In a recent livestream interview with Podcast Rock City, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick spoke of his time with the band and recounted Vinnie Vincent’s bluff on Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley during the ‘Lick It Up’ tour:
“If you don’t remember the story, very briefly, Mark St. John gets the gig when they realize they have to fire Vinnie because he won’t sign the contract because he’s trying to get more money. You don’t play that game with Gene and Paul. It’s not a good idea. You don’t play the bluff game with people that don’t give a s**t and don’t need you, okay? That’s Business 101. But as you know, Vinnie plays by his own rules, and that’s his right. But you’re not gonna be in the band.”
He explained what happened after Vincent’s departure:
“So, then, all of a sudden, they go to Mark St. John, and I’m looking at that, going, ‘Wait a minute! That doesn’t work.’ But, all of a sudden, he has a health issue. Next thing you know, people are telling Paul, ‘I know you’ve used Bob [Kulick], but Bruce could do a great job if you need a ghost guitar player.’ The next thing you know, I’m there helping out for the ‘Animalize’ record on a song and a tiny bit on another song.”
The guitarist ended up doing more than a few sessions, though:
“And, then, ‘Don’t cut your hair.’ I’m going like, ‘What do you mean don’t cut my hair? I just did a session for you. Who gives a s**t?’ Anyway, the next thing I know, I get a call. ‘Mark’s ill. You gotta come in. Will you go on tour for six weeks? Then, when Mark’s better…’ You know, I thought I won the lottery then. Who knew it was gonna be twelve years?”
Although he left the band in 1996, Kulick came together with KISS members for a few shows throughout the years. He took the stage with Gene Simmons and Eric Singer for a special Las Vegas show back in May. Sharing a video of the performance on Twitter/X, he wrote:
“‘Deuce’ with some KISS moves at the end (naturally)! Yesterday, the show for the KISS fans was so much fun for all!”
In the upcoming weeks, the former KISS member is set to collaborate with Ace Frehley for a gig. On October 13-14, he will play the full ‘Alive III’ album for the KISS Cancer Goodbye II fundraiser while Frehley joins a few bands for their sets at the event.
