Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Paul Stanley of KISS 

Paul is rock solid in his advice. He certainly knows his craft.

cool to see Paul Stanley just sit down and jam.

Paul really knows what he's talking about. The man's written some of the greatest rock songs ever!!

This is why KISS sounds so good live--- Paul is a killer guitarist, and Ace shines in the solos because Paul keeps the songs sounding full. I saw KISS live in the 70's, 80's & 90's. Great legacy these guys built.

I have never been accused of being the smartest guy in the room but the tone from his guitar is absolutely amazing!

Great voice...good rhythm player...killer songwriter...gotta give Paul the props he deserves

The absolute man.

One of the best Les Paul dirt tones I've ever heard. 👌😎

Paul Stanley is the whole package rolled into one - best vocalist, best rhythm guitarist, excellent song writer, on and on. Easily my favorite member of Kiss.

These riffs are like the soundtrack to my childhood.

This is terrific! I wish Paul had his own instructional guitar videos for awesome "rhythm" playing. Always great to learn from the artists who actually wrote the riffs. Learned so much just from this video. \m/

For those of you not keeping track: Flaming Youth Firehouse Hotter than Hell I Want You I Stole Your Love Detroit Rock City Take Me Strutter

His sound is brutal as fuck! WOW! I wish all KISS albums had this tone for their rhythm!

Very fitting he ends it with Strutter. Their very 1st song on their very first album, such great riffs. What a living legend!

When I taught guitar Strutter was always in the mix to teach the importance of rhythm. Saw KISS three times and had Alive in 1975. Life changing album. Pure Rock n Roll.

Sometimes it's OK to be a Malcolm Young, not an Angus Young.

Paul hit the nail right on the head. The best players were just as good at rhythm as they were at lead. It's equally important to practice until you're right in the pocket as it is to fly around on the fretboard.

"Real rock n roll lasts". Great ending

"If a song can't be played on a single instrument, it's not a good song."

Simple, raw, straight ahead rock riffs. Not flashy but he sounds great!

That tone is simply outstanding. Thank you Paul for giving one of your long-time fans such a great guitar lesson.

Gosh I love listening to Paul........not only on guitar but in interviews......he is so intelligent and articulate. Certainly does not conform to the stereotype dumb rock star. Amazingly clever person.

I'm so glad that I found this channel. This is for me the best episode yet. I love that they went with Paul and chose to focus on Rhythm playing rather than leads. I would like to see more of these kinds of segments. Thumbs Up and Liked!

Paul's playing here is fantastic. Killer tone! Thanks for posting.

I've always looked at Paul as the born rock star of KISS. He seems to know the craft of song writing. If he lived next door to me, I bet he would be cool to loan me a cup of sugar without a bunch of attitude.

This guy is a reason why kids in 70's bought they guitars and started playing, one of the guys who formed the rock and roll

say what you will but this man and Kiss are rock and roll!!

"Rock n roll is about the glory of the arm swing, the down push." - Paul Stanley

"I Stole Your Love" - such a great riff/progression

Paul's a serious musician and one of the best rhythm players out there besides Malcolm Young. Here he's down to earth and talking about his drive and passion, the stuff that made him the LEGEND he is. KISS is and will always be a huge part of my life.

Loving Paul's insight and attitude! :) Rock On!!!

Really enjoyed this. Paul has been neglected by many and under appreciated. For all you haters out there...learn something from this legend.

One of the true, unsung, underrated maestros of rock and roll rhythm guitar. He's right up there with all the rhythm greats -- Malcolm Young, Rudolf Schenker, Derek St. Holmes, Izzy Stradlin, Robbin Crosby, and the list goes on and on. Having a tight grasp of rhythm and being able to write catchy riffs is so essential to being a great guitarist. I was surprised to hear he started out using flatwound strings. Those are primarily for jazz guitar and very difficult to bend.

I’m not a Kiss guy, but I love listening to Paul speak. Intelligent, articulate And still has the passion. Respect.

Loved this music and Kiss since I was 9 yrs old. At 54 I still play and listen to the hottest band in the land!

