Ever wonder which guitarist left even the legendary Paul Stanley speechless? It wasn't about lightning-fast solos or flashy techniques. Instead, it was about a player who spoke volumes through his guitar, a musician who understood the true power of the blues. Let's dive into the story of the guitarist who captivated the Starchild himself.
Paul Stanley, the iconic frontman of Kiss, wasn't known for shredding. His strength lay in crafting unforgettable songs and laying down solid rhythms. He understood that being a great guitarist isn't just about speed; it's about the music, the feeling, and the story you tell. He saw himself as a songwriter first and foremost, and he knew that the best players often don't need to be the flashiest.
It's true, being a lead guitarist doesn't automatically make you a musical genius. Even in an era dominated by guitar heroes, not every player could set the world on fire. While there were many respected guitarists, like Rory Gallagher, the audience of Kiss wasn't looking for a simple Van Halen imitation. They wanted songs, and for Stanley, that all went back to the blues.
Kiss drew inspiration from giants like Led Zeppelin and Cream, infusing their music with a raw, guttural energy. Stanley took the showmanship of Jimmy Page and blended it with the rock-solid rhythm of Keith Richards.
But here's where it gets controversial... For anyone willing to dig deeper, the band Free was a key influence. Most people know them for their hit 'All Right Now,' but when Stanley first heard Paul Kossoff play, he experienced something entirely new.
Kossoff's playing was natural and expressive. Stanley recalled the first time he heard Kossoff, saying, "I remember the first time I heard Paul Kossoff because it was extremely meaningful. I was in the car, and I was driving. But when I turned the radio on and heard Paul Kossoff playing on ‘All Right Now’, I had to pull over and catch my breath. His command of chords was deceiving in what appeared he was doing vs. what he was actually doing.”
It's hard to think of a time when Kiss managed to have a song that bluesy, but Stanley’s occasional moments of playing lead have a lot more in common with Kossoff than most people realise. His work on his solo album in the 1970s as well as the times he and Ace Frehley would trade solos back and forth showed him to be far more riff-heavy, and even if he could throw in flashy moments, it was all done in service to the song.
And this is the part most people miss... Even though 'All Right Now' made a huge impact, the closest thing to a Kiss ancestor in Free's catalog is probably 'Fire and Water'. The way Paul Rodgers approached the vocals, with the vocal leaps that he takes, isn't all that dissimilar to those early Kiss albums when Stanley reaches into the stratosphere.
Kossoff's impact was undeniable. While his time on Earth was tragically short, his approach to guitar should be studied by aspiring musicians. He didn't always play the most technically impressive solos, but he knew how to make his guitar talk.
What do you think? Did you know about Paul Kossoff's influence on Paul Stanley? Do you hear it in Kiss's music? Share your thoughts in the comments!
