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.
280 Responses
What do you think Eddie? When all the smoke clears, do you think we’ll see a performance of the original four (with or without make-up).
I do not, but who knows?
Eddie,
You are in a unique postion where you will be the host of the upcoming Hell & Heaven Metal Fest introducing KISS. The news broke on your show about KISS not playing with Ace & Peter and one would like to think that KISS ( Gene & Paul ) have an opportunity to speak with you off camera or not as you will already have taped the Ace & Peter episode or will be doing so very soon.
Maybe not the role you want to be cast in but you are potentially the peace broker if Gene & Paul want to give you the time of day.
I will talk to Gene and Paul any time and my door has always been 100% open to them on all my shows for an honest and objective discussion on Kiss and music if they choose. As for the festival I doubt I will be introducing Kiss, but if they and the promoter want to me I will. I am there working for the promoter so take my direction from him for the event and will go where I am welcome.
I got into the band in 91-92 during the Revenge era. That will always be my personal favorite line up of the band. Bruce, Eric, Gene, & Paul. From there it was all about discovering the back catalog. For me, I was hoping for a few songs from the original line up. There are always 3 sides to every story, and my fingers are crossed that something comes together and allows Ace, Peter, Gene, & Paul one last time on stage together. I saw the original line up together during the farewell tour and honestly they all seemed tired. Ace was kind of sloppy, & Peters tempo was very slow. Now, even Paul is having trouble singing his songs. That’s what happens after 40 years. I think having Eric back and Tommy on guitar is great for the band. They really do play awesome an catch a lot of crap from people. Let me ask this tho. If Gene and Paul asked you to join KISS and sign what was probably a million dollar contract but you have to wear Peter and Ace’s makeup who would really say no to that? I mean honestly who would say no? I don’t think it’s right, and in my opinion it would have been a lot cooler and justifiable if they came up with their own identities but again, it’s not their choice. People need to get off their nuts. I do think the night of the induction should be the original 4 and if anything maybe the originals in make up, Bruce, Tommy and Eric unmasked. I’m only leaving Vinnie out because I think we have a better chance at another reunion tour lol.
Eddie,
I believe this whole fiasco is just another classic example of the HOF showing its disrespect to the genre they supposedly honor. They set Gene and Paul up for failure by only inducting the original members of the band, and I think they did it on purpose. Gene and Paul don’t want to disappoint the fans by refusing to accept induction, and they don’t want to disrespect Eric and Tommy by playing with Ace and Peter, because the HOF’s decision was a direct snub to the current members, as well as Eric Carr, Bruce Kulick, Mark St. John, and Vinnie Vincent. There is no decision that Kiss can make that’s favorable, so they have to pick the least of all evils. I used to think that induction to the HOF would be the ultimate honor, but the Hall has consistently proven that it knows nothing about music or musical talent, and continues to disrespect the bands that gave it its name. Such a sad joke.
Would I want a Reunion Tour? Yes and No. In a Dream State of Mind that would be Cool but in Reality No! I would just like to see the original Band playing at the Induction 3 songs then bring other members out for RnR all Nite. Not the other way around as one of the facebook pages is putting out there and blaming Ace and Peter for declining. To me KISS is Done already. It’s Gene and Paul’s right to go out there and tour with other members but It’s just not for me and I’m ok with anyone else liking that. I just thought it would be proper to get the originals all together for just one night and celebrate what they had created and then it’s all done!