Kiss’ All Out War About Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction

After decades have past since the New York based band KISS formed in 1972, this Thursday they will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. According to Blabbermouth.net, only the four original members, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will be inducted. This decision did not sit well with KISS‘ Paul Stanley.

Rockhall.com reports that KISS‘ first two albums were pretty much a bust. But by the time the third one was released, KISS had already begun to make a name for themselves by their outlandish stage performances. In fact, that third album, Alive! ranked at number nine on the charts. That helped to make KISS one of the top bands of the 1970s.

As their fame continued to spike, boosted by not only their hot songs, but their stage makeup and costumes, two of the original members decided to try solo careers. So in 1977, per Rockhall.com, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss left KISS. This left Stanley and Simmons to find new members to replace them, which is exactly what they did. It wasn’t until 1996 that the original four members regrouped and for the next five years, KISS made a huge comeback, until Frehley and Criss left KISS yet again. In 2003, KISS found replacements and kept the momentum going for the band.

Over the years, there was obvious bad blood that developed between the members of KISS. So, it should have been no surprise when it was announced in December that KISS would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, NYPost.com reported that “a public war erupted over which band members would play at the upcoming ceremony.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation’s CEO Joel Peresman was reported by Blabbermouth.net as saying that he stands by the decision that only the four original members of KISS will be inducted. Stanley feels that at the very least, Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick should be included due to the fact that they were a part of KISS‘ world wide tours and multi-platinum albums.

KISS’ Stanley was not only angered by the fact that only the four original members would be inducted, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame only wanted the original four to perform at the ceremony.

Peresman was very frank in his response according to Blabbermouth.net, “I appreciate how current KISS members Thayer and Singer have filled in and the way they do things. 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 original KISS members Frehley and Criss 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.” Actually, that would be somewhat of a slap in their painted faces.

The reasons for the bitter blood between the original KISS members remains to be seen and heard when Stanley’s memoir, “Face the Music: A Life Exposed,” written with journalist Tim Mohr is released April 8th, per Blabblermouth.net. As KISS’ outspoken Stanley made the statement to Rollingstone, “I don’t need the Hall of Fame,” fans will be watching to see if he shows up at the induction ceremony. My guess is instead of telling the Hall to kiss off, he will be there in all his KISS fame and glory to accept the honor.

photo credit: Anirudh Koul via photopin cc