I asked some of my friends and fellow KISS fans to give me their imput on our beloved Starchild in any form they wanted to. Here's what some had to say...
A Love Letter to Paul Stanley from the Dynasty Damsell
Dear Paul:
I wanted to take a second, and tell you how much you and your career with KISS has meant to me. You have played an important role in my life, and your music is very significant to whom I have become.
I remember in the 2nd grade, a boy brought in his brother's KISS album for show and tell...it was the Destroyer album. The teacher allowed him to play it...but soon the principal caught wind and quickly came to shut it off with threats of "firing" the teacher....i remember thinking, "something that bad...has got to be good."
Fast forward to 1987...a friend of mine had a KISS tape; I remember hearing it and thinking "they rock!" I immediately went out to buy it...and played it until it wore out. (I replaced it 4 times). It was my favorite, and today still is my favorite cd..though I have fallen in love with all the KISS original work....that cd will always remain a fave.
I remember I was at a girlfriend's house, and we were watching MTV. (I didn't have MTV; I still believe it was a form of child abuse..:)) They were getting ready to show a "new KISS video", and as I sat there, I was excited to actually see my hero singing in a video, but what happened next made such an impact...I was blown away.
My mouth dropped open as I watched you sing "Forever". I actually started getting tears in my eyes. Such a beautiful song, from such a beautiful man. A chill went through me, and I believe at that moment, was when I felt instantly drawn to you, your singing, your voice, and your eyes. I would not really call it LOVE, because I don't really know you, just your on stage persona. But if there is a word that means the same deep-hearted feeling as love (at a distance), that is how I feel for you.
As my life went on, I had always kept a piece of you and KISS with me. I always would stop and read the articles, listen to the music, stay connected in one way or another. I was never an "ARMY" member...or a "groupie"- just your average female who never passed up a chance to listen or gaze upon Paul Stanley.
This last year was my 1st KISS concert ever. I saw you twice at two different venues. That was the pivotal point in my "KISSworship". THE SHOW WAS AMAZING!! I had always herd rumors of KISS shows, like legends told, or stories past on from one generation to the next...I had heard about GENE, his blood and fire; I had herd about ACE, his fireworks; and even PETE, his rising drum stage. Never, never, had anyone mentioned you. I guess they figured I knew about your fantastic stage persona, how you give your all, the "STARCHILD EXTRODINAIRE". I guess they thought I knew, so I was never told. So when I saw you prefom, it was unreal. When I saw you PAUL, when I saw you dancing, singing, the flying on the ring, the guitar smashing, your awesome body ...you suprised me. YOU shocked me, you blew my mind. And all the feelings from my past, all the times when I had no one or who I did have was hurting me, the feelings of thinking "KISS understands", "Paul is here for me" (even if its just on a tape in my head phones), came back, and again I felt a chill.
I thought no other KISS show can compare. Then I saw you again, the 2nd of the two. I had great seats, and I was there at your feet as you sang "LOVE GUN". I had made a shirt...it said "Who died and made You PAUL STANLEY". You looked right at me and mouthed the words "thank you". I will never forget that moment. It is one of my favorite memories in my life.
Now that the Farewell Tour is closing, I want you to know that I have never known a more awesome role model, performer. You are by far one of the most talented people in the world. Your music has given me strength, hope, passion. You have given me inspiration, joy, and appreciation for not only rock and roll music, but for opera. Without the presence of Paul Stanley in my life through music, I would not be the strong willed pain-in-the-ass that I am. So thank you Paul, from the depth of my soul...thank you and may I wish you all the luck in whatever you do, from being a father & husband, to performing on stage.
Love Always,
DynastyDamsell
From Gina Vlaminck (ace_frehley1975@hotmail.com)
I love Paul because I think that I am just like him. I have always craved the spotlight. I am a ham. I love being in pics, etc. So, I am kind of like him in a sense. Besides that, I think the man is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Always have.
From "MAC"
I first discovered KISS in 1975 the way many other fans did through "Rock and Roll All Nite." Over the next three years, I would also take note of tunes such as "Beth" and "Calling Dr. Love" as well. However, I would not be totally affected by KISS until the fall of 1978.
It was my seventh grade year, and many of my friends and classmates were really turned on to KISS. Hype for the solo albums was everywhere. It was then that my closest friend since kindergarten, Paula, introduced me to the Catman, the Spaceman, the Demon, and ultimately, the Starchild. I was quickly drafted into the KISS Army. It would be a few months before I would acquire my first albums, but Paula made me tapes to hold me over.
Fast forward to June 1979. It had turned out to be a rough school year due to family financial difficulties, and my grades had suffered for it. However, I worked very hard during the entire last quarter to raise my grades from C's, D's and F's up to C's and B's. My efforts did not go unrewarded. My Aunt Mary Ann, who I was named after, bought me the last two solo albums I needed to complete the set (Gene's and Paul's), and the just released Dynasty. It was total heaven. As always, whenever I received a new album, I always examined it thoroughly note by note and cover to credits. I studied Paul's cover as I listened to his album and instantly became lost in his deep brown soulful eyes. This was the moment I realized I was becoming a woman. I listened to the songs intently. The melodies were beautiful, the lyrics were intriguing as my sexual curiosity was just beginning, the musicianship was excellent, but Paul's voice was awesome. That strong, manly yet gentle, and melodic voice swept me away, first as a singer, and second as a man. My first teenage crush on a rock star. That crush has lasted all these years.
Like many KISS fans from the 70s, my interest waned in the 80s, but I never lost total interest. I kept tabs on what they were doing. Since cable was not available in my area of the country, I stayed up late to watch Friday Night Videos in the fall of 1983 when they premiered "Lick It Up" just so I could see if Paul really looked like I thought he would, and yes, he did. During the mid 80s as I entered college and lived the college party life, I didn't keep close tabs on the band, however, I still played the old albums on occasion, and whenever I caught a tidbit of news, my ears perked up.
By the end of the decade, I was married. Shortly after my wedding, the Hot in the Shade album was released with "Forever" being the single. As soon as I heard it, I wished it had been released sooner. It would have been the perfect wedding song for us. After all, many qualities that I saw in Paul over the years through songs and interviews were qualities I thought my perfect mate should have. So why not a KISS song sung by Paul?
I officially rejoined the KISS army in full force in 1992 with the release of Revenge. Local rock radio hyped it and deservedly so. It reminded me of what KISS was about for me the fist time—the music. "Every Time I Look at You" quickly became a very significant song for me. It reminds me very much of my husband and myself. Gee, the similarities shined through again.
As an adult, many of my favorite KISS songs, most of them Paul's, have taken on new meanings. I now fully understand the sexual references and find them highly erotic. I understand the love references more so and have related them to my life. Paul's solo album has certainly stayed with me throughout all of these years. The album has taken on an extra special meaning in my marriage. Quite a few of the songs speak to my husband and I as a couple.
I guess what I'm really trying to say here is THANK YOU, PAUL. You have affected my life in so many positive ways through the good times and the bad. You rock, baby!
If you would like for me to add your thoughts on Paul here, email me at txstarchild2@aol.com. Please include what personal info you would like me to include (i.e. your full name, initials, email address, etc.).
