
Iconic '80s lead singer who was born without an ear looks unrecognizable in rare outing... can you guess who?
The rocker, now 73, kept it low-key in a casual polo shirt and faded jeans, a far cry from the wild makeup and outlandish costumes he once wore as the face of KISS.
The icon, who, alongside Gene Simmons, co-founded the groundbreaking band in the 1970s, was spotted flashing a giant smile while picking up a to-go order from Starbucks — a much more subdued moment compared to his onstage antics, which famously included sticking out his tongue and smashing guitars.
Longtime followers, however, quickly recognized his signature black, flowing hair — which he has previously admitted he keeps lengthy to cover a congenital deformity.
'I pursued fame as a way to compensate for a lot of insecurities,' he revealed in 2019. 'I was born deaf on my right side and I had a birth defect. I had what's called microtia, which is basically not having an ear — just a crumpled mass of cartilage.'
Can you guess the famous rocker?
If you said Paul Stanley, you're absolutely right!
When KISS burst onto the scene in the 1970s, they weren't just another rock band—they were a spectacle.
Their theatrical makeup and larger-than-life personas set them apart from the era's other glam and hard rock acts.
'At the same time that we were forming in New York, there was a very big glitter scene, where boys were basically acting like girls and putting on makeup,' Simmons recalled in a 1996 interview with Porkchops & Applesauce, per Far Out.
'Well, we were more like football players — all of us were over 6 feet tall — and it just wasn't convincing!'
Instead of following the glam trend, KISS carved out their own lane, using face paint to create striking, otherworldly alter egos.
Simmons became The Demon, Stanley transformed into Starchild, Ace Frehley took on the role of Spaceman, and Peter Criss embodied Catman.
The formula was a resounding success: Across four decades and 44 albums, KISS shattered records, selling over 100 million copies worldwide and etching their name into rock history.
Their legacy reached an official milestone in 2014 when they earned a coveted spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
But their signature style wasn't always polished.
'The very first pictures we took when the band first got together, we looked like drag queens,' Simmons admitted. 'But we knew we wanted to get outlandish.'
'Getting up onstage was almost a holy place for us, like church, so being onstage looking like a bum wasn't my idea of respect,' Simmons explained.
'That's where the makeup and dressing up came in. It would have obviously been a lot easier to get up onstage in jeans and t-shirts and go, 'Okay, here we are — we're the Ramones!' And that would have been just as valid, but it would not have been honest.'
The band's signature looks weren't meticulously planned—they were born from instinct.
'I just remember being in a loft in downtown New York and looking in the mirror and just starting to draw,' Simmons recalled. 'It was very stream-of-consciousness. What you see is really what just happened... Nobody else was involved.'
While the makeup became their signature, KISS stunned the world in 1983 by appearing in an MTV interview completely unmasked.
'To me, it doesn't feel all that different because I've seen these guys more often without makeup than I have with makeup,' Stanley said at the time.
'Everybody hated it,' Simmons later admitted, according to Yahoo. 'People didn't want the paint to come off, but you know what? Tough. It had to happen.'
Their grand return to makeup and full costume came on February 28, 1996, when the original four members made a surprise appearance at the Grammys—fully decked out for the first time in 17 years.
Despite decades of speculation about who first introduced the idea of the makeup, Simmons recently reflected on the band's evolution in a June 2024 appearance on Steve-O's Wild Ride! podcast.
'Nobody who was ever in KISS can ever lay claim to saying, "I've got a brilliant idea, everybody should put on makeup. Let's wear more makeup and higher heels than your mommy ever did." Nobody did, it just happened,' Simmons explained.
Stanley shares Sarah with his wife Erin Sutton, whom he married in 2005, and together they also have two younger children, 13-year-old Emily and 18-year-old Colin.
