Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent has launched a furious tirade against fans criticising the staggering $225 price tag for his new autographed CD single.
Defending the 'elite product'
The 73-year-old musician, who played with the iconic rock band between late 1982 and mid-1984, is releasing just 1,000 signed copies of his new track, 'Ride The Serpent'. International fans face an even steeper cost of $300. Vincent took to social media to defend the decision, framing it as a necessity to protect his work from being stolen.
"I understand the bitching, the moaning, the whining about price," Vincent wrote on Facebook on 1 December. He argued his music is "so desired" it would be immediately targeted. "I wish it was not this way, but I'm honoured that it is," he added, describing the situation as a "double-edged sword".
Social media backlash and Vincent's fiery response
The announcement sparked immediate outrage online. One Instagram user pointed out his relatively short tenure with KISS, commenting, "You were with kiss for two years and now you’re charging $300 for one song get over yourself dude." Another on X called the guitarist "delusional," warning others to "spend your money at your own risk."
Vincent's patience quickly evaporated. He began disabling comments on his posts, labelling critics "whining b****ing immature 'I want it for free babies'." In a particularly aggressive post, he stated, "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."
A brief but impactful KISS legacy
Vincent's connection to KISS remains the cornerstone of his fame. He replaced founding member Ace Frehley and contributed significantly to two albums: Creatures of the Night and Lick It Up. His departure in 1984 was attributed to contract disputes. Despite his limited time in the spotlight, he retains a dedicated, if now divided, fanbase.
The rocker's current stance is uncompromising. He has warned followers not to "tread on my world" and referred to detractors as "emotionally disturbed trolls." His final word on the pricing debate was blunt: "I am the manufacturer. I produce high end product. I set the price accordingly. It's that simple. there's no argument here."
