3 days after the Kiss HOF announcement and still more crazy speculation, discussion and debate from some of the interviews that have been posted from the members, not to mention various quotes and posts in various places taken our of context to twist things and stir the pot.
I am not in any way directly involved in what will or will not happen at this event. I HAVE however been contacted by people who are, asking me for my thoughts as a fan and long time supporter. The truth is however that nobody knows what will or won’t happen at the induction because it’s early in the process and all the various parties have much to work through no doubt. Like all Kiss fans hopefully it will be a great respectful night for the band and it’s fans, as we have all waited a long time for this. When there is real factual news I’ll do my best to let you know. In the meantime loving all the different opinions and debates posted here in the comments section. Seems the big questions are:
*Will the original band play?
*Will they wear makeup (I love the idea someone floated of doing it Dressed To Kill style with suits and makeup!)
*Will non original members be represented at all, show up, play? If so which ones?
*Who inducts them?
*Will this lead to anything more with the original band?
All this and more to be announced, but discussing and debating it so far has been fun and is what being a fan is all about. The best thing is they are finally IN, so this discussion is long overdue!
Since Gene Simmons’ comments about me and That Metal Show in Rolling Stone (asked to him by the writer), I have been asked by so many what his problem is with me and the show. Obviously his reasons he gave to RS didn’t make much sense. I wish I could all give you an answer but I can’t. What has been maddening to me for a long time is Gene & Paul’s desire to formulate opinions on me, and what I did or didn’t say, based on often erroneous and out of context internet posts and sites. I can’t help this. Last time I spoke to either of them I pleaded to them to come to me directly if they ever had a question about an opinion I had or what I did or did not say. I must admit the dismissive tone about me and my shows is hard to take when you consider tonight (Friday), for the 23rd straight year, I will devote my entire 3 hour radio show in the number one market in the US to their music. ALL ERAS AND LINEUPS. The only band I do this for every year. But in fairness to Gene and Paul they never asked me to do this special. I do it for the fellow FANS like me. Who want to celebrate this bands music and their entire history. And much like I’m entitled to my opinion about what they do or don’t do with their band, they are more than entitled to what they think about me and my programs, even if it is often based on bad information and baseless perceptions. That Metal Show is VH1’s longest running program for over 5 years and over 100 episodes. That doesn’t happen in TV unless someone is watching. Is it American Idol viewership? Hell no. Is it a global following of passionate rock and metal fans? HELL YES, and I am proud and grateful for all of them! So when those fans, many who also love Kiss, ask for Gene & Paul to be on TMS, it is our job to ask. If they choose not to that is also their right and we go on with our business. AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica and countless others all have felt what we do IS important and IS a great connection to the rock fan. I can’t help Gene if he feels it is not, again, I respect all opinions.
Tonight’s (Friday) 23rd annual Merry KISSmas show kicks off at 11P ET on Q104.3 in NYC. It will be live and requests will be taken for any and all Kiss from any and all albums. Only rules I have are the same as always. Only albums that came out with “Kiss” on them. In other words no side projects or offshoot bands (Frehley’s Comet, VVI, etc). The only solo albums in the mix are the ’78 ones since they have the “Kiss” logo on them as well. Ace is expected to call in live (he does my shows, can’t get opinions from people who don’t!) to discuss the Hall and more. Outside the NYC area you can listen online free to the stream at www.q1043.com or use the free iHeartradio app and dial up Q104.3, Classic Rock, NYC. One last thing, I am aware that the stream has been cutting off one or two hours into the show last few weeks. It is an issue due to some streaming license laws and the station was working on fixing it. It is out of my hands if it happens again. But be aware this is a syndicated show and only the debut is airing tomorrow. Next weekend it will air on about 25 more stations and streams around the US so you can always catch those if you miss anything. Merry Christmas to all and hope the fellow Kiss fans join me for what should be a really fun KISSmas Special this year! Judging from the emails you guys feel this IS important and I am grateful for your support listening, watching and reading!
Last but certainly not least Happy Birthday Peter Criss! As a cancer survivor I know Peter is grateful for every birthday and we are grateful he is still with us, healthy and cancer free! Thank God he is with us still to go into the HOF next April in his hometown of Brooklyn! Great story and very happy for him. Happy Birthday Peter, many more!
