Paul Stanley on the Kiss record: “We aimed for an album that fully immerses you in the experience.”
Paul Stanley, a cornerstone of Kiss and integral in all of the band’s 12 studio albums released from 1973 to 2023, recently revealed his all-time favorite record during an appearance on the Broken Record podcast. Despite the difficulty in choosing from the band’s vast discography, Stanley picked one that he felt encapsulated what Kiss truly stood for – Alive!. This live album, released in 1975, marked a significant point in the band’s journey towards worldwide recognition and success.
After two relentless years of hard work, which saw the recruitment of guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, Kiss released three albums that laid the groundwork for their future endeavors. However, it was Alive! that truly transformed the band’s trajectory. Stanley shared that the aim was to create an immersive experience for their fans, capturing the raw energy and unadulterated essence of Kiss in a live setting. Despite the heavy overdubbing and studio manipulations undertaken to polish the final product, Alive! managed to convey the electrifying experience of a Kiss concert, drawing listeners directly into the heart of the band’s performances.
Reflecting on the band’s early albums, Stanley expressed that none of their initial studio efforts quite captured the fierce intensity that Kiss exuded in their live shows. This sentiment was echoed in the 2013 book “Nothin’ To Lose: The Making of KISS (1972-1975)”, where Stanley admitted that there was a disconnect between their recorded music and their explosive live performances. Kiss was renowned for their electrifying stage presence, complete with elaborate pyrotechnics and theatrical elements, which often eclipsed the nuanced aspects of their music.
Over the years, Alive! has solidified its place as one of the greatest live albums in the history of rock and roll, despite debates surrounding its authenticity due to heavy post-production work. While purists may question the integrity of the album, Stanley emphasizes that Alive! effectively captured the essence and atmosphere of a live Kiss concert, resonating with fans around the world. This sentiment underscores the ongoing discourse surrounding classic live albums like Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous and Motörhead’s No Sleep ’til Hammersmith, which similarly utilized recordings from multiple performances to create a cohesive live experience.
In a landscape where live albums are meticulously curated from various sources to craft a seamless presentation, the enduring legacy of albums like Alive! serves as a testament to the power of capturing the raw energy and unbridled passion of a live performance. As Kiss celebrates over 50 years of groundbreaking music and unparalleled showmanship, Alive! stands as a testament to the band’s unwavering dedication to immersing their audience in an unforgettable live experience that transcends the confines of a traditional studio album.