Gene Simmons is known for making solid business plans, following through with them, and expanding his band KISS’ legacy since the day they were formed. Each move he has made has been for making money and ensuring KISS has been still around even after they come off the stage someday. It seems like the bassist enjoys giving career advice also to the people around him, as Stories’ Richie Ranno revealed during an interview with Guitar World.
“While I was with Stories, we met KISS on the road. We stayed in the same hotel in L.A. with them for about ten days, and we all hung out. KISS was recording ‘Hotter than Hell,’ and we were playing the Whiskey and then doing ‘American Bandstand,’” said Ranno about meeting KISS for the first time.
While hanging out, they got along, so Ranno invited them backstage. He told the next part of the story, “So, yeah, we were hanging around with Ace, Peter, Paul, Gene, and Bill were there, too. We got along so well that I put them on the guestlist at the Whisky, and they came down and hung out with us.”
The musician continued, “At one point, I had all four guys standing around me backstage, and I had a little amp sitting there. I started playing one KISS song after another, and all four loved it and sang along.” This was when Ranno caught Gene’s ears with his music. Having played in a pop/rock band with a number 1 hit in the two years of their existence, Ranno seemed like a proper spot for other bands for Gene.
Richie added, “Then, after we were finished, Gene came up to me and said, ‘Hey, you play great. I think you should quit Stories. You’re a great hard rock guitar player. Bill is looking for a second band, and I am sure he could find a spot for you.’” However, Ranno didn’t follow Simmons’ advice because he believed in the future of the Stories. He shared, “I said, ‘Well, that’s very nice, but I don’t think I’m gonna quit a group with a number one record.’ But then, when Stories split up, that all changed.”
Stories existed as a band for only two years, but they had an impact with their cover of ‘Brother Louie’ by Hot Chocolate. They released three albums in two years and while the first two albums, ‘Stories’ and ‘About Us,’ charted, the final album, ‘Traveling Underground,’ did not. Shortly after, the band disbanded, and they all ventured off in different directions.
