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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Any word on what ticket sales look like at this point? I definitely don’t think it will sell out.
I think much depends on Springsteen showing and who sings with Nirvana at this point
Right on… That’s the brilliance of $tanley and $immon$… Pricks!
I recently watched a “where are they now” show about the Village People, (yes, I’m ashamed, but I was curious). When they did a spotlight on each member, they showed them in full costume and displayed their character’s name with the year they joined. Some joined in the 70’s, but others had joined as recently has 2012. All I could think was, this is what KISS has become; A brand where the members are interchangeable and it’s all about the makeup and the costumes. It’s sad for those of use who have been defending the band for decades as more than just the characters they created.
Hey Joe, hilarious but not far from the truth. I thought I was the only metal head who saw that Village People thing! I couldnt look away!
I’ve been a Kiss fan for the past 30 plus years if my life. For Christmas as kid, I asked for Kiss records instead of stretch Armstrong or a big wheel, and that’s what I received. I understand there have been problems amongst the original four members for years now. I get it, Ace and Peter made mistakes, everyone does, we are only human. I’ve tried to understand and look at the situation from both sides. And when I did, this is what I came up with. 2/3 of the set list that “Kiss” still uses are songs that the original 4, wrote and perfected. Without Ace and Peter we may not have R&R all night, or cold gin, or Detroit rock city, and I could go on and on. My point is, biggest majority of their show today is of songs written, played and mastered by the original 4. For the FANS, all four of them need to suck it up, smile all together for the cameras and say thank you!!
Only two of them need to suck it up.
Ace and Peter were more than willing until Paul switched gears.
I have always been a KISS fan.
I am fine w/ Gene’s & Paul’s (mostly Paul, since I think HE actually runs the KISS machine) decision of not performing. Let some other band , probably the Foo Fighters (altho I am really tired of Dave Grohl, that guy pops up everywhere) play a 3-4 song tribute. I actually think the FF would do a decent job.
But, when KISS is brought up to speak about being inducted, the 4 originals should give a shout out to ALL the past members. Invite any who are there to come up onstage and join them. Maybe even forwarn those past members, so they know to attend. Give props to the past members who are no longer with us. Acknowledge the entire KISSTORY, HOF be damned. What are they gonna do, kick them off the stage, rescind the induction. It would actually be better if the HOF did do something like that. It would give KISS a certain amount of respect that they surely have been lacking.
KISS getting into the RRHOF is because of all it’s past & present members no matter what anyone says.
Him,I just don’t understand why the book nothing to loose about the original 4,,the clothing line in forever 21 using the original 4,images,,also endless
lines of merchandise using the original 4,s images,,I brought ticket to the rrhof,, I don’t understand why they can’t mix,play with the other musicians?,,why Ace can’t do New York grove? Or the best ,,, Peter singing Beth,,it would bother me to see them sitting when we all know they can rule the show,,anyway I’m a huge fan and will be there,,kiss getting inducted is like the fans Super Bowl