DEMONS & DOLLARS: Bill Aucoin on KISS's Craziest Years:1973 to 1981

[@hockeyeverything4339]

Genes 76 armor plated costume with the scaled Dragon boots is the greatest music costume of all time

[@josephwood499]

Who designed their costumes?

[@hockeyeverything4339]

@josephwood499 How would I know

[@jennybh08]

Bill Aucoin, Neil Bogart, Sean Delaney. KISS would never have even been a blip on the rock n roll radar if not for those 3 guys!

[@clausm2203]

Great interview

[@kellmac]

I wish Bill Aucoin had written a book. The stories he could tell with all the experience he's had! RIP

[@krashboombang]

So nice to hear someone else's take on how things shaped out in Kiss, other than PS and GS talking s&%t about other members, including themselves.

[@tonythompson4192]

Fan forever it's real rock and roll . Nothing IA a rose garden ! Listen the original songs still stand the test of time ,

[@johna8973]

Yip 👍 the Destroyer era was Classic 🏆

[@naturalbornscorpio929]

Bill Aucoin saw the potential in the band along with the bigger picture. In his eyes it wasn't a gamble, it was an investment. ..and here we are 50yrs later.

[@JohnBlake-dh5kr]

As a unknown guitarist since the age of 14 I can appreciate every aspect of the the progression of the and cuz the bottom line Is even half there original band they still succeeded

[@josephcopeland2343]

The pictures of Kiss is amazing some of these pictures I never saw before

[@jmdavison62]

Side note: the airplane shown at 14m56s is not a Pan Am Boeing 747, let alone the 747SP that was temporarily dubbed the "Clipper Kiss special."

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Cadillac is my favorite moment in KISSTORY

[@kevinchandler179]

I still find it funny how this guy, like Paul and Gene say I a lot, and take credit for everything!!! Peter Criss and Ace were amazing and fantastic, obviously they forgot that 👏!!!

[@naturalbornscorpio929]

In their early days both Geme & Paul both respected & looked up to Peter because he was the member with the most experience. Unlike Gene & Paul both Ace & Peter were both on albums released prior to joining "KISS" If anybody wants to know what G & P sounded like before forming "KISS" with Ace & Peter, just listen to their "Wicked Lester" album which is totally gay without balls. As time moves on Gene & Paul will continue to re-write history also known as "KISSTORY" They continue to put down and minimize both Ace & Peter's roles in the band along with their contributions. Gene & Paul turned into businessmen Ace & Peter were and will always be tbe only 2 rock-stars in "KISS"

[@DickGozinya-zl2bd]

The dude financed KISS by putting $25,000 on his personal credit card. In 1973 gas was under a dollar a gallon & minimum wage was $2.00 an hour. $25,000 then was like $100,000 (at least) today. Bill Aucoin was basically the fifth member of KISS, at least in the beginning.

[@brandon1351]

Where is this interview from??

[@MrNostalgi89]

According to Bill Aucoin: "Paul and Gene actually asked me if I would be interested in being manager again when they reunited with Ace and Peter. I said no because I didn't think it would be the same again. In hindsight, of course, I would have jumped in and taken the money and get the hell out. However, I understood that it would be a kind of babysitting job. It wasn't so much KISS anymore, but more "the Paul and Gene band". The only reason they asked me was of course because I was also in the 70s. It was just about bringing in one more name from the past. They were a little upset when I turned it down, but they got Doc McGhee instead who in his contract got a really small percentage, and he's done a lot of good for KISS since then. I didn't want to be a babysitter. I was always convinced that the problems with Ace and Peter would resurface in different ways. That's why I declined. I think it was best that way."

[@johnnyamaro6643]

The suits and ties worn by the band for the cover of Dressed To Kill, belonged to Aucoin. Made this comment 2 minutes into video.

[@ajjy1110]

no they didn't they were owned by the photographer aswell

[@johnnyamaro6643]

@@ajjy1110 If that is the case, then Bill lied about that one.

[@johnnyamaro6643]

@@ajjy1110 Your reply reminded me of an interview on SiriusXM feb.20 2021 with Gene Simmons explaining the suits. ✌️

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

The suits can't belong to Bill. Look, how small he is. The guys could never wear his clothes.

[@kevinchandler179]

Well, Bill could have lied, I mean look how much Paul and Gene have lied about Peter and Ace??

[@stephencraig7130]

Sean Delaney was Bill's partner. It was Sean that convicted Bill to go and see them. It was also Sean that put their show together and worked on their stage presence. He was the 5th member. Look him up. He wrote a book called Hell Box. Rest in peace Sean!!

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Yea, a wild book. Wish it was longer

[@ESPecialEntertainment]

I was always under the impression that Peter Criss quit KISS. I never knew he was kicked out.

[@ciadella1971]

The last straw was Peter all coked up and going after Gene with a broken bottle after a show in 1979

[@idontcareaboutyou7757]

what a life this man has lived.