He is also father to Evan Stanley, 30, from his previous marriage to actress Pamela Bowen.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Travis Kelce unveils slick new haircut at Chiefs training camp as he ditches long locks ahead of new season
Travis Kelce has freshened up his look while in training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs after ditching his long locks for a fade. The 35-year-old, who is getting ready for his 13th season in the NFL, was sporting a slick new haircut when he emerged for practice with his teammates on Sunday. Kelce is back in football mode after enjoying some downtime in the offseason with girlfriend Taylor Swift, who he will not see for the next three weeks while in camp. Earlier this week he finally went Instagram official with Swift after posting her on his account for the very first time as part of an offseason photo dump. The superstar couple look smitten in a number of the pictures, which show them posing together in a warm setting, clowning around in the snow, skating on an ice rink and out with friends. One of the pictures even sparked engagement rumors after eagle-eyed Swifties spotted that Travis has an image of him and Taylor as the lock screen on his phone. In a photo that shows them out for dinner together, Kelce's phone is lying on the table with his loved-up screensaver clearly visible. And Swift's die-hard legion of fans pointed out how their beloved singer appeared to be holding both hands up to the camera with a ring on her finger. Yet according to TMZ , the pop megastar is actually wearing Kelce's three Super Bowl rings in the picture he saved as his phone background. Unfortunately for Swifties, it is believed that Travis has not yet popped the question to Taylor just yet. After his offseason adventures with Swift, Kelce was back on the practice field on Tuesday as the Chiefs began their preparations for the new NFL season. Up until August 13, the team will be based at Missouri Western State University in St Joseph - around an hour north Arrowhead Stadium. There, Kelce and the other 89 players on the roster will stay in dorms on campus for the duration of camp. That means three weeks without seeing their partners and families. For Travis, that means three weeks without seeing his girlfriend. Kelce and Swift enjoyed a more low-key offseason together than last year, with the pair only making a handful of public appearances since the Chiefs' Super Bowl defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in February. The most noteworthy of the lot came when Taylor made a surprise cameo at her man's 'Tight End University' event in Nashville last month, where she took to the stage and performed her famous 'Shake It Off' song.


The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
I've splashed £1million to get the world's smallest waist -all my organs moved around because of it but I'm not done yet
A WOMAN has revealed that she has spent over £1 million trying to get the world's smallest waist. Aleira Avendano, 33 has spent two decades cinching her waist down to just 18 inches, 16 inches smaller than the average British woman's. 2 2 The Florida-based yoga instructor has achieved her tiny waist by wearing a corset, and is determined to beat the current record held by 86-year-old Cathie Jung, whose waist is just 15 inches. Aleira's controversial methods have caused her internal organs to "shift and adjust" to new spots. However, despite the dangers, Aleira, who is originally from Venezuela, isn't ready to quit. "I find it challenging when it comes to buying clothes, as nothing fits," she told NeedToKnow. "My sizes are unique, and I have naturally wide hips." "I have to have clothes custom-made for me. It's been a major investment – enhancements, treatments and healthy food. "A huge commitment. Honestly, my body should be insured." As well as spending £1 million on her waist whittling mission, Aleira has also spent £471,000 on cosmetic surgeries, including seven boob jobs, four nose jobs and veneers. Aleira previously claimed that all woman "should have plastic surgery to be truly beautiful." And despite the health risks, Aleira has encouraged others to try and get a waist like hers. The 45-second trick to get a snatched waist that Love Island star swears by At the start of her waist cinching journey, Aleira wore a corset six hours a day, but she has now ramped this up to 23 hours. Wearing a corset comes with a myriad of issues, such as breathing difficulties, organ compression and muscle atrophy. The model has now launched her own brand of shapewear, to help people achieve her "one of a kind look". "My shapewear line will change many lives" she said. What are the dangers of wearing corsets? Wearing corsets, a fashion practice that dates back centuries, can pose significant medical risks despite their aesthetic appeal. One of the primary concerns is the potential for internal organ damage. Corsets, especially when tightly laced, can compress the ribs and exert pressure on internal organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines. This compression can lead to displacement and deformation of these organs, potentially causing digestive issues, reduced lung capacity, and impaired circulation. Breathing difficulties are another serious risk associated with corset use. The constriction of the rib cage can limit the expansion of the lungs, leading to shallow breathing and decreased oxygen intake. Over time, this can result in respiratory problems and reduced stamina. In extreme cases, prolonged use of tightly laced corsets can lead to conditions like atelectasis, where parts of the lungs collapse due to inadequate ventilation. Additionally, corsets can affect the musculoskeletal system. The constant pressure and altered posture imposed by a corset can weaken core muscles, leading to muscle atrophy and decreased strength. This can result in long-term back pain and poor posture once the corset is removed. There is also a risk of nerve compression, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and in severe cases, nerve damage. While modern corsets are often designed to be less restrictive than their historical counterparts, the potential health risks remain. It is essential for individuals to be aware of these risks and to use corsets sparingly and with caution. Consulting with medical professionals before incorporating corsets into regular wear can help mitigate some of these risks and ensure that any adverse effects are promptly addressed. "It's a gentle product with incredible results, created by me and inspired by the story of my own body." Aleria added: "I don't miss my old figure at all. "People react in different ways. "Some follow me, some feel nervous, and others admire me or see my body as something crazy." She added that men "can't get enough" of her "exotic" figure.


Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Chrishell Stause weds G-Flip for the FOURTH TIME during Medieval ceremony atop LA 'castle'
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause and partner G-Flip renewed their vows, yet again, during their fourth annual wedding ceremony held atop a castle in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Medieval-themed nuptials appeared to be held at the 3,800-square-foot, five-bedroom Mulholland Castle, which can be rented for $18K/month - according to Zillow. Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton Instastoried snaps of the Kentucky-born 44-year-old wearing her off-the-shoulder corseted bridal gown and the Australian 31-year-old dressed in a regal red prince costume. 'By royal decree, we request the honor of your noble presence to witness the wedding ceremony of Lord Flipo & Lady Stause,' the bride and groom's invite read. 'Lord Flipo & Lady Stause bid thee join in revelry and royal delight. Medieval, renaissance, regal, and festive attire encouraged. RSVP with haste!' 'Lady Stause' even dyed her own vow scroll with a tea bag and crafted her own bouquet. Chrishell (born Terrina) and G Flip (born Georgia Flipo) secretly tied the knot in Las Vegas, NV in July 2022 without obtaining a marriage license before renewing their vows in Palm Springs, CA in July 2023. Stause and the non-binary rocker - who uses they/them pronouns - renewed their vows for a third time in Melbourne, Australia in July 2024. 'We promised we're going to [renew our vows] every year,' the Daytime Emmy nominee explained to E! News in 2023. 'But just every year, something around the same time, spontaneous, fun, get everybody together and every single year, just celebrate.' On social media, Instagram users were less than thrilled about the couple's attention-getting wedding obsession including @jessicazamprognoo_ who commented: 'Why Chrishell? Why?' Instagram user @bighag007 simply wrote: 'Cringey.' 'In need of attention and trying to be relevant,' Instagram user @cjmrip noted. 'Imagine cosplaying at your own wedding,' Instagram user @blondambitionoo7 wrote. 'Didn't Adrianne Curry already do this?' 'Lady Stause' even dyed her own vow scroll with a tea bag and crafted her own bouquet Instagram user @vittoriac4 commented: 'Oh Chriselle, Chriselle, Chriselle.' 'Performative nonsense,' Instagram user @ruchami955 scoffed. The inseparable pair were dating other people - The Oppenheim Group president Jason Oppenheim and The Bachelorette Australia #7 Brooke Blurton - when the met at a Halloween party in 2021, but they didn't start dating until five months later. G Flip then enlisted Chrishell to be the sultry vixen in their music video for Get Me Outta Here video in 2022. 'I adore you and cherish every second in your presence,' the Disco Cowgirl singer gushed on Instagram last week. 'You're my best friend and the most beautiful partner and wife I could ever dream of. I hope you have a beautiful birthday today and every day my angel - you're a hot lil muffin that lights up the world. You're wusband.' The inseparable pair were dating other people - The Oppenheim Group president Jason Oppenheim (L) and The Bachelorette Australia #7 Brooke Blurton (R) - when the met at a Halloween party in 2021, but they didn't start dating until five months later The Disco Cowgirl singer gushed on Instagram last week: 'I adore you and cherish every second in your presence. You're my best friend and the most beautiful partner and wife I could ever dream of' On June 19, Stause revealed she was 'back on the IVF hell train' and warned it might be her 'last attempt' before they explore 'other alternatives' for children. The Traitors #3 contestant was previously married to This Is Us alum Justin Hartley, but their bitter divorce was finalized in 2021 after nearly two years of wedded bliss. Chrishell has been hard at work filming the ninth season of Adam DiVello's reality show Selling Sunset as well as the fourth season of spin-off Selling the OC, which premieres October 29 on Netflix. G Flip is next scheduled to perform at Montréal Pride on August 8 at 5pm, which will be held on the TD Canada stage in Quebec's Olympic Park Esplanade. On September 5, the Big Ol' Hammer singer will release their third studio album Dream Ride.