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From: The Journal Sentinel In the early '70s, four New York musicians were influenced by glam-rockers like David Bowie and Alice Cooper as well as Japan's traditional Kabuki actors. Calling themselves KISS, they experimented with makeup and costumes until each developed a distinctive stage persona. Drummer PETER CRISS became The Cat, lead guitarist ACE FREHLEY was The Spaceman, bassist GENE SIMMONS was The Demon, and lead singer PAUL STANLEY was The Star Child. Initially playing New York's small clubs and bars, their shows mixed music and pyrotechnic displays while Simmons breathed fire and drooled blood. Three years and four albums later, they were one of the best-known acts in the world. Stanley wrote songs including "Firehouse" and "Black Diamond" and co-wrote one of the band's signature hits, "Rock and Roll All Nite" with Simmons. In the 30 years since they became superstars, KISS has broken up, gotten back together, toured without the makeup and dabbled in movie and TV projects. Stanley, playing Friday at The Rave in support of his new solo album, "Live to Win," talked about his legacy with the band. Q.How did KISS avoid the pitfalls of success? A. We didn't all sidestep them. Certainly the troubles that some members of the band had are well-documented to one degree or another, the poisons and vices of success. But I never got into drugs. Very early on when they talked about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, I said, "You keep the drugs, give me the rest." Q. Is that advice easy to follow even when people all around you want to give stuff to you? A. Common sense will tell you if drugs and that lifestyle were so great, you'd be interviewing Janis Joplin, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain right now. There's nothing cool about being a martyr. There's nothing cool about being dead and not getting to enjoy your success. Q. You made your own costumes in the very beginning. How? A. To put it simply, desire. I believe there's nothing you can't do if you try. You never sewed before? Well, put a piece of fabric under a sewing machine and see what happens. You never played guitar before? Pick one up and give it a try. That's all it takes. Limitations are all self-imposed. Q.Did the makeup afford you some anonymity once the band became famous? A. To a point. But look, I'm 6-feet-plus. I had long blue-black hair below my shoulders. If you couldn't figure out I was in KISS when you saw me on the street, you certainly didn't think I was a neurosurgeon. I definitely got my daily dose of being stared at. And really, anonymity is a choice. You can choose how much you want to be exposed, and celebrities have different levels of what they want. Q. Who influenced you musically? A. Elvis. Specifically the early Elvis. He was electrifying. He was carnal, exciting, rebellious and dangerous. Later it was the Stones, the Beatles, the Who. Q. At what point did you know you were going to make a living with KISS? A. When I peeked out from the curtains during the KISS "Alive" tour (in 1975). I did it night after night and realized that all the shows were selling out. That's when I knew the battle plan was working and we were on the verge of becoming the phenomenon that we always envisioned. Q.Obviously you don't have any financial worries these days, but do you remember your first paycheck? A. Oh, yeah, sure I do. In 1973 we were put on salary. We got $60 a week each. I thought we were rich! Q. What do you do offstage? A. I like being home. I like being with my family. I enjoy a good dinner, some good wine, hanging out with friends. Good books. Q. Recommend a book. A. "Into Thin Air," because it's a great glimpse of human folly and the sense of self-importance. And maybe "Tuesdays With Morrie." Q. How about your favorite movie? A. "The Shawshank Redemption." It's about somebody who keeps going because he has a purpose and a dream, and that's what we all need. |
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