"I don't usually get taken by surprise...but for all I pushed the shit out of him...Peter Criss stepped up beyond what anybody expected him to be able to do and played his ass off." - Bob Ezrin - Producer: Destroyer (When asked "Who is the musician you worked with that most surprised you...that most upped their game in the studio.")
Peter Criss has been accused of a lot of things and he as admitted Many of them are true. it’s always been stated that he is the only drummer who played on the album destroyer and he did a great job.
I'm sensing that Paul was the most important piece of the Kiss puzzle according to Paul. That Paul and Paul alone was the only reason Kiss became successful. Paul was for all practical purposes was the Chuck Norris of Kiss ! 😂
I despise how Paul craps on the first 3 albums.They were a stroke of genius.People just weren't ready for that level of genius in the early 70s.period.Nothing wrong with them, they came out brilliant.Quit bashing your best stuff!
I agree, the original album was the best, honestly!!! Just because they were selling out live shows and not selling records, doesn't mean shit!!! Black Diamond, Strutter, Deuce, Cold Gin, 100 thousand years, Firehouse!!!! It was very appreciated later after Alive!!!
Comparatively speaking..they were. The other 3 had a lot going on. All Paul had or wanted was to make music. They were all KISS, but Paul was the main contributor musically. And I'm not saying that because i'm some Paul Stanley fan boi...
@@CrazyAboutVinylRecords Ace and Peter were heavy partiers. Gene was an ego maniac and was a lot more interested in Hollywood than the other 3. Paul had his issues but at the end of the day all he had was his music.
If Paul's testimony about Peter not being able to sing in key or follow a melody has any veracity, then how did Peter do those great vocals on "Nothing To Lose" & "Black Diamond" in 1973, belting them out in key with clear melody on stage for years, prior to the Destroyer sessions?
@@electricalron In the first place, Peter had the best voice in the band. And cocaine does not make one unable to sing in key. David Bowie & Joni Mitchell did their best work when they were using cocaine heavily. Paul and Gene tend to be sanctimonious historical revisionists.
When I saw Kiss in 77/78' time frame, Gene/Paul/Ace took a break, and Peter 'sang' Beth. I was young, in high school and paid good money I earned at a meager job for a ticket. Peter was so F#cked up, he was propped up in folding chair by stage hands, a mic was placed in front of him, spot light came on, he barely moved and a TAPE of the radio song played. Other memorable moments? Gene spit fire, caught a rope on fire that was dangling overhead holding up speakers/light bars. It lit, kept burning up into some curtains, a stage hand brought out a CO2 extinguisher, put out the spreading fire. ALL the while, the band kept jamming. I was up against the 'crush', the plywood wall that separated the stage from the fans. Had a great view of everything. Good time overall.
The first 3 albums give us the most creative, and unrestricted KISS. What really worked in those albums was that the band never played outside of their ability. Even though Bob Ezrin did help KISS, I feel Bob also created a lot of tension in the band.
Taking the roll of strict coach/teacher is what made it work. Being a teacher as a leader is always more effective than trying to be a boss as a leader
Paul is wrong "big time on a point," the point being as to "why the first albums didn't sell." He says it's because listeners didn't like the way they sounded. Wrong! They sounded great, and they sounded like other albums of the early 70s recorded using the best gear of the time. It simply takes a band a bit of time to "build an audience." Kiss got massive in roughly 2-3 years. That's incredible, and Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill, are by far the best Kiss albums ever! Wahi' Natives
Those albums, sound wise, did not capture the band's real sound... The studio albums were "tamed down" and PAINFULLY slow tempo wise. Example: Cold Gin.. Good songs not sounding as good as they did live.
Jonathon Battiest I really like the first three KISS albums. I think that the factor that Paul is overlooking in this monologue is publicly! They released three studio albums in a very short time period. They were pretty much unknown outside of NYC and Detroit. Paul sees “Destroyer” as so different from the first releases but as fans go , it’s not as different to us. Lots of people bought “Destroyer” as their first KISS album, liked it, and made “Dressed To Kill” , “Hotter Than Hell”, or the debut album their next record purchase. These people, myself included, heard the music that they expected and were not disappointed! Add “Rock n Roll Over” & “Love Gun” to the list and this is the best KISS lineup and music that you can get. It’s all taste and opinion, of course but those first six studio albums plus “Alive” are why I am a KISS fan. I like “Dynasty” through “Lick It Up” , but I love the first seven releases. After “Lick It Up “ , it all sounds like a soundtrack from hastily put together “B” or sometimes “C” list movies!
@@russblack443 I listen to "Dressed To Kill" these days and it still sounds dark & heavy. Songs like "Two Timer", "Ladies In waiting" are so under rated
Destroyer has been a hell of a lot of fun to listen to, since it came out my Senior year in High School. I am now 59, and I still love listening to it. The 'production' of it made it Gem. When 'Rock and Roll Over' came out the next year, on my, it was silly by comparison. Destroyer is a Gem for me. The rest of KISS, not so much. Production of an album concept is truly everything. Long live great, imaginative producers.
One thing that bothers me about this - what Paul says about Bob spending hours 'teaching' Peter the drum part to Detroit Rock City. If you listen to the tune 100,000 Years, the drum riff is very similar to the Detroit Rock City riff. Having played the drums myself, I have a difficult time believing that it took 'hours' for Peter to 'learn' the drum part for DRC from Bob knowing how alike the parts are. Flame away... ;)
@@shawnsimmons697 I disagree. He still had to record his parts and perform. Peter did just fine. Case in point, Paul likes to stretch the truth and over exaggerate to make himself look good and Peter & Ace look bad.
Paul loves to bash Peter for not being able to get things done in one take, even though Eddie Kramer admitted that Peter's tracks on ALIVE! were untouched and received no overdubs. Paul, Gene, and Ace had to redo half of what they recorded live, particularly Paul for being to flashy on stage instead of focusing on his vocals.
