A "Controversial" Farewell To The Cat??
By: Byron Fogle

I'm normally a quiet kind of guy when it comes to KISS with regard to their changes and thing that have gone on. I think the 2 times I've really been outspoken is about the setlist or lack there of and the idea & petition for a video club in which the band would release DVDs or VHS of full concerts from all tours untouched & unedited by anyones hands. This was done through my article Kiss Video Spotlight found here on KISS ASYLUM. Now something has also sparked my interest enough to sit hear and spew some thoughts about the latest controversy of Peter leaving Kiss and Eric Singer coming back. Yesterday while celebrating my winning bid of a Colecovision video game system (yes the ancient 1983 one) I decide to kill some time and read the comments posted on the KISS ASYLUM & Kiss Online bulletin boards from all the fans about this and see what their takes and opinions were. I was really taken aback about how nuts some people were getting over it and even read one fans plea for Peter to return or commit suicide???? Hopefully it was a joking post cause it's really not something to permanently end ones life over. Ok off my soapbox, here now for all of the fans are my thoughts. I know all of what I say may not agree or sit well with other die-hards, casual fans and so forth but here I go anyway. If you don't agree with all of the points I make that's fine cause that's what makes us all unique. If we all agreed on things it would be quite boring.

Ok Eric is back, Peter is out, so what's the horrible thing?

It's a rock band we all love....people are getting too nuts over this, the name calling, the childish remarks about Peter's health etc...

I do however agree with one point a lot of fans have made

Eric should not wear Peter's cat make-up, that should be left to Peter alone. I did think it was also wrong for Ed Kannon, the Roadie who played that one show in 97 for Peter, to don the feline war paint but Gene & Paul call the shots and we can only idly sit by and take it, possibly bitching and moaning to our friends and fellow Kiss fans or writing an article like this =)

The Hawk was designed for Eric Carr but never used so that ones a little bit on the touchy side since Eric is no longer here same obviously goes for the Fox make-up

There was a design a fan made a while back called Black Diamond where Eric had big black diamonds around his eyes. Now that might be very dull & basic but it would work for this situation which is really for a total of 20 shows or so which is a rough estimate being that no one know how many US shows are planned.

Since the other shows for the States are still pending on how many nights & where these will take place, most likely Madison Square Garden since the Farewell Tour has yet to go there.

So with the make-up issue dealt with here are some points to ponder try to be objective & look at it from this point of view instead of being emotional about the topic & comments.

1. Japan & Australia and hopefully MSG get to see something never seen before Eric in makeup for the first time with a lineup he's never played with this equals Kiss fans benefiting once again of a new twist to Kisstory and for those fans who love the new merchandising maybe if they deem it necessary, new tour shirts, tour books and possibly a figure for Eric? Just pure speculation but again with this band you never can say never no matter how odd an idea can be. Id expect an Eric Carr figure before an Eric Singer one myself but Im rambling so who cares..

2. Possibly a new set list..a lot of us have complained (yours truly being a loud and very vocal one) about the set list and bashing it cause Peter's drum chops are not what they once were, his Carpal Tunnel which took a lot away from him due to the severe pain, his surgery on his hand. (sp) all those were quotes & excuses from this board & various other boards & sites.

With Eric it opens the field wide open and if they dont change the songs youll know they cant blame it on the drummer. It would be due to laziness or Ace not being able to play the licks of Bruce, Vinnie or Mark. The solo Ace can fudge by interpreting them his own way like the other guys did.

Ace would benefit the most from this switch of drummers cause now Parasite, Rocket Ride & Strange Ways (which Eric sang) could be played. We could even speculate though songs like I Pledge Alliance, Raise Your Glasses off Psycho Circus could be attempted, Other favorites of Erics like She, Watchin' You, & Makin Love can also be restored to the set.

Last but not least the 80s & 90s would get a fair nod on this Farewell.

Domino, Unholy, Tears Are Falling, Forever, Creatures of the Night, War Machine, & even something off Carnival of Souls, a CD which no incarnation of Kiss has yet to play anything off of Only Union can lay claim to that statement with their version of Jungle & I Walk Alone.

Now for us Kiss fans who were there from the beginning through the non-makeup not just the ones who came back in 96 when the originals got back together. We get our rocks off by possibly hearing songs from those non-original eras all played again but as you can see with the classic line-up songs it can even benefit the fans of the original line-up as well, so everyone can go home a winner. I for one am tired of Dr Love & Rock & Roll All Night but I endure it cause I see other fans getting off on them which makes me somehow get into them once again.

3. Eric & Bruce both got tossed out like yesterdays news, Kiss fans forgot about them and the power & musicianship the brought to the band. Plus this is the Farewell Tour right?

So why shouldn't Eric get to be part of it, I wish Bruce could too but what can you do.

The worst statement next to the suicide one of course that I've read is: "This is not a farewell w/o Peter "

Well if you realize that he WAS part of it but due to a money dispute he left.

No one is to blame here in this band including Peter it just happened.

Did all of you love Eric Carr, Vinnie, Mark, Bruce or Eric Singer when they came in, most answers would be no, but as fans of the band you grew to love, respect them or you just turned your nose up and walked away after Peter & Ace left depends on your views of what Kiss is & should be, again a very touchy subject Ive noticed.

Think about all these things before getting mental over this remember it's supposed to be a fun rock & roll band just enjoy the ride while it lasts cause with Eric or Peter behind the kit this is the last ride for this train cause its pulling up to the station for good and all youll have left are memories so why taint them getting upset over what has transpired just be glad we had them for as long as we did and remember who the hottest band in the world will always be no matter who played in this thing we love called KISS!

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