With visions of creating an outrageous Rock band destined to blow KISS out of the water, VINNIE VINCENT began work on assembling his new solo vehicle after being fired by the self-styled 'Hottest band in the world' after completion of the 'Lick It Up' tour in early 1984. Eking a living as a session player, Vincent Cusano (to give Vinnie his real name) had played on 70s Disco king DAN HARTMAN's popular 'Instant Replay' album before teaming up with songwriter Felix Cavaliere in the group TREASURE, recording an album for Epic in 1977. His earliest work, only recently re-discovered, appears to be a performing and songwriting credit on the eponymous HITCHHIKER album of 1976.

Prior to joining KISS, Vincent (a.k.a. Vincent Cusano) had been working with the former NEW ENGLAND trio of bassist Gary Shea, keyboard player Jimmy Waldo and drummer Hirsh Gardner in the Los Angeles based Metal band WARRIOR, recording some impressive demo material.

In forming what was to become the VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, the guitarist initially worked with Hirsh Gardner again during the Summer of 1984. The pair recorded an album's worth of material in Boston less vocals before Vincent split with the drummer in a move that was later have repercussions for Vincent. He attempted to play a show in Gardner's native Boston, Gardner claiming that Vincent owed him monies for songs on the first VINNIE VINCENT INVASION album he had co-written with Vincent but had received no credits for. 'Boyz Are Gonna Rock', for example, was a WARRIOR tune and had also formed the basis of KISS' 'And On The 8th Day' found on the 'Lick It Up' album.

Signing a deal with Chrysalis Records, Vincent recorded the debut VINNIE VINCENT INVASION album with the rhythm team of ex BADAXE and MODERN DESIGN bassist Dana Strum (the original bass player in OZZY OSBOURNE's first solo line-up) and Houston, Texas born drummer Bobby Rock. Initially in line to fill the vocal slot was to be the Swedish ex-MADISON frontman Göran Edman. Demos were cut but this union was not to last as Edman exited in order to work with JOHN NORUM.

The drummer had heard about the vacancy through Joey C. Jones of SWEET SAVAGE. The band had all but chosen to work with Greg Bissonette until Rock auditioned. Bissonette wound up getting a gig with DAVID LEE ROTH. Vocal duties for the album were performed by one-time JOURNEY and CHANNEL frontman Robert Fleischman, who Vincent claims had worked with WARRIOR just prior to the guitarist joining KISS.

Upon the album's release it was immediately noticeable that the soberly dressed Fleischman stuck out like a sore thumb surrounded by band mates who favoured, upon the hair extension sporting Vincent's instigation, a rather over the top Glam image. It was no surprise to learn that the group would be hitting the road with a completely different singer, adding former X-CURSION vocalist Mark Slaughter in place of a departing Fleischman. At first, as the band hit the road opening for ALICE COOPER throughout 1986, confused fans believed that Slaughter was actually Fleischman wearing a wig, but quickly became to warm to the man

Slaughter made his VINNIE VINCENT INVASION recording debut on the 'All Systems Go' album of 1988. The album proved not to be as popular as the self-titled debut and the group would fall apart on tour as Vincent became further involved with the lawsuit against him from Gardner and further legal action against him from a multitude of different creditors.

A version of 'Love Kills' appeared on the movie soundtrack to 'A Nightmare On Elm Street 4' in 1988. The group split in August 1988 and Dana Strum immediately threw himself into production work on demos with Los Angeles outfit BRUNETTE before the bassist reunited with Mark Slaughter to form the immediately successful SLAUGHTER, an act that found the platinum success that had eluded Vincent. Bobby Rock wound up working with Pomp twins NELSON and Jim Gillette's NITRO. Later years found the drummer working with the resurrected HARDLINE.

During 1989 Vincent pulled in singer Göran Edman once again in an attempt to build a new band for a projected third album. Also involved at this juncture would be bassist Chris Bell and drummer Andre LaBell. Demos secured a new deal with Enigma Records but this was curtailed when the label went bust. Edman opted out to join YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's band and Vincent re-drafted Robert Fleishman. This version of the group folded sometime in 1990.

VINNIE VINCENT has, for many years, been attempting to resurrect the VINNIE VINCENT INVASION and recorded an unreleased album 'Guitarmageddon' with Robert Fleischman on vocals. In the mid 90s Vincent was touting an EP of 'advance' material from this album that was being sold in conjunction with appearances at a number of KISS conventions in 1995 and 1996. This transpired to be a four track EP 'Euphoria' issued on the guitarist's own Metaluna imprint.

News of a fresh Vinnie Vincent project entitled 'Speedball Jam' leaked out in mid 2001. Fans of the band were in for a double treat in 2003 as both albums were re-issued and Bobby Rock united with his former band mates Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum drumming as guest for SLAUGHTER's 'Rock Never Stops' tour. Bobby Rock joined New York's CARNIVAL OF SOULS in February 2005.

In 2008 it was announced that artists had collaborated to honour the guitarist with a collection dubbed 'Kiss My Ankh: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent' issued through Splitscreen Entertainment.