Vinnie Vincent wrote it, Ace Frehley covered it, John Norum nailed it
This is the story behind the brilliant track “Back on the Streets” by KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent. It’s a fascinating story about a terrific song that includes not only three guitar maestros but also vocalists from Toto and Journey.
Vinnie Vincent may not necessarily be the easiest person to work with, but there is no denying he was a great songwriter and guitarist back in the day. During his time in KISS in 1982-84, he was a major contributor to the albums “Creatures of the Night” and “Lick It Up”, and the tours that followed. In the early ’90s, he again contributed to KISS as a songwriter.
Out of all the great songs he wrote for KISS, Vinnie Vincent Invasion and others, “Back on the Streets” remains one of Vinnie’s best songs. Originally called “Back on the Street”, the song was written by Vinnie Vincent (or Vincent Cusano, as he was still called at that stage) and Richard Friedman. It was likely written around 1979-81 and was demoed for the 1982 KISS album “Creatures of the Night” (although there has been no indication that any KISS member played on the demo). While Vinnie played guitar on that KISS album and had three songs he co-wrote (“Killer”, “I Love It Loud” and “I Still Love You”) included, “Back on the Streets” was rejected by KISS.
At the same time as Vinnie worked with KISS as a songwriter and session player, in 1982, he was in the short-lived band Warrior. Warrior consisted of Vinnie and former New England members Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea and Hirsh Gardner. The band New England was managed by Bill Aucoin, who also managed KISS. When John Fannon left New England, Gene Simmons introduced Vinnie to the remaining members as a possible new member of the band. Vinnie came into the band with great demo songs, which meant New England’s old songs were left behind, and a new band was formed around Vinnie’s songs. Warrior demoed “Back on the Streets” with Vinnie on guitar and vocals. But the band fell apart when KISS offered Vinnie to officially replace Ace Frehley as the band’s lead guitarist in September 1982.
Two Warrior demo versions of the song were released by Cherry Records in 2019 on the demo compilation albums “Warrior” and “Warrior II” (and subsequently on the 3-CD release “Warrior: The Complete Sessions” in 2024). Future Toto lead singer Fergie Frederiksen briefly rehearsed with Warrior to let Vinnie focus on playing guitar. A rehearsal recording of Fergie singing lead on “Back on the Streets” was also included on one of the Cherry Records releases.
In 1984, the song first appeared on a record when a version of the song by the band 3 Speed became part of the soundtrack for the movie “Voyage of the Rock Aliens”.
Shortly thereafter, in 1985, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley recorded a demo of the song (with Richie Scarlet on vocals) with his new band Frehley’s Comet, which also included former KISS session drummer Anton Fig. While Ace never released the track, Frehley’s Comet performed it several times on a US tour in March 1985. The reason for Ace covering Vinnie’s song is likely that George Sewitt, a former KISS road manager, managed both Ace and Vinnie after they departed KISS.
When Vinnie launched his own band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, he included the song on the band’s 1986 self-titled debut album. The recording line-up was Vinnie on guitar and vocals, Robert Fleischman (Journey) on vocals, Dana Strum on bass and Bobby Rock on drums.
In 1987, John Norum, who had recently left Europe after their success with “The Final Countdown” album, included “Back on the Streets” on his debut solo album “Total Control”. This is arguably the best version and features Peter Hermansson (220 Volt) on drums, Marcel Jacob (Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Talisman, Wasa Express) on bass, Göran Edman (Madison, Yngwie Malmsteen) on vocals and Per Blom on keyboards. Norum also performed the song live on tour. Notably, in 1986, Göran Edman recorded a version of “Back on the Streets” on his audition tape for Vinnie Vincent Invasion when he was considered as a replacement for Robert Fleischman. That may explain how the song ended up being included on Norum’s album.
The Comet Band recorded and released a version of the song on the 1997 album “Return of the Comet: A Tribute to Ace Frehley”. The recording line-up consisted of former Frehley’s Comet members Richie Scarlet (lead vocals, guitar), John Regan (bass) and Arthur Stead (keyboards), plus drummer Steve Werner.
The 2008 Vinnie Vincent tribute album “Kiss My Ankh” featured a cover version of “Back on the Streets” performed by Mike Weeks (guitar, bass, vocals) and Andre Labelle (drums).
“Back on the Streets” is a terrific song. Vinnie Vincent’s many problems have unfortunately overshadowed the man’s incredible talents. It is such a shame.
