Ep. 21: Vinnie Vincent "Creatures of the Night" KISS era Interview 

Lets never forget Eric Carr's excellent work during this difficult Kiss period.

This is the Vinnie interview we needed.

Thanks Mike!! You are always 100% legit!! Can never get enough Vinny Creatures talk!!

I love Vinnie Vincent... For all his faults, he was still short changed by Kiss. There ought to have been a contract that would be commensurate to what he brought the band. A wonderfully talented man who also fell prey to a lot of bad decisions. But I still love him. My only tattoo was in souvenir of him. Love you Vinnie!

I absolutely love this interview. Vinnie if you read this, thank you for reaching back out.

Just stumbled across your channel yesterday. Listened to the Eric Carr 70th bday episode and to this today. Fantastic interview with Vinnie. I really enjoyed it! Nice to hear some of this stuff from his perspective. ( I got to see Vinnie in Dayton, Oh on the LIU tour) Great work! Thanks for this cool bit of KISStory, and the keeping Eric's memory alive!

Great job Mike! AMAZING interview!!! Thank you so much for doing this and sharing this with us all. I am from Belo Horizonte, Brazil and it was nice to hear Vinnie mentioning it. Great pronunciation of the city's name as well. They changed many, many people's lives in Brazil when they came. Including mine. Vinnie really needs to write a book/memoir ASAP!

Vin fit in. I loved his style. Paul's a premaddonna. And "Million To One" is such an emotive song, personal fave, man.

Right on! Absolutely love this interview Mike! Vinnie you Rock! Can’t wait for the Valentine party!

Great interview loved what he said about the great Eric Carr

Vinnie you were Kiss!! You were my hero !!

I am not a kiss or Vinny fan, but this was a really good interview. Great job!!!

Vinnie! Best wishes in 2020!

Vinnie's rambling interviews are a lot like his solos. I'm seeing a pattern here.

Saint and Sinner.... The guitar solo is brilliant

I love this Vinnie. So honest and confident.

Hi Mike & Vinnie! Fascinating interview and Vinnie comes across more as the rock star that he is and you can tell that he is getting his confidence back, which is great. So many trolls owe him an apology. I was fortunate to have seen Vinnie on both the Creatures & Lick it Up tours and he was great. For Creatures I was 18 & took a bus up to Glenns Falls, NY in a blizzard that dumped like a foot of snow on the road. Unbeknownst to me, my girlfriend & I stayed in a hotel that Night Ranger was staying in & I rode the elevator with them, but didn't recognize them, lol. Then, KISS was delayed bc of the blizzard and word was that their bus was either lost or snowbound due to the blizzard. While waiting on line in the freezing cold to get in the arena, we were all talking as KISS fans do and someone said that they were going to play without Ace & that he had quit. We were all in shock & felt let down. I hadn't heard of Vinnie before & didn't know what to expect. It was well before the internet. He was amazing on stage & in that show! You can imagine the jitters he must have had & as he describes in this interview, he got over it, & the great thing was that he was not just playing Ace note for note & exhibited his own personality & style. I will never forget it. It helps that Mike is also a fan and that helps trigger Vinnie to discuss some interesting, never heard before, details. I can't wait to hear more insight from Vinnie re Lick it Up. Mike in Tampa

Good job keeping him on track when he would go into tangent memories Mike ;)

Vinnie is a very complex story, thats based on what iv learned from what information he and others have had to say. Im sure the untold information is jaw dropping. One thing im sure of, he is crazy, crazy like a fox. Different is a polite way to put his public persona . However ,, hearing the demos he sang on and wrote reveal the depth of his musical talent. He is a incredibly good singer, why he never did his on vocals as a solo artist is baffling. He is a trip. When he resurfaced, his appearance was disturbing in a way i cant explain nor understand, why would he present himself in that light....?

Underrated era. Love Vinnie in the band.

I'm not a diehard Vinnie fan. But there are four definitive albums in their catalog: Destroyer, Creatures, Lick it Up and Revenge. Cusano proved instrumental on 3/4 of them. Pretty hard to argue with that whether one likes him or not.

