KISS

KISS is a band I have mixed feelings about. I really like the early albums with Ace, all the way up to Unmasked. I don't like the Crazy Nights era, but those middle to late 80s are some of the best single songs KISS has ever produced. Gene Simmons parading around spitting blood does nothing for me. I always favored Ace for his playing, and felt bad for him being ousted as a core founding member, but again couldn't deny the greatness of those mid 80s songs without him.  The key ingredient in those KISS songs I love is Paul Stanley. His voice, his song writing, there really is no KISS without him. He has quite an amazing life story as well and in the end seems like a really decent and reasonable guy. His interview with Dan Rather shows how humble and grateful he is-- the real spirit of KISS.