Gene Simmons, the iconic bassist of Kiss, recently praised his bandmate, Paul Stanley, in an interview with Guitar magazine.
Gene Simmons highlighted Stanley’s substantial yet often overlooked contributions to the band’s sound, particularly his guitar skills. According to Simmons, since Kiss’s inception in 1972, Stanley’s guitar work, both in rhythm and lead roles, has been pivotal in creating their unique sound.
Simmons pointed out that Stanley’s talent shines through in various Kiss tracks.
For instance, Stanley played lead guitar on ‘A World Without Heroes’ and contributed to the harmony in the ‘Detroit Rock City’ solo. He also crafted the memorable chordal intro for Simmons’ song ‘Deuce’, a piece Simmons believes is integral to the song’s impact.
Simmons also shed light on Stanley’s musical influences, noting his appreciation for 1960s and 1970s English bands, particularly Led Zeppelin, and the Byrds.
He emphasized that Stanley’s lead guitar playing is heavily influenced by Jimmy Page, especially in constructing solos. Additionally, Simmons praised Stanley’s vibrato technique, describing it as “sweet as honey” and lamented that this aspect of his playing is often overlooked by critics and fans alike.
Overall, Simmons’ comments serve to rectify the underappreciation of Paul Stanley’s guitar skills, acknowledging his critical role in shaping Kiss’s iconic sound.