Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has revealed his brother Bob‘s cause of death. Bob, who was an acclaimed artist in his own right, died on May 28 at the age of 70.
Earlier today, Bruce posted the following statement on his social media:
“Many of you have asked how my brother died. I didn’t have the information until a few days ago from the Las Vegas County Coroner. He passed away in his home, from natural causes due to heart disease.
“Sadly, I was unaware that my brother had complained to his doctor about chest pains and heart palpitations. I recently discovered this by looking at his medical papers, and I believe he was due to be treated, but the pandemic might of prevented it. For me this was a shock, as it was so sudden.
“I hope if you experience any pain or discomfort, please see your doctor.
“As much as this knowledge about his passing is closure for me and my family, he was too young to die.
“Thank you all for your support with his passing. I will continue to celebrate his career and share his photos and accomplishments, along with a lighter side of my brother many of you never knew.
“Bob Kulick RIP 1/16/1950 – 5/28/2020″
Throughout his 40-plus-year music career, Bob Kulick worked with an astonishing array of artists: from Meat Loaf to MOTÖRHEAD; from KISS to Michael Bolton; W.A.S.P. to Diana Ross; as well as legends such as Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and Paul Stanley‘s first solo LP and tour.
Bob began his musical profession at 16 — when most high schoolers are still trying to figure out where they’re going in life — appearing on the 1966 album “Winchester Cathedral” from the RANDOM BLUES BAND, the “baby band” that Bob played in that played The Café Wha in New York’s Greenwich Village alongside Jimmy James and the BLUE FLAMES (later rechristened Jimi Hendrix).
1973 saw Kulick make the connection that he has been associated the most with throughout his career. He auditioned for — and got passed over by — KISS. Instead of being dejected, the six-stringer aligned himself with the band over the years, playing on the studio material on “Kiss Alive II”, providing solos on the “Killers” album, co-writing “Naked City” from “Unmasked” and guesting on Paul Stanley‘s 1979 solo album and tour a decade later. He even suggested his brother to the band.
This past April, Bruce admitted in an interview that his relationship with Bob was “not healthy.” Bruce spoke about his estranged older brother five months after Bob made a public post on his personal Facebook page as as well as on his Instagram accusing Bruce of contributory “copyright infringement” over the sale of “Kulick Brothers” merchandise items, including a signed photo. According to Bob, the items were being made available via Kiss Army Merchandise with permission from Bruce only. Bob went on to say that Bruce had “a restraining order” against him, but didn’t offer any more details about the circumstances that led to the order being issued.
During 2017’s “Kiss Kruise VII”, the Kulick brothers played a 13-song set that featured 10 rarely performed KISS songs such as “Turn On The Night” and “All American Man”, as well as three classics from Paul Stanley‘s 1978 solo album (on which Bob performed). That same year, Bob released a solo album, “Skeletons In The Closet”.
Many of you have asked how my brother died. I didn’t have the information until a few days ago from the Las Vegas County…
Posted by Bruce Kulick on Friday, October 2, 2020
