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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KISS was formed by PAUL, GENE, PETER, and ACE. They always claimed that everything they do is for “the fans”. Well, the fans are the ones who supported KISS, some fans kept KISS alive, and this act of selfishness on the part of GENE and PAUL is un-believable. To continually praise their fans for almost 40 years, and thank them for the support “we” gave them, (not to mentioned, filled their bank accounts), and turn around and slap them in the face in un-forgivable!!!!!!! GENE and PAUL need to put their pride aside, and play a few songs and THANK the HOF for giving them this honor and respect the wishes of the HOF to have all four “originals” play. If this isn’t good enough, then KISS needs to decline the award that’s been offered to them! It’s time that PAUL and GENE prove that KISS does stuff for the “fans”.
As for me, I see the BAND known as KISS being inducted. This means Gene, Paul, Ace, Peter, Tommy, Vinnie, Eric, and all the members over the years. Have all the members that wish to be there to be inducted, The Foo Fighters or someone similar to play a couple of tunes and we all go home happy!
But that is NOT who is being inducted! Kiss is used to running the show but they do not run this. The HOF told me the only people on stage at the podium for induction are the original four. You can’t just make it up as you go..
Eddie,
When I first heard about the HOF, I thought this is a great opportunity to have the guys together. Just a song, maybe two. I didn’t expect an entire concert nor did I want a reunion tour. Things aren’t going to go back to the 70’s when it was MAGICAL. Then I read all the different interviews. Gene saying it would happen, then it wouldn’t. The name calling was in terrible taste, although some of it he denies. And then Paul saying NO WAY.
I guess it just breaks my heart to know that it isn’t the FANS that KI$$ listens too. Maybe KISS did… But they are long gone and we have this other band in their place. The ones who are out for the buck and to just keep cashing in on the fans.
I was born in Brooklyn, but grew up in NJ and Pa. I thought it would have been great to go and see this SPECIAL EVENT! Even if ALL the members of KISS aren’t happy about it, the fans got them there and we wanted it, ya know? I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed in a band.
Can you do me a favor? When you talk to Ace again ask him to do all us fans a favor…
Tell him we would love for him to schedule his new tour in line with KI$$’s 40th Anniversary tour. I know MANY that would GLADLY love to be part of making his tour a COMPLETE SELL OUT!!!
Thanks,
CJ
I have seen 3 different version of kiss in concert. All three were incredible. With all due respect to Peter and Ace, KISS is Gene Paul Tommy and Eric. Tommy and Eric has been around just as long and needs recognized.
Wow, please tell me you are like 19? If Kiss is the current four then why do two of them dress and act like Ace and Peter….?
Eddie… this is and has always been a bullshit argument of yours. Eric Singer dresses like “The Catman” he does not dress like Peter Criss and Tommy dresses like “A Spaceman” he does NOT dress like Ace Frehley. Unless Peter and Ace have that make-up tattooed on their faces Eric and Tommy are NOT portraying Criss and Frehley. They are portraying characters that Criss and Frehley have also portrayed at one time or another just like their have been 4 actors playing Batman since Adam West. As far as musical ability goes… Singer and Thayer can out play Peter and Ace anyway of the week. Peter didn’t even play on all the KISS albums and I’m not even sure he is worthy of the HOF. As solo artists those 2 guys are zeroes. If they weren’t then they would put a band together and tour together. Are Gene and Paul dicks… YES but Eric and Tommy are not great guys and great players.
Well Pat, you are falling right in line with the Kiss mandate of the day! When did I ever say Tommy and Eric aren’t good people or players? But PLEASE don’t give me the utter BS that all of a sudden it’s Catman and Spaceman! NOTHING makes me sicker than that!! Ace and Peter DEVELOPED those characters! They were extensions of them!! Did one album ever credit the performers as their personas? On the live albums did Paul intro Shock Me by saying “let’s turn the mic over the Spaceman”. Give me a break! Was Dime buried with Ace on his chest, his greatest influence, or Spaceman? This revisionist history to suit what is happening now is sickening to hear. As for what any of them do now what exactly does that have to do with anything? You think at 68 Peter wants to tour??
