Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley is aware of the rumors surrounding Paul Stanley using backing vocals and recently shared his thoughts on the matter in a new interview with Sonic Perspectives. During the interview, the ex-Kiss rocker didn’t hold back from expressing his opinions about his former bandmate, and he also addressed the circulating rumors:
“Paul Stanley has a great voice, true, but I don’t think in the 70s he thought about the longevity of the band because he used to sing songs that were at the peak of his range. They sounded great and Paul was a great frontman.”
Referring to Stanley’s vocal incident as ‘unfortunate,’ he continued:
“He is only six months younger than me. I know he had an operation in 2009 for [his throat], and from what I understand, it wasn’t successful. It’s unfortunate because it’s his bread and butter and then the whole thing went on over the last several years about Kiss using backup tracks, it’s unfortunate.”
Stanley’s Vocal Problems And Surgery
Stanley faced difficult times as a result of the challenging nature of Kiss’ performances. He underwent two hip replacement surgeries and, in 2011, had an operation to address recurring vocal cord issues. The doctors said to Stanley that he would have a swift and complete recovery. While the surgery was successful and Stanley returned to the stage, fans observed a change in his voice, with some expressing concerns that he had lost his vocal strength.
Does Stanley Really Use Backing Tracks?
There have been ongoing rumors about Kiss possibly using backing tracks, and in June 2022, a video surfaced showing Stanley stepping away from the microphone briefly during a performance in Antwerp, Belgium. Meanwhile, his vocals continued to play through the PA system.
After the video went viral among the fans and critics, Kiss manager Doc McGhee responded to the claims that suggested Stanley was lip-syncing during live performances. McGhee reassured fans that the Starchild does sing at the band’s concerts, although backing tracks are used to ‘enhance’ the overall live experience.
You can watch the interview below.
