KISS’s Jewish Mother Passes Away

Image by Getty Images

By Michael Kaminer October 9, 2012

Not many refugees from Nazi Germany get memorialized on sites like UltimateClassicRock.com. But Eva Eisen, who passed away recently at 88, was the mother of Paul Stanley, vocalist and founding member of rock behemoth KISS.

In a statement on his web site, Stanley credited his mother for his love of music. “My mother found so much pleasure and fulfillment in all the various types of music that she loved so. It was through her that I, too, found that same passion. She lived long enough to see, enjoy and love an extended family that included her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She found numerous ways to contribute to her community and was appreciated and loved by those who knew her. My mom was the matriarch of our family and words cannot express our loss.”

According a Newsday obituary, Eisen was born in Berlin in 1923. Fleeing the Nazi uprising, she lived in Amsterdam before moving to New York City in 1939. Eisen met her husband, William Eisen, and settled in Port Washington, NY; she was a longtime member at the Port Jewish Center, where she also served as office manager.

KISS bandmates — including Chaim Witz, aka Gene Simmons — posted their own statement. “From the earliest days of Kiss until recently, Eva was always seen by fans at New York-area shows. We send our deepest sympathies to Paul and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

And former KISS star Ace Frehley sent his own condolences online. “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Stanley’s mother Eva. She always had a smile on her face at the Kiss shows she attended in New York and was always very gracious to me and my family when we’d meet backstage before and after concerts… My deepest sympathy goes out to Paul and his family. God bless.”

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