Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick recently talked about what really happened during the KISS Kruise event. Paul Stanley was accused of overlooking Kulick’s contribution before later issuing a public apology.
On the Shout It Out Loudcast, Kulick explained the backstage confusion which led to the awkward on-stage moment. A miscommunication regardinig the setlist resulted in him nearly missing his cue to perform, and Paul Stanley’s subsequent apology played out both privately and publicly.
Kulick said, “I mean, look, it was covered in the press quite a few ways, but more from Paul actually really feeling bad about it and he wound up apologizing after the show. And then the next morning I’m getting texts from him and then of course he opened up the Q&A with this whole thing, ‘I have to start this with an apology to Bruce,’ you know.”
Bruce Kulick said the onstage confusion stemmed from uncertainty over the setlist during the show’s closing moments. He explained that he was originally supposed to come out for “Lick It Up,” but there was confusion backstage after Eric Singer told him the song might have been removed. Instead, Paul Stanley unexpectedly launched into it, leaving everyone unsure of what was happening and resulting in Kulick appearing onstage amid the confusion.
He continued, “And it was really weird because so what was supposed to happen was I’d come out for Lick It Up, okay, the last song. And then I remember I discussed it with Eric and I have no reason to not believe Eric. And Eric was like Paul almost like cut out Lick It Up and everybody was like in other words there was a little confusion to the end of the show. Paul went right into it. Never should have probably should have said something but at that point Eric claimed he didn’t even know what song was next and it was there and then all of a sudden there I am.”
Kulick then talked about the moment he found himself suddenly standing at the side of the stage and was uncertain whether to walk out.
Kulick said, “So, the reason why I’m sheepishly calling out on stage, this can only happen with KISS, you know what I mean? Is that Paul counts off and starts a song without remembering that, okay, this is when when Paul Bruce is going to sit in because I know he was aware of it, but almost didn’t even do the song, right? Of course, Rock and Roll All Night was next with the confetti and all that. But Tommy’s the one I gotta — I got to give him big thumbs up and he’s like, ‘Get out of here.’ Cuz I’m like, ‘Don’t want to wait.’ you know, all of a sudden there he is there. You know, Paul’s singing and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. I’m not — I’m over here. The pedal board just barely made it out there, right?’ And then Tommy’s like, ‘Get out here. Get out here.’ And he’s waving to me.”
Despite the awkward entrance, Kulick acknowledged that some fans actually found the unscripted moment charming — though he admitted it still stung.
He said, “So now I’m like, you know, like kind of like like creepily, you know, stepping out and and let’s face it, at that point of the song, it’s not real important, you know, like whether or not. I don’t need to be too close to anybody, but by the time it came to the solo, I got to be featured. Now, some people thought that that was the coolest thing not to be introduced because everybody knows who I am.”
“But it was awkward. It was. And then I’m thinking, how could Paul forget me? That’s why Gene ran over and screamed out Bruce Kulick, you know what I mean? And then and then they went right into Rock And Roll All Night. And I know Paul was caught up in the moment. Look, they hadn’t played together in a long time. They were raw. They did a great job. I thought it was amazing. No click, no backgrounds, nothing helping. I was a real show and the fans loved it.”
Kulick then reflected on the experience with warmth and noted that despite the confusion, the moment was still a memorable one.
He concluded, “I mean, Paul was genuinely you know, felt bad that it didn’t happen and it gave me a lot of press that way, but still, it was a real thrill. It really was a thrill. I loved it. And then to be up there for rock and roll night with all the confetti and all, it was it was a lot of fun.”
