KISS icon Paul Stanley recently opened up regarding the importance of songwriting and made a heartfelt appeal to his fans during an appearance on the Track Star podcast.
Stanley talked about him and Gene Simmons being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He reflected on the craft of songwriting and what the recognition means to him.
“Songwriters Hall of Fame. It’s amazing, you know, because again, you can have lasers and smoke bombs and everything else, but you’ve got to have a song, you know, without a song, you’ve got nothing,” Stanley said.
He went on to highlight that songwriting is a skill that requires dedication and intentional effort. It is not something that comes automatically.
“Anybody can write a song. There’s enough of that out there. But it doesn’t make you a songwriter. That’s a craft you work at. And it’s something that we emulated. And to be embraced by your contemporaries and by your peers and by the people who are up there, it’s humbling,” he continued.
Stanley then moved to a more personal and emotional note. He urged fans and peers not to wait until he is gone to express their appreciation.
“But I say at this point in my life, if you love me, let me know now. Don’t put in my no. Don’t put in my obituary. Don’t put it in a eulogy. Let me know. Come on. You love me. Let me hear it,” he said.
The 2026 induction marks the first time the two KISS founders have been honored specifically for their songwriting. This distinction sets the recognition apart from the band’s previous accolades.