@@shawnsimmons697 Well, we all have our own opinions since none of us were actually there but I saw an interview with Eddie Kramer, the man that recorded Alive!, and he stated that he thinks Peter's tracks were the only tracks they didn't touch, which I believe. If you listen to any recording of Kiss around this time period, Peter was always pretty much on point, can't say the same for Paul
@@davelanciani-dimaensionx I'm assuming you're talking about Destroyer, I'm not sure if they brought in another drummer or not. I know they had another guitar player playing for Ace since he was too drunk to play. I could be wrong too but I know Bob Ezrin said that he wasn't impressed by Peter at all for his drumming ability but that he was impressed by how he listened and tried
"Peter and Ace are useless, and terrible song writers. Anyway, me and Gene wrote everything... well... Bob Ezrin wrote pretty much all our hits, but, Peter and Ace aren't as good as we are... and we aren't as good as Bob... even tho we hate Bob." Paul Stanley I agree with all the comments tho. Paul's shitting on Peter is almost cringeworthy.
Paul and Gene would never have hit fame without Ace and Peter. They actually became spinal tap in the late 80's a revolving door band. Only Unholy was relevant.
I have been listening to Paul's vignettes from his book. I noticed that every one of these he tears Peter apart both as a person, and as a musician. If Peter was that inept and with no talent, why then did Paul and Gene pick him for the band?
Andrew Yanez they had a connection of music it's hard to explain if u have never been in a band but even if the player is shit you feel a musical connection that if used properly can transcend any lack of talent on ones part
@TheTomozzo Not much of a mistake now was it. Ignorant comment given the HUGE success they had. Go back and rethink your statement. Then come back and try again.
Destroyer remains my favorite KISS album. There's not a bad song on it. Bob did what they needed him to do: Raise the ante, and make them write and play something fresh.
Yes, Ace had the most successfull solo album but it's pretty basic. Don't get me wrong. I love Ace, he's my 1st guitar influence. His style is raw and basic but it's got a stanky groove that no one else can replicate. Sad thing is that his playing didn't mature with the rest of the band. "New York Groove" is a great song but it was written and produced by Russ Ballard. IMO, "Rocket Ride" and "Cold Gin" are Aces best songs that he actually wrote.
@@_vixen_4504 Well,a lot of people eat it. McDonald's has sold billions. According to your logical fallacy, this means it's better. Are you a professional point-misser?
While it is true that they were the main songwriters, without Ace's guitar parts, those songs would never have taken off. Without Ace, there is no KISS - as has been shown over and over. That's why Ace's fall was so sad and frustrating. Dude had a job to do and blew it at the end. People remember and admire KISS for the Ace years. The other stuff was very temporary and basically forgotten today, except by the extreme fanboys.
Carlton - no - he didn't play on "Beth" at all, and they used a different solo on "Sweet Pain" - since restored on the DESTROYER RESURRECTED remaster (and Ace's solo was much, much better) - he plays everything on ROCK AND ROLL OVER, LOVE GUN, DYNASTY, and all but one track of UNMASKED. He only plays on one song of the studio side of ALIVE II (his own song Rocket Ride). THE ELDER - nobody's sure because Ezrin so badly edited his guitar work in a cocaine haze; there probably are other people on there - whether they are on lead or not is not yet documented.
Absolutely not! the music during the 80s rocked just as well, Ace was great and still is but face it he dropped the ball, and without Ace and peter they were a success.
the 80's sucked and those albums sold less than a quarter of the Seventies stuff and the crowds were much smaller - their heyday was over until the curious turned out for the reunion series of tours in 1998-2001
@@gongshow3045 Yeah, was also going to say that the Alive I version of Black Diamond was awesome. Paul should go back and listen to it without being prejudiced
He claims Peter couldn't carry a tune but I just heard a live recording of them in '73 at the Daisy and Peter was an AMAZING singer. He stole the show and he was always on key, which is more than you can say for Paul's singing at that time. Paul also says Bob Ezrin wrote Gene's bassline and Peter's drums for Detroit Rock City but fails to mention that the original song he brought to Bob Ezrin was pretty lame until Bob got a hold of it. It must have killed Paul (and probably still does) that the B-side "Beth" was a gigantic hit and Detroit Rock City wasn't. No wonder he hates Peter.
I know the band broke through with the first live album. I know they were very ambitious. But the story is always told as if their first three albums tanked, and they were on the verge of breaking up at that point. My recollection is that they had a solid fan base and a lot of buzz around them before the live album, and had been steadily growing in popularity.
Whole lotta' fibbin' about Peter's sense of timing going on in this book excerpt. Peter's timing and singing are just fine--live!--here at 51:30, so um... ruclips.net/video/Fpv4wEqpRw8/видео.html
Ace is and always will be my fave member!! lets face it, his guitar work is what set them off and I find the comments about Peter are a bit harsh here?? making him sound like a weak musician?? just watch the live stuff!!! do you see Peter useless on stage?? :)
Great insight into the egos of some of the band members from another's perspective. I bet a lot of rock bands go through this kind of shit in one way or another. I played in an original band for a while, named after the guy who started the band and wrote all the lyrics and some chord progressions. The way he would have it was the exact opposite of what Paul describes here. His ego liked to pretend that he made ALL the musical choices and wrote ALL the music, when in actuality he created the skeleton and the rest of us fleshed it out into something much bigger than he could have imagined. I came up with a lot of the guitar and bass parts in my mind while driving to work each day, and even added riffs & sections to the song. The drummer helped to create all of the harmonized vocal parts, and kept the leader honest by pointing out when he was performing something inconsistently. Yet, the leader wanted us to act as if we were just studio musicians and wanted us to sign this stupid contract in case the songs went big he'd own them, after we had toiled away shaping them for over a year. It was a bad experience in ego. I should have known going in -- he had named the band after himself, and he lost the previous version of the band for the same reason. All that ego, and that band will NEVER be anywhere near as big as Kiss.
Funny Paul says that Peter couldn't sing the whole song Beth properly but I have seen it live many times even in the 70s and he sounded great...Paul you are just a sad bitter old man now
Nelson Robert Willis that’s just my opinion. He’s still my favorite KISS drummer. Peter was good at singing songs such as Nothin’ to lose, Mainline and Black Diamond. But his live singing on songs like Beth was horrible for some reason. I have seen KISS in 1977, 1979, 1985 and 1995. Three of those shows had Peter singing in the lineup. All great shows as usual!
