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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Genes statement makes no sense, “we never refused to Play with Ace and Peter” so the breakdown is more on the Hall of fame side? Like eddie says they (RRHOF) probably cares less. I wonder if the attention turns to Nirvana for the main performance maybe with Paul MC. , i realize all kiss fans are mad that they go in first year. We dont know their plans either at this point. What do you think eddie?
The HOF wanted the original band to play, that is FACT.
Tons of valid points here. For myself, at this point I don’t think I really care anymore. Kiss is just a business plan now. It in no way even resembles the band, or the four guys, that inspired countless thousands, and thousands to pick up an instrument and create music, including myself. Most of the music created past Alive II was lost on me anyway, and even the earlier stuff hasn’t aged all that well in my opinion. Long story short, these guys absolutely deserve a place in the HOF, but beyond that the whole drama surrounding the induction makes me care even less.
It sucks that this is mainly hurting the long time fans. This would have wrapped it up nice for us. I generally agree with you Eddie but I really don’t think it would have that much affect on current KISS. Us long timers know it would only be for this show and newbies wouldn’t much care. Let’s face it, any time a new fan discovers the old catalogue they will find ACE and Peter anyway….they can’t erase that. And I could be wrong, but I don’t think Paul was upset about ALL members of KISS not getting in until the onslaught of backlash started. Sure, he wanted Tommy and Eric there but I think it is just an excuse now. If everyone was inducted do you not think there would be some kind of Vinnie issue? Think of it as a divorced couple showing up together for a child’s wedding. Everyone goes their separate ways after. Sure, there will be feelings and stuff but things return to the way it was the day before. I get the analogy with the unplugged thing, but that was a different time and there never was a reunion before that. That’s what made that time such a big deal. MOST of us long timers don’t even want that at this point. And I’m sure MOST of the new fans don’t care. Thanks for everything you do. Looking forward to the great leslie West this weekend. And of course the ACE and Peter episode.
The worst place of all for KISS discussions is KISSFAQ.com discussion boards. So many lame Ace and Peter haters. The worst zombie fans of all. It gets old seeing Ace and Peter trashed by people who weren’t around to witness what they did in the 70’s.
Hearing from people who think Singer and Thayer deserve induction is a laugh. The same ones also think Bruce Kulick deserve induction. For what?! For taking up space on the stage. The same people who think Sonic Boom and Monster are even in the same ballpark as classics like Destroyer and Rock and Roll Over.
Those type have no taste and they shouldn’t even be allowed to comment. They should suck up to Gene and Paul on twitter. Go buy the $4,000 Monster Book. Buy their little arena team tickets. Go eat at their Rock and Brews but STFU and leave the actual fans alone.
Ed,
The way I see it if Ace & Peter at least show to induction Gene & Paul will have no choice to show up ….there is no way they will have Ace & Peter represent Kiss without them there .