Good to be back home. Made it back from M3 last night. If you follow on Twitter or check my Twitter feed you will see many photos I just posted with more to come. It was a pretty crazy 2 weeks with Golden Gods, M3, and of course the new TMS tapings which are now done and start airing June 1. We will discuss it all and much more live tonight from 6-10P ET / 3-7 Pacific on SiriusXM channel 39 Trunk Nation (Hair Nation). Also Ratt singer Stephen Pearcy will drop by around 6:30P ET and we will take calls for him. Tons to catch up on over the next week, we will get into some of it tonight for sure! Way too many stories to type, and I suck at typing!
Less than 3 weeks away from this years Rocklahoma which I am thrilled to once again be hosting. See you all in Pryor very soon!
If you follow on Twitter you know that last Thursday I did indeed sit and talk with Gene Simmons to clear the air with him face to face about exactly what I have said about Kiss as a fan and what my feelings are, cutting out the insane and inaccurate accounts usually posted on the internet. Gene was cool enough to invite me in his booth to sit and chat for about 10 minutes and clear the air to some degree. I did not back down from my own personal thoughts about what the band is doing, just relayed them ACCURATELY to Gene since the 99% of positives from the last 30 years as a Kiss fan that I have said and done are of course NEVER acknowledged anywhere. As I have also stated MANY times I have NO issue with Tommy or Eric in the band. My issue is and always has been with the fact that they are not their own personalities and for me I choose not to see it. But the whole thing has become so silly and blown out of proportion by a hyper sensitive few that it felt good to sit with Gene man to man and explain this clearly (something I asked Paul to do the last time I ever spoke with him and never happened). Gene claimed he has no issue at all with me and is very happy doing what he is doing, and then in typical Gene fashion started quoting how good business is LOL. I explained to Gene if he has no issue he should come back on my shows where his fans want to see and hear him and have a respectful discussion. He said he would not rule it out and as has always been the case my door is open to all past and present members of the band. I honestly don’t know anyone who loves every single thing any band they ever loved has done, and I pride myself on giving my honest opinion when asked.I have no idea if anything will change but I’m glad I was able to sit with Gene, who I have known a long time and who also loves to speak his mind, and have a discussion. I may not be a fan of what the band currently does but respect their right to do it and Gene’s willingness to sit and chat like two adults.
60 Responses
Paul and Gene decided to continue after the Reunion and Farewell Tours. Unfortunately the 4 originals could not get along and Ace and Peter left or their contracts were not renewed…there is no money to be made off new make-up characters or a non-make-up KISS. Gene and Paul run the band as a marketing business brand and tour playing oldies. KISS is not what it once was but that’s the way it is now. Eddie made his choice about current KISS, other fans have made a choice, and Gene and Paul continue on despite it..which is their choice. Those who refuse to support current KISS don’t matter to Gene and Paul because they apparently still have enough people who do.
Love the old Kiss with Ace & Peter, and also loved some of the 80’s stuff. I saw them live last year for the 1st time in years, and was very impressed at the playing of Tommy & Eric. However I do think that just like Eric Carr & Vinnie Vincent, they should have their own makeup personnas. Using Peter’s and Ace’s image is not something I enjoy, and most fans should find this disingenuous.
I pray that som day when the HOF finally gets around to recognizing the greatness of KISS, that ACE & Peter can perform once again with the band!!
1st, congratulations on all your success Eddie! I love TMS and your straight forward opinions. I think Kiss has blown a great opportunity to win some fans back with their 40th anniversary. They could’ve been doing some great things with past members and setlist in their shows. So far, this year is a no go for that. I will always love this band and their music.
I don’t see them because it is really recycled show over and over. paul’s vocals are really going down hill IMO. I have seen them time after time including the Farwell tour, but really lost intrest after that. the two new are really not that good. Poor song writing and Producing IMO. Last Cd worth listening to was Carnival of Souls it was different and the Vocals were pretty good.
Checking speculation and personal feelings about band members at the door, I think it’s great for Eddie that he was able to sit one-on-one with Gene and have an opportunity to clear the air, which I sense was the main point of that part of his post. He has written repeatedly about his frustrations with the KISS situation overall, particuarly about his personal relationship with a band he’s loved and supported for many years becoming very strained. So, to Ed, I’m happy for you and glad that you were finally able to cut through the internet clutter and have someone from the band give you a forum to personally set your record straight.