Track Star · Research

Testing KISS's Music Knowledge

Today on the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS to talk about rock and roll songwriting, the New York City music scene, and what it really takes to make a song, or a band, truly great.

With a collection of songs spanning American and English rock, punk, Motown, and more, Paul and Gene share their thoughts on how different artists and movements engage with the craft of songwriting and balance the art of the song with the energy of performance and the demand of the public.

Gene and Paul join us today for a crash-course on rock and roll songwriting, emphasizing, as they have throughout their careers, that the most important thing is the song.

This Episode’s Tracklist:
- Intro
- I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
- Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals
- Then She Kissed Me - KISS
- I Can’t Explain - The Who
- Personality Crisis - New York Dolls
- Rock & Roll - The Velvet Underground
- Cum On Feel The Noize - Slade
- Ballroom Blitz - Sweet
- Bang a Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex
- The Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- New York Groove - Ace Frehley

Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa

By Track Star* @track-star-show on YouTube, 22 July 2026

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Video: Track Star* (@track-star-show) on YouTube, posted 22 July 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCf9E-VcPlA
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