The iconic members of KISS, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, hold notably different philosophies when it comes to the role of money in their illustrious careers. While Simmons has consistently championed wealth as a source of happiness and life’s essential fuel, Stanley reveals a more intrinsic motivation for his journey in rock and roll.
Gene Simmons has never shied away from expressing his strong belief in financial prosperity. In a 2017 interview with CNBC, he famously declared: “Money absolutely buys happiness” and “Money is the fuel of life. Without money, you’re going nowhere.” His stance has always been direct and unapologetic about the importance of acquiring wealth.
In contrast, Paul Stanley, the band’s “Starchild” and long-time co-leader, recently reflected on his initial inspirations for pursuing a musical path, making it clear that financial gain was not the driving force. Speaking on The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan, Stanley emphasized that KISS‘s success has ensured their well-being, stating (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar): “We learned through mistakes and nobody has to take up a collection for us. Our rent is well paid.” However, he quickly distanced himself from the notion of being “money hungry.” “I’ve always done this, and we’ve always done this, ultimately, truly because of the joy it gives us,” Stanley revealed.
Stanley further elaborated on the experiences that ignited his passion for music. He recalled attending pivotal concerts that shaped his desire to perform and write songs. “I was so fortunate. I grew up in an era that took us into the next era, but I grew up seeing Jimi Hendrix play for a couple of thousand people, Led Zeppelin, The Who, with Buddy Guy opening in ’69, Humble Pie, Derek and the Dominoes, all these bands,” he reminisced. “That’s what I love, and that’s what I wanted to be.”
For Stanley, the dream was never about accumulating riches. “I never started doing this with the intention, ‘I’m going to be a millionaire,'” he asserted, noting that in those early days, the concept of being a millionaire seemed almost mythical. Instead, his ambition was purely performance-driven: “It was about — I want to be that guy, I want to be up there. Yeah, I want to be Steve Marriott. I want to preach. I want to be up there preaching rock and roll.”
With that being said, KISS have revealed a significant evolution for their previously announced “Kiss Army Storms Vegas” event, which will now be known as “Kiss Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas.” This specialized fan experience is set to take place from November 14-16, 2025, at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Among the newly announced activities is a special acoustic KISS “kick-off” set on Friday, November 14th, offering a more intimate show from the band. The event will feature a diverse lineup of musicians and personalities, including former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini performing the music of Ratt, ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, Quiet Riot, Black ‘N Blue, Chris Jericho‘s Kuarantine, and KISS tribute bands Mr. Speed and Kiss Nation. Additionally, School Of Rock, comedian Craig Gass, and DJ Noiz are set to appear, providing a wide range of entertainment.