Playing in a studio is a whole different ball game and Peter probably played those songs 100dreds of times before he was performing them live. Same goes for Lars Ulrich from Metalica.
I think Paul really doesn't like Peter at all! I think Peter was and is a wonderful drummer! Kiss without Peter and Ace will never be Kiss and I'm a huge Kiss fan from back in 74!!!!
Two things here. 1. Bob Ezrin's pockets are fully lined because of these guys.... And 2. Uhh,no click track??? Paul,learn this word---->METRONOME... Keeps time all the same.
Their best Albums...up to Dynasty. The first 3 were just lacking a producer. But they are great Love Her All I Can, Goin Blind...Room Service etc etc and many other pure gems.
Whenever somebody asks me on what Kiss albums to check out I always recommend them to buy "the holy triad' which are the three albums which sum up Kiss as a band and show the band at their most powerful. Because they had something to prove. So what is Kiss' "Holy triad?" Album one: "Destroyer" - The album where as Paul puts it here, first accurately displayed their true sound. It had powerful sing-along anthems ("Detroit Rock City"), a good sensitive ballad ("Beth") and a powerful GENE song ("God of thunder" although Paul wrote it.) Album two: "Creatures of the night" - The album which showed that Kiss could survive their lowest point and the loss of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. In those days Paul was asked what it was like being on a sinking ship. "Creatures" was a brass knuckle hit to the gut. With Eric Carr's drumming being a 80% part of the overall heaviness displayed. Once again, we had sing along anthems ("I love it loud"), a good sensitive ballad ("I still love you") and a battering GENE song. ("Warmachine") Album Three: "Revenge" - The album where Gene Simmons finally regained his senses (He often admitted to "not being there" during the eighties.) and the band lost their ill suited Hair-metal image. Entering the nineties with a vengeance. Again we have the three key ingredients: sing along anthems ("Take it off"), a good sensitive ballad ("Every time I look at you") and an explosive GENE song ("Unholy")
Ace IS rock and roll . It’s so hilarious . Gene and Paul have done everything they could to slander the guy, and Ace is the only relevant member. Ace has emerged with all the credibility. And Peter? He has the only real pop voice out of the band and Stanley has always resented it.
I have read the book... Although I agree with some of Paul's pomp and circumstances of who he, and Gene were in the creative process... If it hadn't been for Ace's creative playing and adding the progressive solos, then the songs, at least in the earlier years, the songs would have sucked... So, Paul learned from the other Paul (ACE), and used that talent to use to write further songs... As far as Their point on Peter.. How can he be so bad? And if he was, why keep him in the band that long? If he was coached that long, then, Black diamond should be hailed as a master peace, or it was a studio creation, which would not surprise me either... The 4 decades of these guys mind-fucking one another is a bigger spring-board for the ages... Just maybe, all a part of the enigma that is /was KISS...
:36 Paul says he didn't know what was intrinsically wrong with they way the first 3 albums sounded (in comparison to KISS Alive!). That's easy - "studio" Peter was just making sure to keep as perfect time as he could, a few small drum fills here and there..."live" Peter was ALL over the kit! And with intensity...he smashed the shit out of the drums! "Studio" Paul spoke the vocals softly, trying to get things perfect..."live" Paul screamed out the vocals, adrenaline flowing and with the vocal power that a rock star should sing at..."studio" Ace made sure to hit each note carefully, and making sure to keep the amp clean sounding enough to be "acceptable..."live" Ace ripped on the guitar, with the amps cranked and the power tubes hot and cooking - giving that mean rock tone! Listen to "C'mon And Love me" studio version and live version...they are both here on YT. What is the difference between the two? Just what I mentioned. THAT'S why KISS Alive! was loved more by the masses than the preceding studio albums.
Thomas Jefferson Correct. Watch the Eddie Kramer interviews about it. Massive reworking in the studio. Peter Frampton mentions being in a studio when they were reworking the Alive album. I’m not bashing it - I like it much better than the first three but it’s not a true live album not mAny are. I think The Stones Get Yer Ya Yas Out, Deep Purple Made In Japan, Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous are pretty much live
"Destroyer" was certainly a different album from what came before it. I liked their previous albums because they were raw, and this one took a little longer to get used to. But it grew on me. But "Unmasked" was a different story. I actually liked "The Elder" better. But "Destroyer" is now considered a classic and rightfully so.
I think Bob made Gene and Paul work more for Ace, is when they sound great. You can see it in their solo albums . Only Ace album was the most rocker one.
I still think after loving Destroyer for 35 years,Bob Ezrin was good for the band...They were very,very,very good.But Bob made them best.So it~s all about hard work!Love all and band.Juha
Whatever did/didn't happen there, I'll still take KISS's debut album (lyrics notwithstanding) any day over Destroyer. So the notion that they couldn't write a song seems unfounded to me. That isn't to say I don't like Destroyer - but prefer the more raw, stripped down songs, sound and feel...period.
Here's the Bob Ezrin side of the story concerning Destroyer. He really praises Peter and Ace in it. And gives Peter the Credit for bringing in Beth. Paul and Gene had nothing to do with the production of it like that have claimed so many times. This might explain why Paul refuses to talk to Bob Ezrin these days.ruclips.net/video/v_qKNBKGu_w/видео.html
Destroyer is cool.I just listened to it again the other night.I like that mysterious track after do you love me.That I got to know why kinda thing.Yeah Destroyer is cool.
ACE AND PETER GOT SCREWED PLAIN AND SIMPLE GREED HAD A PART IN THEM LEAVING ACE AND PETER DIDNT GET FIRED THATS A BULL SHIT STORY ,PETER AND ACE QUIT DUE TO GENE AND PAULS GREED !! FACT !!!
DAVE FULFORD Paul isn't lying if u watch interviews of ace and Peter that are recent they kinda hint at them doing the exact behaviors Paul's describes as in a recent interview ace talks about him not remembering if his solo was in a album since he skipped a recording session and he talks about only finding out when the album came out that it wasn't him
Ah, i remember this picture! My other favourite band - the Sweet - had the very same picture taken of them on Harleys for their autograph cards 😅 i thought: do they have the same management ?
