Bruce Kulick’s final performance with Kiss was 30 years ago

ulick provided stability and talent to the position, helping to restore Kiss to platinum-selling, arena-filling status after a rocky period in the early ’80s.

Kulick’s final performance with the band took place at the Palladium in Los Angeles during a three-song acoustic set as part of Mark and Brian’s annual Christmas show. The early morning performance posed a challenge for Kulick and the band, but they delivered a solid performance considering the timing of the show.

During this time, Kiss was recording what would be Kulick’s last studio album with the group, “Carnival of Souls.” However, the dynamics within the band were shifting, as founding members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss rejoined the group for a performance on MTV Unplugged. This unexpected reunion sparked fan excitement and eventually led to the announcement of a full makeup original lineup reunion at the Grammys in February 1996.

Reflecting on this period, Kulick mentioned that he was unaware of the reunion plans until January of that year. The unexpected turn of events meant that he had to adjust his expectations, especially since the band had been working on a new studio album. Despite the uncertainty, the band decided to keep Kulick and Eric Singer on salary just in case the reunion was short-lived.

The reunion, known as the Alive/Worldwide tour, was a tremendous success, lasting over a year and leading to two more major tours together. They released the album “Psycho Circus,” although behind-the-scenes disagreements were already surfacing within the group. Rumors circulated that Kulick secretly played on several tracks on the album, filling in for Frehley.

When Frehley left Kiss in 2002, Kulick was not chosen as his replacement. Instead, former Black N’ Blue guitarist Tommy Thayer stepped into the role of the “Spaceman,” a move that sparked some controversy among fans. Despite this, Kulick expressed relief at not being asked to join in makeup, stating that it would have been awkward for him to fill Frehley’s shoes.

Since leaving Kiss, Kulick has kept busy with various musical projects, including joining Grand Funk Railroad as their lead guitarist in 2000. He has also released solo albums and been part of the band Union, alongside former Motley Crue singer John Corabi.

In recent years, Kulick has continued to pay tribute to his time in Kiss, delighting audiences with live sets dedicated to his tenure with the band. His most recent performance took place in November 2025 at Kiss Kruise: Land-Locked in Las Vegas, where he honored departed Kiss members Ace Frehley, Eric Carr, and Bob Kulick.