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
I think it would be cool if bands who were influenced by Kiss and picked up instruments because of that, would play a show, it would be awesome. So many guitarists influenced by Ace! If Ace and Peter jumped in and jammed that would totally be worth it. Paul in Gene can stay home and watch it on TV, they won’t be missed, their egos will keep them company.
Shame Vinnie Vincent gets 0 credit. He helped propel Gene and Paul’s career into the 80’s He’s not to be forgotten.
Agreed
Vinnie Vincent jumped started them as a writer for creatures of the night and wrote most of lick it up which is one of the best albums they ever did. Than jump to revenge which was a well received album, llook who wrote some of that material, vinnie did, he is very talented and at least deserves a little respect from gene and paul and a mention out of their mouths.
I agree to, poor Vinnie is never mentioned. Because he didn’t play Gene and Paul’s game.
Eddie, the only thing I disagree with is that you feel that Ace and Peter playing at the HOF would damage the new model Gene and Paul are trying to instill. I think that the reunion is more for us old guys, like you and me. We want to see those four guys play together one last time, no tour,just one more time. I’m sure that the new generation of KISS fans will continue to see the current line up without expecting anything other than that.
Outside of that, you are the man for continuing to champion the cause of rock and metal. Can hardly wait for the reaction when DP gets in. Especially since Ritchie still lives on the Island and won’t go. He still does right? And also, have you heard any thing about him wanting to assemble a band to play the old songs one last time? I had heard he mentioned something like that to a European mag, I think I read it on the Highway Star site.
Who cares. Real travesty is that Bon Jovi is not in the HOF. And Sambora better be there.
This actually matters.
As someone who has always supported Gene and Paul, I will say I was initially mad at them over this, but reading your thoughtful insight Eddie, I can see both sides and agree this is the second best scenario we as KISS fans could hope for. I too have heard that Gene and Paul want KISS to carry on after they are gone, and see where another original four would probably be a mess to that business model. I hope all four show up and we get a chance to tip our hats to them for how they shaped our lives in the late 70s, and I wonder if there was this much uproar when Eddie and Alex Van Halen didn’t show up for their induction and my two favorite members Sammy and Mike did? Glad you respect all points of view and can give someone who likes Gene and Paul a place to discuss this subject without having to worry about getting flamed (Peter and Ace fans) or getting censored (Paul and Gene).