It’s a big year for KISS and the band’s vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley. Not only are he and his bandmates getting inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but they’re also gearing up for a co-headlining tour with Def Leppard.
Today (April 7), Stanley logged onto Reddit to answer fan questions about all of the above and (for him, most importantly) his new bookFace The Music.
Here are five things we learned from Paul Stanley’s AMA:
1. Despite getting inducted this year as a member of KISS, he’s not too fond of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Stanley took the time out to bash the institution on a least two separate occasions. When asked how social media played into KISS’ ongoing legacy, he said the band and its connection with fans finally let them into the Hall. “KISS is trying to use social media as a tool to connect with fans. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ultimately and grudgingly had to induct us at some point. The absurdity of ignoring us was beginning to make them look ridiculous. Unfortunately, I don’t know that inducting us changes anyone’s perception of them,” he wrote.
In the next answered question (in regards to the false rumors that Chad Channing of Nirvana would be getting inducted while KISS’ Eric Carr would not), Stanley had this to say: “The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is finally being exposed for what it is. A private club of a few people misrepresenting themselves as the public.” Harsh.
2. Gene Simmons hates shellfish and is afraid of a lobster carcass.
His best-ever KISS prank involved a bit of the crustacean and a microphone. “Gene hates any kind of shellfish among other things. One night I had lobster for dinner before the show and saved the body with the tentacles on it. During a blackout between songs, I snapped it on his microphone, and when he went to sing, it was staring at him in the face. He freaked out!” Stanley wrote.
3. Despite being in a band for decades, KISS hasn’t had any punching situations.
“I’m really not a violent guy,” Stanley wrote about whether or not he every wanted to punch his bandmate Simmons in the face. “But lik all great relationships, we have had some moments where I was very angry or frustrated. Punching someone is never the solution.” Good advice for those young KISS fans.
4. He does have a favorite Def Leppard song to look forward to for the bands’ co-headlining tour.
It’s “Photograph.”
5. He likes a lot of stuff on his pizza, including cheese (of course).
In addition to an enthusiastic “PLUS CHEESE!” answer in regards to his favorite pizza toppings. His other three choices were a little bit fancier, though. He likes grilled prosciutto, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms.
Read Stanley’s full AMA here.