They are truly One of the most underrated rock bands in history..a lot of people shut them down because of their image...I guarantee the people in above comments have never listened to their entire catalog.. As a KISS die Hard I cannot stand their most popular hits such as rock ‘n’ roll all night, Beth, and so on..The proof is in the pudding, they have over 45 years worth of material.. what other band can say that? Case closed
KISS was the greatest show I've ever seen, and I've been to ALOT of shows. Every member literally looked at us and made a spectacle of us during the show. Gene was getting his makeup touched up right at my feet while Peter was singing Beth in 96. I yelled hey Gene and he looked straight up and gave me the rock on tongue. Ace shot fireworks from his guitar over our heads, turned his back on thousands of people and looked at the 4 of us. Most amazing show ever!
I'm always surprised at how eloquent that Paul is, you really wouldn't expect that from the frontman of a band like KISS, but he's a genuinely poignant fellow
Tammy Sigmon the outside of the ear isn’t as deformed as most people who have the condition. His just looks much more narrow. But he can’t hear from that ear
I've heard that Paul is the quintessential rock star who thanks his legions of fans. That's impressive after so many years of being bombarded with fans. He's kept his cool and remembers who is responsible for his fame. Although I would say HE is responsible for it because he did the work, earned the position and it's nice to see a hard worker make it! Good on you Mr. Stanley!
Paul is the greatest. Make no mistake about it, he is KISS. Is he perfect, no, no one is but as a rock and roll legend this guy has shown how hard work, drive, talent and never giving up can take you to long term success.
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LOL....keep insulting Paul Stanley and telling him everything he is doing wrong in KISS. LOL pathetic. The dude is in his 60s, tours the world, is a muti millionaire, a painter, an author, performed Phantom, among countless other accomplishments...and you people delivering pizza and flipping burgers are telling him he doesn't know what he is doing? Comical and Sad....all of you.
...and yet, he'still bitter about Ace, Peter and even Gene, unleashing his venom at every possible occasion. No need to insult him, he does a good job himself. I always thought he was the sanest guy in KISS, how wrong I was. Reading his book showed me that you can have all the fame and money in the world, and still be unhappy.
I've written some critical stuff about Paul Stanley being a no-mark musician, but this interview shows that he's a far bigger human-being. Apologies to you Paul, and best wishes.
If you think he is a no-mark musician, you did not do your homework. Look into the writing credits of Kiss, without PS, there would be no Kiss. Gene is the business of Kiss, PS is the mind of Kiss.
Late but oh well. You’re definitely not the only one to underestimate him!!! Forgive yourself! Paul is proud when he turns people into believers! Welcome to the KISS Army!
Totally agree. I'm not much for making a competition out of who's the best at this or that, because everyone brings their own thing to the table. But I see Paul Stanley as in the Top 5 of rock singers. He's got great pitch, good range, projects serious vocal power in front of a song but adds great melodic blends in back, and a lot of great rock screams over the years - particularly on live tracks. And a great storyteller, I'd love to kick down a few beers with the guy. Now that I think about it, I gotta grab his book.
He was 62 , 7 years ago? I just saw him tonight and this man is something else. His voice is amazing ! Even just when he talks between songs ! Saw him for the first time tonight, and I wish I was born much earlier to see him more !
As a Kiss fan from the 70's when Kiss ruled the world, I don't like seeing the guys bash or belittle each other. I know a lot of people think that it's silly for grown men like me to even care, but Kiss was a big part of our childhoods.We know that these guys have their faults, but it seems like a slap in the face to those of us who were there in the 70's for them to go around publicly dogging one another. Kiss did put out some great music after Ace and Peter left, but let's face it, the band struggled to fill seats to their shows then, and it wasn't the same. Paul talks a good game, but Ace and Peter went out on top, packing stadiums and driving fans wild. Paul and Gene are the ones making a mockery out of the band now. They claim that Ace and Peter can no longer cut it for Kiss and would look silly in the "uniforms," but I think that both Gene and Paul should take a good long look in the mirror and then say that again.
AK Grower I SO agree. Great description of how I feel about the band. Paul and Gene are a couple of narcs. They think that they did it all. Just because they were the two frontmen of the band it doesn't mean that they were the heart. Ace and Peter were but mostly Ace. He was the one who gave KISS their signature sound. It makes me just as sad to see them bash Ace and Peter as they do. KISS wouldn't even have existed without them. Pathetic is what it is not to give credit where credit is due. It makes my heart hurt to hear things like this from my childhood idols behave like little children.......Their doing this rips the veil away. It tarnishes the beautiful memories when they choose to minimize and denigrate the original members of such a GREAT band.
