The greatest album of all time, according to Paul Stanley
Kiss is one of the most individual bands on the planet. This applies in a few different ways. While their music is standard stadium rock that uses simple chords but complex melody, their look, as a band and as individual musicians, sets them apart from any other band on the planet. They remain unique in how they conduct themselves, making for extremely exciting music.
The band set itself apart as a unit with a very clear mission: to be the biggest spectacle in rock music. They achieved this with their look and by incorporating a barrage of pyrotechnics into their live show, something no other band was doing at the time, which meant audiences were exposed to something brand new.
They also wanted their own identity as musicians, though. They didn’t want to just be Kiss but wanted people to recognise them as individuals and understand what they brought to the band. The character angle they went for by painting their faces and having unique clothing and instruments made this possible, and each band member was respected as a singular artist and a contribution to the hottest band in the world.
It can be tough for band members to separate themselves as individuals. A lot of the time, when it comes to rock music, the singer and lead guitarist have always taken the forefront, while other band members are obscured into oblivion. This might sound harsh, but it’s true, so it’s a real feat that Kiss was able to separate themselves from this trend.
It’s clear that Paul Stanley has always cared about the band as a whole, as his favourite album is by an ensemble recognised for their individual talents and how they merge to create something much bigger. When asked about his favourite record, he was quick to offer up Led Zeppelin’s debut. As the godfathers of rock music, Zeppelin are a testament to what can happen when band members are given their own platforms.
Led Zeppelin are perfect as a unit, with music that not only appealed to the world of rock but that also transformed it entirely as they merged blues, acoustic music and heavier sounds to create something unique. Fans recognised the brilliance of what Led Zeppelin was doing not just because it sounded good together but because the band were respected as individuals, which allowed people to see exactly how the band came together and appreciate it more.
Paul Stanley was one of those people who said, “The first Led Zeppelin album is a must,” when asked what he thought was the greatest album of all time. He also added, “I love The Temptations and Otis Redding. And The Beatles’ Rubber Soul is so eloquent in its simplicity. The emotion in it makes it extraordinary.”
The Beatles are another excellent example of a band respected as a unit and as individuals. The inspiration behind Kiss framing themselves as they did becomes incredibly evident when you better understand the music that inspires Stanley.
