KISS's Paul Stanley shares first Soul Station single 'O-o-h Child'

He pays tribute to his soul influences

KISS's Paul Stanley
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 15th Jan 2021
Last updated 15th Jan 2021

KISS frontman Paul Stanley will release his debut album with eponymous side-project Paul Stanley’s Soul Station, ‘Now and Then’, on Friday 5th March 2021.

Formed in 2015 for a concert at The Roxy in Hollywood, Paul Stanley’s Soul Station is the KISS singer’s musical homage to the soul and Motown influences of his youth.

Since that debut show, Paul Stanley’s Soul Station have played a handful of concerts in the US and Japan, and now the 15-strong band of seasoned musicians have confirmed details of debut album ‘Now and Then’, featuring nine classic soul songs and five new original tracks.

As a taster for the album’s release this spring, Paul Stanley’s Soul Station have shared their cover of the Five Stairsteps’ 1970 soul song ‘O-o-h Child’.

Listen to Paul Stanley's Soul Station's 'O-o-h Child':

Commenting on his side-project, Paul Stanley said: "Between us doing some great Soul Station shows and starting the album I started to think that neither the band or the music we love should depend only on the past so I started writing with the goal of seamlessly taking songs into the present. From what a lot of people I respect have told me, that mission was accomplished."

Reflecting upon his musical influences, Stanley continued: "Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more. I was lucky to see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others.

“That music and its storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all use."

Paul Stanley's Soul Station - 'Now and Then'

Paul Stanley’s Soul Station also includes Rafael "Hoffa" Moreira (guitar & backing vocals), Sean Hurley (bass), Alex Alessandroni (Musical Director, keyboards), Ely Rise (keyboards), Eric Singer (drums & backing vocals), RayYslas (percussion), Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals), Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet).

The collective also features three string players and two horn players of the same stature enabling Soul Station's wall of sound to be firmly rooted in the past while staking claim to both the present and future.

KISS had planned to officially bow out with a homecoming concert on 17th July 2021 in New York City, however the trek has now been pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Their 2021 dates included a headline slot at Download Festival on Friday 4th June.

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