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.

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280 Responses

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  • joe2112 on

    Ed,
    Thanks for the analysis and always being first and forthright with information. This is a chess move for Gene/Paul and I realize that. I’m guessing that they would have been open to a reunion so long as the “current four” were in makeup, looking like superheros, and the “former two” were out of makeup, playing alongside, looking, well, old. I’m sure the hall didn’t want that and we all know how Ace feels about that (I’m sure Peter feels the same).

    In the end this is about the brand KISS, not the band. It’s a shame that four guys can’t just celebrate this for a day. Heart played with their old boyfriends fer chrissake! Now that took guts, and they pulled off a song. So what’s next? STP or Pearl Jam play for KISS? The hall always seems to like to involve future hall-of-famers (except KISS and Rush of course!). I wouldn’t be surprised.


  • DeVe on

    Cant get anyone to confirm this https://m.facebook.com/InuductKISSnow scroll down a few to the reason Ace and Pete declined. I would tend to agree as that situation would not be honoring the true history. However I do think all members should be inducted and should play at the finale unless they could do a show with people stepping in and out. Im a current line up fan too but Ace and Pete should be included mote than the finale song.


    • Pavian73 on

      I’ve been blocked from commenting on this FB page for questioning the validity of the report. The person running that page has an obvious disdain for Ace and Peter, so I would take his report with a grain of salt.


  • Vinnie van Vincent on

    With all Kiss fans out there in other bands it wouldn’t be that hard for ROF to put together an incredible supergroup to perform a couple of songs, that and that all 4 original members shows up and accept the award together and take some pics that would be enough for me! And even better if Bruce and Vinnie could be included in that supergroup tribute band!


    • Matt on

      ‘Vinnie Van Vincent’. Just had to say that is an awesomely clever name!


  • Fred Nugent on

    If the original lineup was only a small part of Kiss why are Gene and Paul dressing 2 guys up like Ace and Peter and singing songs written by Ace and Peter? Kiss will be out performed by Kat Steven’s in their own Home City of New York by a muslim radical who is Anti Israel and used to wear swastika’s in the 1970’s.


    • spaceace on

      there are some clips on youtube with Paul sporting a swastika on his arm…..ironic huh


  • IJ on

    Business model aside, this is all about ego and control. Gene and Paul cannot stand for anyone else to take the focus away from them or what they’ve done since the original band split up. That’s their prerogative (they’re the owners, as you say) and Kiss fans seem to be able to absorb a lot from their idols (Kiss Koffin anyone?). As for the process itself, fans have zero say, irrespective of what gets put out in the press. Basically, Jann picks his favorites after the sham of a voting process occurs and throws an annual bone (Stooges, GNR, Rush, Alice) to the hard rock crowd.

    Personally, I hope Peter and Ace stay home. May disappoint hardcore fans but I’d be happier if they had the guts to say no to this drama and nonsense and go on with their lives. They know what they’ve achieved and so do the fans.


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