An absolutely brilliant statement you’ve hit the nail exactly on the head I have always wanted to see Kiss but I would never go to see kiss with the fake members because that would mean that I agree with this decision and I just do not agree with the dismissal of Peter Criss and Ace Freely. And it was a really big part of our childhood that is exactly the point these other fake Kiss members were not a part of our childhood.
The more I find out about Paul Stanley, the more I like espect him. I dismissed Kiss since 1975 when my friend tried getting me in to them, as a freshman in HS. Who doesn't like hearing Rock'n Roll All Night & Party Every Day? But, hearing him speak so thoughtfully about life intrigues me to learn more about him.
@Barry Lab I think Paul was implying that being forced to play with bandmates that he hasn't played with in 15 years, and have historically given lack-luster performances (when he has two members he has played successfully with ever since), would be akin to being forced to sleep with his ex wife that took him to the cleaners during a divorce, when he is already remarried to a woman he loves. Him agreeing to receive an award with his ex-bandmates, which he did, was more like your comparison of attending his child's graduation with an ex.
I wholeheartedly agree. What Paul was explaining here was that what the original 4 had at one time was very special, but no more, and to be forced to officially recognize Kiss as the original 4 is non-sensical because they don't fit together anymore, where Gene & Paul moved on after their irreconcilable differences with Ace & Peter.
These bands are like families. They argue, hold grudges, don't speak, argue of money, there's jealousy....the list goes on. Think of all the bands that don't get along or refuse to speak to former members. It's a dysfunctional family folks.
Wow, this actually is so simple, and yet resonated with me for how accurate of a statement it is. Of all positive and negative on either side, this is the most astute comment I've ever seen regarding the band, and its simplicity makes it that much more poignant. Thank you for saying this
Paul Stanley seems like such a genuine, straight shooter, so to speak. It is nice to hear that he really loves and appreciates his family. Also, I remember watching the movie "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park", when I was younger, and enjoyed their concert with my friend Deb Doherty. PG 1978 ‧ Sci-fi/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 36m night movie ... * They (Paul Stanley/Gene Simmons) should team up with Rob Zombie and make another movie for next year.
Good interview. Paul is right. Personally though and as a fan since 1978 I wish KISS would not even accept the rock hall award. They certainly don't need it.
I'm with you Sugar D. They didn't work for the praise of the Hall of Fame. They did it because they loved it and wanted to be successful and they accomplished that probably more than any rock band could ever dream about. If I only spent my time waiting to be invited to a party that I knew nobody wanted me to be in, I wouldn't waste my time with them when they finally did. If you are only inviting me because you feel obligated, keep your damn award!!! I've got other parties to attend and other things to do, However it was nice seeing the original 4 on stage even if it may be the last time.
This is a great interview. Clearly, the interviewer is a fan and obviously having the time of his life. But fan or not, Paul Stanley always say the coolest things in front of the camera. All hail the King of the Night Time World!
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I wouldn't spend a dime to see Kiss perform, but I'll watch any Paul Stanley interview I can find. He's a smart guy who's always interesting and has a boatload of great stories. Best of all, he pretty much tells it like it is.
I AM AMAZED but not surprised how much knowledge i learn watching Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. so intelligent they have a lot to offer the world with their wisdom. that may seem like a huge statement to make but it's true. what lives they led they ARE THE AMERICAN DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a KISS fan for a short time in middle school. I look back on it now and realize that I was in middle school. And that's a commentary on their music.
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I like what Paul said towards the end, so very true and a great response to the situation. It's all about respecting where you are now, not where you were then. If they wanted the original members, they should have inducted them when they were current members, not past members.
Paul is amazing, saw him one morning at Starbucks on Beverly Glen, respectfully asked him to take photo together as a fan he said absolutely yes, what a classy guy.
Paul is the brains behind kiss he made it what it is. He's got a great voice and stage presence. I've heard Gene sing and he really can't sing well. He's great with his tongue and kicking his leg up in the air.
Ace!! Paul put out a killer solo though. All three front liners did great solo LPs in '78. Peter's was a coked-out disaster. Gene's is the most entertaining - big and grandiose. Ace flat out rocks. He was on a roll despite all the drinking and craziness. Shock Me in '77. New York Groove in '78. And his cover of 2000 Man in 1979 was the home run of the Dynasty album.
Paul knew that what fans and the general public really wanted to see at the RnR Hall of Fame "farse" was Ace and Peter! Naturally he couldn't be very excited about it.