He compares their image to the Beatles, where everybody contributed. He of all people should know that Ringo did not write or sing well. And was a simple drummer - much like Peter! George Harrison didn't contribute near as much as Lennon/McCartney, much like Ace! Not everybody can write songs. At least Peter had the sense to work with someone else. Seems like he knew what his limitations were.
He constantly shits on Peter. I don't believe a word Paul says about him. Such a horrible musician that had to be taught his parts by Bob Ezrin, yeah right. He did pretty damn good before Bob came around, then all of a sudden he needs help. Sure Paul, I'm not buying what you're selling.
Bob was amazing. First time I heard the song "Shout It Out Loud" on the radio, I thought the tone of the guitars sounded like the Alice Cooper Band's sound. At that time, I didn't know Bob was at the helm.
To me,kiss was the real thing,great songs,and great memories.they know their instruments.thank you to Peter Chris as well,to me Eric Carr was the better drummer.
"I don't usually get taken by surprise...but for all I pushed the shit out of him...Peter Criss stepped up beyond what anybody expected him to be able to do and played his ass off." - Bob Ezrin - Producer: Destroyer (When asked "Who is the musician you worked with that most surprised you...that most upped their game in the studio.")
Peter Criss has been accused of a lot of things and he as admitted Many of them are true. it’s always been stated that he is the only drummer who played on the album destroyer and he did a great job.
I'm sensing that Paul was the most important piece of the Kiss puzzle according to Paul. That Paul and Paul alone was the only reason Kiss became successful. Paul was for all practical purposes was the Chuck Norris of Kiss ! 😂
Mechanic to Paul Stanley: You ran over a nail, it will cost $54.98
Paul Stanley: Goddamn it Peter!
(stock market crash of 1929 occurs)
Fuck sakes Peter
Says the douchebag who never had to deal with an addict. Go F yourself.
Maybe. But it was pretty funny 😄 😁😆
SJ S me? How do you know I’ve never had to deal with an addict? Lol. Relax buddy.
Listening to the Paul Stanley autobiography, I keep wondering why they hired him in the first place if he was so bad.
I despise how Paul craps on the first 3 albums.They were a stroke of genius.People just weren't ready for that level of genius in the early 70s.period.Nothing wrong with them, they came out brilliant.Quit bashing your best stuff!
people like paul judge an album's worth by the number of units sold
I agree, the original album was the best, honestly!!! Just because they were selling out live shows and not selling records, doesn't mean shit!!! Black Diamond, Strutter, Deuce, Cold Gin, 100 thousand years, Firehouse!!!! It was very appreciated later after Alive!!!
I’ve listened to all of these and there’s one thing in common...Paul is perfect and everyone else is beneath him.
Comparatively speaking..they were. The other 3 had a lot going on. All Paul had or wanted was to make music. They were all KISS, but Paul was the main contributor musically.
And I'm not saying that because i'm some Paul Stanley fan boi...
@@dominickefrim3088 You sure sound like a Paul Stanley fan boi.
@@CrazyAboutVinylRecords Ace and Peter were heavy partiers. Gene was an ego maniac and was a lot more interested in Hollywood than the other 3.
Paul had his issues but at the end of the day all he had was his music.
@@dominickefrim3088 Ok, so you are a Paul Stanley fan boi. Lol.
@@CrazyAboutVinylRecords he sounds more like Paul himself.
Destroyer is a beast of an album
If Paul's testimony about Peter not being able to sing in key or follow a melody has any veracity, then how did Peter do those great vocals on "Nothing To Lose" & "Black Diamond" in 1973, belting them out in key with clear melody on stage for years, prior to the Destroyer sessions?
It's that immature method of fabricating negative things about someone else to make oneself look better.
@@smorgdonkey Paul's autobiography should have been titled "Kvetching To Eternity".
Because by Destroyer, Peter was a cocaine addict and he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer in the first place.
@@electricalron In the first place, Peter had the best voice in the band. And cocaine does not make one unable to sing in key. David Bowie & Joni Mitchell did their best work when they were using cocaine heavily. Paul and Gene tend to be sanctimonious historical revisionists.
In 1975 Peter was much younger and stronger. At times, Peter could step up! Interestingly; For KISS Symphony, Peter seemed to be in top form!
You know, I'm starting to think Paul isn't best friends with Peter or Ace.
Ya dont say😂
@@samanthavictoria3308 They haven't been Best friends in years ❤❤❤❤❤
Yup it's True ❤❤❤❤
😆😆😆
GiGi was a show girl. She showed her box and Peter Chris crawled inside
When I saw Kiss in 77/78' time frame, Gene/Paul/Ace took a break, and Peter 'sang' Beth. I was young, in high school and paid good money I earned at a meager job for a ticket. Peter was so F#cked up, he was propped up in folding chair by stage hands, a mic was placed in front of him, spot light came on, he barely moved and a TAPE of the radio song played. Other memorable moments? Gene spit fire, caught a rope on fire that was dangling overhead holding up speakers/light bars. It lit, kept burning up into some curtains, a stage hand brought out a CO2 extinguisher, put out the spreading fire. ALL the while, the band kept jamming. I was up against the 'crush', the plywood wall that separated the stage from the fans. Had a great view of everything. Good time overall.
LOL. That bit about Ezrin's finger in Gene's face making Gene sweat was priceless.
WOW, this guys life is amazing! How did he possibly manage to succeed when EVERYONE around him was absolutely talentless and inept?! 💀🔨
The first 3 albums give us the most creative, and unrestricted KISS.
What really worked in those albums was that the band never played outside of their ability.
Even though Bob Ezrin did help KISS, I feel Bob also created a lot of tension in the band.
I believe if KISS would've never created an album with Bob Ezrin tensions would've never have Risen
@@danielparra6710 I think it would have occured anyway, but it might have taken a bit longer for it to happen
Taking the roll of strict coach/teacher is what made it work.
Being a teacher as a leader is always more effective than trying to be a boss as a leader
Destroyer is my favourite Kiss album!! Absolute Masterpiece!
