I wasn't interested in the Kiss trivia at all nor do I believe that Bruce Kulick and Tommy Thayer earned/earns 550 bucks a week (or a comparable amount). Yes, if you're with Kiss and your name is neither Stanley nor Simmons, you're an employee, everyone knows that (and they're not the only band like that) - given the longevity of their various touring line-ups, the pay can't be that bad.
His absence from the public and his return now as obviously a changed (wo)man was what intrigued me. It must be horrible to wake up every morning and feel totally disconnected from what you see in the mirror. Reminded me of Thomas/Carola Kretschmer, Udo Lindenberg's (big in Germany and nowhere else) former lead guitarist who still sometimes plays with him (she's most a guitar teacher now).
Thomas Kretschmer (with Flying V):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGylTQ24uU8Carola Kretschmer (red jacket):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH8o8YXIxJc