[@muziktrkr]

Richie and Kenny were in a band called Dust, with Marc Bell as the drummer and Kenny Aaronson as the bass player. Marc was in a few bands but became familiar to many as Marky Ramone. Not too far fetched that he could have drummer in KISS.

[@giftedplanksify]

What is the name of the first Kiss fan who got sindged by Gene the first to make kiss tory I didn't hear of them until 75 or 76. Alive was my album. Had a buddy who played bass and looked like Gene and later gotten his head blown off..yep. shout-out to Craig Gronenthal I was shocked when I heard the news..thanks

[@kevinchandler179]

Peter Criss actually was really close and cool with Eric Carr god rest his soul, and Paul hated that fact!!@ I am a die hard Peter Criss fan, and he said in his book and Gene confirmed that Peter wished Eric Carr good luck with Kiss!!!

[@chuckselvage3157]

The captions are hilarious.

[@guymangotree2185]

Kiss's 1st (6) studio albums were really good_ They only ever got close to the likes of that material on Creatures of the Night (82) & Animalize (84) - IMO_ they had some good tracks on a few other albums, but those (8) albums are great start to finish

[@chrisbr1969]

I’d love to hear him talk about the band Starz.

[@karl-unoisaksson4000]

Thank God... Im not alone - I totally love them, and to this day youre the first mentioned them before I did!!! I bet you got a few "Huh"'s in your life... Love from Sweden 💖

[@johnpatterson4272]

Wild Bill from Quebec found his financial windfall in KISS. Outside of his rampant alt-sexual obsessions and his self-filtering of the KISS band financial flood of the late 70s. Aucoin was pivotal in making KISS legendary. The 70s were a time that made 'heritage bands' in the 21st century beloved and in-concert revenue generators. Without Aucoin KISS would have ended in the early 80s.

[@dougstanley7662]

Bruce and Eric Carr are my favorite kiss members. I've chatted with Bruce on Fakebook about his guitar collection and the ones he used on the Asylum tour .he is down to earth and a genuine kind soul,t would be great if all rock.stars were as real as he is.I met Eric Carr back it the late 80s at a music store in NJ.he signed a Ludwig drums posterI bought and we talked music for a few minutes he was a great and ki.d person aswell.

[@baneverything5580]

I saw Gene Simmons in a Budweizer truck with the devil with a circus clown driving in 1985! I know it wasn`t a flashback because it was the first time I`d ever tried LSD.

[@JohnBlake-dh5kr]

I would like to see a different timeline where the original band members stayed together

[@RepublicanClooney]

Just took a pristine 1977 Aucoin MGMT Original Ace Frehley Fire/Smoking Guitar Poster to the Framer

[@stevechristie2660]

I really liked this but wish the pictures of the band matched the year that is talked about

[@LEIFanevret]

Eric Carr should have been a full member! The best scenario would have been beeing a member in an nice honest band instead! Due to the fact that Eric was manipulated to a nervous wreck by paulie! And thats totaly disgusting! He deserved so much more! Those over the top! Ego things brake up bands! No wonder Ace and Pete didnt get along with those other two! Although their use of drugs and alco

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

It looks like Eric Carr was manipulated by Ace. Watching the very first interview when they introduced Eric Carr, I noticed how Ace was totally drunk and made the band ridiculous. Eric did the same! Ace had a bad influence. Eric made fun of Gene's "A World Without Heroes". Look at Gene! How angry he was. "A World Without Heroes" is one of the most beautiful Gene songs. And Eric, the new member, was publicly disrespectful. This was disgusting. Instead of blaming Paul I also see realistically Eric's illoyality and even impertinent behaviour. Already in the first interview. Nevertheless Eric (RIP) was a great drummer.

[@kevinchandler179]

As a die hard Peter Criss fan, I love it because Eric Carr was amazing, and Peter and him got along very well, and Paul hated it, Eric called Peter when he had to sing Beth and Black Diamond and Peter said you will do fine!!!

[@karl-unoisaksson4000]

I've followed Kiss since mid-70s, when we sucked in ALL information about them as we could in Sweden... I've always known that mr Aucoin was a GREAT part of their success, and Kiss themselves says so in their biographies... Heres my point: mr Aucoin gave it ALL to the band... He risked everything!!! Why? I don't think It's that easy to say that he thought Kiss would make him a Millionaire... I think It's just because he loved the guys - and hearing him talk...? Yupp, he loved his boys, and went the extra mile for them... And notice how he speaks: When he qoutes Pete, Paul and Gene, he speaks in his natural voice... But when he quote the "problem child" Ace, his voice changes... It reaches a higher pitch and mimics Aces voice... That just tells me, Ace actually was his "favourite son", the one he maybe held closest to his heart - like so many of us do... Aaaaaah, hope you get my point... Thanx for sharing 🙏 Love from Sweden 💖

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

He loved the boys alright

[@andyandrew7557]

KISS were very lucky to make it ,if it wasnt for Neil Bogart mortaging his home and Bill Aucoin using his American express credit card to keep the band on the road I don't think they would have made it too far .

