Been doing press all day for That Metal Show and almost everyone is bringing up the Kiss HOF stuff with me. It is no doubt the story of the week and since it broke on my show last Friday when Ace called in many are discussing it with me. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s take on all of this. It’s also been interesting reading everyone’s comments here on this site and the loads of email about it. I get and understand ALL sides of this. People who actually take the time to fully listen to and read what I say realize there is no agenda here but being a fan and giving MY opinion when asked. I respect yours even if it differs from mine. Just like I respect your decision to go see the current version of Kiss, even if I decided a while ago it’s not for me. There is SO much misinformation out there. Not only about what I say and feel (anything positive doesn’t make a good headline) but about the whole HOF process to begin with. In a nutshell I think this whole thing again comes down to Gene and Paul not wanting to go down reunion road with Ace and Peter at all, and not wanting to open a huge can of worms like the MTV Unplugged. Again, I was there, once Ace and Peter came out for two songs it was a reunion avalanche they could not go away from. When you spend 12 years telling people (believe it or not) it doesn’t matter who is behind the makeup, you can’t bring Ace and Peter out and get a huge reaction and remind everyone it does matter! Eventually Kiss wil be a franchise with no original members in those personas. That is where this is all heading. Going back to the original band hurts selling that concept and is bad for the current Kiss business model. I don’t believe it is any real hate against Ace and Peter, it is just a bad business decision and we all know Kiss knows business! I don’t agree with this decision, but get it from a marketing standpoint.
There has also been a familiar cry from Ace and Peter detractors that “they had their chance, they fucked it up”. True, they will be the first to tell you they are far from innocent in their conduct at times while a member of the band. But what exactly does that have to do with now? NOBODY wants a reunion tour again. I sure don’t! Nobody can go forever. But it seems the past keeps getting thrown out there as a reason for the HOF issue. Why? It has nothing to do with the fact that the original four guys are the ones being inducted and a song or two is all anyone is looking for one night only. Nobody is also mentioning that these guys have been clean and sober for many years now. People change with time. A couple songs would have only damaged one thing, the current Kiss marketing plans. And I GET THAT. If I was trying to sell what was coming and owned the business of Kiss like Gene and Paul do I can’t say I would feel different from a BUSINESS angle. But we were always told the fans were the boss with Kiss. And no denying the MAJORITY of the fans who fought so long and hard to see this day are upset. But I still feel no performance in this instance (because the HOF decided only the original four are going in) is better than a current band performance which you can see any time you want pretty much.
I am curious if they all show up. To me it’s clear if you read the recent interview that Paul is annoyed with the whole process (rightfully so), the fact they were snubbed for 15 years, and the fact the HOF is ignoring other members for induction (again, the case can be made rightfully so). But most artists who complain about it still end up showing up. Axl Rose didn’t. he knew it was all a play for a reunion if even for a photo op and stayed away. I honestly don’t think the HOF cares that much if Kiss plays. Getting them in the same room together is a victory enough for them. Now we wait and see what happens next. Do all four guys show? What does the HOF put on since there is no performance from the band? Is there so much fan pressure that a last minute performance gets pulled together? One more thing; fans did not get Kiss in the HOF through voting. It’s a nice thought and the fans being so vocal about it helped sway voters, but the actual fan vote is minimal and can not alone get a band in. If it did bands like Kiss, Rush and Alice Cooper would not have been snubbed over a decade! If the HOF would have put Kiss in when they were first eligible in 1999 none of this would be happening, because the original band was still together then from the reunion! And we all know the fact that Kiss, like them or not, should have gone in first time eligible, NOT 15 years later! More soon no doubt.. Again, ALL opinions welcome here as always.
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I did enjoy when Ace played with Rob Zombie at the Rock Honers years ago then Kiss played after. I wonder if something like that could be possable? Any thoughts on that Eddie? And i love your work too Eddie.
That was a very similar situation to this where G&P did not allow A&P to play with them. Peter did not show, Ace played with the tribute. That won’t happen at this event. Too many other bands and performances going on
Yeah,i hear ya. Its gonna be a Tribute Celeb band type of year for the HoF. Linda cant sing, Kurt is gone,some are saying Cat or whatever his name is now,wont be able to get in the country even if he wanted to play. And of course KISS? Geez Ed i dont know if i can take a whole show with nothing but Springsteen singing everything. AGAIN!
Eddie, I agree with you on this whole thing. I often check out stuff that are KISS related posts, and I to see all sorts of comments that post about Ace & Peter, about Gene & Paul, and about Eric & Tommy. Now get me wrong I too would love to see the originals perform at the HOF, but if it’s not meant to be, then it’s not meant to be. I have followed them for decades, and loved every lineup that they went through, and the one that they have today. What is your thoughts about the 6 members, do you feel that they should been inducted as well or no? And would you be honored to have Tommy or Eric or both on your show TMS??
Paul can’t sing anymore and he doesn’t want everyone to see that. Kiss is only the original 4. All the others were employees of Paul and Gene. Not like other bands that had replacement members like AC/DC, Van Halen, Metalica, Fleetwood Mac where the new members joined the band as an equal.
Even if the 4 original members showed up, accepted their award and left would be fine by me.
Think that is what will happen
The bottom line for me is: this is on two parties-the HOF first and Gene and Paul second. First, the HOF waited forever-maybe thinking the buzz to get them in would fall away-and now it’s stronger than ever. So shame on them.
But Gene and Paul deserve alot of culpability as well. Bottom line with those two is this-if they don’t put two imposters in Ace and Peter’s makeup NONE of this is an issue. Because ultimately that is the awkward aspect of this, yes? If Tommy and Eric have different makeup personas we could have had them all up there together-and THAT would have been something to see. But it’s too late to un-ring that bell, so here we are. Another example of just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you should. Tommy as Ace and Eric as Peter is the perfect example of how that can backfire.