vincent began his career in the early 1970s, playing guitar in local bands as hunter and treasure. in early 1980, vinnie vincent moved to los angeles, california, where he began composing songs for abc tv series happy days. vinnie vincent shot to fame in 1982 replacing the guitarist ace frehley in the hard rock band kiss. was large the contribution to the band co-wrote the songs i love it loud, killer, i still love you, of album creatures of the night. for legal reasons frehley appeared on the album cover and i love it loud video. in 1983, he recorded with kiss the album lick it up, where he co-wrote the themes lick it up, exciter, not for the innocent, young and wasted, gimme more, all hell's breakin' loose, a million to one, and on the 8th day. after several tours with the group left the band in 1984, and was replaced by guitarist mark st. john. in 1992 he returned to work with the band to co-write the lyrics of the album revenge.