Gene Simmons Said That He Would Never Work With Former Kiss Guitarist Vinnie Vincent Again

four 0

Read Time:thirteen Minute, nine Second

Before he found distinction as Vinnie Vincent of Osculation, there was Vincent Cusano the session musician.

As far as KISS goes, they've had a myriad of diversely talented lead guitarists, some of which are more unique, and of course, a amend fit than others. At present, for those that don't know — Vincent Cusano AKA Vinnie Vincent is role of that stable of guitarists who accept served under the utilize of Cistron Simmons, and Paul Stanley.

Well-nigh Buss fans volition agree that "Space" Ace Frehley is the be-all-finish-all when information technology comes to Buss lead guitar. That said, Bruce Kulick is a well-loved fan favorite. Tommy Thayer has been wonderful both in, and out of KISS, and while Marking St. John was talented, I think it goes without maxim that he was a horrendous fit for a band such as KISS.

Enter Vinnie Vincent.

Now, when it comes to Vinnie, he's always been something of an enigmatic outlier, and his place in KISStory is no exception. Notwithstanding, the two albums Vinnie Vincent was involved with a member of Osculation,Creatures of the Night, andLick it Up, were, and are some of the fiercest, heaviest, and consistent fabric that bad has always put out to date.

While it's clear that Vinnie Vincent had a certain chemical science with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from a songwriting standpoint, from a personal standpoint, the brotherhood was nothing short of distorted and corrosive, which seemed to be a running theme for Vinnie as he moved forward.

Vinnie Vincent's time as a member of Kiss, and his 2 albums accept been well documented, and well-loved — with good reason. But what about Vinnie's output outside of the confines of Buss?

Today we will effort to dive into the mind of i of the almost talented, and painfully enigmatic guitarists of the final half-century. In some other time, or another place, perhaps Vinnie Vincent could take ascended to the level of superstardom which his talent easily should have immune him to, but instead, we are left with a fractured and disjointed trunk of work.

Let'due south dig in and run across what Vinnie Vincent has served up over the years.

Black Satin — Black Satin (1976)

One of Vinnie Vincent's first gigs was secured with the 70s R&B/Disco outfit, Black Satin for their 1976 tape,Black Satin.Not a tremendous amount is known regarding Vincent'due south piece of work on this record, but it is widely assumed that he laid down the guitars for the tracks recorded in his home state of Connecticut. Those tracks are "Tears, Tears, Tears," "Permit My Fingers Exercise The Walking," "We're A Star," and "In The Still Of The Nighttime." Those expecting to hear the raging bull of a atomic number 82 thespian Vinnie was to become will exist sadly disappointed. Openminded types, Osculation completists, or KISS-adjacent obsessives will dig this. Plus, who doesn't similar to go funky now and over again?

The Hitchhiker'south — Hitchhikers (1976)

Equally previously mentioned, Vinnie Vincent hails from Connecticut, and in the mid-70s, he hooked on at Connecticut Recording Studios, owned past Paul Leka, and ended upwards working on several mid-level records throughout the rest of the decade. While information technology is not entirely clear just how many records Vincent contributed his talents to, we do know that he worked with The Hitchhiker'south on their 1976 record,Hitchhikers.What nosotros know for sure is that Vincent co-wrote the album's last track, the six and a half minute "This Song's For You Mama," and he probably contributed some level of guitar work to the rest of the record, but to what extent is simply unclear. This is a fun anthology, and this is an early example of Vinnie Vincent's nifty ability to write a quality runway in a hurry.

Treasure — Treasure (1977)

When you think of Vinnie Vincent, you probably think of an sick-tempered guitar wizard, caked in makeup, weighed down by hair spray, wielding a Jackson Flight-V. While Vincent would come up to be known for his corybantic Metallic-influenced 80s styling, there was a time when he leaned much more Classic Rock. If you're looking to hear Vinnie Vincent bear witness a completely different side of himself as a guitarist, look no farther than his first taste of the commercial music industry, Treasure. Fans of deep-cut 70s Arena Rock (Styx, Journey, Foreigner) will be at home hither. What's most impressive nearly Vincent's work with Treasure is it showcases merely how versatile of a guitarist he was. While he's not in his full-blown Hair Metal glory here, there are some great riffs, and Vinnie Vincent's classic howling bends can exist heard besides, albeit in a more restrained form. Too of note, Vincent took a turn as a lead vocalist on the tracks, "Innocent Eyes," and "Turn Yourself Around." Treasure was a skilful band and one that should get more than love.

