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 think you hit all the nails on the head, Eddie. So you know why some members won’t appear on your show. There’s nothing they can really defend.
They may get in the HHOF sooner or later, now that Rush got in and over time more players that liked KISS got in. So they will get more votes. I was opposed to KISS getting in, until I saw the list of bands/performers that are in. Like you, I liked the band a lot in ’76 and ’77, but unlike you, I got away from them shortly thereafter.
But the history of Rock and Roll can’t honestly be told without KISS, and they did inspire a ton of people in our generation to get into rock and roll and pick up an instrument. They also raised the bar regarding what constituted a great rock show. Bands like Triumph and all who came after had to put more money into their stage show. I would argue that KISS did this in part to distract people from their average musicianship. I’d argue that Paul Stanley was never a great front man. Listen to his stage rants now – they are laughable: “Anyone like vodka and are-ange juice?” Pul-leaze!!!
I also don’t believe that their sound was that influential. Yes, every single heavy metal band now will say they were KISS fans and they likely were, but very few bands really sound a lot like they did. I hear a little KISS in a Whitesnake tune or two, and I’m sure you hear a lot more than I do in different bands. But when you look at the biggest, heavy bands in the 1980s and 90s, you don’t hear KISS. I don’t hear them in Van Halen, Priest, Metallica, G ‘n R or any of the other top draws. I hear Sabbath, Led Zep, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Deep Purple and maybe some UFO or Budgie – esp. in Iron Maiden. But no KISS.
PS – You also often say how DLR of Van Halen was never much of a singer. He was certainly never up to the LPs, but you have to admit he was a lot better back in the late-70s/early 80s as he is now. His marlboro habit has caught up to him bigtime!
Love the show and keep up the great job Eddie. I’ve said it before, but you’ll be the Lawrence Welk of Heavy Metal/Hard Rock in 30 years when we’re all old. And I mean that as a complement. People thought big band music would never die too.
As usual, you’re right on the money. The fans response if Ace and Peter ever took the stage with them (even for one night or a few songs) would absolutely crush Gene’s ego, (because then it would be TRULY for the fans, and not simply what Gene wants) and make all his prior comments seem so incredibly petty and self serving. I respect Gene as a performer, but the way he has handled this is despicable and childish. He can’t back down now, because he would have to take responsibility for being wrong, and he’s simply not capable of that.
Kiss is a horrible band. The two human beings who are in charge of the band currently are horrible people. But most importantly their music is horrible. Their best song is another rock band’s worst song. The music just sucks, its a dumbed down gay version of ACDC if that is even possible. They make up for this crap music by theatrics and dressing up as silly comic book characters. The only reason they are or were huge is timing, I understand being influenced back in the 70’s seeing that sort of thing at a concert or looking at the album cover when you are young and so easily influence and impressed upon. But as an adult you are lying if you say Kiss is a great Rock N’ Roll band. They are the opposite of what Rock N’ Roll is really about. Rock N’ Roll is an attitude it is not a business model. My biggest gripe is their music and that says a lot. PS. Gene is a big pos.
Kiss was around before AC/DC dumbass so that comment is stupid guess you like the chilly peppers,Elton john,and other bands that as far as I am concerned have nothing to do with rock-n-roll get a life
why dont you make an opinion on the topic at hand instead of ignorantly responding to my post you idiot. I know kiss came before why are you assuming i thought different dumbass they only came a few months before by the way . but i still stand by my comments kiss suck and so do you SNAKE lol ps. i dont like any of those bands you mentioned. i like guns n’ roses the epitome of rock n’ roll attitude with great music . no bs. like kiss. if you were born after 1983 and you like kiss your an idiot.
By calling Kiss a horrible band, I think you are doing an injustice to horrible bands everywhere, who, in reality, are much better. Kiss is well beyond being merely horrible… the term may have suited them in the 70’s and 80’s, but in the 90’s and now, they are actually much worse. Is shitacular a word?
Just this week, I happened upon a KISS concert broadcast on AXS TV that looked fairly recent. I watched a few minutes of it, including what appeared to be a Gene Simmons bass solo. It was exactly like seeing and hearing something that was the opposite of music. In fact, it inspired me to conduct an experiment. I went on YouTube and found a recording of whales passing gas. I slowed the recording down and then looped it and played it backwards for a test audience. I asked the respondents to choose which sample sounded more like music: Gene Simmons playing bass or backwards-masked whale farts. By a nearly 10 to 1 margin, they chose the whale farts.
It’s good to see the Department of Corrections is allowing uneducated inmates access to computers. Hopefully, this access will guide them away from recidivism. How much time did you get, Jim?
I couldn’t agree more Eddie. As a lifelong KISS fan myself, I would love to see Ace and Peter at the RRHOF (if elected), but would not like to see a reunion tour. Been there done that!! The new lineup is the new lineup, no problem with it. It’s crazy that my favorite band is so dysfunctional when it comes to getting together, even for a short period of time, to do something that the fans deserve. Gene always states that the fans are the reason they exist….then give them what they want one last time!!!
Their very best material was with Ace and Peter in the band, there is no denying this. I would hope htat they would bring back all the members who where in Kiss at one time or another, because many fans grew up on the later version of Kiss. Everyone who was with Kiss were all a part of the history, shouldn’t being in the Hall reflect this.