Paul is wrong "big time on a point," the point being as to "why the first albums didn't sell." He says it's because listeners didn't like the way they sounded. Wrong! They sounded great, and they sounded like other albums of the early 70s recorded using the best gear of the time. It simply takes a band a bit of time to "build an audience." Kiss got massive in roughly 2-3 years. That's incredible, and Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill, are by far the best Kiss albums ever! Wahi' Natives
Dressed to Kill OMG their best for sure.
This is exactly right!
Im with you man! I loved the first three albums!
Those albums, sound wise, did not capture the band's real sound... The studio albums were "tamed down" and PAINFULLY slow tempo wise. Example: Cold Gin.. Good songs not sounding as good as they did live.
Correct on all points, especially their debut, "Kiss"!
There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with the first 3 albums,there was something wrong with the people that didnt get the magic those albums contained.
Jonathon Battiest I really like the first three KISS albums. I think that the factor that Paul is overlooking in this monologue is publicly! They released three studio albums in a very short time period. They were pretty much unknown outside of NYC and Detroit. Paul sees “Destroyer” as so different from the first releases but as fans go , it’s not as different to us. Lots of people bought “Destroyer” as their first KISS album, liked it, and made “Dressed To Kill” , “Hotter Than Hell”, or the debut album their next record purchase. These people, myself included, heard the music that they expected and were not disappointed! Add “Rock n Roll Over” & “Love Gun” to the list and this is the best KISS lineup and music that you can get. It’s all taste and opinion, of course but those first six studio albums plus “Alive” are why I am a KISS fan. I like “Dynasty” through “Lick It Up” , but I love the first seven releases. After “Lick It Up “ , it all sounds like a soundtrack from hastily put together “B” or sometimes “C” list movies!
Those albums were very raw, however they sounded great.
Well, the production could have been better, you know?
@@michaelalguire419 hotter than hel has always been my favorite
@@russblack443 I listen to "Dressed To Kill" these days and it still sounds dark & heavy. Songs like "Two Timer", "Ladies In waiting" are so under rated
Peter is awesome and can sing like nobodys business
I find Peter had the best voice in the whole band
Destroyer has been a hell of a lot of fun to listen to, since it came out my Senior year in High School. I am now 59, and I still love listening to it. The 'production' of it made it Gem. When 'Rock and Roll Over' came out the next year, on my, it was silly by comparison. Destroyer is a Gem for me. The rest of KISS, not so much. Production of an album concept is truly everything. Long live great, imaginative producers.
Paul, Ace, Gene, Peter made a great organism together. In that order of names. On the first six studio albums. That was what made the band great.
Anyone else get the impression that Paul is obsessed with Peter?
One thing that bothers me about this - what Paul says about Bob spending hours 'teaching' Peter the drum part to Detroit Rock City. If you listen to the tune 100,000 Years, the drum riff is very similar to the Detroit Rock City riff. Having played the drums myself, I have a difficult time believing that it took 'hours' for Peter to 'learn' the drum part for DRC from Bob knowing how alike the parts are. Flame away... ;)
Not wrong
Your taking away the fact that peter was on drugs and a shit show because of it
@@shawnsimmons697 can't argue with that... Good point.
@@shawnsimmons697 I disagree. He still had to record his parts and perform. Peter did just fine. Case in point, Paul likes to stretch the truth and over exaggerate to make himself look good and Peter & Ace look bad.
@@shawnsimmons697 Peter wasn't an addict yet when they recorded Destroyer. Actually Ezrin had coke in the studio as well.
Paul loves to bash Peter for not being able to get things done in one take, even though Eddie Kramer admitted that Peter's tracks on ALIVE! were untouched and received no overdubs. Paul, Gene, and Ace had to redo half of what they recorded live, particularly Paul for being to flashy on stage instead of focusing on his vocals.
I'm not so sure that's true. I heard they had an uncredited studio drummer fix a lot of the drum tracks, too. I could be wrong.
Thats not true at all, Alive was edited as fuck and Peter was one of the main reasons why
@@shawnsimmons697 Well, we all have our own opinions since none of us were actually there but I saw an interview with Eddie Kramer, the man that recorded Alive!, and he stated that he thinks Peter's tracks were the only tracks they didn't touch, which I believe. If you listen to any recording of Kiss around this time period, Peter was always pretty much on point, can't say the same for Paul
@@davelanciani-dimaensionx I'm assuming you're talking about Destroyer, I'm not sure if they brought in another drummer or not. I know they had another guitar player playing for Ace since he was too drunk to play. I could be wrong too but I know Bob Ezrin said that he wasn't impressed by Peter at all for his drumming ability but that he was impressed by how he listened and tried
I’ve even read Gene Simmons saying the same thing. Peter’s drum tracks were all his.
I still say, your first album is the best! My brothers and I saw you on a late night rock show. And brought the 8track the next day! Love you guys.
I love how the first three albums sound.
They just sound raw.
Those first three are classics in my opinion
@@Jtower1967 what about love gun and destroyer. Both classics imo
@@straightmalecaucasian1453 absolutely!
Many people didn't like Destroyer and checked out on KISS at that point.
I wish I was as articulate as Paul Stanley is. The guy is very Well spoken.
gene is as well
I have to admire how unflinchingly honest this is. He really lays it out bare, at times to a fault.
I bought all 4 Kiss solo albums. I liked them all. Paul's was my favorite. Then Ace's.
"Peter and Ace are useless, and terrible song writers. Anyway, me and Gene wrote everything... well... Bob Ezrin wrote pretty much all our hits, but, Peter and Ace aren't as good as we are... and we aren't as good as Bob... even tho we hate Bob." Paul Stanley
I agree with all the comments tho. Paul's shitting on Peter is almost cringeworthy.
Paul and Gene would never have hit fame without Ace and Peter.
They actually became spinal tap in the late 80's a revolving door band.
Only Unholy was relevant.
I have been listening to Paul's vignettes from his book. I noticed that every one of these he tears Peter apart both as a person, and as a musician. If Peter was that inept and with no talent, why then did Paul and Gene pick him for the band?
Andrew Yanez Paul is a butt hair
Peter was one of the founders. If Paul did not like Peter he could have just quit.
