FORMER KISS GUITARIST VINNIE VINCENT DISCUSSES RUMORS ABOUT HIS GENDER INDENTITY
Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent has addressed rumors about his gender identity.
During a brand new interview with Greg Schmitt of WESU’s syndicated radio show Noize In The Attic, Vinnie finally responded to Internet rumors about his sexuality but declined to answer the question directly, explaining that he wanted to keep a mystique about the subject (audio transcribed via blabbermouth.net).
Asked if there is any truth to the reports that he is living his life as a woman, the guitarist said, “Not that I know of. I don’t know where they came up with this stuff… But see, if I address that, then the mystique is gone. See, everybody loves the mystique. I think they love the mystique, because they don’t know. So maybe I’ll say, ‘I’ll let you guys decide,’ but then everyone is still talking.
“I get mistaken all the time for something else, but what can I do?” he added. “So when somebody… you correct ’em, and they go, ‘I don’t understand.’ So they go, ‘Well…’ ‘Then I won’t correct you.’ So maybe it goes that way…”
Last month, Vinnie confirmed that he was planning to write and publish his autobiography, which he said would contain “all the real answers — the in-depth answers to everything.” He also said that he has already found “a book writer” help him put together the autobiography and has vowed to speak with him “on very deep levels” about all the things he has experienced during his life.
Vincent, who gave his his first public interview in more than 20 years in January at the Atlanta KISS Expo 2018, hopes to complete his autobiography “within a year.”
Vinnie joined KISS in 1982, replacing Ace Frehley. As the “Ankh Warrior,” he toured with the group in support of Creatures Of The Night, on which he played lead guitar on six songs prior to becoming an official member of the band. From there, KISS wrote and released “Lick It Up — their first album without makeup — in 1983, a recording on which Vincent co-wrote eight of 10 songs, including the title track, which remains a staple of the group’s live performances to this day.
Despite the album’s success, Vincent was fired by KISS after the Lick It Up touring cycle came to an end, allegedly due to a dispute over both the terms of his employment contract with the band and royalties. From there, Vincent founded Vinnie Vincent Invasion, which recorded two albums.
When I saw his interview with Eddie, I thought the same thing, that he’d altered his gender. But, then again we all age differently. He looks eerily similar to Joyce Dewitt – Janet from 3’s company- that’s gained about an easy 60 lbs. To each there own and hope he’s happy.
That will be 5 autobiographies coming out of KISS. So far, Peter and Paul’s are my favorites. Who wants to bet that this book’s cover will make some sort of a reference to KISS? How awful is it that the industry is in such a mess that artists have to resort to writing books rather than making music in order to make money? I’d prefer hearing his music than hearing about his gender identity. God loves everybody, you be what you want. Sadly, there is not really a market for anything this guy is planning on doing. Imagine somebody this talented only capable of writing a book about his experiences with Gene and Paul. Jake E. Lee disappeared for a while and came back and basically complained about Ozzy and his business practices. Jake at least wrote and played music again. Impossible to believe that LICK IT UP was 35 years ago as was BARK AT THE MOON. Anyway, Vinny and Jake both replaced top guitarists and both delivered good efforts. In any case, good luck Vinny, I’ll read your book and thanks for the memories. LONG LIVE THE ANKH WARRIOR! Proof positive that life is too short. My suggestion for the book’s title: IT AIN’T A CRIME TO BE GOOD TO YOURSELF by VINNY VINCENT.
“Declined to answer the question directly”?!?!? How more direct is Vinnie supposed to be beyond, “Not that I know of. I don’t know where they came up with this stuff”??
That said, I think there wouldn’t be as much confusion if he stopped buying clothes from the same place Hillary Clinton does.
I’m glad VV returned from being off the radar for a while, and VV appears to be in a good place in life. I hope people can leave VV alone so VV can choose to live whatever life makes VV the happiest. I just wonder if today’s VV can still play guitar the way VV used to….what a shredder VV used to be!
As far as his gender Identity, he speaks, acts and dresses as a woman , but it really doesn’t make any difference to me , he seems to be happy , that’s all that really matters- He co-wrote some great timeless kiss songs , as for his skill as a guitarist, he has a lot of technical ability but I’ve never been a lover of shredding , my favorite guitarist for kiss has always been ace – I hope his book is interesting, i will certainly buy it – and i hope Vinny is truly happy and healthy and is successful in everything he does-