'70s Rock Icon Defends Charging $225 for New Music
- - '70s Rock Icon Defends Charging $225 for New Music
Grace GalanteDecember 29, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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Photo by Richard E. Aaron on Getty Images
KISS' Vinnie Vincent recently made headlines for charging fans $225 for his new single — and now he's speaking out.
On Facebook in early December, the guitarist who played with KISS from 1982 to 1984 announced his first original material in more than 20 years, a single titled "Ride the Serpent."
The single is being released exclusively as a limited edition CD — meaning it will not be available on streaming services, for digital download, or as a vinyl. Vincent said he will sell exactly 1000 signed copies, split evenly between U.S. and international fans, for a whopping $200 apiece.
U.S. buyers will also have to pay an extra $25 for shipping, while international orders require an additional $100.
RELATED: Vinnie Vincent Reveals First New Music in 20 Years With Rare Release Costing Over $200
After facing backlash for the exorbitant price of the song, Vincent issued a response via a Facebook comment.
“I understand the b--hing, the moaning, the whining about price, but you must also understand that my situation is as such that my music is so desired that it will be targeted and taken away from me immediately, which I cannot/will not allow,” he wrote in the comment. “I wish it was not this way, but I’m honored that it is.. It’s a double-edged sword for me, but I sincerely hope that when you think it through you will understand the dilemma I face.”
Vincent described “Ride the Serpent” as a nearly 8-minute blast of guitar theatrics with him playing both guitar and bass. Vinnie Vincent Invasion band member Robert Fleischman sings vocals while fellow band member Keary Jordan appears on drums.
The single is the first installment in what the rocker is calling the Vinnie Vincent Invasion Master Series.
Vincent also explained in another comment that he turned off the comments on his posts because of the “whining b---hing immature ‘I want it for free babies.’”
“It’s just too tiresome too [sic] deal with this type of imbecile who still unfortunately thinks that someone owes them something. Nobody owes them anything, especially me,” he wrote. “If they want my music they can pay for it or wait a long time because they can get it bootlegged.”
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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
