In a recent appearance on “Count’s Kulture“, the late-night podcast hosted by Danny “The Count” Koker, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick shared his perspective on his tenure with the band and the transition into their makeup era. Reflecting on a career that spanned from 1984 through the group’s 1996 original-lineup reunion, Bruce Kulick addressed the long-standing discussion regarding whether he should have stepped back into the lineup following Ace Frehley‘s final departure in 2001.
Bruce Kulick stated that he was never approached to rejoin the band to wear the “Spaceman” paint, a fact he remains comfortable with today. He expressed deep pride in the work he accomplished with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons during a decade that saw Kiss navigate a changing musical landscape without their signature masks.
“There was always talk [during my time with Kiss], like, people wondering if there’d be a reunion [with Ace and original Kiss drummer Peter Criss], knowing that Ace and Peter were really… They struggled a bit. Ace always was doing new product and touring [after his exit from Kiss], but it wasn’t what we were able to do [as Kiss]. We were still headlining arena tours [during my time with the band]. They were always trying to repeat their success, which was a hard thing when you know what it was like in ’75 and ’78. But I helped climb [Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons] out of where they were, and I’m so proud of that. But I knew at some point it would probably end. And what can I say?!” Bruce said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Regarding the decision to have Tommy Thayer take on the “Spaceman” persona, Kulick admitted that he grappled with the idea of what he would have done if asked. Ultimately, he believes stepping into Ace Frehley‘s character would have diminished his own unique contributions to the band’s history.
“Obviously once Ace was not happy and didn’t wanna be back in the band anymore, with the huge success, were they gonna ask me to be the Spaceman? And I had to struggle with that. I was happy with [being a member of the legendary American rock band] Grand Funk [Railroad from 2000 to 2023]. I don’t know what I would’ve done if they’d [asked me to come back to Kiss], because I know what it is to have that lifestyle and be in Kiss. But in retrospect, they didn’t ask, number one, but number two, more importantly, was I really think I would’ve kind of pooped on my era [of Kiss] if I suddenly just became Ace Frehley. And I was never asked to be that, where Tommy does a beautiful job of that. And [he was] loved and hated for it. But he does a beautiful job of it,” he explained.
This sentiment echoes a previous defense Bruce Kulick offered in October 2020 during a conversation with the “Decades With Joe E. Kramer” podcast. At that time, he supported Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in their decision to keep the “Spaceman” and “Catman” characters active through Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer.
Bruce Kulick noted that the band had experimented with new characters in the past, such as the late Eric Carr‘s “Fox” and Vinnie Vincent‘s “Ankh,” but eventually pivoted toward maintaining the four iconic personas as a powerful brand representation.
“I don’t disagree that it’s something to discuss, but I’m very, very clear in my opinion. Look, when [Paul and Gene] first made some [lineup] changes, they didn’t want the new drummer, Eric Carr — God bless him — to be the Cat. Eric was a tremendous player and so important in the band, but even he had a real dilemma about his makeup. And at the last minute, instead of being like a Hawk, or whatever the hell they had for him, he became the Fox, and it worked out really great for him. And then, of course, Vinnie [Vincent] was the Ankh,” he said at the time.
“I mean, how many characters can you be?” he continued. “And then I think they got blindsided with Ace. First, Peter, all of a sudden, pulls a move or something, the way I’ve heard the story, where they were on tour and Gene and Paul were just, like, ‘Call up Eric [Singer]. We’re putting him in the [Catman] outfit.’ It was, like, if he was behind the kit, it wouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. Eric Singer does a fantastic Cat. And then by the time, Tommy was always ready to step in. Tommy had been in a [Kiss] tribute band — Cold Gin, it was called — at times, even though, of course, he had his own successful band, Black ‘N Blue, back in the ’80s, ’90s.”
“I think Gene and Paul made the right decision, [even though some] fans don’t like it,” Bruce added. “They’re carrying on more with these iconic characters, just like the way you do merchandise and the way the face masks kind of represent something very, very powerful. And they both do it with the right respect.”
He further detailed why his own transition into makeup would have felt out of place given the context of his specific era.
“As much as I miss being in the band, for me, if suddenly, after all those 12 years of what I’ve done, through Asylum, Crazy Nights, Hot In The Shade and Revenge and all that body of work, being me, to suddenly, ‘All right. Now I’m gonna be the Spaceman,’ that would be really weird. It would just be weird. And especially when part of what the Spaceman [does] is rockets out of his guitar… You know what I mean. I still know how important [those] non-makeup years were, even though it doesn’t have that superhero look… The superhero/comic-book character vibe, let’s face it, Gene and Paul do that so well. And I think Eric does it admirably. But he’s behind the drum kit, and he’s playing his heart out and singing great. So no one has to be that critical. ‘Oh, he’s not acting like the real Cat.’ Tommy probably has the biggest burden, in a sense, but I think he does it well. He plays Ace‘s riffs super clean and does all the tricks. And he’s really kind to the fans, and he’s good team player for those guys, besides being, like I said, a talented musician.”
The legendary guitarist, who played on six Kiss studio albums and two live records, has remained active in the rock community despite recent health challenges. This past April, Bruce Kulick underwent heart valve surgery and spent eight days in the hospital for recovery.
Earlier in May, Kulick shared an encouraging update on his health following that surgery.
“My recent open-heart surgery and 8 days in the hospital were hard to experience. Being home now with [my wife] Lisa to recover is day by day. Happily, I do feel the slow improvements, and the process takes a long time,” Kulick wrote.
“A birth defect in my aortic valve (bicuspid) was becoming nearly ‘critical’ from severe stenosis. Taking care of the valve before a life threatening heart event happens in order to live long was the right choice. Ignoring it would have been foolish and dangerous,” he explained.
“I have much more music and many more moments to experience in my life. So now is the time to heal from my surgery and I view this is as my primary goal treating it with dedication and strength, along with my loving wife Lisa who has been beyond incredible to me. I am blessed to have her,” he shared.
“For those of you that have reached out to me and shared support, it means much more than you can ever imagine. Keep the good thoughts and prayers coming. It’s inspiration for me as I go on this difficult journey,” Bruce concluded.
Support has poured in from fans and peers alike, including his former Kiss bandmate Gene Simmons, who offered encouraging words on social media: “Go Bruce, Go. With Lisa by your side, you can lick anything. You know we’re all rooting for you. And can’t wait for you and Lisa to cook up a new batch of pancakes for all of us.”
Following his tenure in Grand Funk Railroad, Bruce Kulick launched his own guitar brand in 2024, offering period-correct instruments inspired by his celebrated 1980s and 90s era of Kiss. He remains a staple of the “Kiss Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas” events, having performed in November 2025 and currently scheduled for the 2026 edition. While Bruce Kulick did not participate in the band’s final farewell tours, his legacy remains firmly rooted in the “non-makeup” era that sustained the band during a pivotal decade.
Ace Frehley passed away last October at the age of 74. According to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner, the founding Kiss guitarist died from blunt-trauma head injuries sustained during an accidental fall. A CT scan revealed multiple contusions, a subdural hematoma, and skull fractures. The report also noted that he had suffered a stroke, alongside bruising on his abdomen, thigh, and hip. A separate toxicology report has not yet been made public.
