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.
294 Responses
I have been a Kiss fan since 1975 when I bought Dressed to Kill. The facts as I see them are, Ace can still play excellent guitar. Peter is a competent drummer. Paul croaks. Gene is too fat for spandex and the gargoyle boots. It is also a fact the veteran Kiss fans would love to see the boys in full makeup playing together one more time. No reunion expectations. No games. No posturing. The last time I saw Kiss live was during their last reunion tour. Even though I was in my forties, for those two hours I was eighteen again. I want that feeling one more time. The Kiss brand will still be there and money can still be made by Gene and Paul. It’s my understanding Gene and Paul will eventually replace themselves and send that version of Kiss out on the road. My message to Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter would be, put everything aside for a few hours. Perform together as a tribute to yourselves and more importantly to the fans.
It’s cool that Ace and Peter are sober today. Paul and Gene have been down this road before with these two. Why should this time be any different?
I personally think the original four should be inducted in makeup. Who plays is insignificant. Life long fans know who is who. That should be all that matters.
There is a larger force here than Gene and Paul. It’s the RnR HOF. if they want the original members in, they will require the original members in. The original four will sell every seat in the house. The RNRHOF has as much to lose (credibility wise ) as Gene and Paul.
I was going to try to get tickets, but won’t anymore. Eddie, I know you were a part of Rock Honors, but Ace playing without the make up at that event isn’t as big of a deal compared to if it happens with him and Peter at the RRHOF. They were still trying to build the Eric/Tommy lineup in 2006.
agreed it’s not as big, but it speaks to how wrong these things can go..
Eddie…I have busted your chops on the whole KISS with Tommy and Eric in Peter’s and Ace’s makeup opinion just because I think you are wrong on some of your points around how Paul and Gene handle the “makeup” thing , but agree with you that originals are better at the HOF and that Gene/Paul spinning the makeup into “characters” instead of Ace/Peter is ridiculous. I have also said that I do like the band now, musically at least, but I wanted to know aside from never breaking up, what would you have done if you were Paul/Gene starting from around 1982-1983 and then thru today. I ask because I have only heard your thoughts on how you don’t like the makeup on Eric and Tommy. I’m not asking for a novel, but just quick points…here are mine…
1.keep the makeup on longer with Vinnie Vincent,don’t take it off for Lick it up.
2. Don’t act like the 80’s and 90’s didn’t matter without makeup after Reunion in 1996..BRuce and Eric Carr had as much to do with keeping Kiss alive as Gene/Paul
3. Once things went sour with Ace and Peter again, stop makeup and tour as Kiss…I’ve reminded you before that Ace/Peter have both performed (Peter did Symphony with Tommy in Kiss makeup) with Tommy or Eric in Ace/Peter makeup! That’s why Peter gets me so angry…he is very pompous like a gun was to his head about everything from playing disco to impersonaters in his makeup…
Hope to hear your thoughts…
I have no problem with anything Kiss has ever done with any lineup except for NOT giving Tommy & Eric their own personas. Simple as that. The truth about the 80’s and early 90’s is that Kiss were nowhere near as big as legend leads you to believe. Early 80’s a disaster. ’84 on they got back into big venues but many with soft sales or multi act openers. I know, I helped push many of those shows on my radio programs. ’96 reunion doesn’t happen if the band was anywhere near as close to the success from the original makeup days in the 80’s.
Points well taken, thanks…I also agree that the 80’s weren’t great for Kiss and taking the makeup off was just about the only reason anyone cared…two albums in and the wheels came off. I love Bruce but they were a totally different band with and without the originals…they got harder yet a little cheesy…Carnival of Souls was a return to the hardness of Creatures and then the Reunion…hope for HOF IS NO MAKEUP…
Peter thought Ace was doing those shows beforehand.
KISS is Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Other Musician that has performed with Gene and Paul are just hired Musicians. The four original members are the only people that should perform at the HOF Induction Ceremony. This is my opinion and how I feel…..