Kiss frontman Paul Stanley played a big role in Desmond Child’s life, according to Child’s words in the latest episode of the Shout It Out Loudcast. While discussing his new autobiography, ‘Livin’ On A Prayer: Big Songs Big Life,’ Child attributed his big break and crafting anthems to Stanley. As it appears, it was the bassist who played a big role in connecting Child with a rock icon, later whom he had the chance to work with. Child said of Stanley:
“I just owe him everything because he was also generous enough to share my number with Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi was one of the acts opening for Kiss on tour in Europe, and they made friends, and Paul said, ‘You know what? This band needs a hit.’ And so he said, ‘Hey, why don’t you guys try writing with Desmond Child?'”
While Child planned to work with Jon Bon Jovi, Kiss thought he would do something else in the name of the band:
“Unbeknownst to me – except for like, recently – that they wrote with me not to write for Bon Jovi, but because they thought that I could get them a ‘pop cut’ and bring money to the band, to keep funding their touring and all of that.”
Stanley ‘Taught’ Child How To Write Studio Anthems
Throughout the ’80s and into the ’90s, Desmond Child stood out as one of the top rock songwriters for hire. He co-wrote hits for names like Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, and more. His first co-writing experience started with Kiss’ ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ in 1979.
Following this, he continued co-penning Kiss hits such as ‘Heaven’s on Fire,’ ‘Reason to Live,’ and ‘Hide Your Heart,’ most of which were, in his words, with the help of Stanley. Prior to the conversation about Bon Jovi, Child credited Stanley for not only helping him to reach out to Jon Bon Jovi, but also teaching him how to write ‘Kiss-like’ hits:
“I always say that Paul Stanley taught me how to write stadium anthems ‘the Kiss way.’ And there are rules. The protagonist – the lead singer – his story, he can never be the victim. He will always be the winner. And so the music has to uplift with that – at all times. And when the choruses hit, you just want to just rise up and put your fist in the air, right? So, when I went to co-write with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora… and of course later with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and with Alice Cooper and Joan Jett, I brought all of that know-how that Paul Stanley gave me.”
You can listen to the latest episode of the podcast below.
