On the Road with KISS: Paul Stanley Guitar Tech Francis Stueber Talks to Gibson.
By Sean McDevitt
Francis Stueber Francis speaks in-depth about the maintenance of guitars for such heavyweights as Paul Stanley and Kevin Cronin.
"If Paul goes out of tune, it's not his fault, it's my fault," says Francis Stueber, referring matter-of-factly to one of his many responsibilities as guitar technician for KISS's Paul Stanley, with whom he's worked closely since 2002. "Usually I change his guitar every four to five songs so he doesn't have to worry about going out of tune. It's pretty straightforward with KISS; Paul only plays one tuning and he plays no more than six guitars. Really the only reason I change guitars is for aesthetics."
Stueber's also worked behind the scenes for Heart, the Offspring, and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin--gigs that have established him as one of the most in-demand guitar techs in the U.S. But it's his work with KISS that's brought him the most recognition. Stueber's relationship with Stanley, which began back in 2002, continues to this day. He's worked on all subsequent tours and one-off shows, on behalf of KISS as well as Stanley's solo efforts. He even took the stage with Gene and Tommy Thayer during the Gene Simmons Family Jewels episode where they performed for the troops, and was on hand when Stanley cut his 2006 solo album Live to Win. And, of course, he maintains Stanley's personal guitar stash, which includes a number of Les Pauls and SGs.
Erikson Consumer, the consumer electronics division of Jam Industries located in Baie D’Urfé, Quebec, and the Hudson Bay Corporation are proud to announce the launch of the much anticipated Paul Stanley Electric guitar and accessories.
Paul Stanley is a legendary American hard rock guitarist and vocalist for the classic rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of most of the band's highest-charting hits, including "Rock and Roll All Nite," "Hard Luck Woman," "I Was Made For Lovin' You," "Crazy Crazy Nights," and "Forever." Paul's persona in Kiss is "The Starchild" and this persona is carried through in the design of the products.
Launches at Hudson Bay Corporation (HBC) Zellers and Home Outfitters stores across Canada will take place on Nov 3rd, 2007. "We were thrilled to work with Paul Stanley on this project and are proud to be able to offer Canadian Kiss fans a little piece of rock n roll history in the form of an autographed, Paul Stanley designed guitar," said Todd Taylor, sales manager for Erikson Consumer.
Limited to only 5000 pieces worldwide, this electric guitar is designed and hand-signed by Paul Stanley of Kiss. The guitar package is sure to become a highly sought after collectors item and comes with a certificate of authenticity, Paul Stanley guitar strap, 3 Paul Stanley guitar picks, and a Paul Stanley collector's poster. The package will retail for $299.99 and is expected to increase exponentially in value.
Here are a couple more "behind the scenes" photos from Paul's visit to FOX TV Atlanta last Friday. Paul was promoting his weekend Wentworth Galleries Art Shows in the Atlanta area.
The Top photo is Paul with FOX TV Staffer (and obvious fan!) and the bottom photo is Paul doing the weather in front of a green screen.
Not only did Paul do a great segment about the art at Wentworth on "Good Day Atlanta" yesterday - but he also did the weather and traffic reports for the station!
Anyone familiar with Paul Stanley's day job with KISS won't be shocked to learn that he's long nurtured an artistic streak. From the band's elaborate costumes and makeup to concert stages and album covers, his visual creativity has played a huge role in the band's long-running success. But that doesn't make Stanley's side gig as an abstract painter any less of a surprise. What started as a means of working through a painful divorce eight years ago has blossomed into a second career for the motivated rocker, who recently talked with The Sunday Paper about his background, his inspiration and the differences between rock crowds and gallery patrons.
Q You were an art major; you graduated from the High School of Music and Art. Was abstract art your focus back then?
A Never. I was much more intent on trying to make everything look as realistic as possible. And what I realized in the last eight years is, I'd much rather connect with something on an emotional level. The beauty of abstract art and expressionist art is … it's less based on an intellectual as opposed to an emotional response. I'd rather have something hit you instinctively. I try to paint emotion.
How have you found the crowds at gallery shows to be different from rock audiences?
