Ashville, North Carolina native Caleb Johnson, 23, was crowned American Idol season 13 winner tonight (May 21st) proving rock reigned supreme this season.
Johnson performed on the finale with KISS. Watch the performance below.
Johnson became popular this season for his strong, but soulful voice and won fans over with his renditions of Whitesnake’s Still of the Night, Led Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused and Rival Son’s Pressure and Time.
98 Responses
I know I’m one of those lifelong Kiss fans and army member since saving up my own chore money as a kid to get Love Gun when it came out in 1977 that honestly STILL loves the joy and feeling I get when me and MY kids now get.to experience together with the new albums and the show. I love Ace and Peter and I love Eric and Tommy. I educate my boys about band history and I enjoyed showing them all the Eras. They like the fun and we all still love the band. We accept the make-up issue and that everyone has their take and we understand. We accept Paul doesn’t sing like he used to…but we love what he did to deserve respect as the rock legend he is by sacrificing alot to keep Kiss awesome over 40yrs now…it should be noted my sons and I are eagerly awaiting Ace Frehley’s SPACE INVADER coming out soon. We respect Pet and Carr but our favorite drummer is Singer. That all is just me and my boy’s opinion. That all being said do I like American Idol.? Not really. I don’t watch but I do know it shows to millions of viewers and if Kiss can be on tv to that many people and maybe a few new fans are made that go get tickets for the summer tour then why Is that so bad?…..the bottom line is from the beginning Kiss hasn’t been for everybody, they have always did what they wanted whether it was a hit or a failure…but they are still here and for my family and thousands of others around the world agree…so who is to say their at the party too long?….it may no longer be the right party for many of you any more but Kiss still is gaining new fans each year and to those folks and my family we aren’t ready to say goodbye…and if we like the music and are having fun that is a valid reason Kiss is still around….I again know my comment will most likely be much different than most of yours and me and my sons will be accused of “drinking the punch”. That’s fine . If we are it must just be that to us and many…that punch still tastes good. Peace
Well said.
Good post…nicely said
Amen. If people don’t like KISS, as they are today, quit listening to them. Funny how all these haters claim to not like KISS anymore, but they just keep paying very close attention to their every move.
Uhh Kevin, when the media reports on ANYTHING…everyone including these so called “haters” (that is so dumb hilarious) talk about it. You’re no different. Joe in The Cuse
I totally accept your perspective, afert all, music is there for our pleasure, but please, Paul is not sacrificing anything, he is making so much money still, he knows his voice is gone, and most importantly, he is not to be put on a pedestal like a martyr, he does not sacrifice, he receives.
I am glad he won. First true rocker to take it all on American Idol! The performance with KISS seemed a little off. But millions of young viewers around the country are waking up today and googling who KISS is and whatever other bands Caleb likes. One of those bands is Iron Maiden. So this is nothing but a win for the rock community and metal in general. Time will tell what kind of rock album Caleb will be “allowed” to produce by his Idol handlers but at least it will have some rock songs on it. Congrats to Caleb! I’m sure Gene made some sort of deal with Idol to make KISS a part on next season. Maybe a KISS night or something. BUt still it was a great night for rock and roll.
check out: https://www.youotube.com/user/metalrising2013
When Caleb did his first live performance, it was Pressure and TIme by Rival sons. I had never heard it before and loved it. The judges went nuts. I went over to rival sons twitter and facebook. You would not believe the extra NEW fans it brought them. There comments on facebook were mostly brand new fans that were telling rival sons how good they are. My point being, that some rock on idol does bring attention to people who may have never heard a particular band before. Rival sons thanked him on twitter. Im so glad he won too. If millions of people voted for a hard rock contestant doing Working man by Rush , dazed and confused Led Zep that means millions of people are sick of these meaningless little pop stars and their auto tuned crap. Eddie Trunk always says on his show that maybe only 30 people watching it (in a joking way) Way more watching if america voted in hard rock contestant.
Paul’s voice is obviously not what it used to be. Everybody gets old someday, even my favorite front man……Let the KISS bashing begin !
Wow. Paul sounds…just horrible. I was considering seeing them this summer in Atlanta, just to say I saw at least Paul and Gene in make-up. But I’m not paying for that. How bad is it when you can say Gene is singing better than Paul?
Seriously and I mean no disrespect, Gene & Paul should really just call it a career after this tour. That was GOD AWEFUL. Even the quality of the music was bad. Paul’s voice, (IMO one of the greatest all time) is gone. Father Time is just doing its thing. And I really don’t need to get into Tommy’s guitar playing….if some people rip Ace Frehley then the same people that say Tommy is better than Ace should stop telling people that they believe the sky is Red when the sky is really BLUE. Joe in a The Cuse
God Aweful? Apparently, you haven’t heard the One for All album.
Ok flaming yute, you are really being extremely unrealistic here and illogical much like a liberal in denial. Paul was once one of the greatest singers but not now. His performances these past few years have been awful and it’s making the band look bad in the same ways that he to this day bashes ace & Peter’s playing and how it made the band look bad. How come no music journalists have the balls to ask Paul what the fuck is up with his voice in an interview?
I love when people preface their derogatory comments by saying, “I mean no disrespect.” But in actuality you do mean disrespect by saying things like, “That was God Aweful” That’s what blatant disrepect is. Apparently, the “Cuse” doesn’t produce the brightest people in the country.
Ok Flaming Yute, you wanna be an asshole? Go fuck yourself! Typical liberal, your opinion only matters & everyone that doesn’t see it your way is a bigot, hypocrite or whatever! I mean much disrespect because you don’t deserve any respect! Again go fuck yourself! Suck on that dick licker!
Ahhhh yes. Little Dick (probably named after his genitalia) shows his true angry colors.
So this post gets through moderation? Does the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame run this board?
Hey….Flaming Yute…you’re right, I’m probably not the brightest person in this country….BUT….I’m not the dumbest either….Seriously….WITH ALL DUE RESPECT….Best of health to you Flaming Yute. Joe in The Cuse
Let me quiote Huey Lewis: sometimes bad is bad. So if it is awful, it just is. No matter what you want to tell us.