As I have said consistently since the announcement that Kiss will be going into the HOF, now is when much of the discussion and negotiation on what goes down starts to happen. You have what Ace and Peter want, what Gene & Paul want, and what the HOF itself wants to happen, and somewhere it all needs to be worked out. With the holidays behind us expect info to come out as we get closer to the date and the various parties talk. There is already some very differing information coming out now as a matter of fact. If you listen to my interview with Ace (now on my home page for all to hear), it is clear he would like the original band to be featured since they are the members actually being inducted. Speaking of that, there has been much debate since the announcement on even this topic. The HOF makes that call and they decided the founding members only. That’s what I was told by several people who actually have votes. That could also be an issue on how this goes down and something being discussed internally. My view on it personally is if it isn’t just the original band, then it should be ALL the people that have been a part of it. But everyone has consistently told me, including voters, it is only the original four actually being inducted. That does not mean however that others from the bands history won’t be there and won’t even potentially be involved as was the case with Heart and others. Ace also stated in the interview with me the HOF wanted the band in makeup which he was open to. Both Peter and Ace said they spoke with Gene and Paul and vibes were good before the holidays. Ace expressed concern in my interview about how the current band would be represented vs him and Peter who are actually being honored. Ace’s concern is also likely fueled by a VH1 Rock Honors event in 2006 where he was in the strange position of not being allowed to play with Kiss, while Tommy did dressed as him. Ace played with the tribute band that night to Kiss.
Last night Paul Stanley’s twitter account showed a glimpse into the very different views about what will and won’t go down and the issues that still need to be worked through. You can check the feed for yourself @paulstanleylive When asked last night if the original band would play together at the HOF his response is “seems unlikely”. When asked if he thinks working with Ace & Peter would be better now that both are sober he responded “No”. When asked if he would wear makeup with Ace & Peter he responded “No way”.
This is clearly a shift in what fans thought and were hoping for and what Ace and Peter mentioned. It also points to the various egos, posturing and control issues that could turn something the fans have wanted for 15 years into a train wreck! Paul’s answers do not surprise me at all. For Gene and Paul this puts them in a tough spot having to reconnect with members they’d prefer not to deal with no doubt, and who they have spent the last 10 years trying to recreate in the current band. Quite frankly coming out with the original band once again in makeup opens up a huge can of worms with fans that they have been trying to keep a lid on for a decade. It does not work with what they are currently trying to sell so well. And make no mistake, like it or not, they know seeing the original four in makeup again would be HUGE for fans and put a dent in what they have been selling to fans; that it doesn’t matter so much who’s behind the makeup. So you can already see how some of this is playing out. Gene & Paul on one side trying to protect the current Kiss and not go down reunion road again, and Ace & Peter wanting to be sure their night being inducted pays tribute to them, and not other versions of the band not being inducted. Nobody wearing makeup would take away some of the confusion as to who is who, but as per Ace the HOF really wanted the band in costume.
I understand Gene & Paul wanting to protect their current business model. Trust me, they know and have seen first hand the avalanche a reunion, even for a few hours, with Ace & Peter will cause (MTV Unplugged). It would be nice to think for one night the fans could celebrate the original bands induction with all of them working together for a few hours. Then bring up everyone from KISStory at the end for a jam or something. But I suspect this has many twists and turns still to come and Paul’s tweets last night give just a little peak into how this could unfortunately get very messy. If you are planning on buying tickets to this to see a Kiss reunion even for a couple songs as many have told me, I would seriously hold off. Looks like much still to be decided and as per Paul’s verified Twitter account it doesn’t sound promising at the moment. Listen to the interview with Ace I did a couple weeks ago, then read Paul’s tweets last night. This isn’t me stirring the pot or with any inside information. Just doesn’t take a genius to see there are some very different opinions as to how this should go down already. We shall see…I’m sure much more as we go.
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Just some casual observances from recent times: First, Paul Stanley should try to be a little bit more magnanimous because if you’ve actually seen or listened to recent live concerts his voice doesn’t have much left in the tank. I mean it’s sad and painful to listen to at times. Second, for all their hype and marketing, their concert attendance has been good but not great. The ‘hottest’ band in the world’ averages over 5,000 in attendance and placed 79th in concert draw? Not impressed. Third, their concerts seem listless to me- in my OPINION, they’re just seemingly going through the motions. I can view footage from the reunion, Psycho Circus and “Farewell” tours and there’s still such a magical mojo at work. There have been moments of that even with Thayer and Singer but now it just seems so predictable and boring to me. Again, in my opinion. Fourth, despite the vitriol of some of the Peter Criss haters, his recent reunion with Ace Frehley at Eddie’s birthday bash was nothing short of impressive. He can STILL sing at 68 and to come out in front of an audience after 13 years of exile and sing that well, good for him! Fifth, Ace Frehley has never been known as a fabulous singer. I believe even he acknowledges his hesitation at singing, but the man sure can still play a guitar and I his voice is perfectly appropriate and suited for the songs he does sing- like Shock Me or New York Groove. I mean honestly, can you really replace that amazing NY accent singing a song about New York with a guy from the Pacific Coast. It’s just not the same. Finally, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer are wonderfully talented musicians and I have nothing against them being in the band per se. I believe they are good at what they do. It’s just to me, the same vibe, the same magic and dynamic is just flat and missing. It just feels like they’re (Paul and Gene) walking in their sleep sometimes. If they really want to shake it up, renew some fresh interest, and make the fans swoon they will do the right thing and play as original KISS at least for the HOF induction. The problem is they all four, despite their individual grievances and sometime pettiness, actually do seem to care about each other in a bizarre, rock and roll kind- they just often seem to have a difficult time doing the right thing. At least half of them.
Z z z z … Oh I’m sorry, your post put me to sleep.
Gene has stated each members differences were also there strength. In the book Nothin to Lose by ken sharp Paul relates a story that he was getting pissed at Ace. He goes back to his hotel room balcony and hears some amazing guitar playing coming from another balcony and it was Ace. Gene and Paul have always said it’s the fan’s band. I know it’s a business but I think they will figure it out and yes Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick should also be honored, as well as everyone who has been in Kiss.