KISS collaborator Bob Kulick, acclaimed guitarist and producer, dead at 70

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty ImagesVeteran producer and guitarist Bob Kulick, who contributed his talents to several KISS albums among many other projects, died Thursday, May 28, at the age of 70.

Kulick’s brother, former KISS and longtime Grand Funk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick, announced Bob’s death with a message on his social media pages.

“I am heartbroken to have to share the news of the passing of my brother Bob Kulick,” Bruce writes. “His love of music, and his talent as a musician and producer should always be celebrated. Please respect the Kulick Family’s privacy during this sad time.”

In 1972, Bob auditioned for the band that would become KISS, but the group instead chose Ace Frehley as its lead guitarist. Later, however, Kulick made uncredited guitar contributions to four of the rockers’ albums — 1977’s Alive II, 1980’s Unmasked and 1982’s Killers and Creatures of the Night. He also played on Paul Stanley‘s self-titled 1978 album and joined on Stanley on his 1989 solo tour.

As a sessions musician, Bob also played on albums by Lou Reed, Diana Ross, Meat Loaf, Michael Bolton, Dee Snider, Edgar Winter, W.A.S.P. and many others. His production work included a variety of themed tribute albums and records by Motörhead.

Additionally, Kulick co-wrote the song “Sweet Victory,” which memorably played in the 2001 SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Band Geeks.”

By Matt Friedlander
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