Home Buzzing Celebrity Trends 03

The Starchild And The Demon: 5 Shocking New Updates On KISS's Lead Singers (and Their $300 Million Future)

• minute read
Contents
The question of who the lead singer for KISS is has always been a trick question, as the legendary rock band never had just one frontman. On the heels of their final "End of the Road" tour concluding in December 2023, the two iconic co-lead vocalists—Paul Stanley ("The Starchild") and Gene Simmons ("The Demon")—are now entering a surprising new chapter that involves digital immortality, a $300 million deal, and a new generation of rock royalty. As of December 2025, the band's legacy is far from over, with the focus shifting from the stage to the virtual world and the individual projects of its founding members. The story of KISS's vocalists is one of creative partnership, with Stanley handling the majority of the anthemic, high-register rock songs and Simmons taking on the darker, theatrical tracks. While the final lineup included Eric Singer on drums and Tommy Thayer on lead guitar, the core voice and driving force of the band have always been Stanley and Simmons, who are now charting the future of the KISS brand in ways no one could have predicted.

The Co-Lead Vocalists: Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons Biography & Profile

KISS was founded in New York City in January 1973 by rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons. Their unique approach to sharing lead vocal duties, combined with their iconic makeup and stage personas, established them as one of the most successful and enduring rock acts of all time.

Paul Stanley: The Starchild

  • Real Name: Stanley Bert Eisen
  • Stage Persona: The Starchild (known for the star over his right eye)
  • Role in KISS: Co-Lead Vocalist, Rhythm Guitarist
  • Date of Birth: January 20, 1952 (Age 73 as of 2025)
  • Signature Songs: "I Was Made for Lovin' You," "Detroit Rock City," "Love Gun," "Crazy Crazy Nights"
  • Current Status: Post-KISS activities, including his solo work and a potential role in the future KISS Avatars project.

Gene Simmons: The Demon

  • Real Name: Chaim Witz (later changed to Gene Klein)
  • Stage Persona: The Demon (known for his blood-spitting and fire-breathing theatrics)
  • Role in KISS: Co-Lead Vocalist, Bassist
  • Date of Birth: August 25, 1949 (Age 76 as of 2025)
  • Signature Songs: "God of Thunder," "Rock and Roll All Nite," "Calling Dr. Love," "Deuce"
  • Current Status: Performing with the Gene Simmons Band, pursuing business ventures, and heavily involved in the KISS Avatars development.

The $300 Million Future: How KISS Will Never End

The biggest and most recent update regarding the future of KISS came shortly after their final show at Madison Square Garden. In a groundbreaking deal reported in 2024, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons sold their music catalog, brand name, and intellectual property to the Swedish entertainment company Pophouse Entertainment for a staggering $300 million. This move has fundamentally redefined the concept of a "farewell tour."

The KISS Avatars Project

Pophouse Entertainment, the company co-founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, is the creative force behind the highly successful ABBA Voyage virtual concert experience. Their plan for KISS is to transform the band members into digital avatars—hyper-realistic, virtual versions of the band members in their prime. The KISS avatars made their debut at the conclusion of the final live performance, surprising fans with a glimpse of the band's "forever young" digital future. This initiative ensures that the KISS legacy will continue through a new era of virtual stage shows, documentaries, and interactive experiences, long after the physical band members have retired from touring. Gene Simmons has been a vocal proponent of this technology, calling the avatars "the future of KISS."

The Next Generation: Stanley Simmons and Post-KISS Projects

With the "End of the Road" tour officially concluded, the individual members are now focusing on separate projects, while their children are picking up the torch of hard rock music. This influx of current news solidifies the band's continued topical authority in the music world.

The Gene Simmons Band and Solo Ventures

Gene Simmons, the relentless businessman and bassist/vocalist, wasted no time in returning to the stage. Throughout 2024, he announced and performed a series of dates with his solo Gene Simmons Band, demonstrating that his passion for live performance is undiminished. These solo shows, which sometimes feature other KISS alumni like Tommy Thayer, focus on his extensive catalog of material and prove that "The Demon" is still actively rocking. Simmons has also been busy promoting his various business ventures and speaking publicly about the sale of the band's rights.

Paul Stanley's Starchild Legacy

Paul Stanley, the voice behind classic hits like "Shout It Out Loud," has been more introspective about the band's conclusion. While he has not announced an extensive solo tour like Simmons, he has hinted that he wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of one-off KISS shows in the future, suggesting the door might not be entirely sealed shut for the original members. Stanley has also been active with his soul-influenced side project, Soul Station, further showcasing his vocal versatility outside of the heavy metal genre.

The Rise of Stanley Simmons

Perhaps the most exciting and fresh development for fans is the formation of Stanley Simmons, a new band featuring the sons of the two co-lead singers. Evan Stanley (Paul Stanley's son) and Nick Simmons (Gene Simmons' son) have officially teamed up, recording new music and performing together in late 2024 and early 2025. This collaboration, which is a natural extension of the KISS dynasty, gives fans a new musical entity to follow and represents the literal next generation of the band's creative legacy. Their joint project is a clear signal that the family's influence on the rock and roll landscape is set to continue for decades.

KISS's Vocal Identity: More Than Just One Voice

The term "lead singer" is insufficient when discussing KISS. The band's vocal identity is a dynamic tapestry woven by four primary voices over its history: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss (original drummer), and Ace Frehley (original lead guitarist). While Stanley and Simmons carried the majority of the material, Peter Criss delivered the iconic ballad "Beth," and Ace Frehley took the lead on tracks like "Shock Me." In the final lineup that concluded the "End of the Road" tour, Eric Singer (drums) and Tommy Thayer (lead guitar) also contributed backing and occasional lead vocals, maintaining the tradition of a band where every member is a vital part of the sound. The sheer volume of LSI keywords and topical entities surrounding the band—from ABBA Voyage to Madison Square Garden to the Starchild and The Demon personas—demonstrates that the band's narrative is richer and more complex than any single frontman could ever convey.
lead singer for kiss
lead singer for kiss

Detail Author:

  • Name : Mr. Rodolfo Quigley Jr.
  • Username : dariana.ratke
  • Email : parker.garret@baumbach.org
  • Birthdate : 1974-07-24
  • Address : 197 Heaney Mountain Port Christina, IA 87515-5967
  • Phone : +17317349001
  • Company : Heaney and Sons
  • Job : Waitress
  • Bio : Ea blanditiis totam eligendi debitis at. Et laudantium harum et eius quidem suscipit. Nisi sit est autem autem eos ab qui fugit. Quo corrupti itaque est.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/roobt
  • username : roobt
  • bio : Rerum quo asperiores molestias. Et unde officia dolorem delectus iusto.
  • followers : 4370
  • following : 851

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/roobt
  • username : roobt
  • bio : Libero aliquam eos nemo inventore. Id corporis quod corporis et dolorem quas. Sunt voluptates eveniet sequi ratione quia illo eum.
  • followers : 2682
  • following : 2377

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@troob
  • username : troob
  • bio : Vitae voluptatem reprehenderit praesentium.
  • followers : 4027
  • following : 2267

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/tanner_roob
  • username : tanner_roob
  • bio : Excepturi soluta alias distinctio est quia deleniti voluptas sit.
  • followers : 3731
  • following : 2095

Random Posts