Kruise Fest reportedly declines return appearance by Vinnie Vincent for 9th edition in late October
Kruise Fest reportedly declines return appearance by Vinnie Vincent for 9th edition in late October
The pre-KISS Kruise event Kruise Fest, which will be returning for its ninth edition in Miami, Florida, USA on October 28 and 29, 2019, has reportedly declined former KISS lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent‘s request for a return appearance.
History was made last year when Vincent, with his face painted in his KISS “Ankh Warrior” make up, appeared to play a few songs live and plugged in for the first time in decades with Four By Fate at the KISS Kruise VIII Pre-Party at The Gathering III in Miami, Florida, USA on October 30, 2018. However, the Kruise Fest does not appear interested in having Vincent appear for its ninth edition this year.
After two cancelled events — Vincent‘s comeback shows with drummer Carmine Appice, bassist Tony Franklin and singer Jim Crean in Nashville, Tennessee, USA scheduled for February 8 and 9, 2019 and Vincent‘s Speedball Jamm performance scheduled for June 7, 2019 was also cancelled as , the guitarist reportedly went ahead with his private Birthday Bash celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, USA on August 10, 2019. The Birthday Bash had a number of reported restrictions including no filming or recording.
Kruise Fest‘s press release indicates:
“This October, sailing out of Miami, Florida, the 9th annual KISS Kruise will take to the high seas and in true KISS Army style, the fan-organized pre-kruise party, Kruise Fest will held in the city of departure. This year, kruisers Neil Davis, Joe D’Angelo, Jay Jadofsky and Bill Alward are teaming up to present “Kruise Fest” a two-day music festival and Rock-n-Roll Expo at the Airport Hilton Blue Lagoon in Miami, FL.
Last year’s pre party, run by promoter Joe D’Angelo (partner this year as well) featured the return of former KISS member Vinnie Vincent who took the stage for the first time in over two decades. “I worked extremely hard to make sure that the KISS kruisers got to see what they paid for and I truly feel that very well may be the last time Vinnie performs to a live audience of that size” says D’Angelo. “Vinnie has a reputation for being extremely difficult to work with and getting him to do everything he was contracted to do required a certain degree of intrepidity.”
D’Angelo, also one of the promoters of the hugely successful RockNPod Expo held in Nashville on August 10th was quoted on one of the podcasts as saying “I was approached by Vinnie’s handler and lawyer about having Vinnie return to Kruise Fest this year and I respectfully declined. While I like his attorney very much, the prospect of working with Vinnie again is unpleasant and the cons far outweigh any potential pros.” D’Angelo continued, “Kruise Fest is doing so well, I don’t see the need to add the negativity that he would most certainly bring.”
Kruise Fest takes place on Monday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 29 with a line-up of Grammy-winners and rock standouts. Opening the Monday show are fan favorites Jaded Past and The No. 13’s. They are followed by an amazing performance by the Kruise Fest All-Star Band. Anchored by Ace Frehley‘s touring musicians, the group will be joined by Grammy-winners John Regan and Bob Kulick, and artists including Richie Scarlet and Tod Howarth, with more to be announced. Closing out the night will be Sebastian Bach performing a full set consisting of the first Skid Row album in its entirety!
Tuesday will feature a non-make-up acoustic set by Kissterious, a tribute band from The Netherlands, followed by front man extraordinaire John Corabi (Motley Crüe, Ratt, The Dead Daisies) performing poolside in what is sure to be a highlight of this two-day event. The evening set begins with KISS America (Florida’s ultimate KISS tribute band!), followed by international recording act Thundermother from Sweden, and Return of the Comet (featuring members of Frehley’s Comet). Tuesday’s headliner will be none other than the Spaceman himself, Ace Frehley! Ace will be performing a full set with his band AND will jam two songs with Return of the Comet for a once in a lifetime experience for those in attendance.
Throughout both days, between-set tunes will be provided by Miami’s own KISS Kruise alum DJ Noiz, entertaining the crowd with favorite rock songs and mixes. Also on-site will be an International KISS Exchange and Rock-n-Roll Expo featuring vendors selling KISS and rock memorabilia. Special Expo guests in attendance Tuesday will be Jake J and the Killjoys, former KISS security Big John Harte, KISS and Rainbow album designer Ken Kelly, Dale Torborg known as the “Demon” wrestler and several KISS podcast representatives. Fans will have the chance to meet and interact with all special guests!
General Admission tickets are only $85 and admit guests to all the shows in the concert hall on BOTH days! Meet and greet packages are available, including the opportunity to purchase a guitar signed, in person, by Ace Frehley. For tickets and hotel and event details go to www.kruisefest.com.”