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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All wait for Kiss into the Rock Hall of Fame and we get this. A war between the wet blankets and the party animals. Two different set of people with different backgrounds They made great music but being together just didn’t work. I was fine when they took off the makeup and added new people Creatures was great as well as the other 80 albums
The classy thing to do would be to do several songs, start with the original line up (I mean for crying out fucking loud, they are ALL ALIVE, not many bands can say that) and then add EVERY new member (yes, two drum sets and many, many guitar players) until every single fucking member who has ever been in KISS is on stage celebrating one of the greatest bands in history. It’s not about reunion, it’s about HISTORY!!!! Imagine the crowds reaction to seeing the original band, then progressing through the years to the current line up. Politics? Fuck politics. It’s about KISS, and whether Gene or Paul get the fact that the people have stuck with them through ALL of the changes or not, the fact is, people HAVE! and they love the ‘franchise’ but fuck me sideways if gene and paul can’t look beyond their narrow-ass mind and realize that the whole reason they are who they are is because of every single member who has been in KISS and kept it all alive.
I concur.
Damn good points!
Well said and exactly right
Great and solid recommendation Ed. Travesty is the HOF limiting the induction to the original lineup. That is more than unfair based on Eric Carr and Bruce Kullick having contributed a lot. Even Vinnie Vincent recorded and toured with the band. That should essentially be the requirement for inclusion. I don’t get the concept of putting Eric and Tommy in Peter and Ace’s makeup at all. The band stopped being a gimmick band when they took the makeup off. Why they are faking it now stinks a bit but Ace and Peter signed off at some point on it. They cry sour grapes but that’s their defense and it is weak. To your point, these guys are all alive. Paul loses me a bit when he goes into his, “this is for the fans” speech. If he means it, then let bygones be bygones and give the KISS Army what they truly want — even one song would be a tribute to those of us who bought the LPs, the comic book, and drank the Kool Aid too. The KISS brand is clearly for sale on most everything now. But the fans can’t be bought. As Eddie says, we’re not looking for a fully blown tour. But for one night remember the friendship that once started a band that inspired an army. Say it one more time and mean it — you wanted the best… you got the best — one last time.
Well Ed, they are not all alive as Eric Carr and Mark St. John have died. They, especiall Eric Carr, should get an acknowledement – I think. I also think that 3 songs, 10 minutes worth of tunes – should not be a big deal. I am totally surprised. I am going to the arena that day, and it won’t be what I want to see.
Right on Eddie! That would be a great solution!
This sounds like the best idea I have heard…. But I highly doubt it will ever happen…
Best thing about this is that it’s showing the whole world how half-ass the KISS brand has become and how clueless the R&R HoF is. KISS is being forced into a hole like never before and I think they will have to resort to drastic measures to save face before its too late.
I think what will end up actually happening now, with KISS always being so theatrical, is they will (4 original members) reluctantly walk up to the podium to accept the award and as they are stepping away making everyone think they are going back to their seats, the curtain behind them will open to reveal a stage set-up to look like 1974 and they will run back to grab their instruments and let loose into, “I Wanna Rock & Roll All Night and Party Every Day!”
Wow. Mike! Mike! Wake up!! Gotta love that colorado weed bro.
At Least this make a good take it or leave it topic
The biggest complaint Eddie has (which I agree with) is that the HOF voters are elitist industry types who don’t give much attention to hard rock/heavy metal acts; these morons will vote in rap acts before legitimate pioneering rock/metal bands. Given Kiss’s response (and the response of other bands who don’t get along and/or don’t bother to show up), I hope this doesn’t give the HOF voters more ammunition to continue to ignore other acts like Priest, Maiden, Thin Lizzy, etc.
I agree with most of your points Eddie, but, the one glaring thing I think is being overlooked is the fact that because of their longevity, there is actually a generation that has grown up with KISS minus Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. These fans too purchased cd’s, tickets, t-shirts, and all the other goods. How is it fair that a fan of the current lineup doesn’t get to see their KISS? I know the HOF has said it is the original four, but, that seems to be a bit of a contradiction for some of the other enshrines that were forced to use “replacement” members over original members doesn’t it?
The whole HOF is a joke regardless, and they will never be able to garner any respectability with true rock fans for the decisions they have previously made. For the record, I am a Peter Criss/Ace Frehley KISS fan, just playing devils advocate here.