Jimmy Z Dishes on Recording with Bob Ezrin, Gene Simmons and KISS

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Michael Brandvold

Who is Jimmy Z?

There’s a reason legendary blues Diva Etta James calls Jimmy Z her “Hootchie Cootchie Man” and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics calls him “the best harmonica player in the world.” Jimmy attracts attention. He caught the attention of Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, the Eurythmics, Jaguares – all of whom he recorded and toured with. He also caught the attention of Dr. Dre, Eric Burdon, Carol King, Barry White, Ziggy Marley, Yes, Bon Jovi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Slash’s Snakepit, Macy Gray, John Mayer, Pink, Gladys Knight, Les McCann and countless others who sought out Jimmy Z’s blazing harmonica and soulful saxophone to spice up their recordings.

Jimmy recently toured Sweden with Swedish bluesman Slidin’ Slim. Besides playing in traditional venues, Slim also arranged for Jimmy to teach & perform at two music clinics. Here is a video of the clinic on October 25th at the Music Börsen store in Linköping. They were shot by Dave Maakestad.

Here is a video of Jimmy Z discussing recording with the Eurythmics and Rod Stewart and why they were the best. The worst: Gene Simmons on Kiss session. Not really all that bad… just funny.

Jump to the 2:30 mark for the discussion about Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Bob Ezrin.

Visit Jimmy Z online.

Rest Easy and Get Well

Posted on July 29, 2007 by Michael Brandvold

I was at the Soboba show and was proud to see how Gene, along with Tommy and Eric, rose to the top under the challenge of a very difficult situation. Gene, everyone could feel your deep concern for Paul. You did an amazing job leading the show and leading the KISS Army. I enjoyed the show, amd will remember this show above all other shows, but there was clearly a hole on stage. A hole that only someone with Paul’s voice and presence could fill. Paul, do what you need for your health. You have given us all so much that I would hate to see you jeopardize your health for a performance.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Paul and the band.

Rest easy and get well.

Report on the KISStoric Show, July 27

Posted on July 29, 2007 by Michael Brandvold

KISSONLINE.com

By Louis Antonelli, Jim Lunger & Keith Leroux
WIth photos by Hiro Shiga

Last night an extraordinary page was written in KISSTORY. At the Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California, last stop of the band’s 2007 ‘Hit & Run’ mini Tour, KISS performed as a TRIO for the first time ever. Immediately following the band’s sound check, Paul Stanley suddenly fell ill, with what was later determined to be a “cardiac event”.

Once it was determined by emergency medical staff that Paul could not perform, there was talk that the show would need to be canceled. It was Paul himself, who insisted that the band play the show without him. Paul was concerned that fans had traveled long distances and because of the band’s individual schedules the show could not be rescheduled.

KISS Manager Doc McGhee then took the stage to announce to the crowd that Paul was sick and unable to perform but that Gene wanted to speak with the fans. Gene asked the audience if they wanted him, Tommy & Eric to perform. The crowd responded with a defeaning chant of yes, yes, yes. With that, Gene announced that the concert (If they could pull it off), was a tribute to “The Greatest Voice in Rock and Roll – Rock God Paul Stanley”.

With Paul en route to the hospital – Gene,Tommy and Eric played their hearts out in honor of their stricken leader! The set list evolved as the night progressed and KISS blasted their way into the hot night air – valiantly trying to hold it together minus the band’s heart & soul. In an emotionally charged moment, Gene told the crowd that he was an only child, but nevertheless had a brother – Paul Stanley! ‘Christine Sixteen’ brought 11 invited fans onto the stage to help perform the song, and added a bit of lighthearted fun to the pensive night.

The trio went on to perform a full set including classics and rarities – ‘Watchin’ You’, ‘Goin’ Blind’, ‘Nothing to Lose’, ‘Black Diamond’, ‘Cold Gin’, ‘She’, and ‘Parasite’. The sold out arena was filled with dedicated fans who appreciated what a unique night this really was, despite its bittersweet nature, and rocked hard & loud. As the final chords of ‘Rock & Roll All Night’ were struck, and the last jets of flames and confetti shot into the night sky, everyone realized what they had just witnessed was simply great music performed by dedicated, extraordinary musicians who really gave it their all, and then some.

Another thing every KISS fan at the show last night realized – is just how lucky we are that our favorite band, led by the greatest front man in Rock N Roll PAUL STANLEY, cares so much for us fans!

Get well soon Paul – we all love you!

