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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Back in ’74 I worked in this small music store that also had a pinball game section in the back, the first night the owner of the store played their first album the store went crazy, many of the people present would go onto follow KISS for years, tour after tour, year after year. I followed them until Bruce left the band and then lost track of them, until the unplugged show. I was so glad to see the originals back together I didn’t care what happened after that, life was complete, the originals had played together one more time. My friends who were present that fatefull night some who are now in their early 60’s late 50’s never thought that the Hall of Shame would ever let them in so they don’t care if they are in make-up or not, the only thing they care about is the originals getting in. I for one would like to see at least Bruce & Eric get in as well. Man those 80’s albums with those two smoked, made all the people who used to laugh at me for being a fan shut up and take notice. But being a realist I know it’s the 4 and no one else, I just hope that two 60+ guys can see that no one person in the history of the band is more important than anyone else. Lighten up Paul & Gene, you only (in most cases) get to the Hall for that dance just once, and no one wants to be like Van Halen sitting at home while the rest of the world goes WTF is wrong with those guys.
I for one would LOVE to see Vinnie RIP it up. But, at the same time, Ace IS THE reason I picked up a guitar and have had a BLAST of a life with it… Just think about it… Vinnie, Ace, Bruce… RIPPING it on,,,, say,,, Cold Gin,,,Black Diamond… GUITARGASM !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, Eddie. Your post didn’t in any way sound like you were stirring the pot. It came across as balanced to me, so thanks. I’m near convinced you could publish something like ‘Gene and Paul pet kittens and paint children’s faces for charity’ and there will still be 30+ comments about how it’s all G&P promoting the current group and how A&P were the real talent in the band (which is simply not true, though what they brought to the table was undeniably a part of the whole).
The only thing that bothers me a little is how quickly people lumped Gene with Paul on this latest news. The headline was about Paul’s tweets and suddenly it becomes this whole divisional camp debate yet again. Gene was absolutely fine having the original four perform – this seems to have been overlooked by the majority of comments. Now, he’s faced with a balancing act between his own feelings (which ALIGNS with the fans – another point missed by many) and keeping the peace with his long-time band mate.
Great point about this being Paul’s message, which is clearly very different than Gene’s in RS and elsewhere about his willingness to reunite. Bad news is that means 4 people now with 4 likely different views.. Much still to be worked out I suspect. Now with holidays over it will no doubt go high gear. And don’t forget the HOF still is running this as far as an event, and dealing with all the other politics of the other bands going in that night. Yes there are others, haha
I for one am thrilled about Nirvana. Dave Grohl is a true music fan, and one of the most versatile musicians in the biz. I imagine he’ll get in a 2nd time shortly for Foo Fighters too. Maybe he’ll talk some sense into Paul regarding the OG4, since they are apparently very chummy.
Actually . Correct me if i’m wrong Eddie.
It was not ok with Gene back in late summer or early fall when interviewed about playing with Ace & Peter at the ceremony BEFORE he knew they got in . This is documented in interview/interview’s
Since the official induction news Gene has said in several interviews that he was just fine playing with Peter and Ace at the ceremony.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gene-simmons-open-to-rock-hall-of-fame-kiss-reunion-with-ace-and-peter-20131217
Both Paul and Gene are Greedy Aholes. They couldn’t care less about the fans. Paul comments are proof. Gene just cares about money and Paul is just not a nice person, a HUGE PHONY. Sure ace and Peter had issues but the real kiss is the original 4, anything other was just a ripoff and disgrace. My god, kiss was my favorite band but paying good money since 96 and hearing 95% of the SAME SETLIST over and over again is BORING. Paul and Gene just care about selling thousand dollar meet n greets. I was done with kiss when they agreed to be an OPENING ACT for Aerosmith. Again, the meet n greets were the priority. In my opinion Kiss open up for NOBODY. PLUS, the opening song being Love Gun???? PLEASE. Ace and Peter are my favorites hands down
Funny story about meet and greets….
Everyone who knows my username on these kiss threads knows I am on the exact same page as Eddie about the makeup now . I’ve seen Kiss since 77 . I would never go see the Gene and Paul show with the makeup but……. in 04 on the ” rock the empty seats tour ” w/ posion , I went !!!!
My buddy was doing security and my best friend and fellow kiss fan from way back ( and supports the current version) was in town visiting me . My security buddy said he would get us in and seat us .
As we watched the concert from about 20 rows back these two good looking girls decided to go to the front and stand in the isle. So my buddy who’s working from the front row removes the girls from the floor as they didnt have floor tickets…. Gene see’s this as he’s playing and goes over to” his people ” and they come down and kick my security buddie ( who’s one of the head security guys ) out of his front section and off the floor completely !!
Now the pathetic thing is this . These girls had ” lawn seat tickets ” and the first 5 rows were $1000 meet and greets. rows 6- 10 ? were $500 meet and greets . And up to row 15 were $250.
So Gene didn’t care that the die hards, the one’s who’ve supported kiss forever, bought everything, and now paid 1000, 500, or 250 for these seats should be the only ones in that area .
He only cared about the pussy
I also found Pauls answers quite contradictory, Im guessing they will all (originals) plat together, no makeup, then a big jam finale with all past members