Is It Time To Replace The Star Child?

 

Paul Stanley has always been my favourite member of KISS.  So much in fact, that when he launched his own solo tour in 1988 I bought a ticket to the concert even though I was underage and risked being refused at the door.  Luckily, my appearance and size resulted in a successful experience, but this cemented for me that Paul was "the draw" for me and I would be satisfied if Paul had continued without the band at that time as a solo artist.  Perhaps the Label KISS was under contract to, wouldn't have allowed Paul to simply branch out as a solo artist and instructed him to continue as KISS, even without Gene.  I've always wondered if the creation of "Dudes of Wrath" was a result of trying to satisfy the Label and that group possibly would have continued on as KISS had Gene not returned from movies, producing or whatever else had his attention in the '80's.  I guess it makes little sense to debate that point now, as KISS certainly continued and eventually led to a full reunion of the original members.  Today, is a different story.  Long gone are Ace & Peter, yet the make-up KISS remains.  The Starchild while stepping up to be ready for the task, is showing obvious signs of suffering from age and a voice that seems to fail him on a more regular basis.  Paul has nothing left to prove to KISS fans.  It naturally would be my choice for Paul to continue indefinately, but this isn't a fantasy league.  Paul at 60+ needs to shift focus on finding a replacement, if the dream of KISS continuing on as a touring band is the ultimate goal that is.  A new generation of youth are discovering KISS with even a younger set waiting in the wings.  A transition to a new Starchild next year or soon after in my opinion, would make best sense.   However, while it's been said that KISS will continue on without any original members, by Paul himself no less, the bottom line for me is that if Paul wants to continue on, or change his mind, or play injured, or risk his health, it's his right to do so.  I've been a fan since '76 and I'll always be a fan.  I think that the boundaries are just changing, more on that in an upcoming blog.

IMO: The KISS Catalogue - "Stand Outs & Stand Downs"

Studio albums

Kiss (1974) Stand Outs: Strutter, Black Diamond. The Backbone of KISS, Great Album Hotter Than Hell (1974) Stand Outs: Hotter Than Hell, Strange Ways. "The Raw Album" as I like to refer to it as; one of my favourites Dressed to Kill (1975) Stand Outs: Rock Bottom, C'mon & Love Me. Top to Bottom an amazing album, perhaps my favourite.  Of course best known for having Rock & Roll All Nite Destroyer (1976) Stand Outs:Detroit Rock City, God Of Thunder, Do You Love Me, Shout It Out Loud.  Probably the best known album; credit to Beth Rock and Roll Over (1976) Stand Outs: I Want You, Makin' Love. Most fans list Gene's songs as the stand outs, I just didn't connect with them.  A poor cousin to Destroyer. Love Gun (1977) Stand Outs: Love Gun, I Stole Your Love, Shock Me.  Another album I like top to bottom, yes even Then She Kissed Me. Ace Frehley (1978) Stand Outs: New York Grove, I'm In Need of Love, Rip It Out.  Solid album, would've loved if the Original Members had re-recorded it together Peter Criss (1978) Stand Outs: NONE.  This album completed the poster collection; it took me years to purchase it. IMO it certainly shows Peter's choice of musical direction, which on it's own is fine, but as a KISS album it wasn't to my taste. Gene Simmons (1978) Stand Outs: Radioactive, Tunnel Of Love, Livin' In Sin.  It's sometimes great and other times horrible.  Definately some Stand Downs cuts here, but I'll leave that to personal taste. Paul Stanley (1978) Stand Outs:  Tonight You Belong To Me. Like the whole album, but missing the "Stanley Hook" that usually separates his songs on the albums. Dynasty (1979) Stand Outs: I Was Made For Lovin' You, Charisma, Dirty Livin', Sure Know Something. Last good effort of the Original Members. Unmasked (1980) Stand Outs: Is That You, What Makes the World Go 'Round.  Ace's strongest album ironically.

