KISSNATION SEX SYMBOL, BILLY MAY, BARES ALL - KISSNATION: READY TO ROCK AND ROLL ALL NITE AT EMBER MUSIC HALL IN RICHMOND, VA at Ember Music Hall

KISSNATION SEX SYMBOL, BILLY MAY, BARES ALL

Interview by Lisa Gandia

YOU WANTED THE BEST! YOU GOT THE BEST!

THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD!

KISSNATION!

KISSNATION is Ready to “Rock and Roll All Nite” in Richmond! Watch KISSNATION's Paul Stanley (Billy May) strut his stuff on Saturday, June 8, 2024 when KISSNATION Headlines Ember Music Hall! Get your concert tickets at www.EmberMusicHall.com 

Embodying KISS sex symbol, Paul Stanley, is a tall order to fill, and KISSNATION’s Billy May delivers like the Rockstar he is. Strutting on stage at a towering 6’7” in platform boots, bare chested, and dressed in Spandex pants, Billy’s fans can’t get enough of him, and they keep coming back for more. As he aims his Ibanez guitar “Love Gun” at the screaming female front row audience, Billy portrays the famed rock icon adored by fans world-wide. He’s got it down to the pucker.

Get up close and personal with KISSNATION’s Star Child, Billy May, as he bares all...

Billy May has a reputation for being an authentic world-touring look-alike, sound-alike Paul Stanley tribute artist. When he first started singing and writing his own songs, people often said he sounded like Paul Stanley. Billy's ultimate epiphany moment hit when he got a phone call requesting him to play the role of Paul Stanley in NYC's #1 world-touring KISS tribute band, KISSNATION. Billy gladly accepted the offer, and the rest is as they say, KISStory. 

According to May, playing the role of Paul Stanley comes naturally to him...

Lisa: Tell me about your rockstar persona…do the costume and makeup enable you to get into character?

Although the costume and makeup evoke a sense of Rockstar empowerment--from the rhinestone jacket and spandex pants--to the blood red lips and iconic face painted star, May confidently said, "I can get into character as Paul Stanley just as easily without the makeup or costume."

Lisa: Thousands of fans follow you on social media. When you post a photo or video of yourself performing as Paul, what are the reactions you get from fans?

May humbly replied, "As much as I appreciate the positive feedback, I don’t really think about it. It’s kind that people take the time to say something complimentary, but the last thing I would want is for them to think that it’s gone to my head.”

Lisa: How did KISS impact who you were growing up and who you are today? 

Billy: I was practically raised by KISS. I don’t recall a time before I was a KISS fan. I think their impact on me has been profound in a positive way. KISS has an ideology based upon believing in yourself, and I think that’s a great message to put out there. 

In addition to portraying Paul Stanley in KISSNATION, Billy May is also an original singer-songwriter in his band BILLY MAY: UNMASKED & UNPLUGGED. KISS was the first band that inspired him to become a musician…

“Paul Stanley was especially influential to me. It was him in particular that made me want to become a singer-songwriter," said May. 

Lisa: Do any of your original songs have a KISS influence? What other bands inspired your music? 

Billy: Yeah, I think you can often hear their influence on my songwriting. That’s one of the reasons I started doing more acoustic ballads. I wanted to get away from sounding too much like KISS especially because of my voice. My musical tastes are pretty much based in British Invasion bands from the 60s and arena rock of the 70s. I like the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Queen, Rod Stewart…. you know, that kind of stuff mostly. I like a lot of the hard rock bands that came a little later like Van Halen, AC/DC, and Motley Crue too. 

Lisa: The music landscape is constantly evolving. Do you think today’s generation of millennials appreciate KISS as much as you did when you were their age?

Billy: I think KISS has enjoyed a lucrative career for 50 years now. Obviously, everything changes and develops over time, but KISS is a pretty resilient band. I think the type of show they do is easy to translate into something that has become multi-generational. 

Lisa: What are your top three favorite KISS studio albums and why?

Billy: That’s hard to say. I suppose it all depends on my mood. Destroyer is probably their best album overall. Paul Stanley’s solo album is criminally underrated. That’s always a favorite of mine. Hotter than Hell has a lot of really great tracks on it. I know you said studio albums, but Alive is probably my favorite album of all time. 

Lisa: Do you collect KISS memorabilia? What is your favorite piece that you own? 

Billy: I have accumulated a massive amount of KISS memorabilia over the years. I don’t really think of myself as an active collector, but whenever I see something I like, I buy it. Some of my favorite items are the Bally KISS Pinball Machine, the Mego dolls, and the first promotional poster. 

Lisa: Did you attend KISS’s final concert at MSG? In one word, describe that experience. 

Billy: Yeah, I actually caught both of the final Madison Square Garden shows and the third to last show right before those too. In one word… Awesome! 

Although KISS has retired from the tour scene, KISSNATION continues to bring THE BEST authentic-looking and sounding KISS tribute show to renowned concert venues world-wide. Visit www.KISSNATION.com for upcoming show info and follow them on Facebook at KISSNATIONNYC. For KISSNATION Booking & Media Inquiries, contact the band’s Exclusive Agent Lisa Gandia at CelebrityEventsRock@gmail.com.

"There's only ONE NATION...that's KISSNATION!"

-Paul Stanley of KISS, 1996 MTV Awards

KISSNATION is one of the world's most renowned KISS tribute bands. Born and bred on the same NYC streets as KISS, KISSNATION has been on the tribute scene for over 15 years and shares the same fiery passion to put on the greatest Rock and Roll show possible. KISSNATION is the perfect band for live concerts, fundraisers, film, TV extras, interviews, private parties, conventions, and Official KISS related promotional events. Off the stage, KISSNATION has worked with the KISS camp on many projects, including appearances for KISS toy lines and promotions, such as the KISS Box Set, Gene Simmons' autobiography, Tongue magazine, as well as working closely with Silvertone guitars in promoting their Paul Stanley guitar line. VH1 filmed a documentary on the band titled Mock Rock in which the VH1 cameras followed the band in and out of the KISS world, leading up to the band playing a show for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Doc McGhee. How does KISSNATION DIFFER from other KISS tribute bands? KISSNATION says, “We appreciate the fact that there are plenty of KISS tribute acts, so we choose to separate ourselves by performing songs, not only from KLASSIC 70's KISS, but also, KISS music of the 80's, 90's and 2000's. We perform any KISS song of any era from the ‘Make-up’ or ‘Non Make-up’ years. You want just ANY group that wears make-up with glittery costumes? Call the other tribute bands. You want a band born of the same Blood, Sweat, Energy, and Angst as KISS? Then see KISSNATION! It's NOT just the make-up. It's the SOUL. This is our very own way of celebrating the band we love with KISS fans all over…who, like us...are one big KISSNATION.” 

What: KISSNATION

Where: Ember Music Hall, 309 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219

When: Saturday, June 8, 2024. Doors open 7 PM. Show starts 7 PM. ALL AGES SHOW.

$25 Advanced General Admission Standing Room Only. $35 Day of Show. $45 VIP Reserved Seating.

To buy tickets, visit www.EmberMusicHall.com and for inquiries, call Ember Music Hall at (804) 404-2327, or email info@EmberMusicHall.com. Food available for purchase. Full-service bar.