83 Responses
Eddie,
You doing this kind of thing where you provide up to the minute responses to fans comments and questions is truly one of a kind. Only a super fan and a humble dude would do such a thing, so most of us can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate you doing this. And never compromise your style about asking questions and expressing opinions. It’s the spice of life to have fun debates. Jumping on these blogs is the most fun I’ve had since dropping the needle on Destroyer way back when for the first time as a freshman in highschool – my first record purchased by the way. Hey, I’ll take the credit for the Dressed to Kill idea, thanks. Ace, Peter, Paul, Gene – are you listening? That would blow my mind if they did that. Costumes will be too clunky. The makeup itself will do with some suits similar to what they wore on the cover. By the way, why were Simmons pants so short on the DTK cover? Pretty funny. Ace was the epitamy of cool in terms of how he grace himself on the cover of that album. Another reason why Tommy should of lost the makeup and found his own personality, but I won’t go there. 🙂 Oops
Thanks, doing my best to engage and approve as much as possible. And all opinions are approved as long as presented respectfully
The pants were so short because they were borrowed suits from Bill Aucoin. You will also notice the sleeves were pretty short too. Peter was the only one who owned a suit at the time. 🙂
Hi Eddie,
I asked you from an earlier post if would possible to have both Ace and Peter together on that Metal Show, I was wondering if so, would be before the induction? Also, would it possible to have them to a fan question and answer session on your Radio Show?
All TBA
Come on Eddie we all know why Gene will not go to your show?…In one hand you’re always saying that KISS is the best band that ever existed and so on which is amazing of you to say….but in the other hand you are always trashing, putting down the current line up calling them and calling them all kinds of names just because your friends Ace and Peter were fired from the band 3 times, 3 times really??..It seems to me that you want them to be in the band when you know better their work ethic is not as good as Paul and Gene who are the engine behind KISS. I as a KISS fan I get offended that YOU one of the greatest rock DJs in the history of this planet talks like that about my favorite band, but like you said you are entitled to your opinion just like Gene has an opinion of your show. Also Eddie you should know better that anybody else that putting new characters in the band will not work…how long did it work for Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent??…months and you know it….I prefer to see onstage a band that gives 110% with a line up that will kill themselves for me to leave satisfied than to watch the original line up playing only 1 hour cause Ace is late and Peter can’t hold it anymore behind the drums. Eddie I love you man and I love your show and in a lot of ways it would be cool if you will introduced KISS in the RRHOF but you want KISS to live in the past with a line up that would not last an entire tour…I mean not even Ace wants to work with Peter in your recent interview, that says at all.
You are buying and believing every tag line and excuse out there. It is amazing! I LOVE when people say new makeup wouldn’t work in the early 80’s! Just shows you weren’t there and don’t know what was truly going on! NO VERSION OF KISS worked then! That’s why the band ended!! You are welcome to your opinion but you are just spitting out every cliche answer you have been fed. And I have made my name NOT just saying everything is the greatest and having debates and discussion. Plenty of people out there to just read a bio and feed you the latest company line. So many factual errors in your post but believe what you want.. And if you think recent Kiss shows are giving 110% then you clearly never saw the band in it’s prime…
110% in your mid 60’s is a little different than 110% in your 20’s or 30’s.
Factual errors? Oh sure, if you’re looking at it through the self-absorbed delusional world of Eddie Trunk.
Love the haters who are just consumed with me and my site. If I was so negative about someone I sure wouldn’t waste time posting on their site constantly…
NAIL HAMMER HEAD! Maximus Sixx
The HOF will be a let down because they’ll probably only be allowed to play 2 or 3 songs. All those other lame bands and Paul Schaffer have to get their time in too (someone fire Paul Schaffer!!!!). So I bet not worth putting make up on for 2 songs. Plus it will probaby be Rock n Roll All Night and 1 other hit song. Too bad it can’t be more than that but the night is not just about them.
I would think 2-3 max. Usually they show 2 and have a 3rd that only is played in house. I suspect the big end jam will be R&R All Night. But all just speculation now.
I will say it so you won’t have to Eddie. Gene is all about the money and only the money. If KISS goes out on the next tour and has poor ticket sales Gene will be the first one to get Peter/Ace back to promote the original lineup tour that will sell out . Music is a means to an end with Gene and his huge ego gets the best of him when fans want Peter/Ace back. The only thing Gene will swallow his pride for is more money and when this lineup is back at the bottom doing fan conventions for 300 people at a hotel ballroom Gene will ask Peter/Ace to come back.