01. Deuce
02. Cold Gin
03. Calling Dr. Love
04. Christine Sixteen
05. Nothin’ to Lose (Eric on vocals)
06. I Love it Loud
07. Goin’ Blind
08. Watchin’ You
09. She
10. Parasite
11. God of Thunder
12. Let Me Go, Rock ‘n Roll
13. Black Diamond (Eric on vocals)
14. Rock and Roll All Night

Paul Stanley Taken to the Hospital

Posted on July 29, 2007 by Michael Brandvold

PAULSTANLEY.com

During sound check yesterday (July 27), my heart spontaneously jumped to 190 plus beats per minute where it stayed for over an hour necessitating paramedics to start an IV and give me a shot to momentarily stop my heart and get it into a normal pattern. Not knowing if this episode was life threatening made it even more exhausting. After consulting with both the paramedics and a cardiologist at Cedar Sinai, they confirmed my worst fear. They said that I would put myself at risk if I tried to do the show.

I’m very proud of Gene, Tommy and Eric for carrying on without me. I apologize to anyone I disappointed and I’ll make it up to you when I see you again.

Paul.

Paul Stanley, The Fillmore – November 13, 2006

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Michael Brandvold

Paul Stanley, The Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
November 13, 2006

I started to write this review by running down the setlist and talking about each song, but then started to think about what was really important to me as fan. With the internet we all know what the setlist was going to be before arriving. So what is important? How much fun it was and how Paul made me feel. The rock and roll experience. Music and rock and roll is about the feelings in your gut, your soul, and your heart. It..s not about technical perfection; it..s not about looking for mistakes. It..s about raising your fist when you are 42 and going YEAHHHHH!

I was lucky to be able to see Paul on his first solo tour back in 1989. I was living in Chicago at the time. When I heard he was touring I had to go. The nearest show was in Detroit, so it was a road trip. I was in awe at that show, basically third row in a club watching Paul Stanley perform a show he wanted to perform, they way he wanted to perform it. Fast forward to 2006. When I got word that Paul was definitely touring to support his second solo album ..Live To Win.. I knew I had to go. This time I didn..t have to travel very far, maybe 20 minutes from my home to the legendary Fillmore.

Paul is definitely the king of the stage. He just started the show by walking up to the microphone and talking to the crowd. No grand entrances, no pyro, no effects.. he didn..t need them, he..s Paul Stanley of KISS. What more of an intro is needed? His command and confidence is so apparent out of makeup. He looked great and moved great out of the makeup and costume. I have to be honest and admit that more than once during the show I wondered what do I need the makeup and costumes for. This felt good, this was new and exciting.

It was great to experience Paul so casually interacting with the audience. Not the choreographed feel of a KISS show. This was just natural; this was a rock show as it is meant to be.. a tight band, great songs, intimate venue and an unlimited supply of energy. Paul was responding to his environment, letting it guide the show. The humor he displayed on stage had me laughing and smiling. Paul made it feel like I was watching him perform in my living room. I have always felt that Paul was the heart and soul of KISS, in 1989 I saw my first proof, and in 2006 he cemented that feeling forever. During this show I got to see the heart and soul of Paul, a musician. A musician who wants to perform and wants to be creative. A musician who truly feeds off of and needs the fans in the audience. This is rock and roll.

It has been amazing to grow up with Paul Stanley and his songs. The first time I heard many of the songs they were just great kick ass songs. But as I have grown older and experienced things in life.. some good and some not so good, those songs took on a whole new meaning and were elevated to a new level. ..A Million to One.. was originally a great heavy tune, but hearing Paul sing it live brought out the lyrics and I found myself standing there getting absorbed into the song because I could relate to it, what a feeling. The song that will always send shivers up my spin is ..I Want You… That was the very first KISS song I heard, on the very first KISS album I bought. The moment that song starts I am taken back 30 years to the exact moment and place I dropped the needle onto side one of ..Rock and Roll Over… At the Fillmore Paul brought me back once again. Damn, what a feeling. That is rock and roll.

If you were hoping for a play by play review, too bad. I am not a musician, I am not a completeist needing every detail. I am a music fan who wants to see a live show by a performer that wants to be on stage, who needs to be creative. I truly hope for all those fans that didn..t have the chance to rock with Paul; that this tour will pick up again in the near future. I for one know I want more Paul Stanley being creative on tour and on album.

God it was so incredibly refreshing to see this show. I remember reading a great quote, ..We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing… Thank you Paul.

P.S. Thanks Paul for requesting that I write this review for PaulStanley.com.