Vinnie Vincent and Gene Simmons Together Again

Before he plant distinction as Vinnie Vincent of KISS, there was Vincent Cusano the session musician.

As far as Kiss goes, they've had a myriad of diversely talented atomic number 82 guitarists, some of which are more than unique, and of course, a better fit than others. Now, for those that don't know — Vincent Cusano AKA Vinnie Vincent is part of that stable of guitarists who accept served under the employ of Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley.

Almost KISS fans volition agree that "Infinite" Ace Frehley is the exist-all-end-all when it comes to Buss lead guitar. That said, Bruce Kulick is a well-loved fan favorite. Tommy Thayer has been wonderful both in, and out of KISS, and while Mark St. John was talented, I remember it goes without saying that he was a horrendous fit for a band such every bit KISS.

Enter Vinnie Vincent.

Now, when it comes to Vinnie, he's ever been something of an enigmatic outlier, and his identify in KISStory is no exception. Withal, the 2 albums Vinnie Vincent was involved with a member of KISS,Creatures of the Nighttime, andLick information technology Upwardly, were, and are some of the fiercest, heaviest, and consistent cloth that bad has ever put out to engagement.

While information technology'due south clear that Vinnie Vincent had a certain chemistry with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from a songwriting standpoint, from a personal standpoint, the alliance was nix brusk of distorted and corrosive, which seemed to be a running theme for Vinnie equally he moved forward.

Vinnie Vincent's time as a member of KISS, and his two albums have been well documented, and well-loved — with good reason. Just what well-nigh Vinnie's output exterior of the confines of KISS?

Today nosotros will attempt to dive into the mind of one of the most talented, and painfully enigmatic guitarists of the last one-half-century. In another fourth dimension, or some other place, perhaps Vinnie Vincent could have ascended to the level of superstardom which his talent easily should accept immune him to, just instead, we are left with a fractured and disjointed body of piece of work.

Let'southward dig in and see what Vinnie Vincent has served up over the years.

Black Satin — Black Satin (1976)

One of Vinnie Vincent'due south first gigs was secured with the 70s R&B/Disco outfit, Black Satin for their 1976 tape,Black Satin.Not a tremendous corporeality is known regarding Vincent'south work on this record, but it is widely assumed that he laid down the guitars for the tracks recorded in his home country of Connecticut. Those tracks are "Tears, Tears, Tears," "Let My Fingers Exercise The Walking," "Nosotros're A Star," and "In The Still Of The Night." Those expecting to hear the raging bull of a atomic number 82 player Vinnie was to become will exist sadly disappointed. Openminded types, Osculation completists, or KISS-adjacent obsessives volition dig this. Plus, who doesn't similar to get funky now and once more?

The Hitchhiker'southward — Hitchhikers (1976)

As previously mentioned, Vinnie Vincent hails from Connecticut, and in the mid-70s, he hooked on at Connecticut Recording Studios, owned by Paul Leka, and ended upward working on several mid-level records throughout the remainder of the decade. While it is not entirely clear just how many records Vincent contributed his talents to, we do know that he worked with The Hitchhiker'south on their 1976 record,Hitchhikers.What nosotros know for sure is that Vincent co-wrote the album's concluding rail, the six and a half infinitesimal "This Song'southward For Y'all Mama," and he probably contributed some level of guitar piece of work to the remainder of the record, simply to what extent is just unclear. This is a fun album, and this is an early example of Vinnie Vincent's keen ability to write a quality track in a hurry.

Treasure — Treasure (1977)

When you lot recollect of Vinnie Vincent, you lot probably remember of an sick-tempered guitar magician, caked in makeup, weighed down by hair spray, wielding a Jackson Flying-V. While Vincent would come to be known for his corybantic Metal-influenced 80s styling, at that place was a time when he leaned much more than Classic Stone. If you lot're looking to hear Vinnie Vincent testify a completely dissimilar side of himself as a guitarist, await no further than his first gustation of the commercial music industry, Treasure. Fans of deep-cut 70s Loonshit Rock (Styx, Journeying, Foreigner) will exist at habitation here. What'due south almost impressive well-nigh Vincent's work with Treasure is it showcases only how versatile of a guitarist he was. While he'south not in his total-blown Hair Metal glory here, there are some great riffs, and Vinnie Vincent's archetype howling bends can be heard as well, albeit in a more restrained form. Also of note, Vincent took a turn as a lead vocalist on the tracks, "Innocent Eyes," and "Turn Yourself Around." Treasure was a good ring and one that should get more love.

