ERIC CARR – A TRIBUTE

Today’s post is dedicated to Paul Charles Caravello, better known as KISS drummer Eric Carr, who passed away on November 24, 1991 from heart cancer. 

Pictures Courtesy of Pinterest

Carr, who was born in East New York and had been involved in several bands, sent in his audition tape after Peter Criss had left the band, in a bright orange folder to make it stand out. At the audition, Eric asked if the other members of KISS would autograph the list of KISS songs he was asked to play in case he didn’t see them again. The rest is history, although the band didn’t exactly tell him he had gotten the gig. Paul Stanley had revealed in a later interview that they told him that they were playing in two weeks. Carr made his debut with KISS in 1980 on a show called Kids Are People Too and the band performed their first show with Carr at the Palladium in July of 1980.

Originally Carr wanted to use the stage persona of The Hawk, however the makeup was not easy to recreate in greasepaint and the stage costume was a bright orange yellow, which Paul Stanley had noted made him look like Big Bird. The hawk idea was shelved and Eric came up with his fox makeup a few weeks before his debut. His stage name came after he had originally considered using Rusty Blade which Simmons didn’t really want him to use. He shortened his last name and used Eric from a list of names his girlfriend had given him. When KISS announced that he was the new drummer, they subtracted three years from his age to maintain his “secret” identity and confuse those who may have been trying to find out more about him.

Carr’s first album with KISS’s was their 1981 album, Music from “The Elder” and he played with KISS up until his death in 1991. Even after KISS took their makeup off in 1983, a move that concerned Carr that the band was coming to an end, his popularity with fans soared and he was noted as always approachable and friendly and would often add personal messages to his autographs.

In February of 1991, Carr had started to feel ill and was diagnosed with heart cancer. He had several surgeries and while he was thought to have been in remission, he was still very sick. He begged Gene and Paul to let him be in the video for “God Gave Rock N’ Roll to You II” and they agreed. His last public performance was at the MTV Music Awards in September of 1991. Ironically, he passed away the same day as Freddie Mercury from Queen.

Rest in Peace Eric and check out the YouTube video for Eric Carr – Tale of the Fox below:

POISON – TALK DIRTY TO ME

Happy Wednesday Metalheads! Hope your week is going well so far. Today we take a trip back to 1986 to the first album by Poison “Look What The Cat Dragged In” for the track “Talk Dirty to Me”.

I remember seeing this video on MTV when it first premiered and then happened to see the album cover after and I remember thinking who is this new girl band? Needless to say the song grew on me and it became one of the most popular songs off the album and was in heavy rotation on MTV. Poison are often credited for being one of the first bands to start the glam metal movement. The band has noted in interviews that they were heavily influenced by KISS and Aerosmith for their “glam” image.

The album spawned 3 more hits for the band including “Cry Tough”, “I Want Action” and the ballad “I Won’t Forget You”.

The original 4 members reunited in 1996, when guitarist C.C. DeVille returned to the band after he was fired in 1991 for his excessive drug use. DeVille eventually got clean and the band are still touring together as of last summer with no signs of slowing down. “Nothing But a Good Time” with these boys.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR “TALK DIRTY TO ME” BELOW

 

KISS – MUSIC FROM “THE ELDER” – METAL REWIND

L to R: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Carr and Ace Frehley

Happy Friday Metalheads!  Today we’re going back to the ninth studio album by KISS titled Music From “The Elder” released November 10, 1991. This was the last album to mark the appearance of guitarist Ace Frehley and the first time that KISS did not tour to support the album.

KISS made a handful of public appearances to promote the album including an appearance on the late-night variety show called Fridays (performing “A World Without Heroes”, “I” and “The Oath”), on Solid Gold (performing “A World Without Heroes” where you can actually see a tear run down Gene’s face in the video and “I”), and a lip-synched performance of “I” from Studio 54 broadcast via satellite to the Sanremo Festival in Italy.  Ace Frehley was absent for the Studio 54 appearance, so KISS performed the song as a trio.

The album’s story involves the recruitment and training of a young hero by the Council of Elders who belong to the Order of the Rose, a mysterious group with the sole purpose of fighting evil. The hero is guided by Morpheous, an elderly caretaker who guides the boy to overcome his doubts and become confident and self-assured. The last song on the album “I” contains a passage in which Morpheus declares to the Elders that the boy is ready to undertake his odyssey.

Often I hear differences of opinion from KISS fans about Music from “The Elder”.  Some seem to like it, others think it’s the worst album KISS has ever made and even Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have admitted they may have not thought this album out thoroughly.

Are you a fan of Music from “The Elder”? Check out the performances below:

I – Live from Fridays

A World Without Heroes – Live from Fridays

The Oath – Live from Fridays

DORO – UNHOLY LOVE

Happy Wednesday Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week so far. Today we’re going back to 1990 to the self-titled album by German vocalist Doro Pesch for the track “Unholy Love.”

