Frank Girardot of the Pasadena Star-News reports:
I can’t think of a more plain way to say this, so I just will: KISS does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Period. End of Story.
I will argue my case, but the facts speak for themselves: KISS does not belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Over Commericalized Garbage Hall of Fame? Sure.
One-hit Wonder Hall of Fame? Right up there with the best of ‘em.
Don’t tell me that Rock and Roll All Nite is the Rock and Roll national anthem. It isn’t. That’s like saying We’re the Monkees is one of the ‘60s enduring classics.
In short, there is nothing that qualifies KISS for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
And yet, on Thursday, KISS along with the E Street Band, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens — aka Yusef Islam — and Daryl Hall and John Oates, will be inducted into the Cleveland shrine glorifying Rock and Roll.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m attacking KISS here, but I’m not sure Hall and Oates belong in it either. Unless a nomination is akin to a popularity contest.
Explain to me though how KISS beats out Deep Purple? You want an anthem? What the heck is Smoke on the Water?
Machine Head with Highway Star, Smoke on the Water, Lazy and Space Truckin is better than the entire KISS catalog.
For that matter how does KISS get into the winner’s circle ahead of Paul Butterfield? I mean the Butterfield Blues Band played at Monterey with Hendrix and at Woodstock with Hendrix and The Who. I think a better argument can be made for Butterfield as he opened the doors for Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn and played alongside Muddy Waters and Albert King.
Name one artist even slightly influenced by KISS or a style of musicianship influenced by the high-heeled poseurs. You can’t.
So what other bands and artists should be honored before KISS?
I would definitely put The Cure, Chicago, Journey, Bon Jovi, The Cars, Barry White, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jethro Tull, Los Lobos and Willie Nelson in ahead of the make-up boys. How do we really know who is up there playing anyway?
Even Devo and Soundgarden deserve spots in the Cleveland waterfront museum.
To make matters worse, KISS’ guitarist isn’t happy with the induction. But that’s because the HOF has some — albeit limited — standards. CEO Joel Peresman said Thursday’s ceremony will only honor the band’s original members: cat guy, dude with the long tongue, starface and silver eye make-up freak with shoulder pads.
“I don’t need the Hall Of Fame,” Starface told Rolling Stone Magazine. “And if there’s not reciprocity, I’m not interested. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, practically every member was inducted, and virtually all 175 members of the Grateful Dead. Rules need to apply to everybody.”
Probably embarrassed, Peresman nonetheless defended the limited selection.
“…There are certain acts that are nominated and brought in on their entire body of work, up until the day before the nominating committee meets,” Peresman told the Rolling Stone. “They are still evolving bands that are breaking new ground. With KISS, there wasn’t a single person we spoke to that didn’t feel the reason these guys were being inducted was because of the four original members.”
Sadly, even that’s a stretch. But as my friend Dion Lefler points out, “It ain’t the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Quality.”
source: pasadenastarnews.com
89 Responses
Name one artist?!!! Is this guy for real? Im not trying to start anything but there are plenty of artist who claim KISS as an influence. Pantera were influence by KISS that in itself speaks volumes! Rob Zombie, Lenny Kravitz; Metallica; Warrant; Faster Pussycat; Garth Brooks; Motley Crue; Pearl Jam; Poison; Soundgarden; Hootie And The Blowfish; Anthrax; Skid Row; Extreme; Stone Temple Pilots; Megadeth; Alice In Chains; Venom; Nuclear Assault; WASP; Bon Jovi; Weezer; Mozart; Nine Inch Nails; Danger Danger; Sepultura; Marilyn Manson; these are just a short list of artist who have high regard for KISS and very much give the credit for influencing them.
None of those bands “influenced by KISS” actually sound anything like them. KISS inspired people to play instruments and form bands, but their sound did not inspire people to sound like them.
And don’t forget GWAR, Insane Clown Posse and Slipknot.
Knock Kiss all you want, I’ve never understood the appeal, personally. Ya love who ya love, who am I to judge?
But dissing ABBA will get you punched in the throat in my house. Seriously, I love them, they’re a fantastic band and deserve the Hall induction. Check them out with open ears before you diss them.
Ok
He is correct. The RNRHOF is total garbage and KISS is way too good of a band to be associated with shit.
Hmm..strange…the cure? Bon jovi? I wonder if this guy records his rants..if so, he should play them back to hear what an idiot he is..lol..hell, if zeppelin can plagarize their way to the RRHOF, then kiss should be in..
The Led Zeppelin plagarising bit is ridiculous. So let’s get this straight. Listen to the beginning of “Love Gun.” Geez, sounds exactly like the end of “Achilles Last Stand” by who? Led Zeppelin. The Zep came out just a year before the KISS record. So it’s pretty obvious who KISS was stealing from. What band is KISS covering on their recent acoustic sets? Hmmmm. Led Zeppelin. Why is KISS doing a Led Zeppelin medley nowadays?
good question….not sure why anyone would do a zeppelin medly?
KISS is trying to convince people that they are capable of playing good music.
Name one song that is not good.
John G, it’s become abundantly clear to me that you are incapable of maintaining conversational relevance, especially where your fragile emotions are concerned.
Pay attention: dude above’s point(regardless if you agree), and only point, was that the RRHoF has questionable standards. Period. That was the purpose of the Zep(plagiarism claim a separate issue and addressed below) allusion. And not whether KISS were Zep devotees or who covered who, or any of that other irrelevant nonsense you responded with. Understand now?
As for the Led Zeppelin plagiarism issue: I invite anyone to YouTube or Google it and judge for yourself. Bubbles will burst.
Sar305, as always you are completely correct. Case closed and another great post from you on this site. Zep had zero talent and stole everything they ever “wrote.” Thank God you figured that out with the help of some serious YouTube “documentaries.” Everyone that went to their shows and bought their records and CDs was just a moron. Their improvisations were all stolen too. They didn’t change the face of music one bit. No imitators, no influence. Zippo. And yes , not a bit of originality anywhere. Songs like Achillles Last Stand, The Ocean Song, Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love, the Rain Song, Since I’ve Been Loving You and How Many More Times are all garbage. They were just stolen plain and simple. Jimmy Page lied about playing on hundreds of records as a studio musician. John Paul Jones was untalented and we know Plant can’t compare to Paul Stanley. Bonham was a crappy drummer too. Sar305, I’d love to see a list of your favorite bands. Once you get older, like around 40, you’ll realize how silly your opinions are. Enjoy this site – it’s getting too stupid around here for me. I’ve graduated. Have fun debating Paul, Gene, Peter and Ace. And yes, Ozzy is a no talent too. It’s all Tony Iommi, Rhoades, Jake and Daisley. I think I’ll go listen to some jazz now…..
Hyperbolic nonsense.
I think I just read an article by the stupidest man in the world. Most of the guys he would put in are laughable. I’ve heard many, many artists mention Kiss as their big influence. I guess it only counts if they too went on to hof success like a domino effect. Where’s this one hit crap coming from? They’ve had 27 songs in the hot 100. 7 of them were in the top 20. 8 more songs hit the Mainstream Rock Charts. I could go on, but I’m just too irritated. Constantly defending a band you love is exhausting.