Dan Hartman — Instant Replay (1978)

The work of a session musician is volatile, and they don't e'er get to choose the projects they're working on. Equally a young guitarist, Vinnie Vincent would take on more or less any project that was sent his way, which leads u.s.a. to Dan Hartman's 1978 Disco/Popular record,Instant Replay. Past the looks of information technology, Vincent contributed all the guitars to this record, which mostly consisted of rhythm and acoustic piece of work. This isn't what one would phone call his "finest 60 minutes," but Vincent'southward playing is null short of solid, and workman-like. Also, the title rails of the record, "Instant Replay," went to number twenty-nine of the US Hot-100 Chart…that has to exist worth something, right?

Laura Nyro — Nested (1979)

Yes, it seems in Vinnie Vincent'south quest toward notoriety, he left no stone unturned, and in 1979, Vinnie ended up contributing guitars to Laura Nyro'south excellent Pop/Folk record,Nested.More often than not speaking, Laura Nyro is very underrated and made some fantastic records. This record in particular is interesting, as it'southward entirely more melodic, and commercial sounding than annihilation she previously had done. One cannot assist only wonder if Vincent exerted any of his shortly-to-be notorious and duality-laden personality over the recording sessions. Mayhap nosotros will never know.

Felix Cavaliere — Castles In The Air (1979)

In the late-70s, Vinnie Vincent was something of a hot commodity on the New York/Connecticut session musician scene. His versatility and songwriting talents were becoming well-known and understandably appreciated. Once Vincent had finished recording the guitars for Laura Nyro, he immediately went to work on Felix Cavaliere'due south 1979 record,Castles In The Air.Once over again, this is not exactly the Hard Stone and Heavy Metal stylings nosotros would come to know, and beloved from the Ankh Warrior, but nevertheless, Vincent contributed all the guitars for, "All Or Naught," "Love Is The First Twenty-four hour period Of Bound," and he did lay down a overnice guitar solo for the penultimate track, "Don't Hold Back Your Love."

Staff Songwriter for Happy Days & Joanie Loves Chachi (1980-1982)

Tired of toiling in obscurity while laying downwardly perceivably forgettable guitar work for Disco and Pop acts, Vinnie Vincent decided to exit Connecticut, and head to Los Angeles, in 1980. It was around this time that he decided to use his innate ability to write a damn good song and take on a part equally a staff songwriter for the striking TV serialHappy Days, and is not as a well-loved spinoff, and cult-classic, Joanie Loves Chachi. While one would never remember of Vinnie Vincent as the type to contribute cutesy songs to the proverbial Pop zeitgeist, nevertheless, there he was, writing many of the series nearly well-known songs on his sometime acoustic guitar, while sitting at the Cunningham's kitchen table, on theHappy Days ready. While this isn't the type of affair Vincent is virtually known for, it is an interesting footnote in the legendary axman'due south history, and for what it'due south worth, in his few and far between interviews, Vincent has claimed that his time working onHappy Days, andJoanie Loves Chachi were some of his, "Happiest days." If that's non ironic, I don't know what is.

Scarlet Appice — Carmine Appice (1981)

Most Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal fans are enlightened of the massive disaster that was the failed joint tour that Carmine Appice attempted with Vinnie Vincent a few years dorsum. Yes, it seems that Vincent wasn't quite ready to "come dorsum" after all. That said, did you know that Vinnie Vincent worked as a songwriter on Cerise Appice's underrated solo record,Blood-red Appice, in 1981? While it seems that Danny Johnson played nearly of, if non all the guitars on the record, Vincent did co-write one of the record's standout tracks, "Drum Metropolis Rocker." It seems that Vincent impressed Ruddy and so much, that he took him out on the road equally a member of Ruby and The Rockers in support of the tape, and the group fifty-fifty opened for Joe Perry'southward (Aerosmith) solo projection, The Joe Perry Project. Similar Treasure, Red and The Rocker'southward was one of those very cool late-70s and early-80s groups who nosotros all like to dream of working out.

Peter Criss — Allow Me Rock You (1982)

Hither is where things get a bit more interesting, and by all accounts, where Vinnie Vincent's official Buss connectedness really begins. While it appears that Vincent did non play any guitar on Peter Criss'southward second post-KISS offer,Let Me Rock Y'all, information technology does appear that he co-wrote ane of the album'due south better tracks, "Tears." Looking dorsum through the records anthology credits, you will find that Vincent co-wrote "Tears" with Adam Mitchell, in 1982, who was also working with Kiss during this time as a songwriter for their upcoming 1982 record,Creatures of the Night. It is said that Mitchell is who introduced Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley to Vinnie Vincent, and it was here where Vincent's session piece of work with KISS officially began. Besides of note, "Tears" would go on to be re-recorded by John Waite, in 1984, for his tape,No Brakes. The track would go on to suspension the US Peak-40 and the Hot-100. Every bit previously mentioned, "Tears" is a great vocal. Information technology seems it just wasn't meant to be for Peter Criss.

