The former guitarist for a legendary rock band is refusing to release what he calls the “greatest album of all time” — unless fans pay $200 per song.
Ex-KISS member Vinnie Vincent announced last month that he would sell his new record, “Judgment Day Guitarmaggedon,” one song at a time. The controversial decision offered fans “collector singles” as individually signed and numbered CDs, each costing $200 plus shipping, but only once reaching 1,000 pre-sales.
The first single, “Ride the Serpent,” is described as a nearly 8-minute “intense guitar powerdrive” featuring Vincent on guitars and bass, Robert Fleischman (formerly of Journey) on vocals and Keary Jordan on drums. Vincent wrote and produced the song.
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, his website lists 18 song titles (“…and more”), so buying the complete album would cost at least $3,600. He defended the price, arguing that the rollout plan was his best way of fighting against illegal downloads, file sharing, streaming services and other changes to the music industry over the years that have made it harder for artists to get paid adequately.
Rolling Stone reported last month that he insisted each CD single is “worth more than most entire albums.” It would be the first full-length album from Vinnie Vincent Invasion since 1988.
Vincent responded to backlash online, telling fans that he’s perfectly fine never releasing the music if not enough people pay his asking price.
“There’s no money in record labels. They’re a dead end,” he wrote on Facebook. “Unless I get compensated for my work, the album stays unheard. The praise from a fan base is pointless unless I’m compensated FIRST… I am the manufacturer. I produce high end product. I set the price accordingly. It’s that simple. there’s no argument here. there’s no discussion. I’ve created an elite product for elite taste. So for the smash and grab EBT card group of self entitled complainers bitching about price… f— off.”
“So it comes down to this; if the fan support is not there which it does not appear to be, this record will not be released. Am I fine with that? Absolutely. 100%. It will be the greatest album of all time, never to be heard, never to be released. If people want my music, and think they’re punishing me by not buying it because of the price, it matters not to me. They’re the ones who will lose out.”
Vincent also doubled down on his boasts, comparing “Guitarmaggedon” to legendary albums like “Meet the Beatles,” Led Zeppelin’s “II,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced,” Jeff Beck’s “Truth,” Cream’s “Wheels of Fire” and “Pink Floyd etc.”
“The only difference is these albums are generation tested and have the benefit of fermentation of time. But as for impact and perfection from the first song to last, ‘Guitarmaggedon’ is a classic,” he said.
Vincent is best known for his work as a guitarist for KISS, appearing as The Wizard on 1982’s “Creatures of the Night” and without makeup and costumes on 1983’s “Lick It Up.” He joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group as a replacement for Ace Frehley, then was replaced by Mark St. John in 1984. Vincent also contributed as a songwriter to KISS’ 1992 album “Revenge.”
Guitarist Vinnie Vincent of the rock band Kiss performs onstage in this 1983 photo. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)Getty Images
He released two albums as Vinnie Vincent Invasion during the ‘80s hair metal period, plus worked with artists like Laura Nyro, Peter Criss, John Waite, The Bangles, Was (Not Was), and Syracuse University alumnus Felix Cavaliere. His early career also reportedly included working as a staff songwriter for music on the TV series “Happy Days” and “Joanie Loves Chachi.”