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I agree with Paul that KISS has moved on without Ace and Peter, Gene and Paul have towed the line and continued on with the "BRAND". However,Mr.Stanley lets not forget without Ace and Peter there would be no "Brand". It was the original four members that layed the foundation of the band and every version of it since is indebted to those original "Four Members". That Beverley Hills mansion you have would not exist without them. KISS was tredding water in the 90s until Ace and Peter came back for the Reunion tour and once again created interest in the band. I do agree with him that the R-N-R Hall Of Fame is a joke,(and Im from Cleveland). Some great bands are ignored and must sit and wait for their induction while "Bubble-Gum Pop" and "RAP" acts are shuffled in.
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I see nothing wrong with the band protecting their image and not inviting the drunks and druggies that almost destroyed them on stage to be an embarrassment. Ive played in bands for years and there are many guys that if I was asked to reunite with for one time I would politely decline the invite. Ive never been in a "big" band but even on a small scale you just have to say no sometimes in an effort to save yourself, and all involved, a catastrophe in front of millions of people. It is what is, KISS was a monster band from a merchandising and image standpoint and I applaud them for not selling out for the "Hall of Fame" just for nostalgic reasons. Look at what Alex Lifeson did on his "speech" at the "Hall of Fame" induction. All the real rock stars from the last forty years knows that the entire thing is a farce and they look at it as a joke when they've sold 100 million records and get passed up by rap artists and bands like The Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who did a small percentage of what bands like KISS and RUSH did thru the decades..
I've made this comment on other youtube videos: what pissed me off about watching the induction last night was that KISS only received 17 minutes (my pathetic ass actually counted it on my DVR!) of recognition, while Nirvana got over 30 minutes....what a damn joke! I don't know if you ever watched KISS EXtreme Close-Up, but Gene Simmons did comment on how he could care less about being accepted by aging hippies. They really should have told the Rock Hall to KISS their asses!
Hilda Kretchmann Gene and Paul are to blame for those 17 minutes bro. When your enemy sees that you cannot conduct yourself in an orderly and mature fashion, you get pissed on. With KISS it was a real embarrassment to see all the bitching Paul and Gene did about the Hall and the attacks against Ace and Peter. It was pathetic to see Simmons and Stanley dismiss, trash and act like a bunch of assholes regarding everything. They made asses out of the band's legacy and proved to the world that band IS a joke. This is how the lost so many fans that go ALL the way back to the 70's! What a real shame
For the sake of nostalgia. That's all they live on now. The make up and costumes. Two people dressed up like two hard rock legends that they are not. Majority of songs from the original band. There was no bigger kiss fan than me from 74 to 2000 but kiss today is half a tribute band and a nostalgia act.
***** Getting what you pay for was true. However Ace still owns his design and only has it licensed to kiss. That license is up soon and i hope he decided's to not let them use it any more. Everybody would probably see Vinnie's design then. I along with a lot of other's are asking him to not renew it to kiss.
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Awesome! Paul Stanley is articulate and brilliant. And he was spot on about Peter and Ace. The rock and roll hall of fame isn't important to any of the fans.
I used to be a huge fan, Ace inspired me in part to play guitar...which I had the privilege to do semi pro for years. However, when I quit the band I had formed, I was replaced. That's what happens. I don't play as much as I used to and am nowhere near as gig-fit as I like to think I am. I think my old band aren't very good without me, but in my heart of hearts, I know if I was asked to do a song or two with them, I would have to turn them down...because I'm not good enough right now! Same with these guys, forget the politics of the RRHOF, Ace and Pete couldn't be relied on and Gene and Paul aren't young enough to deflect any fuckups with their showmanship. One thing that really pisses me off though, is the multiple accusations that Kiss have been ripping off the fans for years. Everyone knows the current line up, and if I'm not mistaken the prices are on the tickets and the album packaging. Don't like..? Don't buy!
Watched Detroit rock city today. Again. I like to see and envision how life was back then, When my father still played bass and my uncle played guitar. Compared to how life is now. They formed a band with their friends and played songs from the bands that had an impact on them and their lives. Kiss was one of them. I remember my uncle showing me a picture of their band. Their faces were painted in black and white, emulating Kiss. I love music. Like they do. Like we all do. It improves the quality of our lives. I’m reliving what my father did, but in a different way.
To me, it's pretty simple. Ace & Peter were about " The band and making decent music ", where as Paul & Gene were about selling out and making a " cooperation ". About it in a nutshell.
As a real Kiss fan since 1975 I can honestly say it was the right move to not play with Ace and Peter, who had multiple chances to be in the band but blew it, it's your typical situation where people blame everyone else for their problems, so when you're fired from your job of course the boss is an asshole, but what have Peter and Ace really accomplished after Kiss?, playing gyms and bars?
