Paul Stanley Biography

Born in 1952, Paul Stanley was one of two men who together created KISS, one of the most legendary rock bands in history. While Paul Stanley was only his stage name, he was born Stanley Harvey Eisen by his parents in Queens New York. Stanley started playing in rock bands, including one called Rainbow. While the band was not overly successful, it allowed him the opportunity to form another rock band with a new acquaintance, Gene Simmons. The duo parted Rainbow and started a brand new band called Wicked Lester. Although the band did record one album, it was never released and the band struggled to make a name for itself. Aware of the potential, Stanley and Simmons set out to find new band members for Wicked Lester but after the band was complete, it was obvious that a new band, with a new sound and image was needed and KISS was founded.

As the popularity of this new band soared, Paul would go on to become the leader on stage, leaving the marketing to Gene Simmons. KISS enjoyed tremendous success throughout the late 1970's and into the early 1980's, but it was apparent to Paul that a new direction was needed for the band. It was decided that the band would remove it's trademark make-up and play concerts with the audience being able to actually see the person under the make-up. While some of the band members were not enthusiastic about the transition, Paul Stanley felt that it would help to revive their career while at the same time help them to branch out into other forms of earning money. During this time each of the four KISS members released a solo album under the KISS name, but unfortunately this idea proved to be somewhat unsuccessful and the albums suffered from slow sales and a major lack of enthusiasm for the finished product from their most die hard fans. Although from a sales standpoint, these solo records did sell and the Stanley's album made the Top 40, it left fans disappointed.

Paul was always loyal to the band, but in the late 1980's, Paul began a short solo tour, playing in clubs and performing songs that had previously been performed by the entire band. During this early solo career, Paul traveled with KISS drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Bob Kulick, but an album of this era was never released, although one was recorded. In 1989 Paul also recorded music for a horror movie called “Shocker” which allowed him to work with other big names in rock music including: Tommy Lee, Alice Cooper, Michael Anthony and Vivian Campbell to name just a few.

Throughout the 1990's, KISS remained active in the music scene and even though 2 members of the band left at different times, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have remained a staple throughout the bands history. Paul decided to try a different form of entertaining and in 1999 he appeared in a lead role of Phantom of the Opera, which was playing in Toronto. Wanting to try his hand at a solo album once again, Paul Stanley released Live to Win in October of 2006 and started a tour to promote this new album. With the band used in the reality television series Rock Star, Stanley traveled throughout the U.S and then into Australia in 2007. It was during this tour that they played at the House of Blues in Chicago where the performance was recorded and released on DVD. Committed to his solo work, Paul also recorded a somewhat unusual duet with singer Sarah Brightman called “I Will Be with You.”

For Paul Stanley, life in the past decade has been a little more challenging, as in 2000 his wife filed for divorce and then in 2005 he had hip surgery. The hip surgery was not successful and another one followed, and yet another is needed to complete the repair. All of this adversity has not dampened his spirit; rather it invigorated him to try something new once again; painting. While this may seem like an unusual interest for an iconic rock star, Stanley enjoys the creative process and claims that it allows him to express his thoughts and feeling in a tangible way. In 2005 Stanley married his girlfriend, Erin Sutton at the Ritz-Carlton and they had a child soon after in 2006. As of the date of this writing, another child is on the way expected for January 2009.

From his successful career with KISS, to his solo career and theatrical endeavors, to his newly found love of painting, Paul Stanley is a unique individual. Although he has experienced the epitome of success and the heart-ache of a divorce, Paul has made the most of his life, his talent and his passion.