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
Screw KISS! it hasnt been about the music for YEARS! If they dont care why should we? Kiss fans keep holding on and showing their love and Kiss (Gene and Paul) continue to brush it off in an attempt to “fool” us into believing it doesn’t matter whos in the band, and who wears the makeup. Well guys, thats BS! It does matter and you cant fool us otherwise. How about for once, you do whats right, and do it right! You cant avoid it or run from it Paul and Gene, we want Ace and Peter! Then we want all my the rest as well! We want it all and you should give it all! And you know thats right! Your lucky to even get any support at all these days after all the garbage and band line ups in make up and lies. Just shut up and play for the fans! And if you think original members dont matter, just ask Mötley, or Poison, or The Beatles, or Led Zeppelin. Dont wait till death do us part to get what we want and realize how important it is. Do it for History, do it for KISStory!
I realy want to see ace.peter play at rock honors.!!!!
Hey ed,
First time commenting on one of your posts, been listening and following your site for 10 years. This whole situation has got me riled up now with Paul’s latest comments. I’ve been a kiss fan since 1996 (when i was 6 years old) so like the generation before me, I was introduced to the Kiss world through the original lineup. Ace was my favorite member (i have his doll, his 78 album, anomoly, etc). When he left in 2002 I was pretty dissappointed. The first concert I attended was in 2003 during World domination tour with Aerosmith so I got to see 3 of the 4 originals. When peter left (or was let go) I listened to the 2 hour interview you did with him and I knew right away something was fishy with Gene and Paul. It was clearly obvious (and they eventually came out and said it) that they wanted to run the kiss machine with different members and shy away from releasing new music. They put their focus on pushing the image and the product and rather than space ace and pete it was now “spaceman” and “catman”. I never really agreed with it (like you) but once they released new music (sonic boom) I kind of returned to life as a kiss fan. I have the upmost respect for Tommy and Eric, they are both extremely talented. But again, they did not create those characters. I know Ace and Peter sold their rights or whatever legal term one wants to use when dealing with that issue, but I still feel it is an injustice to Ace and Peter as well as tommy and eric to not create new characters/personas. So that’s a summary of how I feel on that issue. When Kiss FINALLY made it to the hall I immediatly was filled with excitement because I knew right away it would be THE ORIGINAL 4 MEMBERS being inducted. I’ve accepted the fact that Gene and Paul will never tour with Ace and Peter again. I’ve accepted the fact that Tommy and Eric are going to continue wearing the iconic makeup (who wouldn’t do that if given the opportunity). What I cannot and will not accept is a rock hall celebration honoring the 4 ORIGINAL MEMBERS with only half of the originals performing. I want to believe that Paul is decieving us and there may be a big surprise in the works for that night. But after listening to your opinions on the radio, your chat on the three sides of the coin podcast, and your conversations with Ace and Peter, it is clearly obvious that Paul stanley really is the captain of the Kiss ship. And Paul has some serious personal issues. Gene simmons is asked if he’d perform with Ace and peter and right away he says “no problem, of course”. Now paul sends out tweets saying “no way”. Gene has a conversation with you a few months back and says “things are fine between us Ed, you have your opinion and I have mine” then blocks you on twitter because diva starchild has a problem with Eddie trunk having an opinion. There’s a pattern here. They boast about how great america is and how they have lived the american dream, yet when you don’t agree with their vision, they (well Paul) shun you. The hall of fame ceremony isn’t for a few months so I guess we will see what road they decide to go down. Hopefully as Ace stated, everything is done right and with the best intentions. I just hope the captain of the Kiss vessel doesn’t drive it into an iceberg just to satisfy his ego, because this ship may finally sink.
A bigger joke Nirvana and not Deep Purple .wtf .
I totally agree
I’ve been a fan of Kiss since 75 and my first concert was Kiss at the Garden Feb 18 1977, the first time they played the Garden!! Seen Love Gun tour and Dynasty tour then I was done until the reunion tour. Then seen the original guys three times. I was talking about this with Jim at Dingbatz the other day, if they don’t let Peter and Ace play why even bother with the whole thing?!! The reason that they are getting inducted is because of the original guys!!! Without the original four guys there would be NO KISS and doesn’t make sense to do the whole thing if Gene and Paul aren’t going to let them play!! The RRHOF is a joke anyhow the way bands don’t get in, meanwhile Public Enemy is in?!! That was the case they should have called it The Music Hall of fame….Hall of shame…