Paul Stanley not one to KISS off ‘Rock & Brews’ Vacaville investment with 50 eateries planned
By Richard Freedman, Vallejo Times-Herald
For Paul Stanley, it was never sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll during the 40-plus years of prancing on stage in face makeup as one-fourth of the iconic band KISS. Well, not entirely.
“For me it was ‘You keep the drugs, I’ll keep the rest,’” Stanley said.
Beer? A whole different ballgame, especially when it comes to investing. Beer and food, actually. And music. Which is why Stanley and KISS colleague Gene Simmons took the plunge into “Rock & Brews” in 2012.
Six years later, there are 20-plus locations of the “rock-inspired restaurant” with 50 on the drawing board, and a Tuesday ribbon-cutting in Vacaville with Stanley and dignitaries appearing at the Vacaville Commons Shopping Center site.
“Conceptually, it made so much sense,” Stanley said of the investment.
It’s far more than merely lending his familiar name and face to a product, Stanley said.
“Unless I’m excited and can be hands-on, I have no desire to be part of anything,” he said. “I don’t want something (negative) run with my name and then have to explain or tap dance around something that isn’t done properly.”
Financially, it was worth the risk, added Stanley, obviously comfortable from not only all that is KISS, but his guitar art design business and paintings which have flourished. There’s also his successful six-month run in the lead role of “Phantom of the Opera” in Toronto and a best selling 2014 autobiography, “Face the Music: A Life Exposed.”
“Thankfully, my rent is paid,” Stanley said.
Fresh off art exhibits in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Fla., the guitarist and entrepreneur took about 25 minutes to chat about his passions Monday afternoon that including promoting U.S. troops. A contributor to the Wounded Warriors Project, Stanley joins 200 local veterans and active military and the “Operation: Care and Comfort” color guard presentation at the Vacaville “Rock & Brews” ribbon cutting.
“I believe that patriotism is always cool. Loving your country is always cool,” Stanley said. “Our country isn’t always perfect, but it’s the best one on Earth. I’m proud of our history and our track record and I’m humbled by the military.”
First item on the agenda next Tuesday is thanking the troops, Stanley said.
“I love meeting local people who have sacrificed and who sometimes have gotten the short end of the stick,” he said.
Stanley said he’s always supported those in the armed forces and patriotism. One of Stanley’s paintings, “American Flag: New Glory,” was purchased by a collector at the Boca Raton exhibit. And during the 2009 “Sonic Boom Tour” with KISS, Stanley would lead the audience in The Pledge of Allegiance.
“Here we are with these incredible men and women who volunteer to go into harm’s was and protect this country,” he said. “ Whether or not you agree with foreign policy, the fact is, these people risk life and limb. Freedom is only free for people who don’t have to pay the price.”
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