About

Jason Gallinger is the owner of the Facebook group KISS Chikara«. He is very knowledgeable on the matters of his favorite band KISS. Posting ton's of images, along with details on every show that goes with the images. Always trying to give his audience (Members of the group) the best information and images possible.

THE HEART OF KISS

Ace may have not liked the gravity here in Kansas, so he may have wanted to get back to his home planet, Jendell. Peter may have had courage like the King of all cats, and Gene may have been the brains behind KISS all these years, but I think no one was closer to being the heart of KISS than Paul Stanley«. Perhaps it's no secret that I'm partial to The Starchild. Initially Simmons captured my imagination and fueled my fantasies of horror and the macabre. I really did think he was crazy and I would never play God of Thunder alone for fear of Pazuzu robbing me of my virgin soul! Then Ace took over as my fave Kisser around 1978. I always thought he looked cool and he was the only one keeping it rock and roll around that period. Ace knew how to rock! But when the make-up came off Paul seemed to become the central figure, where Gene seemed lost image wise and most of his songs were second rate. But not Paul, he always seemed focused and was about the songs. That's when Paul became my favorite member and still is.
Just so you know, I'm not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that:)). But I had the biggest man crush on Paul! I wanted to be like him or emulate him somehow. I would practice my windmill and best Starchild stance and look in the mirror doing my best Paul Stanley« pout. The man practically invented the duck face! He just seemed to have a swagger to him that was magnetic and I was usually most drawn to him when watching KISS live. Truly one of the greatest frontmen of all time if not the greatest!

But really it's about the songs and that's what most non KISS fans miss. Black Diamond, Love Gun, Detroit Rock City, I Want You and I Stole Your Love, just to name a few, are classic and timeless. Initially, Paul wasn't the vocalist he came to be in the 80's and 90's where his vocal prowess peaked. You can see signs of his vocals evolving on his 1978 solo albums on songs like Goodbye and Take Me Away (Together As One) were his voice soared to new heights. He would experiment with new ways to use his instrument to also become a force to be reckoned with vocally.
He's "no slouch" in the guitar department either. He almost has a Keith Richards type of feel to his playing. He's even managed to throw in a few memorable guitar solos. First on I Want You and I Stole Your Love and on the much maligned Music From The Elder«, A World Without Heroes and Under The Rose the latter being one of my faves! A lot of people namecheck Vinnie Vincent as the one who saved KISS. I say no, though he was an important contributor in 82-83 when KISS needed shot in the arm. It was Paul who truly saved KISS. It was his decision to take off the make up when it was passe and he never jumped ship throughout the 80's when it was time to rebuild. Churning out songs like Heaven's On Fire, Tears Are Falling, Crazy, Crazy Nights and Forever. For about ten years it was practically Paul's solo career we were watching as Gene pursued his dream to be a Hollywood Star and produce other bands. Paul never lost sight and kept fighting the uphill battle to keep KISS alive. And for that I raise my glass to the Starchild for keeping the Hottest Band In The World around for over 40 years!

Cited Articles

70's KISS

(For the Photography List: The number on the left, stands for the number of images that are in the set.)

80's KISS

90's Photographs

The number on the left, stands for the number of images that are in the set.