Iconic KISS frontman Paul Stanley has opened up about what drove him to pursue a career in rock music.
Ever since the early ’70s, New York rockers KISS have been one of the most ferocious and most celebrated groups on the scene.
With adoring fans, millions of album sales, and countless sold-out tours around the globe, they’re one of the most iconic rock bands of all-time.
Now, frontman Paul Stanley has discussed just what it was that led to him following his dreams of musical stardom and becoming the rock icon he is today.
Speaking to US journalist Dan Rather for an episode of The Big Interview, Stanley explained that his decision to be a rocker stemmed from insecurities borne from a physical ailment.
“I pursued fame as a way to compensate for a lot of insecurities,” Paul Stanley revealed. “I was born deaf on my right side, and I had a birth defect. I had what’s called a microtia, which is basically not having an ear, having a crumpled mass of cartilage.”
“And I wasn’t very socially adept. And when you have something physical that sets you apart from people, it makes you really the target of unrelenting scrutiny and sometimes ridicule.”
“And, quite honestly, for me, the idea of becoming famous was a way to push it in people’s faces and go, ‘You see? You should have been nicer to me.'”
Check out a teaser of Paul Stanley on The Big Interview:
https://youtu.be/gOFUc-OGG0s
“I was fortunate enough to have success come to me, and realised that it didn’t change anything,” Stanley continued.
“So I was really blessed, because, at that point in your life, when you become famous, it’s either a disappointment because it’s not a remedy, and you either put a needle in your arm, a gun in your mouth, or you live life as a victim. And I’m not cut out for that.”
“So I decided that I would spend my life or my time on self-exploration and trying to make myself a better person and see where that is going to take me,” he concluded. “I was blessed to be a part of an idea to become the band we never saw, and that led me on a course that I’m still on today.”
“Where it’s taking me, God only knows.”
In related news, KISS are currently out on their End Of The Road world tour, which kicked off in Canada back in January.
The final tour for the group, the rock icons are set to make their way down to Australia later this year for what is bound to be a stunning send-off for the musical legends. Check out all the details below.
Check out KISS’ ‘Rock And Roll All Night’:
KISS End Of The Road Australian Tour 2019
Saturday, November 16th
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 19th
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 21st
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Friday, November 22nd
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Saturday, November 23rd
Supercars Newcastle 500, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Tuesday, November 26th
QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
Thursday, November 28th
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek & 132 849