Great interview! I wished Vinnie would publish the contract that Kiss wanted Vinnie to sign. Vinnie's violin bow was a sword. #HelloCleveland

Vinnie Vincent played such a Fascinating Role in The Kiss Chapter Vinnies Legacy will live on in Kisstory Love him or Hate him Vinnie made his mark God Bless Vinnie God Bless KISS

Mike i must tell you this was your greatest work yet. All the best brother and thank you for such an insightful interview. I have a new respect for Vinny after listening to this. Big ups

Creatures of the night was one of my favorite kiss albums ever even have a creatures of the night jacket that says kiss all over it with pictures of Vinny, Vincent and kiss, and I am going to see kiss three times this year three different cities on the end of the road tour. The last three shows other than the two shows at Madison Square Garden that I will not be attending. Oh my God I cannot believe it. I am so super stoked. I’m gonna be super stoked until November like you’ve never even imagine that made my day hearing those words that I was able to go to three shows this year being that I’m part of the kiss army forever.

Amazing. Thank you Vinnie and Mike

Excellent interview! Just incredible

Very enjoyable. I have to work V-day. Bit I’m now thinking that I have drop the dime and come to one of these VV experiences.

I loved that line up.

Vinnie is creatures of the night album.and kiss best album ever.

Vinnie “I hate hype” Vincent. His press releases for his events are nothing but over the top hype, once in a lifetime, never before heard demos, 20 vinyl box set still coming etc...

Vinnies solo on Dr Love.. Rio... Awesomeness 👍

I love re listening to this interview

The most disturbing thing about this is that G and P didn't want to pay him for his songwriting contributions and Michael James Jackson had to convince them to pay him.

Love u Vinnie Vincent! You’re an awesome guitar shredder! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Vinnie Vincent wrote or co-wrote 3 songs on "Creatures Of The The Night" 8 songs on "Lick It Up" 3 songs on "Revenge" "Creatures Of The Night" & "Revenge" both went "Gold" "Lick It Up" Vinnie was responsible for 80% of went "Platinum" My Favorite Kiss tunes outside of the Ace Frehley era are Vinnie Vincent's tunes. "I Love It Loud" "Not For The Innocent" "Young & Wasted" "Unholy" I'm not a fan of "Kiss" non makeup era that doesn't involve "Vinnie Vincent" From "Asylum" to "Revenge" I'm not a "Kiss" fan. With the exception of "Unholy" & (Domino" A song that wasn't written by Vincent" But Vinnie was a powerhouse, writer that has been very underappreciated by "Gene" & "Paul" In fact they have never paid Vinnie properly for his work, The Merchandising of the album, or the actual, record sales. But they've had much better lawyers and have beat Vinny in court every single time. One would think that "Gene Simmons" having a Net worth of 450m or "Paul Stanley" having a net worth of 250m Wouldn't be so greedy and would pay Vinny better for his "Platinum" album "Lick It Up" before Vinnie Vincent got involved with "Kiss" Kiss was having trouble maintaining fans. A lot of true Kiss fans hated "Dynasty" in fact "Kiss" had to cancel their "Dynasty" tour early because they were having trouble selling tickets. "Music From The Elder" & Unmasked" had really poor record sales. The song "I Love It Loud" sported a video that helped reel some fans back, and created new ones. "Creatures Of The Night" went "Gold" "Lick It Up" was 80% Vinnie Vincent songs. Not to mention his guitar riffs. That album went Platinum. Again "Kiss" chose a "Vinnie Vincent" song to make the video for "Unholy" and that helped push the album to be certified "Gold" Had it not been for the success of "Revenge" going "Gold" Kiss probably wouldn't have received an invite to do the "Unplugged" show for MTV. And that's what sparked the huge multimillion dollar "Reunion" tour. So, thank you Vinnie. I know without a doubt that your contributions helped put the original band back together.

Back on the streets is a great song

Very interesting interview with Vinnie had to take it for what it is.

This fact says it all: KISS released SEVEN singles co-written by Vinnie!!! xoxo The Clarences

Great Interview Mike (as usual!). I sure do love Creatures album. I would love to hear a Vinnie Vincent remix.

He says he hated kiss, their songs, their guitarist, but he's instant fanboy when he meets gene. Which is it? Or does he just change his tune depending on the situation?

An aweamazing interview Mike. Thank you. All the best. 👍👍👏⚡️🎶🎶

KISSTORY And here we are in 2022... We are looking forward to seeing KISS here in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.. As part of the End of the road tour Australia 🇦🇺

Creatures was my very first concert in syr NY. ,,,great show w night ranger opening

I learned some things today.

