KISS vs. the Rock Hall of Fame
With all of the drama surrounding KISS and their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I figured I would take the time to give my two cents on subject at hand. It's not only KISS vs. the RRHoF, but it is KISS vs. the other two original members. Being a KISS fan, I honestly find it kind of insulting that the Rock Hall is not including members from other incarnations of the band when they inducted Sir George Martin with the Beatles, all members who have been in the Grateful Dead and the list goes on and on. For one, you have guys who were in the band just as long if not longer than Peter and Ace over the years. Both Bruce Kulick and the late Eric Carr were with the band for over a decade, Eric Singer joined sometime around '91 and Tommy Thayer has been with the band in one form or another since sometime in the late '80's. There were other members such as Vinnie Vincent and Mark St. John who should be included for their work as well, but why not include some of the "behind the scene's" musicians as well such as Bob Kulick , Anton Fig , and Jean Beauvoir? I must congratulate Gene and Paul for feuding with the Rock Hall about not including other members of the group throughout the years. They were all an integral part of the bands history and deserve it.
Then you have the whole scenario about which lineup would be playing (no one is because they can't agree). Gene and Paul wanted the current lineup playing with Ace and Peter playing alongside of them. In the other corner you have Ace and Peter who felt insulted to play alongside Tommy and Eric in their trademark makeup. I can see why both parties want things one way or the other. Gene and Paul wanted the current lineup to play with Ace and Peter instead of the original four because they didn't want to fuel the rumor mill again. I can see where they are coming from if it is indeed what is going on in their heads. I can also see why Ace and Peter feel insulted. Here are the character's you created and now someone else is wearing your identity. So it is probably best that no one is playing at this point. It's fair to be honest .
While I am on the subject about the current lineup with Thayer and Singer, I think it's time for people to stop whining about these two guys, the makeup, and whether or not they are suitable replacements. Yes I wish they would take off the makeup again sometimes, but everyone knows the Catman and Spaceman characters. Vinnie Vincent "ankh" makeup didn't last very long and honestly didn't fit and Eric Carr's "Fox" makeup should stay retired in respect to him (it was a good replacement for Peter's makeup). And I'm pretty sure that if both Ace and Peter were smart in business practice's that they would have trademarked the makeup and are probably getting something from KISS sales. And like I said earlier in the post concerning Eric and Tommy being in the band, they have every right to be in KISS! Both have been with the band for a very long time and are good at what they do. Anyone saying that Tommy is a second rate Ace is full of it! He was the guy who sat down with Ace to re teach him his parts. He may dress as Ace and play his parts, but he is Tommy and give's his own spin on things. He doesnt have any smoking guitars or anything like that which were used by Ace either.
The only complaint I have of anything with the current KISS would be the last few albums. I enjoy the classic albums ( the first three were great and I enjoyed Destroyer up through the 80's), but honestly there are three albums in a row which they haven't topped since which are Hot in the Shade up to Carnival of Souls. The reunion album was good, but after that I just cant find myself getting into them and listening to the albums all the way through. Hot in the Shade, Revenge and Carnival are KISS' equivalent to Zeppelin 4, the Beatles White album or the Beach Boys Pet Sounds. But those albums sold well and both Tommy and Eric are solid players. And I also have to hand it to those guys as well for really steering away from the drama. They don't care if they are at the induction ceremony or not and everything that I have read through various interviews they seem very humble and gracious about only not being included, but asked to be there with Gene and Paul as well. The same goes for Bruce Kulick. That shows great character and is probably another reason why those guys have been with the band for so long.