Dan Hartman — Instant Replay (1978)

The work of a session musician is volatile, and they don't always get to cull the projects they're working on. Equally a young guitarist, Vinnie Vincent would take on more than or less any project that was sent his fashion, which leads us to Dan Hartman'south 1978 Disco/Pop tape,Instant Replay. Past the looks of it, Vincent contributed all the guitars to this record, which more often than not consisted of rhythm and acoustic piece of work. This isn't what one would call his "finest 60 minutes," merely Vincent's playing is nothing short of solid, and workman-like. Also, the title track of the record, "Instant Replay," went to number 20-nine of the Usa Hot-100 Nautical chart…that has to be worth something, right?

Laura Nyro — Nested (1979)

Aye, it seems in Vinnie Vincent's quest toward notoriety, he left no rock unturned, and in 1979, Vinnie ended up contributing guitars to Laura Nyro'due south first-class Pop/Folk record,Nested.Generally speaking, Laura Nyro is very underrated and made some fantastic records. This tape in particular is interesting, as it'southward entirely more melodic, and commercial sounding than anything she previously had done. One cannot help but wonder if Vincent exerted any of his soonhoped-for notorious and duality-laden personality over the recording sessions. Perchance nosotros volition never know.

Felix Cavaliere — Castles In The Air (1979)

In the late-70s, Vinnie Vincent was something of a hot commodity on the New York/Connecticut session musician scene. His versatility and songwriting talents were becoming well-known and understandably appreciated. Once Vincent had finished recording the guitars for Laura Nyro, he immediately went to piece of work on Felix Cavaliere's 1979 tape,Castles In The Air.Again, this is non exactly the Difficult Rock and Heavy Metal stylings we would come to know, and love from the Ankh Warrior, but notwithstanding, Vincent contributed all the guitars for, "All Or Nothing," "Dear Is The First Mean solar day Of Spring," and he did lay down a nice guitar solo for the penultimate track, "Don't Concur Dorsum Your Love."

Staff Songwriter for Happy Days & Joanie Loves Chachi (1980-1982)

Tired of toiling in obscurity while laying downwards perceivably forgettable guitar work for Disco and Pop acts, Vinnie Vincent decided to leave Connecticut, and caput to Los Angeles, in 1980. Information technology was around this time that he decided to use his innate ability to write a damn good song and take on a role as a staff songwriter for the hit Telly seriesHappy Days, and is not every bit a well-loved spinoff, and cult-classic, Joanie Loves Chachi. While one would never call up of Vinnie Vincent as the type to contribute cutesy songs to the proverbial Popular zeitgeist, withal, there he was, writing many of the series most well-known songs on his old acoustic guitar, while sitting at the Cunningham's kitchen tabular array, on theHappy Days prepare. While this isn't the blazon of thing Vincent is nearly known for, it is an interesting footnote in the legendary axman's history, and for what it's worth, in his few and far betwixt interviews, Vincent has claimed that his time working onHappy Days, andJoanie Loves Chachi were some of his, "Happiest days." If that's not ironic, I don't know what is.

Carmine Appice — Reddish Appice (1981)

Most Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal fans are aware of the massive disaster that was the failed joint bout that Scarlet Appice attempted with Vinnie Vincent a few years back. Yes, it seems that Vincent wasn't quite gear up to "come back" after all. That said, did y'all know that Vinnie Vincent worked as a songwriter on Crimson Appice's underrated solo record,Red Appice, in 1981? While it seems that Danny Johnson played most of, if non all the guitars on the tape, Vincent did co-write i of the tape's standout tracks, "Drum City Rocker." It seems that Vincent impressed Carmine so much, that he took him out on the road as a member of Ruby and The Rockers in back up of the record, and the grouping even opened for Joe Perry's (Aerosmith) solo project, The Joe Perry Project. Like Treasure, Carmine and The Rocker's was one of those very absurd belatedly-70s and early-80s groups who we all like to dream of working out.

Peter Criss — Allow Me Rock Yous (1982)

Hither is where things get a flake more interesting, and by all accounts, where Vinnie Vincent'due south official KISS connectedness really begins. While it appears that Vincent did non play whatever guitar on Peter Criss's 2d mail service-KISS offer,Allow Me Rock You, information technology does announced that he co-wrote one of the album's meliorate tracks, "Tears." Looking back through the records album credits, you will find that Vincent co-wrote "Tears" with Adam Mitchell, in 1982, who was also working with Kiss during this time every bit a songwriter for their upcoming 1982 record,Creatures of the Night. It is said that Mitchell is who introduced Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley to Vinnie Vincent, and it was here where Vincent'south session work with KISS officially began. Too of note, "Tears" would become on to be re-recorded by John Waite, in 1984, for his record,No Brakes. The track would go along to break the US Top-xl and the Hot-100. As previously mentioned, "Tears" is a great song. It seems it just wasn't meant to be for Peter Criss.

