Artist: PAUL STANLEY [KISS]
Album: LIVE TO WIN (CD)

Year: 2006
Media type: CD

KISS frontman Paul Stanley's self-titled 1978 solo album was famously released simultaneously in a piece of historic marketing clad in similarly themed artwork alongside parallel efforts from his three band comrades GENE SIMMONS, ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS. Out of the quartet, the record was was probably the album closest resembling the KISS mothership. Having commenced the project with Jeff Glixman acting as producer, Stanley's record naturally boasted numerous guest appearances. Involved would be guitarist Bob Kulick and his future BALANCE band mates Peppy Castro and Doug Katsaros, VANILLA FUDGE drummer CARMINE APPICE, at that juncture in the employ of ROD STEWART, ALICE COOPER drummer Craig Krampf, PIPER drummer Richie Fontana and vocals courtesy of the girls from DESMOND CHILD AND ROUGE.

Stanley made an unusual move, by KISS standards, undertaking a solo tour of North American clubs during 1989. For this jaunt he constructed a band unit comprising Kulick, BALANCE and SPEEDWAY BOULEVARD bassist Dennis St. James, keyboard player Gary Corbett and the BLACK SABBATH and LITA FORD credited drummer Eric Singer. The band performed a mixture of KISS material and songs from the 'Paul Stanley' album which, aside from 'Move On', previously aired on KISS' 1979 'Dynasty' tour, had never been played live before. Singer would subsequently be tapped by KISS to replace the late Eric Carr.

Stanley, working with Swedish hit songwriter Andreas Carlsson of DEF LEPPARD and BON JOVI repute, revealed plans for a new solo album staged for 2004 release. Recordings would be cut in longtime KISS associate and ex-BALANCE and MEAT LOAF guitarist Bob Kulick's recording studio in Los Angeles. In early 2005 Stanley guested on new recordings for Classic Rockers MONTROSE. He would also find time to collaborate on the song-writing front with Boston based Pop Rockers THE CLICK FIVE on the track 'Angel To You (Devil To Me)' included on their debut album 'Greetings From Imrie House'.

Stanley's solo album was still waiting in the wings into 2006 although in June he finally revealed that 'Live To Win' was to be released through Universal Music in September. Former MARILYN MANSON guitarist JOHN 5 contributed guest guitar to the track 'Where Angels Dare'. Stanley assembled a live band to undertake US solo shows throughout October and November. For these concerts Stanley's backing band comprised the entire cast of the 'Rock Star' television show house band in guitarists Jim McGorman and Rafael Moreira, bass player Sasha Krivstov, the WHITESNAKE associated keyboard player Paul Mirkovich and drummer Nate Morton. Main support for these concerts came from New York's SLUNT. Stanley's first show of the tour, on October 21st at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia included both well known and obscure KISS numbers 'Magic Touch', 'Got To Choose', 'Hide Your Heart', 'Do You Love Me', 'Strutter', 'Love Gun', 'I Still Love You', 'Million To One', 'Lick It Up' and 'Detroit Rock City'. From his 1978 solo debut Stanly performed 'Wouldn't You Like To Know Me' and 'Goodbye'.

'Live To Win' sold just under 17,000 copies in the United States during its first week of sale to land at number 53 on The Billboard album chart.

TRACKLIST:

1. Live To Win
2. Lift
3. Wake Up Screaming
4. Everytime I See You Around
5. Bulletproof
6. All About You
7. Second To None
8. It's Not Me
9. Loving You Without You Now
10. Where Angels Dare