Warrior (1982)

The story of Warrior is an interesting, if not somewhat convoluted journeying. Things got started in 1982, when Boston-based ring, New England, featuring Gary Shea on bass, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, Hirsh Gardner on drums, and John Fannon on vocals and guitar, broke upwards afterwards the deviation of Fannon. The remaining members of the band wanted to continue on, so, the search for a guitarist and a singer began. Dating back some time, New England had a relationship with Buss, having opened for them in the past. As per Gary Shea, one day in conversation with Factor Simmons, Shea mentioned that he was, "Looking to put a new ring together and that he needed a guitarist." Simmons mentioned, "We take a guy writing songs for the states, doing some session work filling in for Ace. He doesn't have the right look for Buss — he's likewise short — but he would be a perfect fit for you." That guitarist was Vinnie Vincent. As the story goes, Simmons sent Shea Vincent'due south demos from the ongoing Creatures Of The Night sessions, and Shea instantly roughshod in dearest. Soon after, Vincent met up with Shea, Waldo, and Hirsch, for a jam session, and the chemistry was firsthand. At the fourth dimension, Vincent was in something of a Metallic manner, being that he was working on Creatures Of The Night, and so, the material he presented was much harder-edged than anything New England had previously washed. So, the newly formed band decided to make themselves as "Warrior," to represent that difficult edge. The ring proceeded forward with Vincent on guitar, and he also served as temporary vocalizer for the demos they laid downward, while the search for a vocalist continued. It'due south been reported that while Gary Shea got on well with Vincent, Waldo and Hirsh were, "Not in love with Vinnie." In the eleventh hour, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, in dire need of a replacement for the officially departed Ace Frehley, chosen Vincent and offered for him to bring together Buss immediately, but that he needed to make up one's mind quickly with Stanley and Simmons saying, "Nosotros need to know right at present, are y'all in, or are you lot out?" Needless to say, Vincent was in, effectively ending Warrior before it ever got off the footing. As for the remaining members, Shea and Waldo went on to grade Alcatrazz with Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen, and as for Vinnie Vincent, the rest, equally they say, is KISStory.

These are but a few of the well-nigh well-known highlights of Vinnie Vincent'due south long, and…successful career as a session musician, and songwriter. As is the case with near session musicians, information technology tin can exist difficult to rail exactly which records they played on, and if y'all are able to pivot downwardly their discography, information technology can be fifty-fifty harder to figure out which tracks they contributed to.

Still, throughout his career, Vinnie Vincent has shown himself to be both a multifaceted guitarist and a gifted songwriter. Ane who has contributed his talents beyond many genres, and mediums, all with the centre toward eventual distinction, and in this lies the challenge when trying to empathise Vinnie Vincent.

Later years of session work, and moving effectually from ring to band, Vincent finally defenseless a break and landed a lead guitar office with 1 of the biggest bands in the world in Buss. The music he fabricated with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Eric Carr is truly some of the freshest, and best of the Hair Metal era. Furthermore, it is music that still holds up to this day.

And still — Vinnie flamed out with Buss.

Given a 2nd run a risk at stardom with his ain ring, the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, whose ii records, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, andAll Systems Go are as well some of the nearly ferocious of the decade — he flamed out at that place too.

While 1 could become for days regarding the myriad of credits Vinnie has accumulated throughout hismail service-Kiss career, for now, it'south ameliorate to remember that when we endeavour to clarify Vinnie Vincent, we sympathize that while the man has world-beating talent, some musicians only aren't meant to have over the world.

While Super Stars and superheroes are fun, the world needs villains and anti-heroes besides, and it seems that Vinnie Vincent fits those roles quite well. A musical nomad. A man who comes and goes equally he pleases. A man who leaves chaos disguised as a triumph in his wake.

K swells of chaos and destruction.

When we analyze Vinnie Vincent, this is what nosotros find. From the spoils, have what yous want, and get out the balance.

Vincent John Cusano would have information technology any other way.

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About Post Author

Andrew Daly

With an immense passion for music, a disposition for writing, and an eagerness to teach and share both, Andrew decided to found VWMusic in 2019 equally a freelance column under the column Idle Chatter. Over time, the column grew into a website that at present features contributors who further the cause of sharing both a love of music and the art of journalism with the globe through articles and interviews. While Andrew enjoys running the website, his real passion lies in didactics and facilitating others to do what they do best, and giving them the opportunity to explore their passions in the process. Some of Andrew's favorite artists include KISS, Oasis, ACϟDC, Elvis Presley, Ace Frehley, The Rolling Stones, Rush, The Pretenders, Led Zeppelin, The Gaslight Anthem, Iron Maiden, John Lennon, The Melvins, Noel Gallagher, Regina Spektor, Rory Gallagher, The Stone Roses, The Strokes, Sparse Lizzy, Elvis Costello, Van Halen, Neil Young, Blur, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and many more.