Just taking a S.W.A.G. here – Scientific Wild-Assed Guess – but I bet there are some Kiss fans, and maybe even Kiss Army members here. If I’m right, they will certainly join in wishing Happy Birthday to Paul Stanley, born in Manhattan, NYC, on this date in 1952.
Stanley Bert Eisen aka Starchild is, of course, the co-founder of Kiss with fellow New Yorker Gene Simmons. Starchild is the singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist who paints a black star over his right eye. On any given night his ensemble might also include massive chest and belly hair, feathered arms, huge rhinestone balls appliquéd to his pants, and giant platform boots (Stanley has had 2 total hip replacements and expects to need a 3rd, which he attributes to the wearing of said boots.).
But, today is a day for giving Stanley his due. So, tongue removed from cheek, let’s review. Stanley was born with a misshapen right ear, a condition called microtia, that left him deaf in that ear, not to mention subjected to harassment from other children. Despite these challenges, he loved listening to and singing music; got his first kids’ guitar at age 7; and the real thing, though to his chagrin an acoustic, not electric, at 13. His early inspirations include Dylan, The Byrds, and The Lovin’ Spoonful. Stanley was also a talented graphic artist and attended the High School of Music & Art in NYC (of “FAME” fame), graduating in 1970. Side note: One of these days we have to explore the relationship between graphic artists and rock and roll musicians. There are an astounding number of renowned rockers who started off in art school. But, I digress.
After high school, a mutual friend introduced Stanley and Simmons, and Paul joined Gene’s band, Evil Wicked Lester. That group fell apart, and then, in August, 1972, Paul and Gene answered drummer Peter Criss’s "musicians seeking" ad in Rolling Stone. ad The three got together, then auditioned lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and the lineup was set. Stanley came up with the band’s name. They released their self-titled debut album in early 1974, and the rest, as they say, is pyrotechnic, blood spitting, explosive, smoke and lasers rock and roll history.
Kiss has sold over 100 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the HOF in 2014. Paul Stanley is credited with writing or co-writing many of the group’s biggest hits, among them are: “Love Gun”, “100,000 Years”, “Detroit Rock City”, “Black Diamond”, and “Hotter Than Hell”.
And so, say it Loud and Proud now: Happy Birthday to Starchild Paul Stanley. Long live El Presidente!
