2/27: MORE KISS HOF DISCUSSION AND THOUGHTS

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

  1. It is ridiculous that the originals won’t play together. Kiss hasn’t been Kiss for so many years now that nobody would want them to reunite anyway. Play a couple of songs together and bury the hatchet. Gene and Paul can go back to playing Kiss, while Ace and Peter can do their own thing.

    1. I have been a fan since 77′ and was a member of the KA. Only saw them twice in 2000 on the “farewell tour”. Great shows, and a dream come true. Like most here I have been annoyed that garbage like Blondie and Madonna get in the HOF but not this great band. That being said this is the biggest “fuck you” to their fans that Gene and Paul can perpetrate. The two of them always talk about the fans, this, the fans that but when push came to shove they shoved it up our asses. Between “Kiss Coffins” high ticket prices and all of Gene’s marketing crap this version of Kiss is little more than a Vegas review just like the “Mick Jagger” review Stones on tour. Classless and clueless after 15 years of fighting to get them in they pull this. No reason to watch or celebrate what should have been the greatest night in Kisstory. Hopefully they rethink it in the next few weeks.

  2. The classy thing to do was simple. Show up and play sans make up or costumes. Just street clothes or a suit and tie. Play a tune with ace and peter and then bring kulick up and do a tune. Finally bring Thayer and singer up and do one last song. Who cares if those three guys are inducted or not? It’s the hall of games that is keeping them out. Gene and paul could easily have declined if they’re really that put out by how the hof is handling this. Besides in a famous contest those guys aren’t going to be recognized anyway. It’s wrong of the hof to handle the induction this way but it’s all they’re willing to give kiss. However! Im sure a generous donation could change all of it?

  3. I don’t think I’ll mind if KISS ( that is, Gene,Paul,Pete and Ace) doesn’t play. They’ve all said their peace, we all know where they stand. I think we also know that they’ll “play nice” on stage and there’ll be smiling and lip service, patting each other on the back,maybe. I hope whoever plays their tribute performance is an actual KISS fan though, and not just someone that will look good schmoozing on camera. I have a sinking feeling that this is more or less the final chapter on that period of KISS. They’re getting inducted, they’re going their separate ways. No need to keep kicking the horse. Not all divorces end amicably.
    I can see also why Paul would say that other periods of the band should be honored- especially since Eric Carr was in the band for something like 11 years ,and in my opinion added a second life to a dying band. Paul’s book comes out around the time of the induction,so this “controversy” will only help his book sales-he’s not going to cave in and say “okay ,we’ll play” (another example of this being a business decision,as you say Ed, and I agree with you). Personally, I applaud both Ace and Peter for more or less taking the high road in all of this.

  4. You may be right that at this point it will be great if all four get up on stage, without any performance. I think you have thought this out very well and your analysis is spot on. Tragic how this all could have been avoided. The RHOF has proven to be worthless as a respectful reservoir of our rock and roll heritage. 15yrs to get KISS in and SO MANY others not even in sight yet. They are truly the most pathetic aspect of this whole discussion.

Leave a Reply