Ryan Keller | Examiner
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Kiss is one of the most popular bands in the world, and is also one of the most recognizable brands. This has been accomplished largely due to the marketing genius of bassist/vocalistGene Simmons, though fellow vocalist/guitaristPaul Stanley deserves credit too. In fact, it could be said that Kiss is Gene and Paul, as the remaining two original members, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, haven’t played with the band in over ten years. Those roles are now filled by Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, respectively. But could Kiss live on without Gene and Paul?
According to Stanley, in a recent interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, the answer is yes.
“The band is bigger than its members,” said Stanley. “And it only takes, in this case, four like-minded people with a similar outlook and talent to further the cause and continue Kiss. It makes perfect sense to me. It may not make sense to other bands, but we’re not other bands. We don’t live by those rules. We never have.”
Both Stanley and Simmons are now 62, so, asks the Tribune, is there concern that the two “are growing too old to rock ’n’ roll all night?” According to Stanley:
I’m damn good at what I do. But do I think I’m the only person capable of doing what I do? Absolutely not. I’m not talking about a clone (of me), but somebody with the same passion, drive and love for the music I love. So, can I envision a time when I won’t be here anymore? Absolutely. It’s not tomorrow, or next week. But when it happens, I would be celebratory. Because it would prove that I was right and that Kiss is exactly what I believe it is: an ideal, a way of performing, a point of view. It’s an attitude, and the respect and love (we have for) our audience.
The Tribune also asked Stanley if there could be a reunion of the original lineup. “Never!” was Stanley’s response. He continued: