Hard rock singer Joe Lynn Turner has accused Kiss and other bands of using backing tracks on stage. “I understand there’s a technology that certain bands are using today, but if you’re like Kiss, maybe you should quit before it’s too late folks,” short-time Deep Purple frontman Turner said in an interview with “Metal Castle”.
“Anybody can cover it up in the studio, but it all comes out live, and when you can’t take it anymore, get off the stage,” Turner said. “All it does is destroy your legacy […]. I’m not trying, [Kiss] stand out individually, but they are known to [Backing-Tracks] Speaking of the general use of backing tracks, Turner said, “I understand some groups rely on these computers, but I’m old school and I think live music should be live”.
“It’s not even karaoke”
“If you’re popular, and you go out there and use backing tracks, you’re not honest, it’s pantomime. It’s not even karaoke. You cheat people and you cheat yourself.” He understands that many performances in a row are difficult, especially for singers. But you should rather play fewer concerts and forego money. “If you’re just doing it for the money so you can play five nights instead of three, that’s not a good enough reason for me.”
Again and again, accusations are made against Kiss that they use playback on stage. A video of a concert in Antwerp was last circulating in June 2022. Apparently, Paul Stanley’s singing can be heard there, even though he’s not at the microphone. The band had actually started their farewell tour in 2019 and wanted to end their live career in summer 2021. However, the corona pandemic delayed this, and Kiss recently announced five more concerts in Germany for the summer of 2023.
Turner briefly sang with Deep Purple from 1990 to 1992, recording their 13th album, Slaves and Masters. He was fired again for the return of Ian Gilian. He fronted Rainbow in the early 1980s and was a member of Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force. In October 2022 his 14th solo album “Belly of the Beast” was released.