In a new tweet, Paul Stanley commented on beating Gene Simmons in KISS power rankings.
The rocker shared an article that ranks KISS members based on their impact within the band and asked his fans, “What Do YOU Think??”
The article listed Stanley as the most influential member of KISS. Fans usually seemed to agree with the ranking. “PAUL IS KISS. Without Paul. KISS doesn’t survive the ’80s. So my power ranking: 1. Paul 2. Gene 3. Ace,” Mitch Lafon commented.
Another fan said, “Without a doubt you are the heart and soul of the band. I’m not sure if KISS exists past the mid-80s without your commitment to the band.”
“Of course, the real KISS is correctly ranked as the top four. No denying that Paul always was the musical leader of the band so correctly shown as number one,” one other user added.
After Stanley, Gene Simmons was the second member of Ultimate Classic Rock’s list. Ace Frehley came third and Peter Criss as fourth. “Gene Simmons may be the most recognizable face of Kiss, but Paul Stanley is the band’s undeniable heart and soul,” they said of Paul’s role in the group.
The statement continued, “In addition to serving as the master of ceremonies at every one of the band’s concerts, he’s kept Kiss at or near the top of the rock world through decades of changing trends and industry upheaval.”
“When the band threw a hail mary by taking their trademark face paint off in the early ’80s it was Stanley who adjusted far better than Simmons, becoming the band’s undisputed frontman (while Simmons dabbled in acting and record label careers) and contributing lead vocals on every single between 1983 and 1991,” they added.
The website concluded, “It was also Stanley who insisted on a back-to-basics approach for the band’s final two studio albums. Admittedly, it’s a tight race between gold and silver medals here, so this last fact might just seal the deal: It was Stanley, not Simmons, who wrote the Demon’s spotlight-stealing concert centerpiece ‘God of Thunder.’”
Simmons previously hinted that he saw himself as KISS’s frontman, and Stanley later replied to Gene’s claim of being KISS’s frontman. Paul said the frontman is the one who talks to the audience and shapes the band’s image on stage. He thinks this makes him the true frontman.
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) October 30, 2024
PAUL IS KISS.
Without Paul. KISS doesn’t survive the ‘80s.
So my power ranking:
1. Paul
2. Gene
3. Ace— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) October 31, 2024
Without a doubt you are the heart and soul of the band. I’m not sure if KISS exists past the mid-80s without your commitment to the band.
— Christopher Moen (@mrmajamojo) October 30, 2024
Of course, the real KISS is correctly ranked as the top four. No denying that Paul always was the musical leader of the band so correctly shown as number one.
— Dee Temples (@svpairopseny) October 31, 2024