Guitarist misses legendary rock band, but says he lost job for ‘right reasons’

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick recently reflected on his tenure with the band in an interview with Loaded Radio, and said he felt his era with the group “ran its course.”
Kulick was one of two band members to never wear the group’s iconic makeup or costumes. In the interview, he explained why the band didn’t invite him back after Ace Frehley left for a final time in 2002 — instead opting for Tommy Thayer.
“Even during my era, [Tommy] was involved with the band, helping with ‘Kisstory’ and doing things for the group.”
Kulick also pointed out that Thayer filled in for Frehley on a couple of occasions before he left — specifically the band’s “That 70’s Show” special in 2002.
Although he misses being in KISS, Kulick expressed that he understood why they elected to go with Thayer, given his proximity to the band already and ability to fill in the “spaceman” persona
“I miss being in KISS, I do realize it would have kind of pooped on my era because then I’d have to kind of play the role of the ‘Spaceman’ and shoot rockets and play more like Ace,” Kulick said in the interview. “I was never given that direction from Gene and Paul [Stanley], where Tommy knew that it actually was more comfortable with his natural style of guitar playing.”
When it comes down to it, Kulick feels the band was heading in a different direction.
“So, I actually kind of lost the big gig on many levels for the right reasons though. And I was never fired the first time,” Kulick said. “It was simply, ‘Well, we’re making all this money. Now we’re selling out from arenas to stadiums in makeup.’ So my era ran its course.”
Kulick joined KISS in 1984 and remained its lead guitarist until its 1996 reunion tour. He recorded five albums during his tenure, including 1985’s “Asylum” and 1997’s “Carnival of Souls.”
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Murjani Rawls may be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @MurjaniRawls.