Paul Stanley is my idol and I started learning his songs on guitar and started living life to the fullest

Great episode. Paul was one of the reasons I picked up guitar. Kiss was also the first concert I ever went to...in second grade! Although I didn't dress up like him, I went to grade school a few times with makeup along with some other friends. Good times!

You can hear the conviction in his playing. Thats the power behind those songs.

I just love watching interviews or anything like that with Paul I love how poetic he is with his words.

Mr Stanley has always been true to his roots......great player.....definitely knows a cool guitar when he see one........could have been way longer......nice to see him just jamming away.

I’ve seen KISS live in the UK and I can honestly say I’m not a massive fan, BUT this interview is absolutely superb and PS is one hell of a Guitarist and comes across as a true Gentlemen.

paul has a very unique way of playing.. it's hard to describe.. he's .. not in front of the beat..not in the rear..he's....there!! true rock and roll

Paul is the reason I became a musician, the reason I learned to play guitar. I love Ace too but I became a dedicated rythm guitar player over 35 years ago because of Paul's style and charisma. I have other guitar heroes that have shaped my life but Paul and KISS are the catalysts for all who've come after. Real rock and roll does indeed last and will live inside me until I breathe my last breath.

Still a fan man...these guys had such a huge impact on me when I was young. Not a fanboy anymore, but even with all the crap, I still love the band. Especially the original.

KISS was a huge part of my life from 74-77! back then they were SURREAL to me like a extreme mystery, we did not know what they looked like or much about them personally. That was a big part of their charm and charisma. plus they had/have the best show ever! These days with the internet there is no mystique anymore! :(

I just love watching Paul play with massive amount of attitude.

There is something ultra satisfying about a sharp, crisp, hard-hitting, rhythm guitar section

Paul really is a true rock star. A Dying Breed I'm afraid. his book was exceptionally good as well

Could we get a few hours of Paul jammin' on those Gibsons? So cool seeing the players who wrote the songs getting busy. Thx EB for a great vid!

I have watched this video several times now and every time I come away with more respect for Paul's guitar playing and I love hearing him talk about Rock and Roll - to us it's just music that helps us through our day, for him it's his life! Not just his life because he has made millions of dollars in KISS all these years, but more so it fully drives him and encapsulates him and THAT is what made him become a rock star, he HAD to play publicly, the music wouldn't give him another choice for him to be truly happy. Man, the tone he has that Les Paul at is awesome!! I knew and play every KISS song he played but holy sh** his tone blew me away. Many people do not know that about Paul either, he is a Les Paul guy. When we see him on stage he is always playing something like an Iceman (which I love) or some version of a Washburn customized guitar. But when he is home or in the recording studio and he is getting down to business and wants the best sound, he grabs one of his several Les Paul's. I don't care if you like KISS or not, after watching this and listening to what he said, you have to walk away having a little more respect for the guy, again not because of the band he is in but more so for his thoughts on the guitar and music and especially Rock and Roll!

This was fantastic and I've always dug Paul Stanley as an underrated rhythm player.

this tone is incredible. oh my Stanley.

Wow, rare closeups of the man himself playing his riffs!!!

I keep coming back to watch this video every time my solos start to suck and then I hear those wise words " You can spend a lifetime working on rhythm" absolute fucking legend. This made me want to buy a Les Paul . This is the best non Gibson add for a Gibson product.

that’s some tone he’s working with here

I appreciate Paul's passion for the instrument. I've always been mesmerized by the guitar myself. As a kid growing up, everyone else was staring at Mick Jagger while I stood transfixed by what Keith Richards was doing. To me it seems that being able to sing is a gift you either were born with or not. Being able to play guitar comes only through blood, sweat and tears. What impresses you most? That's just me - maybe I'm wrong I don't know....

The greatest American rock n' roll band! KISS 'launched a 1,000 bands!' Most of the 80's, 90's and today's rock and metal would not exist because of KISS!. The live stages, rigging, audio, smoke machines, and pyro would not exist today as well - in rock, pop, metal, pro sports etc.

I love when Paul talks about music and the craft of songwriting!!

True legend... one of the greatest ever.