Dime being buried with a “Spaceman” tattoo is just a bad mistake on Dime’s part. It’s just like having a giant Mickey Mouse tattoo… bad idea. It is a character not the man. How did they “develop” these characters because Tommy definitely doesn’t portray his “Spaceman” as a drunken idiot and Eric doesn’t portray his “Catman” as an inadequate time keeper. They might have created the “make-up” but then they sold the rights to it so they have no claim on it… that was a poor decision on Peter and Ace’s part. I have NOT displayed any revisionist history in any of my posts.
Man this is so offensive on so many levels I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Scary… these “characters” that Ace and Peter CREATED are so meaningless and insignificant that Kiss feels it is important to have new people impersonate them in every way right down to the style of playing instead of be their own people. But it all meant nothing, just a makeup design, that’s it. I truly hope you are a young person because if you had any clue about the impact and history of Kiss and what these people really meant to SO many in the 70’s before it was sold as just “characters” you would realize how offensive what you are saying is. Hope AC/DC one day puts a new guy in the Angus schoolboy outfit. I mean that’s just a character too by your logic, not Angus? Wow..
Style of playing??? Eric Singer does not play live the way Peter Criss did in the 70’s because let’s be “honest” Peter Criss has never been a good drummer. Adequate at best! How can you even comment on their style of playing when you yourself have admitted that you won’t go see this incarnation LIVE. You are now talking out of your ass. AC/DC would never put someone in Angus’ schoolboy outfit because… Angus Young is a REAL person NOT a made up character like “Catman” and “Spaceman.” I own every KISS album and have seen them countless times live so I do know the impact and significance the band has on people just as much as you do.
Trunk, there are two different perspectives on this. And you really need to respect the other side here. Go back and look up any old interview of Ace or Peter back from the 70s. (16 Magazine, Circus, Hit Parader, etc..) When they were asked, “Who are you supposed to be?” They would reply, “Catman and Spaceman or Space Ace.” They did NOT reply, “I’m portraying Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.” Yes, they came up with the characters, but THEY ARE CHARACTERS! I get that you’re old school and you started liking Kiss in the 70s, as did I. But what you’re saying is equivalent to saying, “Anyone that played James Bond after the first movie, is not James Bond. They should change the name to something like, Fred Bind, or Tom Boond, and he shouldn’t be considered OO7. Perhaps OO8, OO9” You really need to get over this. Now, I do agree with you that Paul and Gene should play with Ace and Peter one last time at the RRHOF. After that I think they should put Kiss to rest. Everyone’s getting a bit “long in the tooth.”
Get over this? No thanks. When a band crosses a line impersonating other members that’s when I’m out. You enjoy it all you want. I don’t need to do anything as a fan. I mean the comparisons you arr making are just nuts to me, but believe what you want. Gene and Paul LOVE fans like you and will soon be selling you a Kiss without them. Get ready for “Starchild” and “Demon” coming soon.. Hope you love that too
Um Pat, have you see their costumes as of late? The Catman and Spaceman were developed by Peter and Ace. Even their current costumes are complete mock ups of Ace and Peter’s.
Eric Singer even wears Peter’s hair!!!
That’s because they are portraying the characters of the Catman and the Spaceman, and how they originally looked. It’s not rocket science….try to keep up, Skippy.
Catman? Spaceman? I had KISS Alive , and in the booklet there was a picture of each member with their name signed below it. Not “Catman”, “Spaceman”, Demon”, or “Starchild”. Aside from Kiss Meets the Phantom in The Park, when have we heard them being referred to like that? Maybe the Unmasked cartoon on the album cover? I never hear Paul say “Spaceman (pronounced Thpayth Man), lead guitar, Shock Me, Whoooooo!” And by the way, the very few occasions where I ever saw the character names, it was Space ACE, not Space Man.
Hahahaha, rock on Eddie!
I can not stand the HOF anyway. It’s sort of a joke. If they’re going to induct KISS, then KISS should have to show up. Do you think the band would be as popular today as they are if Peter and Ace were NEVER members. What is KISS without them? The guys now are very good musicians, but I think there’s something to say for the Magic of Rock-n-Roll. It doesn’t strike very often and it struck KISS in the 70s and 80s. It not magic anymore, it’s show; now don’t get me wrong it’s good show, but I see no Party Anthem coming from them anytime soon. Make no mistake Peter and Ace WERE part of the magic, and we should honor them appropriately. Start the Eddie Trunk Hall of Rock and we’ll vote the crap out of that thing!