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
the current model- who cares, Thought Gene and Paul was retiring and the band would go on as KISS II so how does that affect the current model? As I always say KISS is not kiss without the 4 originals and if they don’t go in the HOF that way it’s not KISS. As I recall the ‘fans’ want to hear the old songs not the ‘new’ stuff that don’t sound good at all. I find I funny that Gene and Paul got mad at Ace and Peter for drugs but no one ever says crap about the 2 and their ‘sins’ I am glad that they finally got over their addictions. Fame and egos.. need I say more.
Gene and Paul have always been egotistic, controlling jerks and it only has gotten worse over the years. Maybe we just see it more now because of the internet instead of 3 month old interview’s in Circus magazine like back in the 70’s and 80’s lol
Put aside the addiction issues for a minute . A band consists of at least 4 members . Gene and Paul started Kiss and think they get to run every aspect of the band . You cannot run a band like that without the other members finally getting fed up with it. I think Ace and Peter were equally popular in the 70’s and again from 96 -00 in the eye’s of the fans as Paul and Gene .
You cant pay two equally popular members less , not let them contribute on the first release w/ them in 17 years ( which is a shame as , personally, I think Ace can write and replicate makeup Kiss better than any of them ; Anomaly !! and 80’s releases) , and expect it to work PERIOD
So . No matter what Gene and Paul say in interviews ( NO MATTER WHAT ) its all about the Gene and Paul show and not about being a band.
And they just dont, and have never , gotten that !
Now they have what they have is two ” yes sir puppets ” and will never give that up . And they will copy the 70’s era as thats where the most money can be made.
Sad as a fan for 37 years . Well 25 years as I was done in 2000 ….
Addiction is a HUGE issue to put aside.
Brian
I’m not saying they should have let Ace and Peter run the band . That wouldn’t have worked.. Hell,they had managers doing everything. I’m saying when you’re in a band all four guys contribute unless your Trent Reznor from 9 ” Nails.
And when all four guys are equally popular you all get paid the same Period !
Eddie can account for this ; Gene went from filling half full arena’s in the 80’s and 90’s to sell outs everywhere when Ace and Peter came back . That warrants EQUAL PAY .
When you sit down with your band, you shouldn’t have to hand your songs over to Paul and Gene for approval like on PC release .
Paul even went so far as to hand Pete’s songs back and give him a song he wrote and said this will be your Beth .
How do you expect people to work together like that . Unless they are a hired muscian like Thayer and Singer . Thats when the magic and chemistry is gone
Oh stop. That does NOT warrant equal pay. Paul and Gene founded the band, and kept it going ergo they should make the most money. I saw Ace Frehley play a bar called Billy Goat’s Bar in Maryland back in 1993/1994. There were approximately 20 -30 people there… no joke. There was no stage – just a designated area in the bar. Ace went from that, to making 10-15 thousand a show during the Reunion Tour. That is more than adequate.
Eddie , who has better a better chance as a guess on TMS Vinnie Vincent or Phil Mogg. Thanks for all you do in the name of my beloved UFO!
Both hopefully!
Is it just me or is this whole thing overblown. IT’S JUST TWO SONGS ON ONE NIGHT!!! And chances are the RnRHOF will want Detroit Rock City and Rock N Roll All Night.
It’s not a whole tour or album. A 2 hour rehearsal and a 10 minute performance. That is what we’re debating. If these guys are still only friendly terms why is this going down the road of VH / GnR where we’ll get Paul Shaffer doing Beth or something horrible like that.
Real debate should be who gets to induct (and perform before) the band.
Maybe that’s why the Hall of Fame waiting so long to induct them, because they knew everbody would be a pain in the arse…