04/18/2014
BRUCE KULICK REFLECTS ON KISS HALL INDUCTION
Former KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick Reflects on Band's Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Written by Eric Shirey / cinelinx
KISS was recently inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame after forty years of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike other bands, not all of their current and former associates were asked to share the honor. The Hall of Fame only awarded original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the ceremony which took place on April 10, 2014.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were enraged by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame's decision and refused to perform at the event. How could thirty years of hit records and songs still being played in their concert sets just be ignored? Not only were the two founding members of KISS irritated by this, but many fans of the band's music past their early makeup days were as well.
We've heard from the original four founders of KISS in regards to how they feel about their induction into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame through countless publications and online blogs. However, what do the former members of the band think about being ignored by the institution?
Two of the group's previous warriors from the 1980s and 1990s are no longer with us. "Animalize" lead guitarist Mark St. John passed away in 2007. Drummer Eric Carr lost his battle with heart cancer in 1991. He wrote and performed with KISS from 1981 to 1991. Carr replaced Peter Criss and donned fox makeup for his stage persona.Former KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick Reflects on Band's Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Written by Eric Shirey / cinelinx
KISS was recently inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame after forty years of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike other bands, not all of their current and former associates were asked to share the honor. The Hall of Fame only awarded original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the ceremony which took place on April 10, 2014.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were enraged by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame's decision and refused to perform at the event. How could thirty years of hit records and songs still being played in their concert sets just be ignored? Not only were the two founding members of KISS irritated by this, but many fans of the band's music past their early makeup days were as well.
We've heard from the original four founders of KISS in regards to how they feel about their induction into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame through countless publications and online blogs. However, what do the former members of the band think about being ignored by the institution?
Two of the group's previous warriors from the 1980s and 1990s are no longer with us. "Animalize" lead guitarist Mark St. John passed away in 2007. Drummer Eric Carr lost his battle with heart cancer in 1991. He wrote and performed with KISS from 1981 to 1991. Carr replaced Peter Criss and donned fox makeup for his stage persona.
Besides Vinnie Vincent, that leaves only one other member not recognized by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. Former KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick joined the band in 1984 and collaborated with them until 1996. In his twelve years with the band, he recorded five studio albums and two live records. The reunited four members of KISS and the current incarnation played "Tears are Falling," "Crazy, Crazy Nights," and "Unholy." These are all songs Kulick played lead guitar on and contributed to.
I caught up with Bruce Kulick after the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame and thought KISS fans might be interested in his take on the induction and how he feels to see the band recognized by receiving such a prestigious award. He was more than happy to share his emotions and reactions.
It's such a great honor to be a part of a band that's as legendary as KISS. I asked Kulick to share with me how that excitement runs through your veins.
"It has been a roller-coaster ride for me emotionally from the day it was announced KISS was finally being inducted. Would I be included or forgotten? Will I get to play? How will the originals deal with each other? I feel elated about the entire affair now that it is done and I got my due respect from the podium being mentioned three times," the lead guitarist proclaimed.
Founding KISS members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons put up such a fight to get every member of the band inducted. When asked how he reacted to seeing the two stand up for the former collaborators of the group to be recognized, Kulick responded,
"It was so important to me that the forty years of KISS was being triumphed by Paul and Gene. It was wonderful reading an email from Paul around the holidays late last year where he explained that he always appreciated my contributions from my era. He was well aware of the twelve years of success. We all became reflective about the history of KISS during that time. Gene and Paul were extremely vocal of everyone understanding KISS now and KISS from my era."
Previous personnel from other bands have been inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame alongside their founding members. Kulick shared his view on the exclusion of KISS alumni.
"It was total BS for the RNRHOF to do the name game and to, in some ways, punish KISS for all those years of success. I am not foolish to think without the magic the original four created that KISS could exist past that. To ignore the importance of the years to follow with Eric Carr, myself, and the continued success with Eric and Tommy is arrogant to me. We know with all the other bands, that ALL members were inducted. The HOF hates KISS and didn't give a damn about the true history of the band. BUT, the fans know!"
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss all took the stage on April 10 and were allowed to say thanks to their fans and families. I was curious as to what Bruce Kulick's acceptance speech would sound like.
"I really don't know! I know besides thanking my family, friends and the fans I would say when I was doing my thing in the group those twelve years, looking back, I didn't realize how important it truly was in the big picture of this amazing band. I am very grateful I did my best," he replied.
Bruce Kulick is an important part of KISStory and has gone on to play in Grand Funk Railroad, Union, ESP (Eric Singer Project), and the solo albums of both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. There's no denying the impact he had on KISS's music and their stage presence in the 1980s and 1990s. In closing, I asked Kulick what he considered his biggest achievement to be while playing with the band.
"Some of my favorite solos are 'Tears Are Falling,' 'Crazy Nights,' 'Forever,' 'Unholy,' and others. Solos that are memorable are important. Naturally I always preferred my guitar to do the talking when it came to KISS. Gene and Paul certainly know how to do the talking about the band!"
