Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick says he wasn’t asked to appear or invited to the iconic band’s final concert in New York last year
Speaking with Ultimate Classic Rock, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick revealed that he “wasn’t asked to be” at the band’s final show last month and “wasn’t invited” to attend the event. Bruce said: “I think the tone for that, I was kind of well aware of, back when they announced the final shows. They were saying, ‘The final 50 — here it is.’ Doc [McGhee, longtime KISS manager] went on one of the good podcasts that I know and someone asked, ‘What about Bruce Kulick?’
‘Well, KISS isn’t a jam band,’ is kind of where he went with it. In other words, pooh-poohing me getting up there and playing with them. Well, you know, I played with them on the Kiss Kruise, okay? I played with them with Ace [Frehley, original KISS guitarist] on the Kiss Kruise. All right, granted, it was unplugged and it was a sail away show, which on the Kiss Kruise, is supposed to be unique. Then, I played electric with them too. I don’t jam.”
He continued: “Doc doesn’t love my era or get my era, because he had nothing to do with that and that’s fine. Doc‘s always been really cool with me and I know how important he is to the big vision of what KISS has done past my era. But I just felt like, if he’s going to say that KISS doesn’t jam … and to get Bruce up there, that would be jamming, it’s just a nice way of saying, ‘We’re not putting anybody else on stage with them.’ I get that, okay? I do.
“I wasn’t looking for a magical [moment to] plug in and play with them on stage, even though the fans would lose their mind — I really believe that. But it doesn’t matter. I tried to sit back and look at the last night and see what the fans were going to say. Because I already knew that I wasn’t invited.
“I will admit, it was a bit awkward when some friends who I know get the opportunity to be backstage. ‘Hey, Bruce, are you in New York? Am I going to see you later?’ ‘No, but have a great time.’ You know what I mean? What am I supposed to say, other than that? I do want everyone to have a great time. It means a lot to me to see that the fans [still enjoy it].
“It was ironic that right before the big event, I was flying back from a GRAND FUNK [RAILROAD] show when everybody was heading to New York. I said to [my wife] Lisa, ‘Hey, that’s kind of like the Kiss Kruise I didn’t get invited to.’ Because everyone’s going somewhere. It’s like, the port is now Madison Square Garden and New York City.
“For me, the final show, the fans really have spoken,” Bruce added. “I really think a lot of them were disappointed leaving the show. I know that some of them knew that probably Ace, Peter [Criss, original KISS drummer] or maybe even me wouldn’t be there. But they never said anyone’s names.
“They didn’t even mention all of the other important people in their career like Bill Aucoin or even Doc McGhee or other important [figures] that are part of Kisstory — the people that helped the band be so successful. I’m not going to crash the party and go when I wasn’t invited. It was certainly their night. I really celebrated their last night with my post on social media, congratulating them on their final show. You know, it’s their night to do what they wanted.”
Bruce Kulick‘s tenure with KISS spans over a decade and is marked by his significant contributions to the band’s musical evolution. In 1984, Kulick joined KISS as the lead guitarist, succeeding Mark St. John. His entry into the iconic band was somewhat unexpected but ultimately solidified after a successful audition. Prior to joining KISS, Kulick had established himself as a respected guitarist through his work with artists like Michael Bolton and Meat Loaf.
Bruce Kulick‘s first studio album with KISS was “Asylum” (1985), which showcased his versatile guitar skills and played a role in shaping the band’s sound during the mid-1980s. His subsequent albums with KISS, including “Crazy Nights” (1987), “Hot in the Shade” (1989), and “Revenge” (1992), further demonstrated his adaptability to the evolving rock landscape.
Kulick‘s adept guitar work was particularly evident during the “Revenge” era, contributing to the band’s return to a heavier and more hard rock-oriented sound. The album’s success was underscored by the standout track “Unholy,” which featured Kulick‘s powerful riffs. Alongside his studio work, Bruce Kulick actively participated in various KISS tours during this period, delivering memorable live performances and solidifying his presence in the band.
Despite the constant lineup changes that characterized KISS throughout its history, Bruce Kulick remained a consistent and reliable member for over a decade. His departure from KISS came in 1996, when the original four members of the band reunited for the “Alive Worldwide” reunion trek. His contributions, both in the studio and on stage, are fondly remembered by KISS fans, and his time with the band left an indelible mark on their musical legacy.
Bruce is also heavily featured on “Kissology – Vol. 2” and “Vol. 3”, the band’s DVDs spanning their historic 45-year career.