Paul is soo underrated, love this guy

Excellent Guitar. Excellent. Riff Master. Enough Said. KISS 😘

One of the best at his craft. To actually watch him play those iconic licks and listen to him talk about the instrument of his passion is just...wow factor x10. This is why he is a legend beyond any other. It's Paul frickin Stanley. He was and is the the complete package of a rock and roll front man/rhythm guitar player, unmatched!

He wrote that riff for Hotter Than Hell. Absolutely Amazing ❤️

Paul Stanley and Malcim Young ..2 best rhythm guitarists in hard rock bands..cool.

Amazing Tone, amazing guitarist!!

This guy has ALL his marbles. Much respect for Paul Stanley. Dude makes sense. And thank you Ernie Ball for this series. I really like the Mick Mars segement too. Just because you got these guys to play solo and talk I’m gonna buy your strings! Thanks again.

I always watch this when it comes up and everytime I watch it I get inspired by what Paul says and plays. Hes been a relevant famous rock star for close to half a century. He's full of wisdom and influence.

Awesome Paul. hear you is always a pleasure.....

what a legend

I've never been a KISS fan, and didn't even recognize any of the stuff he played, but I've got to give him his props. He's a better player than I thought, and he everything he had to say was right on the money. Like him, I remember buying single strings. I don't miss those days.

I remember buying my first KISS tape as a kid and being blown away. Feels great that Paul Stanley can still inspire us all today!!

He is the ultimate showman

Paul Stanley is great! He's a very talented musician!

Underrated guitar player...

Loved KISS's music long before I ever saw 'em. God bless all the members of KISS. Paul's passion is evident. Love seeing and hearing him play Strutter at the end.

you can hear who was the true architect of these classic riffs on this vid. Still love Ace till death, but listen to these riffs..... Les Paul sounds awesome, too.

awesome. he's the reason I play guitar. is he perfect? nah. but he's a great rhythm player and front man!

I agree about the fact that being a good soloing, shredder guitar player, sometimes doesn't makes you a good rhythm guitar player. Both parts requieres lot of work.

From what I've experienced playing live for many years, the band can be wrong on melody, harmony, chords, and solos, but if your rhythm is good, you still retain the audience. Thanks Paul Stanley for this video! Amazing, isn't it? Remember that?

Love watching him play all those old Kiss tunes that I grew up on

Thanks Paul. For all of it.

Paul Stanley is one of The Best Song Guitarist Ever

another true Rock N Roll legend.....

I could watch that all day long

Fantastic musician,a true legend

Paul's playing is true rock and roll. These are great sounding riffs. Great sense of groove and tone.

When he mentions the person that can only play "lead" i think he is talking about 99% of the amp and guitar demos i have seen on RU-vid! I am a 100% rhythm 3 chord (maybe 4) punk guitarist and it's hard to find people who just do a simple rhythm guitar demo.

Great watching him sit and play those classic riffs. Brings back memories

I love hearing Paul's parts solo. He is such a solid rhythm player he melts into the mix with Ace. One big 🎸

Paul I respect you on many levels

Paul Stanley ist und bleibt ein Vollblutmusiker 🤟🎸. Rock On Klasse 👍 KlSS Forever

Paul really doesn't get enough credit for how good of a rhythm player he is. The tone coming out of that Les Paul is something else!

That was one the best lessons I've ever seen and heard. Paul sits there with Iommi,Schenker brothers and the Young Brothers of AC/DC as a RIFF MASTER!

Love your playing,merci.

I'm 47. My parents took me to see KISS when I was 5. I have seen them 7 times. To meet any of the original members would be an honor. Great video. Ty Paul for KISS!!

From being a kid being hated on to become a music legend is amazing. Stan became who he is because he truly BELIEVED in himself. Teachers or Gov't didn't make any of that happen. Truth in yourself will always make you a better person.

We will NEVER see ANYTHING more Rock and Roll that is PAUL STANLEY playing a LES PAUL.

It's so nice seeing a Paul Stanley video on youtube which doesn't have 5000+ bitching comments about him or KISS. Paul is a great frontman, guitarist, singer and a role model!

no matter what Paul Stanley said and did he is my favorite KISS member and true leader of the band

I wouldn't be a guitarist today and have the great memories I have of playing rock n roll and blues for the last 40 years if it wasn't for this guy and Kiss!! Thank you Paul, Gene, Peter and Ace....