Back in December 2023, KISS capped off more than a half century of electrifying live performances with a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Although it marked the end of the band’s run, founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley’s friendship isn’t going anywhere. The two have led the band since its 1973 inception, and Stanley has previously said he considers Simmons’ kids like his own. And apparently, Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons are not only continuing their dads’ bond, but their musical legacy, as well.
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“One Song Turned Into 10” For Sons of Kiss Founders
Both Evan and Nick seem to have inherited their fathers’ musical genes. Evan Stanley, 30, fronts his own rock outfit, Amber Wild, which opened for KISS on the final leg of their End of the Road farewell tour. And Nick Simmons, 36, made a guest appearance on “Hand of the King,” off former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick’s 2010 solo effort BK3. Previously, he also sang on “Carnival of Souls,” from his dad’s 2004 album A–hole.
[RELATED: KISS Legend Gene Simmons Extends Tour Dates for Solo Band]
Now, the two seem to have joined forces. A Feb. 21 Instagram post shows them posing for a picture, with the caption, “One song turned into 10 real quick.”
Their next post showed the pair performing an unnamed original song with guitarist Jacob Bunton, which Paul Stanley grandly declared “magic.” Nick’s younger sister, Sophie, also chimed in. “WE WANT THE ALBUM,” commented the 32-year-old model. (Nick and Sophie are Gene Simmons’ children with his wife, Canadian model and actress Shannon Tweed.)
Perhaps one Instagram user said it best with this comment. “Not sure you guys can fight fate and destiny,” they wrote. “You should do something together, I can seem just from this photo, you can’t deny the magic and chemistry.”
Paul Stanley Didn’t Like Gene Simmons At First
While Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are now the best of friends, there was a time when the KISS co-founders weren’t quite so chummy.
“Look, when I met Gene, I didn’t like Gene,” the 73-year-old frontman told Howie Mandel in 2022.
During their first meeting, Stanley says, Simmons expressed surprise to learn that the rhythm guitarist also wrote songs. “[He] thought Lennon and McCartney and Gene were like the only three people writing songs,” Stanley said. And he played a song for me, which is long forgotten, but my song wound up on our first album.”
Despite their initial tension, Stanley said he eventually realized “that this wasn’t about that, it was about [that] I was better with him than without him.”
Featured image by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic
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