Warrior (1982)

The story of Warrior is an interesting, if not somewhat convoluted journeying. Things got started in 1982, when Boston-based band, New England, featuring Gary Shea on bass, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, Hirsh Gardner on drums, and John Fannon on vocals and guitar, bankrupt up subsequently the deviation of Fannon. The remaining members of the ring wanted to continue on, and and then, the search for a guitarist and a vocalizer began. Dating back some time, New England had a relationship with KISS, having opened for them in the past. As per Gary Shea, one mean solar day in conversation with Factor Simmons, Shea mentioned that he was, "Looking to put a new ring together and that he needed a guitarist." Simmons mentioned, "We accept a guy writing songs for u.s.a., doing some session work filling in for Ace. He doesn't have the right look for KISS — he'south also curt — but he would be a perfect fit for you lot." That guitarist was Vinnie Vincent. As the story goes, Simmons sent Shea Vincent's demos from the ongoing Creatures Of The Nighttime sessions, and Shea instantly fell in beloved. Before long later on, Vincent met upwards with Shea, Waldo, and Hirsch, for a jam session, and the chemical science was immediate. At the time, Vincent was in something of a Metallic style, beingness that he was working on Creatures Of The Dark, and so, the textile he presented was much harder-edged than anything New England had previously done. So, the newly formed band decided to make themselves every bit "Warrior," to correspond that hard edge. The ring proceeded forwards with Vincent on guitar, and he likewise served as temporary vocalist for the demos they laid down, while the search for a singer connected. It'due south been reported that while Gary Shea got on well with Vincent, Waldo and Hirsh were, "Non in love with Vinnie." In the eleventh hour, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, in dire need of a replacement for the officially departed Ace Frehley, called Vincent and offered for him to join KISS immediately, but that he needed to decide quickly with Stanley and Simmons saying, "We need to know right now, are you in, or are you out?" Needless to say, Vincent was in, effectively ending Warrior before it ever got off the basis. Every bit for the remaining members, Shea and Waldo went on to form Alcatrazz with Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen, and as for Vinnie Vincent, the residuum, equally they say, is KISStory.

These are simply a few of the most well-known highlights of Vinnie Vincent's long, and…successful career every bit a session musician, and songwriter. As is the example with virtually session musicians, it can be hard to track exactly which records they played on, and if you are able to pin down their discography, it can exist even harder to figure out which tracks they contributed to.

Still, throughout his career, Vinnie Vincent has shown himself to be both a multifaceted guitarist and a gifted songwriter. One who has contributed his talents beyond many genres, and mediums, all with the eye toward eventual stardom, and in this lies the challenge when trying to understand Vinnie Vincent.

After years of session work, and moving around from ring to band, Vincent finally caught a break and landed a lead guitar part with one of the biggest bands in the earth in KISS. The music he made with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Eric Carr is truly some of the freshest, and best of the Hair Metal era. Furthermore, information technology is music that withal holds up to this day.

And notwithstanding — Vinnie flamed out with KISS.

Given a 2nd adventure at stardom with his own band, the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, whose two records, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, andAll Systems Go are also some of the most ferocious of the decade — he flamed out at that place as well.

While one could go for days regarding the myriad of credits Vinnie has accumulated throughout hismail-Buss career, for now, it's better to call back that when we attempt to analyze Vinnie Vincent, we sympathise that while the man has world-chirapsia talent, some musicians simply aren't meant to accept over the world.

While Super Stars and superheroes are fun, the earth needs villains and anti-heroes too, and it seems that Vinnie Vincent fits those roles quite well. A musical nomad. A human being who comes and goes as he pleases. A man who leaves chaos disguised as a triumph in his wake.

One thousand swells of chaos and devastation.

When we analyze Vinnie Vincent, this is what we find. From the spoils, take what you want, and leave the residual.

Vincent John Cusano would take it any other way.

Interested in learning more about Vinnie Vincent? Cheque out the link beneath:

Exist sure to dive into the full archives of Idle Chatter , by Andrew Daly, here: https://vwmusicrocks.com/idle-chatter-archives/

About Post Writer

Andrew Daly

With an immense passion for music, a disposition for writing, and an eagerness to teach and share both, Andrew decided to found VWMusic in 2022 as a freelance column under the column Idle Chatter. Over time, the column grew into a website that now features contributors who further the crusade of sharing both a love of music and the art of journalism with the world through articles and interviews. While Andrew enjoys running the website, his existent passion lies in teaching and facilitating others to practise what they do all-time, and giving them the opportunity to explore their passions in the process. Some of Andrew's favorite artists include Osculation, Oasis, ACϟDC, Elvis Presley, Ace Frehley, The Rolling Stones, Rush, The Pretenders, Led Zeppelin, The Gaslight Anthem, Iron Maiden, John Lennon, The Melvins, Noel Gallagher, Regina Spektor, Rory Gallagher, The Stone Roses, The Strokes, Sparse Lizzy, Elvis Costello, Van Halen, Neil Young, Blur, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and many more.