“Being asked to be the guitarist in Kiss was a career highlight,” former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick shared with Guitar Player, highlighting the immense pressure and excitement of becoming part of the iconic band. As Ace Frehley’s successor, Kulick spent 13 years as Kiss’s lead guitarist, contributing to six studio albums, two live records, and countless electrifying performances worldwide. He recently launched his own brand, AXN Guitars, inspired by his time with Kiss, further solidifying his legacy. We delve into Kulick’s memories to uncover his most unforgettable and challenging live experiences with the legendary rock group.
Kiss members Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, and Paul Stanley performing live without makeup in 1992
Gene Simmons, Bruce Kulick, and Paul Stanley delivering a high-energy performance on stage in 1992.
The Pinnacle: Tokyo’s Budokan Arena
Reflecting on his best performance, Kulick transports us far from his New York City roots, across the Pacific to Japan. While Madison Square Garden shows held a special ‘hometown hero’ significance, it was Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan that truly marked his career zenith.
“Thinking about my best show with Kiss takes me to Japan in 1988, during the Crazy Nights tour,” Kulick recalls. This tour was a landmark as Kiss ventured into Japan for the first time without their signature Kabuki makeup. For Kulick, it was a dual thrill: his first visit outside the United States and a deep dive into Japanese culture, particularly its renowned electronics industry, home to brands like Sony, Panasonic, and ESP Guitars, a personal favorite.
The Nippon Budokan held historical weight. Originally built for the 1964 Olympic Games’ martial arts competitions, it gained legendary status in music history after The Beatles’ 1966 performance and Cheap Trick’s iconic live album, At Budokan. “The name Budokan was forever etched in my brain as somewhere I would love to perform,” Kulick explains.
On April 22, 1988, that dream became reality. Playing at Budokan, Kulick witnessed an extraordinary display of enthusiasm from Japanese fans, known for their reserved demeanor. Adding to the significance, Japan’s NHK broadcasting corporation professionally filmed the concert, allowing Kulick to relive the magic of the evening. “They captured the evening’s magic, and my playing was filled with accuracy and emotion.”
Kulick vividly remembers his guitar solo, a dynamic showcase of skill and stage presence. “My solo in the set meant I had to work the stage running from one side to the other, never stopping riffs from my red ESP Horizon guitar. I played flashy, but with tons of emotion.” The combination of the prestigious venue, the fervent crowd, and his own peak performance cemented this Budokan show as a career highlight, possibly his best ever as a Guitar Player For Kiss.
The Nadir: Belfast’s King’s Hall
In stark contrast, Kulick recounts his worst gig with Kiss in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The socio-political complexities of the region were unsettling for the Brooklyn-born musician. “The feeling of danger when arriving in Belfast and seeing the armed police in full force gave me an uneasy feeling,” he admits.
The venue, King’s Hall, had hosted music legends like The Beatles, Thin Lizzy, and U2. However, for Kiss, their October 3, 1988 performance, the final show of the Crazy Nights tour, turned into an unforgettable ordeal for all the wrong reasons.
“At the time, I could never really figure out why — and maybe it was due to unrest in the city of Belfast — but the excited fans at King’s Hall were spitting all over us!” Kulick describes the shocking audience behavior. The enthusiastic, yet unconventional, display of affection involved fans spitting on the band members with alarming accuracy. “They were quite gifted at spitting, even reaching my fingerboard, while I was doing my best to play guitar!”
The experience was, understandably, “incredibly horrific.” Kulick, along with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, were drenched. Eric Carr, positioned behind his drum kit, was somewhat shielded from the downpour of saliva.
The band later learned this was interpreted as a local custom – a bizarre way for Irish audiences to express their appreciation. “Later, we were told that’s how audiences in Ireland express their love for a band — by drenching them in phlegm. Sorry, no, thank you!” Kulick exclaims. Relief washed over him as the show concluded, and he was ready to return to the familiar comforts of America, leaving behind this decidedly unpleasant concert experience as a guitar player for Kiss.
