Bitter Vinnie, sort of back with KISS. Appeared at the KISS Expo in Atlanta and gave his first interview in like 20 years.
Apparently turned into a woman.
Dude, when he was a dude, had a tortured history with KISS. Contributed some good work (writing and guitar) on the Creatures of the Night album which holds up better in retrospect than its subsequent tour would indicate.
He was one of the four faces that unmasked on the USS Intrepid live on MTV. Was a major contributor to the Lick It Up album which was probably the most important release for the band since the 70s. If that had failed? Wouldn't still be around probably. Vinnie co-wrote most of the songs and handled the guitar work.
Went to war with Gene and Paul over money. They'd decided that after the Ace/Peter debacle there would be no more 'four for one.' Anybody in the band would be contract only. Vinnie -- somewhat justifiably -- wanted more. He went from flat broke to rich overnight and it got to him. They probably should have paid him more, but he did have a contract. When he refused to sign a renewal, he was gone. Two years, two albums at a critical juncture for the band.
Sued for royalties. Lost.
Mended fences, came back for some songs on Revenge in 1992. Wrote Unholy with Gene which was a really, really good song.
Had a contract. Wanted more when the album did well. Sued for royalties. Lost.
Sued again because he was in the clips on a KISS anthology video about eight years ago. Lost again.
Now he's back around. As a woman apparently. Nothing but nice things to say about Gene and Paul. Maybe he's decided to stop biting the hand that's fed him.