If you are a fan of the band KISS, you probably know who Vinnie Vincent is. Vinnie (whose real name is Vincent Cusano) replaced guitarist Ace Frehley in 1982. Ace had a problem with substance abuse and was involved in a serious car accident in 1982, so the remaining KISS members chose Vinnie as a replacement. Vinnie played on the band’s 14th album, Creatures of the Night, however Ace’s photo still appeared on the album cover. After that album, Vinnie was fired, for reportedly not getting along with bassist Gene Simmons.
I am not really sure what went on because by the time the band was ready to record their next album Lick It Up, Vinnie was back on board. If you will remember, this is the album where the band, famous for their makeup covered faces and elaborate stage costumes, finally shed their image and appeared sans makeup. When I saw the men behind the makeup, my first thought was “Put the makeup back on!”
By 1984, Vinnie left KISS again to form his own band, The Vinnie Vincent Invasion. He said he left of his own accord, but Gene said, “Vinnie for the record was fired for unethical behavior, not because of lack of talent. The guy is very talented. He was unethical. He was fired.” However, he did help co-write three songs (“Unholy,” “Heart Of Chrome,” and “I Just Wanna”) on the 1992 KISS album Revenge.
Vinnie sued KISS for $6 million in 1997, claiming that he was due royalties for the Lick It Up album that he never received. At the time, the court found that Vinnie was a salaried member of the band and had therefore received all the money he was due. He took his case to the Supreme Court and on their first day back (October 2, 2006) they rejected his appeal. So, apparently Vinnie has gotten all the money from KISS he is ever going to see.
Oddly enough, Vinnie’s claim to fame (other than briefly having been a member of KISS) was that he was one of the songwriters credited with writing the “Happy Days” theme song.