Sometimes it's kinda funny to notice the tiny cues they give each other; there was apparently some delay getting Gene's fire ready, so Paul - a consummate professional - interacts with the audience at center stage; Gene comes out at 5:00, taps Paul's arm - and then also points his bass stage left like 'Hey get the he// outta the way - I've got a handful of fire over here...'. No matter your opinion of KISS' music - you gotta give it up for their stage show. They set the bar when they first hit the scene in the 1970s, and all these years later it's unreal that they still have the energy to give their all at every single show. The hottest band in the world.
I drove up to Andy's place from Phoenix to Audition for Drums. The thought was for touring as Jimmy Newell had that day gig, and they were about to do the TV Show " Your Big Break ". Andy had a house trailer set up on his Grandfathers ranch. I drove straight thru to get there, setup the next day, played basically the entire set of number. Val Popovic and Jay Harris were also there. Jay actually had Paul Stanley's voice, Andy "WAS" Gene, and Val "WAS" Ace. So were played for several hours, then I tore down and packed up my drums. We then went to Jay' Where he and Andy played video games, We shot the shit about things. I headed back the next day. Never heard the details on why no call back or gigs. Of course then Andy died. I actually have a video somewhere of that audition, but it seems the microphone was damaged during the ride up so it has no sound. I have to dig that out and put it online. I small missing segment of Larger Than Life band history.
That's awesome man!!!! I'd love to see that video. I've yet to hear another who can sound like Paul as Jay does. I'd love to be in a tribute band with him. He's the only black guy I know to have played Paul,and as it stands..I'm the only black guy to play Gene..and he and I both are damn good and know how they moved back in the day. But that's a cool story bro!
I remember it like it was yesterday. We actually played with another drummer as well whose name escapes me until Jimmy Newell came in and played like a monster. He didn't know hardly any KISS material but his attitude and professionalism as well as his personality won me over. I have been an accomplished drummer in my own right and what made the transition easy was Jimmy's cool attitude. We rehearsed the same 10 songs over and over until I said, lets he and I have a practice session alone. One Saturday we set up 2 drumsets in Jimmy's living room and without the band,we were able to jam and because of his good nature,attitude,no ego(and a few shots of tequila!)and just being Jimmy,I was able to show him 22 songs in a day! Not only did this fool learn them note perfect,but the next week when we rehearsed as a band
True, you could've probably done a way better production,but to his credit, Orlando was working with what he had unlike today's technology. It does it for you. That was a wild night. Wasn't it Dave?Best fire breather in my book!By the way,I'm playing Paul..Shout out to Dave Watkins from Jay..Ya crazy basturd!!
hi jay harris. my name is robert. i am a die hard kiss fan. i've been a fan for about 20 plus years. you do the best imitation of paul stanley. what's the name of your kiss tribute band?
What up, man. That was a wild night as was many with this band. I should write a book on the life and times of the only black Paul Stanley. Met so many cool people,played some great shows,was even immortalized on film and TV and met KISS themselves. If you only knew... Well, I do. As they say in Hollywood,"Its all in the editing"and they're not kidding. Coming soon, at a bookstore near you! Thanks for the nice compliments and shout out to any and all KISS fans. Have I got some stories fo yo ass! And some not so nice and some downright sad. All riiight!All you ladies wanna see ya backstage cause',well you know the rest..Good times..Damn good Times..
@@mistahwatkins1 that’s great news like I said in some other comments on your videos you definitely have the best Paul Stanley I’ve seen and I’ve looked at a lot of these current bands the rest of the guys in your band fantastic it seems like all of them have a good gene Simmons singers and look-alikes but the Paul Stanley is always the one that throws it off
Sometimes it's kinda funny to notice the tiny cues they give each other; there was apparently some delay getting Gene's fire ready, so Paul - a consummate professional - interacts with the audience at center stage; Gene comes out at 5:00, taps Paul's arm - and then also points his bass stage left like 'Hey get the he// outta the way - I've got a handful of fire over here...'. No matter your opinion of KISS' music - you gotta give it up for their stage show. They set the bar when they first hit the scene in the 1970s, and all these years later it's unreal that they still have the energy to give their all at every single show. The hottest band in the world.
These cat's are good. Music is spot on, stage show great, same moves and all. Keep it up guys. A lot of work goes into this shit. I like it...