Thanks Vinnie... You did well. 🎶🎶🎶🎶

It's nice that he was so forthcoming in this interview. To me, - and this isn't always a bad thing, - he seems scatterbrained. It's funny that he joined Kiss just as a "gig," and not only didn't know most of the material beforehand, but admits he didn't like the songs once he had to learn them. Very strange. I guess that's what makes that whole era of Kiss really unique.

Good Lord. I listened to this at 2x speed and still couldn't wait for him to get to the point.

Two of Kiss's best albums were with VV and Eric Carr. Vinnie was a main songwriter on those two record plus on Revenge. His talent can't be denied. It's the accusations from Paul & Gene, that put an asterisk next to his name.

People are so weird . I am and always have been a Kiss and a Vinnie Fan.. That being said dont let this or that overrule the other. Yeah its true Vinnie revived Kiss .. , but kiss revived Vinnie as well. I was fortunate enough to see the lick it up tour w/ Vinnie. Vinnie dug his own grave in Kiss and in his own band. I mean havent you heard the crap vinnie was doing before Kisss.. It was horrible.....

Use Playback speed of 1.75 and still enjoy this awesome interview.

Great great interview

I'm waiting for the second part. 😊

Great interview

Say what you want, but the Creatures of the Night/Lick It Up era was pretty impressive. In fact I think it was their last GREAT era musically. Interesting interview.

Love ya Vinnie! Thanks so much Mike (and has anyone ever told you, that you sound like Eric Carr?!?!?)

What a nut. It’s like he’s making it all up as he goes along. He sounds like he’s gotta screw loose. Koo koo for Cocoa Puffs.

Great interview.

This may be... the best VV interview I have heard yet ! There is always two sides to a story .... But I think Vinnie is honest and sincere here. I still believe that he was, and is an incredible talent. And to a great degree I believe he was screwed by P & G. It was just how they did business back in the day ? I think that his talent is huge. And his wealth of music is deep. Would love to see him keep writing for other artists. And it would even be cool to see him have his own radio show or podcast. I think that he needs people around him that can keep him in the positive and that he can trust. All the best Vinnie. Thanks Mike.

Cool interview

Thanks for sharing, great work!

Great interview Mike! When you do the follow up interview for LIU, please ask Vinnie if he had any involvement with the songwriting/recording sessions for the “KISS Killers” release.

This is the Best Vinnie interview I've heard.

In Brazil they were never better. Vinnie is right about that. Firing on all cylinders.

I'm glad he mentions the points of why he didn't like the Creatures mix, I agree with him, I've always found it murky sounding and everything seems lost behind the drums. I know everyone seems to like that mix but I don't know know why. I'd love to hear the alternate mix.

Great interview thanks 😊

I just became a fan of Vinnie when he said he hated KISS music. I was in 5th grade in their hight and was the only kid rolling my eyes.

When will we see this Lick It Up interview?

You made great music Vinnie. I envy you people who've got that inner creativity, not in a bad way though, haha. Hope you're doing well.

Any updates on getting my 2 box sets, Mike? I am dying of cancer…

I wish you would have asked him why he refers to Paul Stanley as Mean Mr Mustard?

Mike thankyou for sharing your experience with Vinnie. You are lucky to have the chance to ask Vinnie questions. For me this very period of kiss is the greatest but yet so mysterious. Please, please, please can you get Vinnie Vincent to talk about the day when he was told that kiss were taking off the makeup? Timeline is everything. When did he find out? Did he know that Brazil would be the last show and was that why Paul wore that blue kiss shirt on stage. Its such an important moment in kiss. Also can you Please ask Vinnie to talk about the first show WITHOUT makeup. How was Gene feeling before that first show. For me as a kiss fan these are the questions that i would love to get answered when you get to talk to Vinnie again.

It's all about music and what it takes to make it.