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

I don't think Neil Bogart mortgaged his house because of KISS..

[@andyandrew7557]

@@HappyMachorino-bd8no You might be right, but that's what was believed to be a strong possibility at the time. I guess we will never know if He had mortaged his home for KISS with Neil Bogart dead

[@southie3177]

Yes but you can say that about any band 🎸

[@kevinchandler179]

Blah blah blah!!! They are the highest selling American rock band in history!!!! They can fight and bash each other, but the fantastic four are legends!!! Peter Criss and Ace are frickin legends and amazing!!! Paul and Gene wrote the songs early in the original lineup and it was magical!!! Peter Criss singing Black Diamond and the whole damn band live on that song is legendary!!!!!

[@andyandrew7557]

@@kevinchandler179 I'm not disputing that. I'm a long time fan. My point is that if it wasn't for Bill Aucoin keeping KISS out on the road with his maxed out American express credit cards and the success of KISS Alive they probably would have not made it

[@stanlee-eq7lu]

Not trying to put down Bill or anyone else. But if you ask me, KISS didn't use actual smoke. More safe and practical using dry ice.

[@JohnBlake-dh5kr]

What collaboration between so many people of mass efforts to achieve 1 goal. To make a shit load of money

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

Paul mentioned Bill's drug abuse in his book. There's also an old interview where Ace was seriously angry that Bill got more money from KISS than he. Although he didn't work for KISS anymore. Bill (RIP) seemed to like Ace. But Ace voted against him. Sad, sad...

[@kevinchandler179]

Anything Paul Stanley has ever said, is 90 percent lies!!! Fact

[@kevinchandler179]

Well, if Bill was getting more money than Peter and Ace who were legendary and in the actual band, do you blame them??? As a die hard Peter Criss fan and Ace as well, it cracks me up how people don't understand that they were founding members as well, and Paul and Gene auditioned 40 drummers and guitarists and look who won the jobs!!!!

[@arildthordal810]

They should make a movie about how it all started with real actors.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

I believe it's happening with working title Shout It Out Loud

[@TheLordGoat]

Paul didn't care for thirty years his manager was gay and hung out with young guys, and or teenagers but didn't say a word until he might get cancelled and killed him in his book. Paul never had a spine

[@awrogers3013]

Jäegermeister ..every drinker has a story….

[@damo7776]

He should never gotten the amount of money he did out of kiss and then pissed that money away

[@JohnBlake-dh5kr]

After the original members split up it was nothing more then a boys band

[@kevinchandler179]

This is actually boring!!! It's simple, they were on top of the world 🌎 from 74-77!!! 78 was when Peter and Ace were tired of constant touring and wanted to do solo albums, and the ridiculous Phantom of the Park movie bullshit!!! That is what really ruined the Kiss momentum, then Dynasty??? Lol 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Peter and Ace said this disco bullshit, nope!!!!

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

As we all know Peter made a heavy disco-influenced song too: "Dirty Livin'". On Dynasty. And Ace loved the 💲for his work on "I Was Made for Lovin' You". With Paul's song they all made the most money. And instead of "disco" Ace made again a cover song! But Dynasty is still a great album. And you should be glad for every album we have with the original four. "Dynasty" is great! And KISS Meets The Phantom..." is funny.

[@kevinchandler179]

Not true, Peter and Ace hated the disco bullshit and that's why Dynasty didn't have either one of them on it besides like 2 songs!!!! Also, at their prime Kiss it was magical and because Peter and Ace were amazing and fantastic!!!

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

@@kevinchandler179 Definitely Peter had a disco song on Dynasty! And Ace loved the big money they made with "I Was Made For Lovin' You". Facts.

[@Wargasm54]

Boring?! I’m not even a Kiss fan and found it pretty engaging and interesting.

[@SandraSuenderhaft]

I’m sorry Paul taking a shit in the pool is disgusting Paul Stanley or no….😂💋🎸❤️

[@berniecasey7592]

I THREW MY KISS SHIT OUT YEARS AGO

[@johnNYjets12]

But here you are anyway. Good for you hero.

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

And now? Do you expect applause here from us? 👎

[@kevinchandler179]

Very simple!!!! Peter and Ace were the real talent and heart and soul of the original lineup!!! No Peter or Ace no Kiss!!! They made them famous!!! Team Peter and Ace always

[@kevinchandler179]

You have threw Paul and Gene out of your life, not Peter and Ace!!!

[@jackmeahoff-r2t]

Ned Flanders died broke

[@kevinchandler179]

Holy shit, he is Ned!!!!! Lol 🤣