Andrew Yanez they had a connection of music it's hard to explain if u have never been in a band but even if the player is shit you feel a musical connection that if used properly can transcend any lack of talent on ones part
@TheTomozzo Not much of a mistake now was it. Ignorant comment given the HUGE success they had. Go back and rethink your statement. Then come back and try again.
Exactly.
DESTROYER TURNED OUT TO BE A ROCK MASTERPIECE AND IT BLENDED PERFECTLY WITH KISS ATTITUDE. I STILL LISTEN TO DESTROYER AND BILLION DOLLAR BABIES
Destroyer remains my favorite KISS album. There's not a bad song on it. Bob did what they needed him to do: Raise the ante, and make them write and play something fresh.
Paul Said that he and gene are so good song writers hmm wasn’t it ace solo album who sold the most
Yes, Ace had the most successfull solo album but it's pretty basic. Don't get me wrong. I love Ace, he's my 1st guitar influence. His style is raw and basic but it's got a stanky groove that no one else can replicate. Sad thing is that his playing didn't mature with the rest of the band. "New York Groove" is a great song but it was written and produced by Russ Ballard. IMO, "Rocket Ride" and "Cold Gin" are Aces best songs that he actually wrote.
I guess you think McDonald's has the best food, too.
@@beeblebooble4411 I love McDonald's LOL
@@beeblebooble4411 not Really McDonalds has the worst food and why would i eat fast food that’s just unhealthy
@@_vixen_4504 Well,a lot of people eat it. McDonald's has sold billions. According to your logical fallacy, this means it's better.
Are you a professional point-misser?
It just fucking KILLS Paul and Gene that Ace is the best member of KISS.
The first album I bought with my own money 😊
I've heard Peter do Black Diamond live before and he fucking nailed it...I don't understand why Paul says what he says.
And Peter was chewing bubble gum while he was doing it. That’s talent !
The first two albums are my favorite
While it is true that they were the main songwriters, without Ace's guitar parts, those songs would never have taken off. Without Ace, there is no KISS - as has been shown over and over. That's why Ace's fall was so sad and frustrating. Dude had a job to do and blew it at the end. People remember and admire KISS for the Ace years. The other stuff was very temporary and basically forgotten today, except by the extreme fanboys.
7777Scion You know Ace probably recorded about half of Kiss stuff after Alive?
Carlton - no - he didn't play on "Beth" at all, and they used a different solo on "Sweet Pain" - since restored on the DESTROYER RESURRECTED remaster (and Ace's solo was much, much better) - he plays everything on ROCK AND ROLL OVER, LOVE GUN, DYNASTY, and all but one track of UNMASKED. He only plays on one song of the studio side of ALIVE II (his own song Rocket Ride). THE ELDER - nobody's sure because Ezrin so badly edited his guitar work in a cocaine haze; there probably are other people on there - whether they are on lead or not is not yet documented.
True Laddie, True
Absolutely not! the music during the 80s rocked just as well, Ace was great and still is but face it he dropped the ball, and without Ace and peter they were a success.
the 80's sucked and those albums sold less than a quarter of the Seventies stuff and the crowds were much smaller - their heyday was over until the curious turned out for the reunion series of tours in 1998-2001
Damn!!! I don't think there is any mud left on the planet to sling!!!
HAHA
Yea he’s good at bashing, I think some of it is true and some isn’t,
Wait..at 6:00 Paul bashes Peter about his singing..listen to peter sing live...hes got awesome pipes...wtf is that all about
Peter is an excellent singer, Black Diamond is a perfect example.
@@gongshow3045 Yeah, was also going to say that the Alive I version of Black Diamond was awesome. Paul should go back and listen to it without being prejudiced
Loved peters solo album. Criss can sing thats for sure...
Listen to Hard Luck Woman and Beth, and others. Peter had a he'll of a voice. Paul probably thinks Adele can't sing ether
Ace, Paul, Gene Peter. Ace Always Stayed True to Rock.
I love Ace's work (for what's there) and his 1978 solo album, but I have to say that I'm super surprised that KISS never fired him during the 70's....
He claims Peter couldn't carry a tune but I just heard a live recording of them in '73 at the Daisy and Peter was an AMAZING singer. He stole the show and he was always on key, which is more than you can say for Paul's singing at that time. Paul also says Bob Ezrin wrote Gene's bassline and Peter's drums for Detroit Rock City but fails to mention that the original song he brought to Bob Ezrin was pretty lame until Bob got a hold of it. It must have killed Paul (and probably still does) that the B-side "Beth" was a gigantic hit and Detroit Rock City wasn't. No wonder he hates Peter.
those album back in the day were fine
Love the raw NY sound of their first three records!
I know the band broke through with the first live album. I know they were very ambitious. But the story is always told as if their first three albums tanked, and they were on the verge of breaking up at that point. My recollection is that they had a solid fan base and a lot of buzz around them before the live album, and had been steadily growing in popularity.
Paul tells it like it is.....!!! Fantastic job Paul.
Whole lotta' fibbin' about Peter's sense of timing going on in this book excerpt. Peter's timing and singing are just fine--live!--here at 51:30, so um... ruclips.net/video/Fpv4wEqpRw8/видео.html
Ace is and always will be my fave member!! lets face it, his guitar work is what set them off and I find the comments about Peter are a bit harsh here?? making him sound like a weak musician?? just watch the live stuff!!! do you see Peter useless on stage?? :)
he's also the best singer out of the four
Great insight into the egos of some of the band members from another's perspective. I bet a lot of rock bands go through this kind of shit in one way or another.
I played in an original band for a while, named after the guy who started the band and wrote all the lyrics and some chord progressions. The way he would have it was the exact opposite of what Paul describes here. His ego liked to pretend that he made ALL the musical choices and wrote ALL the music, when in actuality he created the skeleton and the rest of us fleshed it out into something much bigger than he could have imagined. I came up with a lot of the guitar and bass parts in my mind while driving to work each day, and even added riffs & sections to the song. The drummer helped to create all of the harmonized vocal parts, and kept the leader honest by pointing out when he was performing something inconsistently. Yet, the leader wanted us to act as if we were just studio musicians and wanted us to sign this stupid contract in case the songs went big he'd own them, after we had toiled away shaping them for over a year. It was a bad experience in ego. I should have known going in -- he had named the band after himself, and he lost the previous version of the band for the same reason. All that ego, and that band will NEVER be anywhere near as big as Kiss.