Doro, who fronted the band Warlock from 1982 -1989, changed her style for this album going in more of a solo direction than her debut solo album, “Force Majeure.” Produced by Gene Simmons, the record includes a cover of the KISS song “Only You” from their “The Elder” album. Current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer, who was in Black n’ Blue at the time, not only played guitar on the album but also also co-produced it as well with Pat Regan.

I interviewed Doro a number of years ago and she was one of the sweetest people I have ever spoken to. She was extremely down to earth and I felt like I had known her my whole life. If you haven’t seen her live, make sure to check her out, she is phenomenal.

IN THE MEANTIME, CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR “UNHOLY LOVE”

 

BADLANDS – DREAMS IN THE DARK

Happy WednesdayMetalheads!! Today we take a trip back to 1989, to the self titled first album by Badlands for the song “Dreams In The Dark”.

The album which features Ray Gillen – vocals, Eric Singer – drums, Jake E. Lee – guitars and Greg Chaisson – bass was one of the best breakout albums selling 400,000 copies by 1990, landing them on the Billboard Chart at #57. The video for “Dreams In The Dark” was also played in heavy rotation on MTV.

The band released their second album “Voodoo Highway” in 1991, but the band lineup had changed due to Eric Singer leaving to join Paul Stanley on his solo tour, which led to his future role in KISS, after the death of Eric Carr. Gillen and Lee’s friendship began to fall apart and Gillen was eventually fired. Although Lee tried to keep the band going, they eventually disbanded.

Gillen, who had been diagnosed with HIV, passed away in 1993. Jake E. Lee formed Red Dragon Cartel in 2013, while Greg Chaisson still plays with original and cover bands and coaches baseball in Arizona.

DREAMS IN THE DARK

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO SEE LIVE?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. This month it’s all about your FAVORITE BAND LIVE and I want to hear from you. Each week I’ll choose two bands and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite band live. Last week it was KISS vs. Van Halen.  While I love both my choice:

KISS

Here are this week’s choices:

SLAYER

VS.

MEGADETH

e know in the comments below who your favorite is. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO SEE LIVE?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. This month it’s all about your FAVORITE BAND LIVE and I want to hear from you. Each week I’ll choose two bands and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite band live. Last week it was Scorpions vs. Queensryche. My choice:

SCORPIONS

Here are this week’s choices:

KISS

VS.

VAN HALEN

e know in the comments below who your favorite is. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

VINNIE VINCENT INVASION – LOVE KILLS – METAL REWIND

L to R: Dana Strum, Mark Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent and Bobby Rock

Today we take a trip back to 1988 to the second and last album by Vinnie Vincent Invasion called “All Systems Go” for the track “Love Kills.”

Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent formed the band in 1984 with future Slaughter bassist Dana Strum.  After original (and former Journey) singer Robert Fleishman left the band over a contract dispute, Vinnie hired singer Mark Slaughter to handle the vocal duties. The album hit #64 on the Billboard 200 chart and the song was featured in “A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.”

After touring in 1988 to promote the album, Vinnie Vincent Invasion broke up and Mark and Dana went on to form Slaughter, who are still currently touring today. Drummer Bobby Rock is still involved in the music business, playing on different projects and as a session drummer. Vinnie, who disappeared from music for many years, made his return by attending the 2018 KISS Expo and although he had announced some return shows they ended up being canceled. He did, however, perform last summer for his birthday in Nashville at a show called Vinnie Vincent’s Birthday Bash and this past December at a show titled Vinne Vincent’s Merry Metal Christmas.

Check out the video below which includes clips from the movie and it’s influence on the band!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DEBUT ALBUM?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. Last month it was all about drummers. This month I want to hear from you guys on your favorite debut album. Each week I’ll choose two classic albums and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite drummer last week. Last week it was Exodus – Bonded By Blood vs. Testament – The Legacy. My choice:

TESTAMENT – THE LEGACY

Here are this week’s choices:

 

SANCTUARY – REFUGE DENIED

VS.

OVERKILL – FEEL THE FIRE

I look forward to your responses. Let me know in the comments below who your favorite is and which lineup you like best. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DEBUT ALBUM?

Hey Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week so far. Last month it was all about drummers. This month I want to hear from you guys on your favorite debut album. Each week I’ll choose two classic albums and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite drummer last week. Last week it was Megadeth – Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good vs. Metallica – Kill ‘Em All. My choice:

MEGADETH – KILLING IS MY BUSINESS…AND BUSINESS IS GOOD

Here are this week’s choices:

EXODUS – BONDED BY BLOOD

VS.

TESTAMENT – THE LEGACY

I look forward to your responses. Let me know in the comments below who your favorite is and which lineup you like best. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!