon.
It’s insane that Gene won’t play with Ace and Peter if they are inducted into the hall. It was all four of them that made KI$$ what they are today not just Gene and Paul
If Gene & Paul can perform at the induction, Ace and Peter have every right to be on stage also.
Ace & Peter should get Bruce Kulick and a bass player and play NY Groove and Beth.
This is turning into General Hospital………I am very similiar to Eddie………lifelong Kiss fan from 75…..have been done with the band since the Farewell Tour………Gene has destroyed the band for so long, who cares anymore. They deserve the Hall, ce & Peter should be there, but as themselves. Not the Spaceman & Cat…..Let Paul & Gene look stupid!!! Also, Love that Ace & Peter refused to take part in Kiss Documentary that Gene & Paul are doing!!!