Tim McPhate | KissFAQ
This week, KissFAQ launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. In conjunction with the launch, the site has published an interview with former Starz guitarist Brendan Harkin.
With Starz being managed by Bill Aucoin, Harkin received an invitation through Sean Delaney to play on Peter Criss’ album. The following are excerpts from Harkin’s interview with KissFAQ’s Tim McPhate:
On his recollection of the invitation to play on Criss’ album:
KF: Do you recall how you were offered the opportunity to play on Peter Criss’ solo album?
BH: This is interesting. Because I don’t know if I’ve even listened to that record. This record was just one of many records I did at the time. You [mentioned] Vini Poncia [co-]produced it, and maybe he did, but my involvement was through Sean Delaney. And I just assumed that Sean was producing it. Maybe he just produced several tunes on it or maybe he was working with Vini, I don’t know. But it was through Sean and he knew I could do the session [guitar] thing and put in what was needed on stuff. I actually played on a bunch of stuff on that record. I got credited with one song and Sean said, “Well, Peter wants stars, not Starz the band, but actual stars to play on the record. He doesn’t want people who are not huge stars.” And he said, “I can only credit you [with] one small credit on the record.” But I went into Electric Lady with Sean numerous times to fill in lots of little parts, just kind of polishing stuff off. And to tell you the truth, I couldn’t tell you what I played on and what I didn’t. I can’t even tell you what I got credited to play on.
His impressions of KISS and Criss:
KF: Did you know Peter and was he around when you were in the studio with Sean?
BH: Well, I knew Peter from the whole association with Aucoin. But I can’t say I was ever friends with Peter. I’m friendly with Lydia; she’s a great gal. I’m still in touch with her and Richie Fontana, they live together in New York. She was always really nice and really friendly. They lived really close to me and my wife at the time, they lived on 2nd Avenue and 30th Street and I lived on 28th Street. Myself and my wife used to go over there, but never when Peter was there. I remember Peter as being kind of standoffish. The other guys were friendly. Ace, Gene and Paul were all real friendly and all real kind and encouraging to the band, and I used to see them all the time. We did some gigs with them. But Peter, I don’t ever remember having a conversation with Peter and he was not there for any of the sessions.
On Criss wanting “big names” on his album:
KF: Yes, he’s listed on a few tunes.
BH: I might be wrong. Maybe I was there a couple of times when there were tracking sessions. But I definitely played on more than that one tune. But Sean said, “I can only give you a small credit because Peter wants big names on there.” And I guess I wasn’t a big name.
KF: I have to be candid. I’m looking at the credit sheet and the only “big names” I see would be Steve Lukather and maybe Elliot Randall. Now that’s not to take anything away from the players on the album. They’re all fantastic musicians. But in terms of star power, Gene was the one who turned that trick on his album.
BH: Yeah, well that was Sean’s story. And unfortunately, you can’t ask Sean about it.
On Bill Aucoin:
KF: We’ve talked about Bill and Sean and both of them are unfortunately no longer with us. When you think about Bill Aucoin, what are the things that immediately come to mind?
BH: Well, I loved Bill. He and Sean — and my guess is that Sean was probably the first one to suggest it — brought my band, what turned into Starz, kind of out of oblivion and into the big time. And he put up a lot of his own money and a lot of his own reputation. So I loved Bill. And I left the band before it all fell apart so I don’t have any of the negative feelings about him that some of the other guys had at the time. I think maybe that’s changed over the years. I know Richie had some pretty hard feelings and Michael [Lee Smith] had some pretty hard feelings about it. I don’t know if they still do. I do remember there was a Starz gig about, I don’t know, seven or eight years in New York and Bill showed up and Michael wouldn’t talk to him. So I guess Michael still has some hard feelings toward him. I guess he thought maybe Bill should have worked harder for us and got us with a different record company or something. But I think Bill did everything he could for us and I think he did a great job, given the band and [our] talent and our songs and records. I think we did about as good as we deserved to do. So I never had any negative feelings. I loved the guy. It was great to see him, seven or eight years ago. He looked great and he showed up and he held up a big Starz sign in the audience. He was dancing around. I thought that was pretty cool. I saw him once here in Nashville. He came to hear some artist and I don’t know how I heard about it — whether he got in touch with me or somebody knew he was coming — but I showed up at the club and I saw him. That was maybe 15 years ago. So I only saw him those couple of times since the old days. He was the same old guy, sweet and smart. I only have the best things to say about him. And Sean also.
Full Brendan Harkin interview
http://www.kissfaq.com/78/interview_brendan_harkin.php
About Back In The Solo Album Groove:
As KISS celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2013, KissFAQ.com has launched Back In The Solo Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later…, an ambitious multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums. More than 30 brand-new interviews were conducted with various individuals who either worked directly on the solo albums or have a strong connection of sorts. The interviews will offer readers fresh first-hand perspectives straight from studio musicians, producers, engineers, and collaborators, and the creative professionals working in the KISS camp at the time. Topical features will shed more light on KISS’ activity in 1978 while dissecting the albums and offering in-depth analysis and biographical information on the albums’ participants. Also featured will be a 1978 KISS calendar, a roundup of other notable album releases in the rock genre in 1978, a spotlight on “Double Platinum,” and much more. Back In The Solo Album Groove will put the four 1978 KISS solo albums center stage like never before.
Get Back In The Solo Album Groove at:
http://www.kissfaq.com/78/index.php