Wer you in VAN HALEN?!?🤔
Funny Paul says that Peter couldn't sing the whole song Beth properly but I have seen it live many times even in the 70s and he sounded great...Paul you are just a sad bitter old man now
Paul.. go away...
Peter Criss was a horrible singer!
Nelson Robert Willis that’s just my opinion. He’s still my favorite KISS drummer. Peter was good at singing songs such as Nothin’ to lose, Mainline and Black Diamond. But his live singing on songs like Beth was horrible for some reason. I have seen KISS in 1977, 1979, 1985 and 1995. Three of those shows had Peter singing in the lineup. All great shows as usual!
Eric Wilder, name one person that could sing Beth better than Peter. His voice fits the song
Beth was KISS's biggest radio hit, so however it got made it doesn't really matter. I think Paul is jealous of that.
Like him or hate him he’s a good narrator
“...were about the same chance of me throwing a penny and hitting the moon”. Cmon Paul, you know you’d never part with a penny.
If Peter had so much trouble keeping time, how was he able to play songs like Detroit Rock City so well, night after night, tour after tour?
that's exactly what i was just thinking
Playing in a studio is a whole different ball game and Peter probably played those songs 100dreds of times before he was performing them live. Same goes for Lars Ulrich from Metalica.
Because Paul is a lying scumbag and jealous of Peter and Ace, fact!!!! Disgusting
Also, Peter was the only one that didn't have shit changed or studio bullshit on Alive!!!! His was all real concert!!!!
Some would argue the first three albums were the best albums including myself.
Wonder where the motorcycles are now
Motley Crue stole them in 1986.......
@@johnnyrotten5507 Go on...
@@PelozoF for the Girls, Girls, Girls album cover - you don't think there are parallels there ?
Gene pawned them lol
I think Paul really doesn't like Peter at all! I think Peter was and is a wonderful drummer! Kiss without Peter and Ace will never be Kiss and I'm a huge Kiss fan from back in 74!!!!
Me too. I agree with you 100%.
Two things here. 1. Bob Ezrin's pockets are fully lined because of these guys.... And 2. Uhh,no click track??? Paul,learn this word---->METRONOME... Keeps time all the same.
Loved Destroyer!
Their best Albums...up to Dynasty.
The first 3 were just lacking a producer.
But they are great Love Her All I Can, Goin Blind...Room Service etc etc and many other pure gems.
Whenever somebody asks me on what Kiss albums to check out I always recommend them to buy "the holy triad' which are the three albums which sum up Kiss as a band and show the band at their most powerful. Because they had something to prove.
So what is Kiss' "Holy triad?"
Album one: "Destroyer"
- The album where as Paul puts it here, first accurately displayed their true sound. It had powerful sing-along anthems ("Detroit Rock City"), a good sensitive ballad ("Beth") and a powerful GENE song ("God of thunder" although Paul wrote it.)
Album two: "Creatures of the night"
- The album which showed that Kiss could survive their lowest point and the loss of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. In those days Paul was asked what it was like being on a sinking ship. "Creatures" was a brass knuckle hit to the gut. With Eric Carr's drumming being a 80% part of the overall heaviness displayed. Once again, we had sing along anthems ("I love it loud"), a good sensitive ballad ("I still love you") and a battering GENE song. ("Warmachine")
Album Three: "Revenge"
- The album where Gene Simmons finally regained his senses (He often admitted to "not being there" during the eighties.) and the band lost their ill suited Hair-metal image. Entering the nineties with a vengeance. Again we have the three key ingredients: sing along anthems ("Take it off"), a good sensitive ballad ("Every time I look at you") and an explosive GENE song ("Unholy")
Maybe the BEST KISS album ever. Destroyer and Love Gun
I agree, Now as a comparison, IMO RNRO and Dressed are similar to each other.
timm441 agreed, I was given this for Xmas when I was 8, killer record
timm441 Rock and Roll All over is my favorite
Creatures and revenge are the best kiss albums
This album is kisses masterpiece with a couple of other albums
The best Kiss album ever
From the description of how Bob Ezrin was dealing with KISS, I'm surprised he didn't also carry a megaphone and a bullwhip.
stan broniszewski maybe Sweet Pain was a veiled reference to that, "my whip is always beside me"
Generationally defining album.
Ace IS rock and roll . It’s so hilarious . Gene and Paul have done everything they could to slander the guy, and Ace is the only relevant member. Ace has emerged with all the credibility. And Peter? He has the only real pop voice out of the band and Stanley has always resented it.
You mean rock voice. Peter had the vocals of a rock n roller
Wrong
And Peter was chosen as the drummer basically because he could sing.
I must say, Paul's recorded memoirs are interesting and entertaining.
My man has to crowbar a dig at Peter every 15 seconds
I have read the book... Although I agree with some of Paul's pomp and circumstances of who he, and Gene were in the creative process... If it hadn't been for Ace's creative playing and adding the progressive solos, then the songs, at least in the earlier years, the songs would have sucked... So, Paul learned from the other Paul (ACE), and used that talent to use to write further songs... As far as Their point on Peter.. How can he be so bad? And if he was, why keep him in the band that long? If he was coached that long, then, Black diamond should be hailed as a master peace, or it was a studio creation, which would not surprise me either... The 4 decades of these guys mind-fucking one another is a bigger spring-board for the ages... Just maybe, all a part of the enigma that is /was KISS...
Who's solo album sold best, Paul's or Ace's?
In sales it went Ace, Paul, Gene Peter. Unless you ask Gene then the sales went, Gene, Ace, Paul Peter.
Which is kind of funny when you consider that Paul's record is the one that sounds like an actual KISS release.
The only hit record off of any of those solo albums was "New York Groove" off Ace's album.
According to Gene, it went Gene, Gene, Gene, Gene
Ace!!
Destroyer was devastating for it's day. Just crushed everything else at the time.
