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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Very well stated, Eddie….I think you hit every point on the head….as for their business model, this is rock and roll….why does it have to have a business model? Maybe they should do the Menudo business model and have each guy retire when they get to a certain age….bunch of crap….if they let anyone wear the makeup, let Ace and Peter wear it or one last night!
Am I the only one that thinks this whole drama is part of Gene’s master plan to cause buzz and publicity. Even Michael Strahan was talking about it! In the end, Gene and Paul are too smart to not seize this opportunity to cement the band as R&R icons and have one of the most memorable and talked about RRHOF induction ceremonies ever. If the four of them play together (and I really think they will), no one will remember the drama leading up to it. Do they need time to rehearse? Sure, but they don’t need a month. If all we get at the ceremony is a video montage, then I will be extremely disappointed and I’d be truly convinced that the only thing bigger than Gene’s wallet is his ego.
I have seen that theory floated and it is not the case. Trust me, Ace and Peter have not been asked to play, and they would need to rehearse!
That’s part of his master plan. They know if Ace and Peter are in on it, it will be all over your show and other media outlets. I can see Gene calling A & P a week or so prior and crediting the outpouring of the fans and the entire premise of the band being all about the fans. He knows A & P will say yes and so Kiss looks like conquering heroes instead of an overdue band that had to wait 15 years. Maybe just wishful thinking on my part but I have a strong hunch about this one.
They need to rehearse and reconnect personally also. Can not be a last minute thing
Let’s look at this for what it REALLY is – this will be the LAST chance to get the original guys together. Or should I say, this will be the last official reason to get the original guys back. After the HOF induction, we will never see these guys again in the same room (provided they all show). I understand there’s lots of politics and reasons why KISS wants to protect their image, whatever. But they can’t even agree on ONE final performance with the original band for the fans? What are Gene and Paul really worried about, that another Kiss reunion will be inevitable? We know that won’t happen… if they can barely get one performance together, there will never be a tour. And sadly, KISS fans have proven they will stick with and lap up whatever drivel the band dishes out. KISS fans will support two guys wearing Ace’s and Peter’s makeup and spend money on all sorts of crap they put out.
They can’t even give one last performance… they can even bill it as that and leave it there, but no. KISS really doesn’t care about their fans, they care about themselves. You can’t honestly look at Paul and Gene and not see their massive egos at work, it’s quite obvious. KISS is long past their expiration date yet they keep pumping the band like we’re still back in the 70’s. KISS has sucked for MANY years and all their running on now is their legend and marketing, little else.
Ace and Peter have a right to go out and play KISS material just as much as Gene and Paul. Why not have Ace and Peter play together and give the fans more of a real rock and roll show without all the EGO and pomp that comes with the KISS brand. Instead of Ace and Peter feeling like they’re on the losing end, they should do their own thing and realize it’s Gene and Paul who are on the losing end. They’re losing (or have lost) the respect of many longtime fans.
Eddie please mention this on that metal show.when was the last good rocking kiss song?like a instant classic like back when ace and Peter were in the band I wont waste my money on any new kiss shit..you guys rock!
Gene and Paul are wrong ! It’s just one night ! If you are a true fan like myself , you know who the originals are and it’s not Tommy and Eric . Something tells me this isn’t over yet . Stay tuned . Eddie are you going to the rrhof ceremony regardless ?