Wish pics of the first show in Bismarck, North Dakota would surface!!! Does anybody have pics of that show? xoxo The Clarences

He sounds and talks like the sweetest and more humble and docile person around.... It's a diferent person from all that's been written about him before - AND specially from Gene & Paul.... Hope Vinnie REALLY is this person and not the @hole other people say.... Or at least, hope he improved himself as a person. Love his playing, love his composition, love his writing, love his singing and I think is a shame he's not in KISS anymore...... Oops - why is this sweet, humble and docile person NOT part of KISS' official Cruises, Konventions, etcs anyways? 😉 Food for thought....... Love you Vinnie 🙏🏻

I hope you will made interview soon for lick it up tour

Have to laugh listening to Vinnie speak on the drum sound on creatures!! It's the best drum sound on any Kiss album!! So powerful!! But that's kinda what I'd expect coming from a guitar guy!! Great interview but awesome Drum sound!!

Dear Mike, Thank you for this great inverview!

Vinnie is a gentleman considering all the shit Paul talked about him.

Vinnie was one of the last true glam rockers(as in that David Bowie style androgyny). Ace also pulled it off/was genuine, while Paul and Gene always felt like two straight boys pretending. He's 100% right about Creatures sounding shit btw. The "Alternate Mix 19" that was released recently sounds way better. Lick It Up still sounds amazing tho. One of the best sounding rock songs of the 80s. So clean and punchy.

I got to see Vinny with kiss twice, I got to see them on COTN tour and the LIU tour. I really don't care what Gene and Paul said about Vinny turning the guitar solo spotlight into an extended showboat for himself. When Vinnie was throwing down, she could make that flying v scream bloody murder. There was nothing like it. Not only that, but his songwriting chops were absolutely top-notch. The tragedy is, much like John Sykes, Vinnie also had a habit of shooting himself in the foot And he ended up alienating the people he needed most to keep his career going. It had nothing to do with his talent, that was undisputable and it was the same way with John Sykes. But in the end, neither one of them were able to produce anything consistently beyond the bands that gave them their big breaks. I mean for sure Vinnie did extraordinarily well with his first solo album, 4x Platinum, and John Sykes Blue Murder was phenomenal But both of their follow-ups were sorely lacking and nothing they ever did afterward measured up and that was a tragedy.

Vinnie strikes me as very intelligent and well spoken but also as very manipulative and dishonest tbh

I really like the way the interviewer asks occasional questions to guide the process along, and then lets the artist talk. I have sat through listening to so many interviews where every time the artist starts to tell an interesting story, the interviewer cuts them off to ask some stupid canned, stock question. I'd rather hear the artists own impressions and recollections, and hear about things I haven't heard before. I enjoy Vinnie's story in his own words. On caveat: No, they don't "have Ace" (today). They have a guy that does an impression of Ace. There's only one Ace. There's only one Vinnie as well. They should have "gone with that" (back in '82/'83). Ace is better off on his own. So is Vinnie. Props to Kiss for finding Ace, and Vinnie, and introducing them to the world. Both of them grew past needing Kiss to make great music. I want to see them both continue to make new music under their own moniker. Looking forward to upcoming new releases from both of them in 2024.

Saint and Sinner... Eric shines.

Shout It Out Loud was brought back in 1988, not really a decade after the Creatures Tour

Come back Vinnie !!

Gran epoca de kiss con eric carr y vinnie vincent la mejor formacion

Great interview mike. Can I make request. Another brilliant musician we really don't here from anymore us Billy squier. Would love hear you interview him

Does anyone have a link to Vinnies facebook i heard he made an official page but i can't seem to find it😞

Great Vincent Cusano 🎵🎼🎶🎸😎👊 Vinnie Vincent Invasion 🎵🎼🎶🎤🎸😎👊

Vinnie Ruled during his KISS reign!

What a humble little man😂🤣😂🤣

He hated KISS but loved "Vinnie"....very telling.

I have never seen vinnie vincent with a samurai sword up against his guitar

I would like him to tell Something about Eric. So sad that G and P treat people like that in their band, to give the new members bad contracts!!

Awesome interview, thank you!

Did vinnie have have the belo horizonte on tape ? Its a good question to ask to vinnie

Danger is Bob Kulick Mike

No idea Vin has kids. God bless!♥️🎼🎶

I don't care what anyone says. Creatures of the night and Lick it up are the two best albums Kiss has ever made since Destroyer. And it's sad that Paul didn't want someone with better skills than him to stay in the band. Especially, when Vinnie saved the band from rock bottom. Kiss should have ended at the solo albums. They were saved by I was loving you. They got lucky. Vinnie was the best artist they will ever have. Contract was selfish of the two egotistic members.