Overview

Robert J. "Bob" Kulick (January 16, 1950 – May 28, 2020) was an American guitarist and record producer whose work spanned rock, pop and jazz idioms. Born in New York City, he became known primarily for session and studio work, contributing guitar tracks and production to recordings by a variety of artists. He is frequently mentioned in connection with the band Kiss and with the heavy metal group W.A.S.P., among many other collaborations.

Career and musical style

Kulick built a reputation as a precise, versatile studio player who could move between styles. His background included both rock and more melodic pop or jazz-tinged playing, which made him a useful contributor in the recording studio. Over several decades he worked as a session guitarist, arranger and record producer, participating in studio sessions, album projects and live backing teams.

Notable collaborations and roles

Although he never served as a long-term touring member for some of the acts he recorded with, Kulick's studio contributions put him in contact with many well-known artists and groups. Highlights often cited in accounts of his career include:

  • Studio recordings and session work associated with Kiss, where he was brought in for specific tracks and recording sessions.
  • Production and recording work with rock and metal acts such as W.A.S.P., where he contributed in the studio and behind the control room.
  • Decades of additional session work, production, and occasional solo projects that displayed his range as a guitarist and arranger.

Legacy and distinctions

Kulick is often remembered for the role he played behind the scenes of popular rock records: a dependable studio professional whose parts and production decisions helped shape finished albums. He is also commonly noted in relation to his brother, Bruce Kulick, who served as a longtime guitarist in Kiss. Because his most visible work was in studios rather than as a permanent member of headline touring lineups, Kulick's contributions illustrate the important but sometimes overlooked role of session musicians in rock music.

Death

Bob Kulick died on May 28, 2020 in Las Vegas at the age of 70. His passing was reported by multiple music outlets, and tributes emphasized both his technical skill and the breadth of his recording career. He left behind a body of work that appears across numerous albums and projects, and he is remembered by fellow musicians and fans for his steady presence in the studio.

Further reading

For introductions to his recorded work and lists of credits, consult discographies and artist profiles that document session musicians and producers. These sources provide more detailed track-by-track credits and context for the recordings on which Kulick appears.