12/18: KISS & THE HALL THE DAY AFTER, GENE IN RS, KISSMAS SPECIAL
The last 24 hours or so have been pretty cool following the announcement Kiss has finally made the R&R Hall. I want to thank the many fans that have reached out to me and said thanks for pushing for this so many years. I’m not for a minute taking credit for it, but it is nice to see progress being made after so many years of disrespect and ignoring not only Kiss, but Alice and Rush who also recently finally went in. If my ranting on TV and radio for the last decade has helped push this along it’s nice to know many feel it had an impact. For those that don’t know the back story, the president of the Hall became so aware of how outspoken I had been about these bands he actually came on my radio show a couple years ago to discuss it all. I was even thrown directly into the discussion yesterday when Andy Greene from Rolling Stone brought my name up to Gene in an interview with him (link in my news section). It’s nice to know so many have associated my voice with this happening and I appreciate it and I’m just glad for all the fellow Kiss fans it’s now a reality. We have waited far too long and if it all indeed did play a role and help, great! Most important 15 years of injustice will come to an end (even though it will always bother me how they made bands like Kiss, Alice and Rush wait, while Nirvana and Guns go first time!). One other thing about the RS story, Gene must have been clearly caught off guard when the writer asked him about me and why he won’t come on TMS, because it was an absurd explanation that barely made sense! Hand gestures? Not heavy metal? (we are rock and metal, didn’t bother Heart, Paul Rodgers, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, etc). As always my door remains open to Gene and Paul. Their FANS want to see and hear them on my shows, because they want informed objective discussion on platforms with people who truly know the band and history. Paul plays a much larger role in Gene not coming on than anyone thinks. He of course is also more than welcome and I congratulate them both on the induction. Being a fan of anything should allow you to discuss what you like and don’t like in a bands history. I have and always will do that and respect other views as well.
Now that Kiss is in my comments section on my site, twitter and email have exploded with questions and comments. It’s been all good stuff and appreciate all opinions. What’s important to note is that many of the questions people are asking are simply not decided yet. Only yesterday did the band learn they were in. The Hall selected only the original band to be inducted. That does not mean however that other members may not be involved or represented on stage. But Ace, Peter, Gene and Paul are the ones actually being inducted. I would fully expect some acknowledgment (as there should be) and maybe even some performance that includes others. Again, this is where the negotiations come in over the next couple months, and honestly where things can get nasty with bands and the Hall and how things go down. But at the very least the original 4 will be there by all indications and all seem open to a song or two, at least as of now. I fully expect Gene and Paul to push for Eric & Tommy to be involved somehow. If that’s the case I surely hope Bruce and Vinnie are offered a role and proper acknowledgement of Eric Carr and Mark St. John are presented. Which leads me to my point about all or none. To me the Hall would have had to induct everyone from Kiss. Or just the originals which they have decided. So since this night is about the four guys that started it all I would keep it at just that. Of course Gene and Paul can mention the others by name, even have them there. But once the playing starts getting mixed in then it could get weird and hard feelings can come into play. Especially if makeup is involved, which we do not know yet. So there is still much to be worked out. You have three separate camps here; Peter, Ace, Gene/Paul. And no doubt 3 different views on what should happen. More info as it comes available, but let’s hope it all plays out in the best and most respectful way possible for the band and the fans. We have all waited too long for this!
My annual KISSmas special is this Friday 11P-2A ET on Q104.3 NYC. You can listen outside NYC area via the iHeartradio app or at www.q1043.com Rules of streaming and it’s access controlled by the station not me. This show also airs the following weekend on all affiliates. Ace Frehley will call in live! All Kiss music, all eras as usual.
Eddie,
What ever happened to the KISS tribute band featuring Brian Tichy. Are they still planning on jamming or did this project dissolve? I was hoping to catch footage of them on You Tube but can’t find any. Thought you might know something about this. Thanks.
Don’t think it was a long term thing
Eddie, i just want to say that down here in Australia you have lot’s of fans of that TMS and we admire how passionate you are about how iconic bands are being ignored by the Grammys and R’n’R Hall of Fame. Finally these dummies have woken up and are inducting KISS! I like to think that your outspoken passion has a lot to do with KISS being inducted. P.s I own a ‘That Metal Show’ T-shirt and wear it proudly all the time!
