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Vinnie Vincent

Vinnie Vincent is the stage name of Vincent John Cusano, an American guitarist and songwriter born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1952.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Vinnie Vincent is the stage name of Vincent John Cusano, an American guitarist and songwriter born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1952. He is best known for his work with Kiss in the early 1980s and for leading the band Vinnie Vincent Invasion, which released two studio albums in the 1980s.

Early life and background

Vincent John Cusano was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1952. He is described as an American musician and songwriter with an early start in music.

Kiss period

Vincent is best known for his short but influential tenure with Kiss in the early 1980s. He contributed to the band during a period of lineup and image changes and was associated with the Wizard/Ankh Warrior makeup character.

Vinnie Vincent Invasion

After Kiss, he formed Vinnie Vincent Invasion, a hard rock/heavy metal band. The group had minor hits and released two studio albums before breaking up.

Later career

Later sources note intermittent activity, including solo and archival releases, along with long periods away from the public spotlight. His later years are described as marked by occasional reappearances rather than a steady recording career.

Key facts

  • He joined Kiss after Ace Frehley’s departure and was part of the band during the early 1980s.
  • He was the last Kiss member to use a unique character makeup configuration, appearing as the Wizard/Ankh Warrior persona.
  • He founded Vinnie Vincent Invasion, which released the albums *Vinnie Vincent Invasion* (1986) and *All Systems Go* (1988).
  • He is credited as a guitarist and songwriter rather than primarily as a vocalist.
  • His career also included session and collaboration work before and after Kiss.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Vinnie Vincent?
Vinnie Vincent is the stage name of Vincent John Cusano, an American guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Kiss and Vinnie Vincent Invasion.
What is Vinnie Vincent’s real name?
His birth name is Vincent John Cusano.
What band was Vinnie Vincent in?
He was a member of Kiss and later formed and led Vinnie Vincent Invasion.
What genre of music is Vinnie Vincent associated with?
He is associated with hard rock, heavy metal, and glam metal.
Where was Vinnie Vincent born?
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the United States.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnie_Vincent
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, career overview, Kiss membership, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, genres, years active, and key biographical details.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnie_Vincent
    Supports: Basic identification as an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for Kiss and Vinnie Vincent Invasion.
  3. Noise11 — https://www.noise11.com/news/vinnie-vincent-kiss-years-background-20251231
    Supports: Narrative background on his Kiss-era role, musical household, and later intermittent career.