Daily Archives: February 24, 2013

Bob Kulick interview: Legendary guitarist, producer talks Kiss, Meat Loaf, more

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Rustyn Rose | Examiner

Julie Bergonz

Bob Kulick may forever be a man connected to the legacy of KISS, but his own legacy is far more intriguing and impressive. As a young boy Kulick found that he had a natural gift for the guitar and it paved the way for a lifetime of making incredible music and memorable performances starting at 17 with his first notable band, The Observation Balloon. This week the quiet and humble rock hero shared some of his career experiences with The Examiner, talking about the infamous KISS audition, the first Meat Loaftour, playing with Alice Cooper, along with his various bands and tribute projects.

On January 17, 1973, the day after his 23rd birthday, Kulick unknowingly placed in the rock and roll history books when he answered an ad in New York’s Village Voice looking for a guitarist in a “Led Zeppelin” style band. That band was KISS and the audition was interrupted by Ace Frehley who narrowly beat Kulick out for the gig. Paul Stanley was so impressed with Bob’s playing that the two remained in touch and in 1977 Kulick was tasked with playing lead guitar on three of the studio tracks from “Alive II“.

A year later Stanley again turned to Kulick as his principal guitarist on his first solo album. In 1982, Bob would once more lend his talents to four new studio tracks on the “Killers” album. The following year he would perform a few solos for “Creatures of the Night” but according to Kulick none of them ended up on the album. In 1984 Bob would recommend his younger brother Bruce as KISS’ new guitarist, a gig he’d eventually get. In 1989, Stanley would tab Bob to be his guitarist for his first ever solo tour. For all these reasons and more his history remains forever entwined with KISS, but that is only one part of Bob’s history.

In 1976, Kulick would perform on Lou Reed‘s “Coney Island Baby” album. The following Continue reading →