Thanks, LOVE to visit there one day if the opportunity is presented.
Eddie – you are too modest. It is because of YOU that KISS is finally going into the hall of fame. You painted the President of the Hall of Shame into a corner when he was on your radio show back when. He tried to say that some of these bands (RUSH, KISS, etc…) will be inducted some day. Then they actually listened to the fans and let them vote on a website and look how that “no talent” band KISS ran away with the votes. Everyone here in the Cleveland area is tired of Rolling Stone picking all of “Politically Correct” inductees. I mean Flavor Flav (with Public Enemy) got in before KISS let alone Deep Purple, Bon Jovi, Thin Lizzy, etc, etc, etc…what a joke. Then you have someone like Nirvana and Guns and Roses who get in on their first nomination…neither had much longevity like KISS. And if your going to put Rap “Artists” in the place of achievement, the where do bands like Def Leppard, Journey, STYX, Bad Company, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon go? Those guys are all still playing gigs today and actually doing quite well. It’s just funny to see a true fan’s opinion and the opinion of a magazine that people cared about 30 years ago. That is why your show Eddie is so loved and watched by everyone. You are one of us and you had the balls to call them out! I don’t think the HOF realized how many people would actually go on their website and vote for KISS. They had no choice but induct them after that – whether they liked it or not. I’m sure next year Deep Purple will get the nod and so on. I just think it is ridiculous that these great bands have to wait until they are old men to be recognized. i know I am just repeating everything you have said in the past Eddie, but I want everyone to know that YOU ARE THE REASON that KISS is finally in the hall. As far as Gene and Paul are concerned, they should be begging you to put them on your show. They both watch That Metal Show and know what you are about. They should give you the proper respect and thank you for waving their flag all of these years. Heaven forbit you guys disagree on a few issues. Instead they continue to try to ignore you or keep you away from KISS promotional events (like the miniture golf course opening in Vegas that they dicked you over on). They need to realize that the best way to talk to the KISS fans throughout the world thru one media outlet is through your show. KISS should take a page out of the Metallica handbook and bring up everyone. However we all know that’s not going to happen. Oh well – Eddie, keep up the great work. True rock fans know who is worthy and who are not. It’s just funny when you prove the assholes wrong. You da man!
eddie i told you this on twitter i can give you reason paul doesn’t like you. he would go out way for you do interviews and you betrayed him in his eyes. you had sebastian bach on radio about 6 years ago during metal summit and he ripped paul saying that paul had a vagina and you all laughed. if you look at timeline of when things went bad with you and paul i gurantee this is reason
So what Sebastian says is my problem… amazing..but you are on to something. Somehow everything said on my show comes back to me saying it! And here’s a news flash, you better have a thick skin if any level of public personality. Why can Craig Gass do effeminate impressions of Paul on every radio show and then get invited to perform on a Kiss cruise? Double standard much?
I agree. not saying what you did is wrong im looking at it from pauls point of view. you said he very sensitive. just saying he might think I did favors this guy been on radio show,back stage passes etc. difference between you craig gass is he comedian so something like that might be expected and its done in joking way. Sebastian did it a somewhat viscious way. like I said I agree with you just trying to look at it his point of view and maybe help give you answer you been looking for
Thanks but it is a simple issue of these guys reading completely baseless posts online and out of context quotes and not coming direct to the source for clarity. It’s silly and I can’t help what they think. Gone on for a long time. NEVER a comment on the positives, always dwell on one or two things I’m not into. But I feel it’s important to call it as I see it for ALL bands I love.
There are some old Kiss photos out there, circa 1977, where Gene does the devil horn/spider man thing. I remember seeing that back in 1977 when I was 11 years old. He did do that before Dio.
Why do you people, including Eddie, CRAVE the attention and acceptance of the establishment? The HOF defines establishment. You sound like a bunch of whiners and geeks desperate to be part of the cool crowd. Pathetic.
Not sure what you mean? Doesn’t make sense at all. Like it or not the Hall is a prestigious thing when a band makes it, proven by the fact they ALL go in when finally called (almost all!). So why the issue with discussing a LONG overlooked band and fan base like Kiss? It’s what being a fan is!