Paul Stanley Siblings: Getting to Know Julia Eisen
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Paul Stanley, born Stanley Bert Eisen on January 20, 1952, in New York City, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and painter best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the legendary hard rock band KISS.
Raised in a Jewish family in upper Manhattan, he grew up listening to classical music and doo-wop tunes, finding solace in rock ‘n’ roll during a challenging childhood marked by a congenital condition called microtia, which left him partially deaf in his right ear.
Despite these early hardships, Stanley pursued his passion for music, attending the High School of Music & Art and later forming bands that would lead to his iconic role in KISS.
Beyond music, he has explored painting, authoring a New York Times bestselling memoir titled “Face the Music: A Life Exposed,” and maintaining a private family life in Beverly Hills.
Siblings
Paul is the younger of two children in his family, with an older sister named Julia Eisen, who was born two years before him.
Their relationship has been publicly strained at times, particularly highlighted in 2021 following the death of their father, William Eisen, at the age of 101.
Julia publicly expressed her frustration on social media, accusing Stanley of failing to inform her promptly about their father’s passing and describing him in harsh terms amid longstanding family tensions.
Stanley has addressed family dynamics in his memoir, noting Julia’s struggles with mental health issues throughout her life, which added complexity to their sibling bond.
Career
Stanley’s career began in the late 1960s when he formed the band Wicked Lester with Gene Simmons, though the project dissolved after recording an unreleased album.
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In 1973, they co-founded KISS with drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley, pioneering a theatrical style of hard rock featuring elaborate makeup, costumes, and pyrotechnic-laden live shows that captivated audiences worldwide.
As the band’s primary songwriter and frontman, Stanley penned or co-wrote hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City,” and “Love Gun,” contributing to KISS’s breakthrough with albums such as “Alive!” in 1975 and “Destroyer” in 1976.
Over five decades, he navigated the band through lineup changes, genre shifts including a disco-influenced phase, and a makeup-free era in the 1980s, while releasing solo albums like his self-titled 1978 effort and “Live to Win” in 2006.
Outside of music, Stanley expanded into acting, starring as the Phantom in a Toronto production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” and pursued visual arts, with his paintings selling for millions since 2005.
Even after KISS retired from touring in 2023, he continues to influence rock through projects like the band’s upcoming Las Vegas residency.
Accolades
In 2006, Stanley was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, honoring his New York roots and impact on the local scene.
Two years later, in 2008, Stanley received the Showman of the Year award at the Classic Rock Awards for his dynamic stage presence.
He was awarded a Classic Gold Telly in 2009 for his concert film “One Live Kiss,” and that same year, he accepted the Sound Partners Lifetime Achievement Award from the House Research Institute for his advocacy related to hearing issues.
In 2010, Gibson.com readers voted him among the top 25 frontmen in rock history.
Culminating his band’s legacy, Stanley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of KISS, alongside original bandmates Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
More recently, in 2025, the original KISS lineup was selected as Kennedy Center Honorees, celebrating their cultural impact and enduring success in American music.