Andy Greene of Rolling Stone reports:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s President and CEO Joel Peresman had to deal with the wrath of KISS frontman Paul Stanley, who has gone very public with his anger over the Hall of Fame’s decision to only induct the band’s original lineup. “I don’t need the Hall of Fame,” Stanley told Rolling Stone. “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.”
“I don’t like all the sniping back and forth, though mostly it’s been forth,” says Peresman. “And I totally understand his point of view. What he’s failing to understand is that 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. 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. It’s an incredibly unique situation. I can’t think of another band, outside of Gwar, that has members that are dressed up in costumes. You basically have these new members that are replicating exactly and playing the music that was created by the two other members that are being inducted.”
KISS has invited current members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer to sit at their table, along with former guitarist Bruce Kulick. “I appreciate how Tommy and Eric have filled in and the way they do things,” says Peresman. “They are fine musicians and I’m sure they’re lovely guys, but they are basically replicating the two members that are getting inducted. How could we have asked Ace and Peter to accept the award and then have other people in their guise playing their music? They probably wouldn’t have even come. They were very clear about that. . .Frankly, I’m really, really happy that KISS are being inducted. It should have happened a while ago. The four of them will get up, accept their award, say what they want to say and then we’ll move on.”
Read more at Rolling Stone.
source: rollingstone.com
121 Responses
Love how Paul and Gene like to say how Peter and Ace couldn’t cut the mustard now as players. Hey Paul, you can’t sing anymore. Wake up, Starchild. People in glass houses shouldn’t…well, you know the rest.
I agree..pauls voice is shot, but not any worse than ozzy’s or vince neil’s (as if vince could ever sing)…but what I find ironic is how g/p constantly rip on ace/peter but make eric/tommy dress like them…just a thought…
“I remember seeing a TV show that Eric Singer is arguing with Gene Simmons about Eric Singer singing Beth. That is Peter’s so g and always will be.”
Was that on Gene’s reality show?
I think it was a TV documentary called KISSteria.
I found it and watched it. Thanks 🙂
I just wonder what would have happened if Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer would not have been made to dress up in the Space Ace/Man and Cat Man attire/makeup?
Would the entire lineup be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
I truly feel, by the comments I’m reading, that guys like Eric Carr, Bruce Kulick, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St John and Eric Singer would have been inducted as well.
I did not mention Tommy Thayer because he’s never played with KISS without Ace’s makeup and thus is null and void from being a real member in the public’s eye.
Sorry Tommy, facts are facts…
Perhaps without makeup, even Tommy Thayer would have been included for his work on recent albums.
You make some good observations. Ace Frehley will always be missed as the original guitarist. Tommy, in my opinion, even though he does not bring the same vibe as Ace, is still a good singer and sings the songs with conviction. He plays with conviction and the leads in Monster sound like Tommy, not Ace (though it does still sound inspired by that type of playing). The main point is that Eric and Tommy are keeping the band going by filling in the roles of the Spaceman and the Cat. In the end, those are just characters created by Peter and Ace, and everyone would be better off if they (Ace and Peter) just gave their blessings to Tommy and Eric who are doing their best to honor those characters.
If I were the HoF, I’d induct the first 8-9 members of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Eric Carr, Vinnie Vincent, Mark St. John, Bruce Kulick, and Eric Singer. Why did I include Eric Singer? Because of his work on Revenge. I agree about Tommy as he needs to make his mark on his own merits just like the other members of KISS have.
The HoF CEO is right and has the objectivity and facts that Paul and Gene lacked because they’re way too close to it. No way should Paul and Gene call the shots on who should be inducted because they’ll likely pick Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer and exclude Ace and Peter altogether. About time someone stood up to both Paul and Gene’s tantrums. It’s an example of not getting what they want like they did with the Hollywood Rock Walk and VH1 Rock Honors. It’s the original lineup who formed the band and created the makeup, personas, stage shows, and made live albums relevant. It’s the impact and relevancy that counts over how long they’ve been in the band or the number of gold and platinum records.
??? Paul and Gene have given Peter and Ace credit for their contributions. They have never said anything to the effect that Ace and Peter should not be inducted. This induction has opened a can of worms and PR for the RRHOF is well aware of this and exploiting it. As for relevancy, KISS has always been about entertaining, and the current members are doing that. Facebook shows nearly 12 million fans of the current lineup. Burrn magazine in Japan voted KISS the number one live act in 2013 beating Metallica! Not relevant? Still think so?
Yet they’re also downplaying their contributions and talent as well.
Relevant in the rock world, but what about the casual mainstream fans?
Well, I agree that criticizing Ace and Peter serves no purpose. They could just leave it at “creative differences” but for some reason they seem hell bent on downplaying Peter’s and Ace’s current abilities. I think the pressure from some people for some kind of reunion is frustrating for Paul and Gene. The fact is, deep down I think they all care about each other, but sometimes families are dysfunctional. All four of the biographies have opened a can of worms for each of them and they are all defensive at this point–then add the RRHOF fiasco for good measure–this is definitely not a good time for everyone concerned.
Despite the negative stuff they said about each other, I agree that deep down there’s still a bond between them. Not just forming the group, they ate, slept, and lived together. Whatever intentions the HoF had or their reasons for inducting the original KISS lineup, their actions further divided the original KISS lineup.
Downplaying Ace’s and Peter’s current abilities can only serve one purpose, making a second reunion seem impossible. Which again serves the purpose to keep the employees as they are obedient, relatively cheap and able to help out (Eric’s voice) where help is needed (Paul’s voice). It is all plain to see.
I agree with…..Alex. Blah blah ba bla blah. Blahhhhhh.