Written by Eric Shirey / cinelinx
KISS was recently inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame after forty years of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike other bands, not all of their current and former associates were asked to share the honor. The Hall of Fame only awarded original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the ceremony which took place on April 10, 2014.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were enraged by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame's decision and refused to perform at the event. How could thirty years of hit records and songs still being played in their concert sets just be ignored? Not only were the two founding members of KISS irritated by this, but many fans of the band's music past their early makeup days were as well.
We've heard from the original four founders of KISS in regards to how they feel about their induction into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame through countless publications and online blogs. However, what do the former members of the band think about being ignored by the institution?
Two of the group's previous warriors from the 1980s and 1990s are no longer with us. "Animalize" lead guitarist Mark St. John passed away in 2007. Drummer Eric Carr lost his battle with heart cancer in 1991. He wrote and performed with KISS from 1981 to 1991. Carr replaced Peter Criss and donned fox makeup for his stage persona.Former KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick Reflects on Band's Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Written by Eric Shirey / cinelinx
KISS was recently inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame after forty years of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike other bands, not all of their current and former associates were asked to share the honor. The Hall of Fame only awarded original members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the ceremony which took place on April 10, 2014.
Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were enraged by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame's decision and refused to perform at the event. How could thirty years of hit records and songs still being played in their concert sets just be ignored? Not only were the two founding members of KISS irritated by this, but many fans of the band's music past their early makeup days were as well.
We've heard from the original four founders of KISS in regards to how they feel about their induction into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame through countless publications and online blogs. However, what do the former members of the band think about being ignored by the institution?
Two of the group's previous warriors from the 1980s and 1990s are no longer with us. "Animalize" lead guitarist Mark St. John passed away in 2007. Drummer Eric Carr lost his battle with heart cancer in 1991. He wrote and performed with KISS from 1981 to 1991. Carr replaced Peter Criss and donned fox makeup for his stage persona.
Besides Vinnie Vincent, that leaves only one other member not recognized by the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. Former KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick joined the band in 1984 and collaborated with them until 1996. In his twelve years with the band, he recorded five studio albums and two live records. The reunited four members of KISS and the current incarnation played "Tears are Falling," "Crazy, Crazy Nights," and "Unholy." These are all songs Kulick played lead guitar on and contributed to.
I caught up with Bruce Kulick after the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame and thought KISS fans might be interested in his take on the induction and how he feels to see the band recognized by receiving such a prestigious award. He was more than happy to share his emotions and reactions.
It's such a great honor to be a part of a band that's as legendary as KISS. I asked Kulick to share with me how that excitement runs through your veins.
"It has been a roller-coaster ride for me emotionally from the day it was announced KISS was finally being inducted. Would I be included or forgotten? Will I get to play? How will the originals deal with each other? I feel elated about the entire affair now that it is done and I got my due respect from the podium being mentioned three times," the lead guitarist proclaimed.
Founding KISS members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons put up such a fight to get every member of the band inducted. When asked how he reacted to seeing the two stand up for the former collaborators of the group to be recognized, Kulick responded,
"It was so important to me that the forty years of KISS was being triumphed by Paul and Gene. It was wonderful reading an email from Paul around the holidays late last year where he explained that he always appreciated my contributions from my era. He was well aware of the twelve years of success. We all became reflective about the history of KISS during that time. Gene and Paul were extremely vocal of everyone understanding KISS now and KISS from my era."
Previous personnel from other bands have been inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame alongside their founding members. Kulick shared his view on the exclusion of KISS alumni.
"It was total BS for the RNRHOF to do the name game and to, in some ways, punish KISS for all those years of success. I am not foolish to think without the magic the original four created that KISS could exist past that. To ignore the importance of the years to follow with Eric Carr, myself, and the continued success with Eric and Tommy is arrogant to me. We know with all the other bands, that ALL members were inducted. The HOF hates KISS and didn't give a damn about the true history of the band. BUT, the fans know!"
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss all took the stage on April 10 and were allowed to say thanks to their fans and families. I was curious as to what Bruce Kulick's acceptance speech would sound like.
"I really don't know! I know besides thanking my family, friends and the fans I would say when I was doing my thing in the group those twelve years, looking back, I didn't realize how important it truly was in the big picture of this amazing band. I am very grateful I did my best," he replied.
Bruce Kulick is an important part of KISStory and has gone on to play in Grand Funk Railroad, Union, ESP (Eric Singer Project), and the solo albums of both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. There's no denying the impact he had on KISS's music and their stage presence in the 1980s and 1990s. In closing, I asked Kulick what he considered his biggest achievement to be while playing with the band.
"Some of my favorite solos are 'Tears Are Falling,' 'Crazy Nights,' 'Forever,' 'Unholy,' and others. Solos that are memorable are important. Naturally I always preferred my guitar to do the talking when it came to KISS. Gene and Paul certainly know how to do the talking about the band!"