Music from "The Elder" (1981) Stand Outs: I, World Without Heroes, The Oath What's good is good and what's bad is still not comparable to Peter Criss's terrible solo effort Creatures of the Night (1982) Stand Outs: Keep Me Comin', Danger, I Love It Loud, Creatures Of The Night, War Machine. Had only this album been released before The Elder Lick It Up (1983) Stand Outs:  Exciter, A Million To One.  Great album except for the two throwaway Gene songs on side two. Animalize (1984) Stand Outs: Heaven's On Fire, I've Had Enough. Love Stanley's songs on this album, Gene doesn't return until Revenge Asylum (1985) Stand Outs: King Of The Mountain, Tears Are Falling, Uh! All Night, I'm Alive.  Love the sound Carr & Kulick bring to this underrated album. Crazy Nights (1987) Stand Outs: Crazy Crazy Nights, When Your Walls Come Down, Reason To Live.  Where Hotter Than Hell is the "Raw album", this album is by far the most "produced, finished" album. Hot in the Shade (1989) Stand Outs: None.  Good album, but more like a bunch of B sides.  Stand Out Tour; perhaps their best! Revenge (1992) Stand Outs: Unholy, Domino, God Gave Rock N Roll To You 2,  Tough Love.  On Par with Love Gun. Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997) Stand Outs: Master And Slave, Rain, I Will Be There.  Love the Kulick/Stanley efforts on this album.  Highly underrated. Psycho Circus (1998) Stand Outs: Psycho Circus, You Wanted The Best, Dreamin'.  Highly disconnected, reminds me of Rock And Roll Over. Sonic Boom (2009) Stand Outs: Say Yeah, All For The Glory.  I really wanted to love this album, but didn't. Monster (2012) Stand Outs: Freak.  The past two efforts have been missing the "Stanley Hook".  Hoping the third album of this line-up will change that.

My Thoughts on KISS Today

What I think about KISS continuing in the make-up without the original members:
I have no problem with it.  As it is, I've been a fan longer then the original pairing was together and have already seen many member changes within the band.  Certainly, I love the original line-up, but I was able to immediately embrace Eric Carr as the "first replacement".  Perhaps that's a tip of the hat to Carr who made the idea of transition possible.  On the same token, I think had Vinnie Vincent been the "first replacement character" I may not have adopted him the same way.  Personality means a great deal to the KISS characters in my opinion.  Kulick, Singer & Thayer all bring something to the table whereas I was never a fan of Mark St. John either.

What I think about the KISS merchandise monster:
I'm thrilled by it.  If I have the money and want to spend it on a cool piece of merchandise I can.  I can choose not to buy it either.  I'm happy for the choice.

What I think about Ace & Peter returning to the band today:
I was thrilled by the reunion, but a return today would signal the end of the band for me.  I simply think the four original members simply cannot get along well enough to continue as KISS.  Besides,  I thought the reunion would be simply that, a reunion, then a return to the "Revenge" line-up.  I would've been completely satisfied with that.

What I think about GSFG:
I think it was a good career move.  I think it created a new fan base for the band and for Gene and his family.  I think new fans would probably watch it over long time fans, but I've no evidence either way.  What's interesting to me is that when I speak to other KISS fans, the GSFG show doesn't come up in conversation.  Perhaps, that's a statement onto itself.

What I think about the 40th year anniversary:
I'm looking forward to some really exciting events.  KISS has always delivered, we'll see what comes this time around.

What I think about paying $1250 for a KISS concert ticket or $3500 for a KISS Kruise:
If I had the money, no problem.  The reality for most fans is the cost of seeing and or meeting the band has become out of reach.  I'm a family guy now, so the idea of taking everyone to the concert or a meet and greet would be the same investment as planning a family trip; not likely to compete with a trip to Disney.


What I think about a "Revenge" era reunion:
Personally, I'd love it, but I also understand that this is not an arena tour event (on it's own).  When, not if it happens, it'll be on the KISS Kruise or a KISS Konvention or even perhaps at a KISS restaurant opening.  Gene, Eric and Bruce has already played together as part of Gene Simmons' All Star Band, so at some point I see an event that will have the said three and Paul together.

What I think about my kids becoming KISS fans:
I'm overjoyed.  I introduced KISS to them, but it's up to them how much they decide to embrace it.  Presently RNRAN and IWMFLU are the kid's favorite songs.  I giggle every time I hear them singing them in the car.  Cash loves the costumes.

What I think are my favourite KISS moments:
KISS meets the Phantom of the Amusement Park, KISS on "Kid's are People too", HITS tour Toronto C.N.E. (if you were there, you know why), Paul Stanley solo tour, KISS on "IDOL", KISS Konvention, KISS Revenge Tour rehersal Toronto Phoenix Nite Club, taking my daughter Stephanie to Sonic Boom tour, photographing KISS from the Press Pit, meeting Paul Stanley during his Phantom of the Opera run, participating in the Detroit Rock City filming, Photographing Paul Stanley for his Aboutface video, KISS on "Solid Gold", 1st Reunion concert I attended, Eric Singer meeting my daughter Lola Grace when she was 1 year old, Front Row HITS tour London, ON.



 

"Remembering" Paul Stanley & AboutFace Charity

Many KISS fans didn't even know that Paul Stanley was the Celebrity Spokesperson for the AboutFace charity.  Perhaps it was because it was just Paul, Paul without KISS, and was to be a stand-alone project. 

more to come...

Random KISS photos taken over the years