Steve Stanley as Paul Stanley

Birthdate: January 15
Home Town: Barrie Ontario Canada

It all started with me back in the 1970′s, 1976 to be exact, when I was living on the west coast of Canada. I was 10 years old and received my very first KISS album KISS ALIVE! At the ripe old age of 10 years, I was enchanted and mesmerized at the majestic spectacle of KISS!

Levitating drums, blood-spitting, tongue wagging, fire breathing, smoking / exploding guitars and stadium rock vocals undoubtably captured my naive and innocent youth (but isn’t that what Rock and Roll is all about?). YES IT IS!!!! This was theatrical / shock rock at its pinnacle and I was a part of it!

Looking back prior to my initial KISS induction, It would only be proper to acknowledge how I, at the age of 10 years, gravitated to the KISS phenomenon. I believe from a psychiatric point of view that my baby-sitter, whom I will leave as unidentified, back in 1972 in Northern Ontario (CFS Moosonee), subjected me to Alice Cooper. Haven’t been the same since (twitch!).

I will also go on record to say that my Father (God bless his soul) had a big influence on me in respect to music. My Dad was a Rocker and although his thing wasn’t Alice Cooper or KISS (but he did like Ozzy?) he rocked out the 50′s stuff like no one ever could. Elvis, Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson among the other greats. I could say I’m a self taught musician / singer but I will say that I am what I am by watching my Father play and sing. I remember someone asking me when I was a young boy who my favorite musician was. Without hesitation I answered, “My Dad”. Thanks Dad.

As the years rolled onward, my high school days were all about Rock and Roll but after high school I received an opportunity and turned to the automotive manufacturing world. My career steadily blossomed and I experienced many wonderful things, Rock and Roll was not one of them.

Then one day, going through some old photos and great memories of my Dad and his playing (which I missed and miss very much) I decided to pick up the six string once again. I rocked, I rolled (and to quote John Lennon – “I Got Blisters on my Fingers!”) and I felt the buzz once again. I hooked up with a dear friend and very talented Toronto based player David Wildsmith. We played together on a few occasions and David encouraged me to pursue my musical path.

So after a few punishing gigs with my Iceman I thought it only Christian to bring it in to the local music shop for a set up. As I walked in and opened my guitar case I indicated to the kid I needed a set up and inquired if they had someone on site capable to do the job. The kid replied, “yeah Paul Stanley dude”. I laughed, gave him my info and as I walked out, the kid said “Hey man, there are some guys looking for a Paul Stanley for a local KISS tribute”. I told him “yeah, thanks”, and chuckled under my breath as I walked out the store.

I eventually found my way home and my lovely wife Anna asked me how things went at the store. I told the gear-head (Anna was my roadie at one point in my career, and manager and security – sorry guys – ouch!) the technical mumbo-jumbo of my excursion and jokingly told her what the kid at the store said. Anna’s eyes lit up and ordered me to call these guys. I brushed it off, and to make a long story short, well she convinced me to call and my personal KISS journey began.

Rockin and Rollin Over and over and over….. I befriended a man who asked me to fill in and eventually join Canada’s longest established KISS tribute DESTROYER! And it’s been a Magical experience since. And here I am… here we are….. We are one…….

People, there is such a thing as magic. It’s in each one of us. You just have to believe in you and the people that are around you. My magic is my family, my band mates (including Randall and Ninni), and my faith in my friends. Couldn’t have done this without you Anna…..

AND I SAID, WELCOME TO THE SHOW!

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