Yeah but that can be said about TONS of musicians who leave successful bands. Most fail to draw huge crowds on their own, especially if they're not the lead singer. Paul's solo shows don't exactly fill out big arenas when he goes off by himself either. Gene's reality show was a hit, but for all the wrong reasons. At this point in time, with a clean and sober Ace and Peter, there's no reason not to play a show here and there with them other than the very real fact that MANY fans would no longer give two hoots to see the Eric and Tommy version anymore knowing that it's possible for the other two to be back. Ace and Peter were a huge part of the original KISS's attraction factor. Eric and Tommy simply are not and will never be the reasons most KISS fans become KISS fans. They're professional and play with precision, but they have no charisma, in part because they're saddled into being Ace/Peter clone session style players. If Paul McCartney and George Harrison had hired two guys back in the day to dress and play like Ringo and John, nobody would have accepted them as The Beatles. They would be Paul and George and two other guys who aren't Beatles. Heck, even Gwar band members can't be impersonated only replaced with new guys as different characters for their fans to accept things. They don't disrespect their past members like that even though they're in full costumes complete with body suits, masks, and gloves. KISS is the only band who thinks this is okay to do and they know they have fans who will lap up anything rationale they come up with to justify it. Paul has even said that he wants to see KISS go on after he and Gene are retired. Will that also be a true KISS when no originals are in it? Don't think so. It will simply be an homage. Why any KISS fan wouldn't want to see Ace and Peter back again while it's still possible is beyond me. Soon it will be too late for that to be possible due to time.
elfhermie Sorry to burst your bubble, but Paul's solo tours were never designed to be in arenas. And try going into a restaurant and telling the chef what belongs on the menu. Riiiight.....
Neither were Ace and Peter's solo tours every designed to be in mega arenas. Take away the KISS make up and audiences drop away like flies. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that no KISS member is gonna bring in huge numbers on their own and out of the make up. That's why the current lineup still wears it. Still, Ace does indeed have a very strong fan base that supports him to this day due to his guitar playing and personality even without the make up gimmick. And what a lame analogy with the chef/menu thing. If customers stop coming, OF COURSE any smart chef is going to start putting what the customers want back on the menu! It happens all the time! That's why dud menu items drop off the face of the earth and why things like New Coke bomb and Classic Coke is brought back. That's also why diva chefs get canned and replaced and why some restaurants go out of business. If the people don't like what you're giving them, they have every right to give you the finger and walk away. That's what an awful lot of people have done to KISS which is too bad because there are many ways they could resolve certain issues if Paul (especially Paul) wasn't such a stubborn emotionally stunted twerp who refuses to see/hear the tepid at best reality of the current lineup.
Back in the 70s I was in a big fan of these guys but I have a lot of respect for them now behind the makeup they're real people with problems just like everybody else Long Live kiss
Kiss was considered Heavy Metal in the 70s. On RU-vid, during their Unmasked tour in Australia, there is a video where Paul Stanley states that the next album was going to be a Heavy Metal album, because “ultimately, we’re a Heavy Metal band!” When Kiss released Creatures of the night, their heaviest album up until that point, no one was shocked. Ditto Lick it Up and Animalize. They were heavier and louder than most of the bands of that era. They were in Heavy Metal magazines. Every Metal documentary has them in it. Times change. Motörhead’ and Venom were Black Metal. Metallica and Megadeath were Thrash Metal. All four are considered Heavy Metal now. Witch is fair because all of them are. There were people who couldn’t stand Metal, so they couldn’t admit that they liked a Metal band. So they started falsely labeling bands Rock or Hard Rock. Newer Metal fans started doing it, because the 70s Metal Bands weren’t as heavy and no one created a 70s Metal classification.
Paul and Gene have been adamant about the bad relationship since 1985. His analogy is good enough for me. I wouldn't want to see the band have to swallow their pride if they don't want to. So be it. The KISS that we all know and love died in febuary 2001, the last dates for the farwell tour. Like ACE often says, "Farewell means farewell.
Kiss is a band like no other that I can really recall as far as their “look” went. Or at least to that extreme! Their intent was to be noticed so they could do their thing and it worked! Once you saw and then heard these guys…hooked! As far as Paul himself, I love what he’s putting out there as far as his personality goes and yep! A real super star! ❤🎸🔥
Oh man !! Yall are loved.Im 62 and I still love Kiss !!! I'll probably have their music played at my funeral !!🙏❤ ok maybe some of Paul's more mello stuff !! Either way yall were great !!