Im not suprised. He needs a good team not trash. He amazing man. Talent is unbelievable. X
Some nice tricks of the trade near the end about recording. Slowing down a track and doubling the guitar, wild stuff.
:36 Paul says he didn't know what was intrinsically wrong with they way the first 3 albums sounded (in comparison to KISS Alive!). That's easy - "studio" Peter was just making sure to keep as perfect time as he could, a few small drum fills here and there..."live" Peter was ALL over the kit! And with intensity...he smashed the shit out of the drums! "Studio" Paul spoke the vocals softly, trying to get things perfect..."live" Paul screamed out the vocals, adrenaline flowing and with the vocal power that a rock star should sing at..."studio" Ace made sure to hit each note carefully, and making sure to keep the amp clean sounding enough to be "acceptable..."live" Ace ripped on the guitar, with the amps cranked and the power tubes hot and cooking - giving that mean rock tone! Listen to "C'mon And Love me" studio version and live version...they are both here on YT. What is the difference between the two? Just what I mentioned. THAT'S why KISS Alive! was loved more by the masses than the preceding studio albums.
megamania501 everyone always said they were “A Live band”
Thomas Jefferson Correct. Watch the Eddie Kramer interviews about it. Massive reworking in the studio. Peter Frampton mentions being in a studio when they were reworking the Alive album. I’m not bashing it - I like it much better than the first three but it’s not a true live album not mAny are. I think The Stones Get Yer Ya Yas Out, Deep Purple Made In Japan, Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous are pretty much live
Ezrin was a genius
"Destroyer" was certainly a different album from what came before it. I liked their previous albums because they were raw, and this one took a little longer to get used to. But it grew on me. But "Unmasked" was a different story. I actually liked "The Elder" better. But "Destroyer" is now considered a classic and rightfully so.
Kiss dont stop.all great composers studied great composers
I think Bob made Gene and Paul work more for Ace, is when they sound great. You can see it in their solo albums .
Only Ace album was the most rocker one.
I still think after loving Destroyer for 35 years,Bob Ezrin was good for the band...They were very,very,very good.But Bob made them best.So it~s all about hard work!Love all and band.Juha
We loved Ace Space and Peter the Cat as kids. It was a wonderful illusion- why not keep it that way?
Whatever did/didn't happen there, I'll still take KISS's debut album (lyrics notwithstanding) any day over Destroyer. So the notion that they couldn't write a song seems unfounded to me. That isn't to say I don't like Destroyer - but prefer the more raw, stripped down songs, sound and feel...period.
Henry Richards... None better than Hotter than Hell..
I love it myself!
Their debut had many of their classics that are still in their set and still sound good after all these years.
They could write
The first 3 albums have many hidden gems...many.
I wish I would've never started listening to Paul reading from his book. I can barely stand him now.
Here's the Bob Ezrin side of the story concerning Destroyer. He really praises Peter and Ace in it. And gives Peter the Credit for bringing in Beth. Paul and Gene had nothing to do with the production of it like that have claimed so many times. This might explain why Paul refuses to talk to Bob Ezrin these days.ruclips.net/video/v_qKNBKGu_w/видео.html
Wow, I've been listening to Paul trash Ace and mostly Peter pretty badly on this audio book. He seems to be a very bitter millionaire 😕
Destroyer is cool.I just listened to it again the other night.I like that mysterious track after do you love me.That I got to know why kinda thing.Yeah Destroyer is cool.
I think the lyrics in Beth speak volumes. Me and the boys are playing, and we just can't find the sound.
Ace is one of the coolest rockers on earth and Peter is up there too. No matter what amount of shit Paul or anyone else says that won't change.
ACE AND PETER GOT SCREWED PLAIN AND SIMPLE GREED HAD A PART IN THEM LEAVING ACE AND PETER DIDNT GET FIRED THATS A BULL SHIT STORY ,PETER AND ACE QUIT DUE TO GENE AND PAULS GREED !! FACT !!!
This Is not Paul Stanley's voice,It sounds a lot like him but It's not.
I think you'll find, it most definitely is. I can't understand why you would believe otherwise...except to troll, maybe?
DAVE FULFORD you’re a damn fool
DAVE FULFORD Paul isn't lying if u watch interviews of ace and Peter that are recent they kinda hint at them doing the exact behaviors Paul's describes as in a recent interview ace talks about him not remembering if his solo was in a album since he skipped a recording session and he talks about only finding out when the album came out that it wasn't him
Ah, i remember this picture! My other favourite band - the Sweet - had the very same picture taken of them on Harleys for their autograph cards 😅 i thought: do they have the same management ?
Super stars ✨...........!!!!!!!!! Wow 🤩.............2020...
He compares their image to the Beatles, where everybody contributed. He of all people should know that Ringo did not write or sing well. And was a simple drummer - much like Peter! George Harrison didn't contribute near as much as Lennon/McCartney, much like Ace! Not everybody can write songs. At least Peter had the sense to work with someone else. Seems like he knew what his limitations were.
Stanley bashing Peter Criss once again. You don’t say Paul, you don’t say!
Funny
He constantly shits on Peter. I don't believe a word Paul says about him. Such a horrible musician that had to be taught his parts by Bob Ezrin, yeah right. He did pretty damn good before Bob came around, then all of a sudden he needs help. Sure Paul, I'm not buying what you're selling.
The first albums sounded the best, raw, rowdy, real shit! Hell the demos probably sounded the best.
Aces solo was better than the rest but Paul is my favorite vocalist and front man of Kiss
Bob was amazing. First time I heard the song "Shout It Out Loud" on the radio, I thought the tone of the guitars sounded like the Alice Cooper Band's sound. At that time, I didn't know Bob was at the helm.
To me,kiss was the real thing,great songs,and great memories.they know their instruments.thank you to Peter Chris as well,to me Eric Carr was the better drummer.
Ace and Peter brought the party. Paul and Gene tried to piss on it
With alcohol and drugs while ditching working on an album. Okay
Must really get on Stanley's goat that Peter Criss spearheaded one of Kiss' biggest tracks.
Enjoyed the stuff about Bob Ezrin