KISS frontman Paul Stanley was recently interviewed on Dan Rather’s The Big Interview on AXS TV, and he discussed the epidemic and drug and suicide related deaths that have plagued rock and roll and taken the lives of many including late Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley, late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland, late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, and late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.
Stanley said about himself, “I had what’s called a microtia, which is basically not having an ear … I wasn’t very socially adept, and when you have something physical that sets you apart from people, it makes you the target of unrelenting scrutiny and sometimes ridicule.
At that point in your life when you become famous it’s either a disappointment because it’s not a remedy, and you either put a needle in your arm, a gun in your mouth or you live life as a victim, and I’m not cut out for that.
I was blessed to be a part of an idea to become the band we never saw, and that led me on a course that I’m still on today. Where it’s taking me, God only knows.”
He also said about KISS, “A great partnership is based on understanding its limitations. And perhaps the times where I’ve been disappointed in Gene [Simmons] were times where I really should have said, ‘That’s not something that he excels at.’ So, does he do things that I question? Does he say things that I don’t wanna align myself with? Does he behave in certain ways? Yeah. But that’s not here or there. The core of what we have is a work ethic and a bond that’s built on time. That’s the amazing thing.
“There is no substitute in a relationship for time. When you meet someone, there may be potential, but nothing comes of it without experience, and seeing how each one of you respond to crises, to victories, to defeats. And that’s what Gene and I have been through together.”
KISS’ Gene Simmons discussed Scott Weiland and Layne Staley in a WRIF interview.
“The saddest part of all was that the Tiger Stadium show was originally gonna have Stone Temple Pilots opening up.
“I met [Scott] Weiland at a club and I said to him, ‘Look, you’ve got to be straight, cut it with all the heroin and the crap, respect the fans, get up un stage, do a great show, it’s all yours. We’ll support you, but I want you clean on stage.’
“‘Gene, I promise!’ It’s like with anybody who’s a drug addict and alcoholic. ‘I’ve been clean for a million years’ and stuff. And then he died.
“And I had the same conversation with Layne [Staley] right before they went up on stage. I said, ‘Layne, here they are, the fans, they’re lined up, it’s all yours. Just go out there and do great.’ ‘Gene, I have straightened up.’ And then he died.”
