Happy birthday today to Kiss rhythm guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley, who turns 60.

While Stanley sang as lead vocalist on many of Kiss’s hits, including “Forever,” which hit number 8 in 1990, and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” which peaked at number 11 in 1979, he didn’t on the band’s biggest hit.  “Beth,” which peaked at number 7 in 1976, features drummer Peter Criss on lead vocals.  Stanley can be found on many more Kiss hits, including the song above, “Reason to Live,” which only went to number 64 when it peaked in early 1988 but seems aptly titled for a birthday commemoration.

Kiss’ 1978 classic Rock and Roll All Night is best live. Do you agree the live version is better than the studio version? This clip is from Dick Clark’s 1996 Rockin’ New Years Eve show during Kiss’ reunion period.

Kiss was nominated for the Rock Hall in 2010, but didn’t make it again. When will Kiss be awarded their mark on Rock and Roll history as inductees?

http://www.kissonline.com

The first album I ever owned was Kiss’ Rock N’ Roll All Over. I dressed up as Gene Simmon’s Demon character for Halloween when I was 12. Growing-up Kiss concerts were sporadically performed over my house and my friend Mike’s house for .25 cents per person. I always wanted to be Ace Frehley’s Spaceman character, but Joe an older kid down the block took it. Thus, I ended up being Kiss’ manager. I introduced the “hottest band in the world” and managed special effects. I flicked the lights off and on for the strobe effect. I prepared fake blood for my friend Dan aka Gene Simmons to spew everywhere. For Gene’s fire breathing feat, we used white flour as smoke and shot it out of a tube behind Dan’s neck into the audience.

On Monday, I had the opportunity to see Kiss, the band who’s music had a huge impact on my childhood. In the past, I’ve only seen them in outside amphitheaters but this time it was finally inside a concert arena. I saw Ace use his guitar as a weapon, Gene breathe fire, Peter’s drums spark as they elevated into the air and Paul fly over the audience across the arena. All members jammed for 35th celebration of their Kiss Alive Tour.

• Paul got crowd going and told many stories. He was the weakest link. His voice is starting to strain.
• Gene hung from the rafters, played bass and sang like the past.
• Tommy played guitar just like Ace.
• Eric sang and played drums stronger than Peter.

Set List

1. Deuce
2. Strutter
3. Go To Choose
4. Let Me Go Rock N’ Roll
5. Modern Day Delilah
6. Hotter Than Hell
7. Nothing To Lose
8. C’mon and Love Me
9. Parasite
10. She
11. Guitar Solo
12. Watchin’ You
13. 100,000 Years
14. Drum Solo
15. Crowd Participation
16. Black Diamond
17. Rock N’ Roll All Nite
18. Shout It Out Loud
19. Lick It Up
20. Bass Solo
21. I Love It Loud
22. Cold Gin
23. Love Gun
24. Detroit Rock City

A KISS concert is now a family event. There were so many kids there, I was embarrassed for parents for display of the opening act Buckcherry. Bottomline: Kiss still puts on a good show, but Paul Stanely’s vocals are starting to show their age.