KISS have released a statement on their official website addressing the Rock Hall induction. Here is what it states:
“To All Our Fans In Regards To The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
Out of respect, Ace and Peter’s recent statements demand a quick response to you, our fans.
Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of KISS and give credit to all members including long time present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made this band what it is, regardless of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s point of view.
Although KISS has moved forward far longer without them, Ace and Peter are at the very foundation of what we have built and this would all be impossible had they not been a part of it in the beginning.
It is over 13 years since the original lineup has played together in make-up and we believe the memory of those times would not be enhanced. Contrary to claims made through the media we have never refused to play with Ace and Peter.
We have spent 40 years dedicated to building KISS without quitting or wavering as the band has moved forward with huge tours and platinum albums through different important lineups for forty years, to this day.
KISS has always been a band unlike any other. That is why we started KISS. That is why we continue KISS. Being unlike other bands also means making choices and decisions unlike other bands.
This is understandably an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone.
To bring this to a quick end, we have decided not to play in any line-up and we will focus our attention on celebrating our induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
We are excited and are looking forward to seeing you all on the KISS 40th Anniversary worldwide tour.”
source: kissonline.com
201 Responses
I am a KISS fan since the late 70’s when I was a child, who picked up a bass because of Gene and my love of their music. This whole scenario is just a mess. I think Gene and Paul faced the very real possibility of being booed loudly in their hometown, which would have been an embarrassment like they have never experienced before. It’s going to be interesting to see how the fans in attendance cheer/boo the individual members as they go up to the microphone to accept the honor, that is assuming the original 4 all show up. It’s upsetting as a long time KISS fan, who is also from NYC, and was planning on going all along, but now not so sure how much I might be willing to spend on a ticket. At least my other favorite band Rush didn’t have to go through this nonsense last year because they don’t get into petty BS amongst the members, and if they do, it’s done behind closed doors.
They should have gone out with the originals on the 2000 farewell tour….kiss would be just as popular today if not more. Gene and Paul continued for the money not the fans.
Bottom line: This is Paul and Gene’s (particularly Paul) retribution for Peter and Ace’s books (particularly Peter) which claimed Gene did not shower after concerts, Paul consistently liked to draw penises, etc. It was Peter and Ace whose contributions brought Paul and Gene millions both in the 70’s and 90’s. If not for the ‘Reunion Tour’, Kiss was fast approaching giving performances in clubs and county fairs.
Gene and Paul know if Kiss plays at the RRHF without Ace and Peter and play with Eric and Tommy that the fans are going to see the truth in what Ace and Peter have said ,so they worm out of it by not playing at all.Gene and Paul should do what Metallica did at their 30th Anniversary event and have past and current band members play together and give the fans and the band members the respect they deserve for contributing to kiss and they should out of respect mention Eric Carr who replaced Peter and wore his own makeup not someone wearing Peter’s make up .
Thing is, who do you believe? Someone that has been through carrying the mystique for 40
years, or someone that is no longer in the band? KISS has always been about keeping things under wraps, and keeping that mystique. I am an original four fan first, and foremost. I love Ace, and Peter, but it’s also Paul, and Gene’s car to drive, and whomever they choose to help propel the KISS ship is their’s. We’re not always going to agree who’s better, whether Tommy, and Eric, wearing the makeup that people identify as Ace, and Peter. I would love to see nothing more than a representation of all eras of KISS, even memorials to Eric Carr, and Mark St. John…they’ve all helped make KISS what it was.