Kiss: The Story of Bruce Kulick’s Departure and His Thoughts on the Band’s Reunion
The Decision to Reunite
In the 1990s, Kiss leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons decided to stage an original lineup reunion, complete with makeup. For Bruce Kulick, the guitarist who had been a part of the band since 1984, this decision was a surprise. While he understood why the reunion happened, it took him a while to accept it.
Pushback Against the Reunion
Kulick, who was a key member of the band during his 12-year stint, pushed back against the pair’s dismissal of the work done during his time with the band. He argued that the music created during his era was comparable to the band’s best output.
The Reunion Tour and Its Impact
The reunion tour, which featured Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, was a huge success. However, this success came at the expense of Kulick’s position in the band. He was terminated as a band member in December 1996, after being retained with full pay for a year.
Kulick’s Thoughts on the Reunion
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Kulick shared his thoughts on the reunion. He stated that while he understood why the reunion happened, he felt that it was a purely commercial decision. He also felt that the return to makeup had "killed Kiss as a creative entity."
Grunge and the Band’s Success
Kulick was asked if grunge music had killed the band’s success in the 1990s. He replied that it wasn’t grunge that killed the era, but rather the reunion tour.
Chemistry and Musical Integrity
Kulick also discussed the idea that the lineup change had been made at the expense of chemistry and musical integrity. He stated that the cracks reopened, and that the music created during the reunion era was not as strong as it had been during his time with the band.
Conclusion
Bruce Kulick’s departure from Kiss was a significant event in the band’s history. While he understood why the reunion happened, he felt that it was a commercial decision that had a negative impact on the band’s music and creative direction. Kulick’s thoughts on the reunion and his time with the band offer a unique perspective on one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
FAQs
Q: Why did Bruce Kulick leave Kiss?
A: Kulick was terminated as a band member in December 1996, after being retained with full pay for a year. The decision was made to reunite the original lineup, featuring Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
Q: Did Bruce Kulick think the reunion was a good idea?
A: Kulick understood why the reunion happened, but it took him a while to accept it. He felt that it was a purely commercial decision and that it had a negative impact on the band’s music and creative direction.
Q: Did Bruce Kulick think the reunion tour was successful?
A: Yes, Kulick acknowledged that the reunion tour was a huge success, but he felt that it came at the expense of the band’s chemistry and musical integrity.
Q: Did Bruce Kulick think grunge music killed Kiss’s success in the 1990s?
A: No, Kulick stated that it wasn’t grunge that killed the era, but rather the reunion tour.
Q: What did Bruce Kulick think of the music created during the reunion era?
A: Kulick felt that the music created during the reunion era was not as strong as it had been during his time with the band. He stated that the cracks reopened, and that the music was not as cohesive as it had been previously.
