In 1973, Paul Stanley, along with Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, co-founded the iconic rock band Kiss. Since then, Kiss has risen to become one of the most successful American bands of all time, boasting over 100 million records sold worldwide.
Over the years, Stanley has shared his thoughts on various rock and roll bands, including the legendary Led Zeppelin and their guitarist, Jimmy Page.
Despite Kiss releasing their debut album in 1974, merely five years after Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking first record, Stanley’s encounter with Zeppelin happened before the formation of Kiss. In 1968, he witnessed Led Zeppelin’s live performance in New York City, where the British group was still promoting their self-titled debut album.
In an interview with 89.3 KPCC radio, Stanley described the experience as close to a religious one. He was captivated by the band’s “amazing spiritual marriage of sexuality and music,” considering Led Zeppelin the embodiment of everything rock and roll stood for.
Reflecting on pivotal moments in his life, Stanley emphasized the impact of seeing Led Zeppelin live, stating, “Watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan was one of them, seeing Led Zeppelin at that show was clarifying for me. It was ‘I will never be that good, but that’s what I want to strive for.’”
According to Stanley, Led Zeppelin is the reason many rock bands exist today. In a 2012 interview with Artisan News, he declared, “They wrote the book… They are the reason most bands are here today. Their DNA is in everything that everybody does. They were so innovative and such visionaries.”
Having seen Jimmy Page live for the first time with The Yardbirds, opening for Otis Redding, Stanley recognized the monumental impact of Zeppelin on his life. He described Zeppelin as “god’s work” and highlighted their transformative influence, especially during their peak in 1969.
In 2021, Stanley reaffirmed his admiration for Jimmy Page, emphasizing that Page is in a class by himself, beyond comparison with other guitarists. The two musicians share a friendship, and whenever Kiss tours in England, Stanley and Page meet up.
Paul Stanley’s journey from being an awe-struck spectator at a Led Zeppelin concert to becoming friends with Jimmy Page is a testament to the enduring influence of rock and roll and the interconnectedness of musical legacies.