The guy playing paul sounds very close to the real deal!
Second song I have seen from this tribute band, they are awesome so far from what I have seen.
I wish their performance from your big break was somewhere to find
You've done your homework guys.
Great stuff! 🇨🇦👍
Thanks we tried really hard.
I drove up to Andy's place from Phoenix to Audition for Drums. The
thought was for touring as Jimmy Newell had that day gig, and they were
about to do the TV Show " Your Big Break ". Andy had a house trailer set
up on his Grandfathers ranch. I drove straight thru to get there, setup
the next day, played basically the entire set of number. Val Popovic
and Jay Harris were also there. Jay actually had Paul Stanley's voice,
Andy "WAS" Gene, and Val "WAS" Ace. So were played for several hours,
then I tore down and packed up my drums. We then went to Jay' Where he
and Andy played video games, We shot the shit about things. I headed
back the next day. Never heard the details on why no call back or gigs.
Of course then Andy died. I actually have a video somewhere of that
audition, but it seems the microphone was damaged during the ride up so
it has no sound. I have to dig that out and put it online. I small
missing segment of Larger Than Life band history.
That's awesome man!!!! I'd love to see that video. I've yet to hear another who can sound like Paul as Jay does. I'd love to be in a tribute band with him. He's the only black guy I know to have played Paul,and as it stands..I'm the only black guy to play Gene..and he and I both are damn good and know how they moved back in the day. But that's a cool story bro!
@@robertbentley4646 I found the lost tape and digized it - ua-cam.com/video/Wp6W1Ub6dqM/v-deo.html
@@robertbentley4646 Thanks, that would be so cool if you and Jay could get together. I don't know how to get ahold of him though.
I love that kit
I remember it like it was yesterday. We actually played with another drummer as well whose name escapes me until Jimmy Newell came in and played like a monster. He didn't know hardly any KISS material but his attitude and professionalism as well as his personality won me over. I have been an accomplished drummer in my own right and what made the transition easy was Jimmy's cool attitude. We rehearsed the same 10 songs over and over until I said, lets he and I have a practice session alone. One Saturday we set up 2 drumsets in Jimmy's living room and without the band,we were able to jam and because of his good nature,attitude,no ego(and a few shots of tequila!)and just being Jimmy,I was able to show him 22 songs in a day! Not only did this fool learn them note perfect,but the next week when we rehearsed as a band
Awesome
I would love to film them, I have filmed many KISS trib bands and this camera person has no clue how to film.
Thanks for the comment, I'm playing Gene.
Dave
True, you could've probably done a way better production,but to his credit, Orlando was working with what he had unlike today's technology. It does it for you. That was a wild night. Wasn't it Dave?Best fire breather in my book!By the way,I'm playing Paul..Shout out to Dave Watkins from Jay..Ya crazy basturd!!
Is that "Debbie does Dallas"?The outfit looks familiar...
Yeah!
hi jay harris. my name is robert. i am a die hard kiss fan. i've been a fan for about 20 plus years. you do the best imitation of paul stanley. what's the name of your kiss tribute band?
This is Dave (Gene) Watkins. The name of the band is Larger Than Life.
What up, man. That was a wild night as was many with this band. I should write a book on the life and times of the only black Paul Stanley. Met so many cool people,played some great shows,was even immortalized on film and TV and met KISS themselves. If you only knew... Well, I do. As they say in Hollywood,"Its all in the editing"and they're not kidding. Coming soon, at a bookstore near you! Thanks for the nice compliments and shout out to any and all KISS fans. Have I got some stories fo yo ass! And some not so nice and some downright sad. All riiight!All you ladies wanna see ya backstage cause',well you know the rest..Good times..Damn good Times..
@@jayharris5146jay you are the awesomest black KISS starchild ever.
Sad of these guys are really good looks like they’re not around anymore
We're coming back this year!
@@mistahwatkins1 that’s great news like I said in some other comments on your videos you definitely have the best Paul Stanley I’ve seen and I’ve looked at a lot of these current bands the rest of the guys in your band fantastic it seems like all of them have a good gene Simmons singers and look-alikes but the Paul Stanley is always the one that throws it off
@@mistahwatkins1 Have you created a Facebook page?
@@apogeedata Not for the band. SOON. I have one with some killer pics and links to other videos