Benny Doro performing as Paul Stanley with Black Diamond in 2005

Black Diamond · Waukesha & Lancaster · 2005

The Last Shows
as Paul

Some of the last times Benny Doro ever walked onto a stage as the Starchild.

The memory

Waukesha, Wisconsin & Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Eventually every show ends.

By 2005, this incredible chapter of my life was coming to an end.

These photographs are from shows in Waukesha, Wisconsin and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, including the pink costume in Lancaster. They come from some of the last times I ever walked onto a stage as Paul Stanley.

I don't look back at that with sadness. I look back at it with gratitude.

For years, I had the privilege of stepping into the boots of one of rock and roll's greatest frontmen. I got to walk onto stages, look out at crowds, hear that music explode behind me and, for a little while, help people experience something they loved.

I took the responsibility seriously because I knew what KISS meant to the people standing in front of us. It meant something to me too.

Eventually every show ends. That's part of what makes getting to play one so special.

I was there. I got to do it. And what an honor it was.

Oral history

Benny’s narration · 1:12

The last shows,
in his own voice.

The original recording is presented in full. The transcript is lightly edited for punctuation and obvious place-name recognition.

Original recording

Waukesha & Lancaster

Recorded by Benny Doro · preserved uncut

Transcript

Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Lancaster.

Well, these were probably the last shows I ever did as the Starchild, Paul Stanley from KISS.

I remember that I flew in for the Waukesha show. I think I was not feeling that well either. I almost tried to cancel it. But my friend Ronnie said, “Pal, you're expected here, and people are waiting for you.” So I put it together and made sure I got there. Flew from New York.

And those are pictures of me in the dressing room before we hit the stage. The ones with the red light, those were in Lancaster, I'm pretty sure, with Carlos Espada. And I think Mini Kiss opened for us.

But those were probably the last shows I ever did as Paul Stanley from KISS, the Starchild. 2005, I believe that was the year. And what a run, what a time, and certainly fun to time travel back to them. Rock and roll.

The photographs

Twenty-two surviving frames