There is the Kiss army, the Kiss Nation, Kiss expos, Kiss dolls, guitars, books and everything Kiss you can imagine to worship these rock gods. Devoted fans around the world have adored Kiss diligently for over 30 years and are still in full force, keeping Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley alive like their in-the-flesh Elvis, and perhaps then some.

      I had the chance to sit down with former Kiss guitarist of over a decade Bruce Kulick at Gibson studios in NYC, who tells all about his experiences with this rock and roll entity called Kiss.

     InsideCx: How did it feel replacing Ace in the mega-band Kiss?

     BK: I was just happy to be there. I always had my feet on the ground as to what it was all about. And I was so honored to be part of Kiss in that respect.

     InsideCx: What about dealing with the throngs of Kiss fans?

     BK: Obviously, I embraced it. At times it was overwhelming, especially at the beginning. When we’d go overseas I literally felt like I was in the Beatles. You know, WOW! But I really did understand my role in the band and the big picture. I thought maybe it would last a couple of years, maybe five years if I was lucky. I didn’t know it would turn into 12 years. So by then I really had it down, if you know what I mean.

      And I knew it wouldn’t be forever. At some point it would be important for them to put that makeup back on and become the old Kiss, and they did that. My swan song with them was to do the MTV Unplugged, which really showed how good that version of the band could play. So it was a cool way to say goodbye to that.

     InsideCx: You had a lot of experience with big-name musicians prior to Kiss, like Meatloaf and Michael Bolton. Can you tell us about that?

     BK: I started out with Meatloaf, backing him up with the original Bat Out of Hell tour. That was exciting. I got a real taste of performing onstage in an arena show. He sold out everywhere once that record got going. We did an amazing amount of shows.

      I did some work with Billy Squire. But I started to have this band with Michael Bolton, which was called Black Jack. We did two records and then Michael went solo and I backed him up for a while with that. I even played with a local band here, the Good Rats.

      By the time I was done working solo with Michael, I didn’t know what was next. And that’s when I got the call to help out with Kiss, and then 12 years with that. My experience prior to Kiss was really helpful, of course, and I didn’t have to be too intimidated by the whole thing.

     InsideCx: Do you still keep in touch with the members of Kiss?

     BK: Yeah, I played some bass on Paul’s new solo record. And I played some guitar on Gene’s record. I speak with them, yeah, everything’s cool with them. I prefer it that way.

     InsideCx: What are you working on now?

     BK: I am doing some solo projects with Eric Singer (Badlands, Kiss) and I’m touring with Grand Funk Railroad. I love doing it all. It’s not easy; at times it’s crazy scheduling. This is what I love to do.

     InsideCx: Anything you’d like to tell Kiss fans?

     BK: Kiss fans are very unique and special. With all the shenanigans that Gene and Paul have gone through, and I say that in not a real negative way, they have marketed this thing and they continue endlessly with the Reunion Tour, the Farewell Tour, the Carry On Tour, and I don’t know what. The fans have really hung in there for the band.       I’m really proud of my years with the band, and the fans are very, very aware of my years. So I thank them. I do these Kiss expos and they support me. I’m really lucky and I feel honored that they recognize my contribution.