Interesting question. There certainly is a certain amount of crossover, but they both stand on their own. I'd have to say there are people buying paintings and other art that have never been to a KISS concert, and vice versa. I think it's great for both. The fact that people will initially come into a gallery and be drawn to some of my work without knowing who did it is very satisfying. And also knowing that some people [will come] who've never been to an art gallery, because I think the intimidation that pretty much is initiated by art critics keeps people away. The art critic would like you to believe your opinion isn't valid because it's not educated like his is. The truth of the matter is that it is valid.
Wentworth Gallery is pleased to present two art exhibitions by artist, rock icon, and legendary KISS frontman, Paul Stanley. He will make two special appearances at the Wentworth Gallery locations in Atlanta, GA.
Paul's Atlanta Wentworth Gallery Appearances:
Friday October 19, 2007 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery -- Phipps Plaza
3500 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
RSVP: 404-233-0903
Saturday October 20, 2007 6-9 PM
Wentworth Gallery -- Perimeter Mall
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
Atlanta, GA 30346
RSVP: 770-913-0641
I was in Venice, Italy, in September and just for the kick of it, I put on the star make up and walked the streets of Venice. Putting on KISS make up guarantees people will look at you!
Best known and recognized as one of the founding members and the lead singer of KISS, Paul Stanley continues to exhibit his diverse artistic talents. In 1999 Stanley spent three months on stage in Toronto as the phantom in the production of Phantom of the Opera and more recently finished his “Live to Win” solo tour. Along with a handful of KISS shows this summer, Stanley has been spending a good bit of his time in front of an easel with brushes and paint. After years of painting his face, Stanley is now putting his paint to canvas. He’s touring the Wentworth Gallery locations showing his art and visits Atlanta October 19-20. He recently spoke with Dave Cohen.
Obviously you followed the musical path that you did with KISS but was there an interest in other art forms at an earlier age?
Well, I’d always done different forms of art and I was fairly gifted as others told me and that’s why I was admitted to the High School of Music and Art as an art major. I think that, you know, KISS is obviously a product of both and KISS allowed me to have an outlet that incorporated both. I got to design stages, I got to design album covers and also to play music but the two also can live very independently of each other.
An Interview with SASHA Krivtsov, PAUL STANLEY's bass player
by Vladimir Ilyin
Posted: October 2, 2007
1. Tell us what you've been doing before working with Paul on Live To Win tour?
I was born in Leningrad. I started my musical education at age 5 playing classical guitar. One day my Mom read an ad in the paper looking for kids to audition for the kids band "Raduga," but by the time we got to the place across the town they had already chosen the guitar player, so they asked me if I wanted to play bass and the rest is history...
After that I got a call from the band "SOUZ" with Igor Romanov from "Zemlyane". That was my first touring gig - I think I was 16 or so... Then my Mom got a call from Vladimir Kisilev of "Zemlyane" and he asked my Mom if she would be OK with it if I joined "Zemlyane." So thats how my professional career started. We did a lot of touring, 9 months out of the year, 4-5 shows a day! 6 days a week! When I tell that to my friends in America, nobody really believes me that was possible.
In 1991 Desmond Child, the famous songwriter/producer, was putting together a joint venture project, and I got offered to leave "Zemlyane" and go to the United States, so I did just that. I stayed and worked in NY for one year, then Desmond project fell apart. At that time Valera Gaina of "Cruise" was about to record a record in Nashville, and he asked if I would be interested in joining him. We had a great time doing the record together, he is an amazing musician! After I was done with that I had the choice to go back home and rejoin "Zemlyane" or [stay in the States] so I went to Los Angeles instead with $200 in my pocket. I slept couple of days on the beach, then my friend Boris Zosimov was visiting LA from Moscow and he helped me out and I stayed with his friends until I got a job and was able to get my own place. After a few months in LA, I started checking out the music scene. I then got into a band with Phil Lewis of "LA Guns." We did the summer tour, it was totally different experience from touring in Russia. Then one night, I think it was around 1:00 am, my phone rang, and the guy's voice said "are you Sasha? This is Duff MacKagan from 'Guns and Roses.'" I thought it was someone joking, so I hung up on him!!! He called again and we talked, and he asked me to play with him on his solo record. I did that for about 3-4 months. After that I toured with a band called "New Radicals." I also recorded and toured with Billy Idol for about two years, Then I got the call to do the TV show Rock Star and I did that for two years. That's how PAUL STANLEY discovered us ("The House Band"), he loved the show, and called us to be his band on his tour. And of course we said YES!!!!
