Josh Kiszka
Born
Joshua Michael Kiszka

(1996-04-23) April 23, 1996
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active2012-present
RelativesJake Kiszka (brother)
Sam Kiszka (brother)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
Labels
Member of

Joshua Michael Kiszka is an American musican who is a founding member and lead singer of the American rock band Greta Van Fleet. He is one of the main songwriters of the band and has penned many of the group's songs.[1]

Early life

Joshua Michael Kiszka was born on April 23, 1996, in Frankenmuth, Michigan, alongside his twin brother Jake Kiszka. His father, Kelly Kiszka, worked as a chemist, and his mother, Karen Kiszka, was a science teacher. Early musical influences are cited by Kiszka to have come from his father, who enjoyed playing 70s rock music, as well as folk, world music, and the blues.[2]

During Kiszka's second year of high school, he joined his twin brother as the lead singer of their band, consisting of Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka, as well as Danny Wagner, and they began playing in local street corners and parks. The band played their first concert at Fischer Hall on the January 25, 2013.[3] Early recordings of the band include their self-released version of "Highway Tune", which later became a hit debut single for the band, and the Greta Van Fleet Demo Tapes, which was also self-released in 2015.[4]

Musical influences

Kiszka was raised to have an appreciation of classic rock, soul and blues by his parents. Greta Van Fleet is often compared to Led Zeppelin.[5] Kiszka went on to mention the similarity and influences from Led Zeppelin, saying. Although the band acknowledged the influence, Kiszka criticized the countinued comparisions in a interview in 2021.[6]

Kiszka praised the influence of Elvis Presley, James Brown and Aretha Franklin on his live performances in an interview with Forbes in 2021.[7] Kiszka had this to say in the interview "I always have to go back to the way James Brown or Elvis Presley would have held themselves,” he replied. “Even Aretha Franklin. There’s such a presence to them. And Elvis could just sort of stand there and just be very casual and very cool. And James Brown was so acrobatic. And such a showman."[7][8][9]

In terms of live performances, Kiszka and bandmate Sam Kiszka also have praised Florence and the Machine’s shows. “And we’ve kind of run into them a couple of times,” he revealed. “Sharing some stages over some touring years in and out. We’ve watched their show a few times, it’s a really great rock ‘n’ roll band, great rock ‘n’ roll concert performance."[8]

Kizska is reported to have a vocal range of 4 octaves, spanning from A2-C#6.[10]

Personal life

Kiszka revealed in June 2023 via an Instagram post that he has been in a same sex relationship since 2015.[11] Kiszka revealed his nervousness of the announcement during an interview with Rolling Stone. He is quoted as saying: "I was really concerned. I felt like, ‘Well, I’m going to have a target on my back.' You really feel that way, which is unfortunate, but it’s true."[12]

Discography

Main article: Greta Van Fleet discography

References

  1. ↑ Cirisano, Tatiana (2017-11-10). "Chartbreaker: Greta Van Fleet on Led Zeppelin's Influence and 'Living In the Resurgence of Rock'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  2. ↑ Greta Van Fleet's Jake Kiszka on their childhood upbringing and the renaissance of guitar rock, retrieved 2023-12-14
  3. ↑ "Greta Van Fleet Setlist at Fischer Hall, Frankenmuth". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  4. ↑ "Greta Van Fleet Demo Tapes". Discogs.
  5. ↑ "Greta Van Fleet respond to Led Zeppelin comparisons, "Let's move on"". Alternative Press. January 19, 2019. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Josh Kizska talks about the influences from Led Zeppelin". YouTube.
  7. 1 2 Trzcinski, Matthew (2023-09-22). "How Elvis Presley Inspired Greta Van Fleet's Josh Kiszka". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  8. 1 2 "How Elvis Presley Inspired Greta Van Fleet's Josh Kiszka". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  9. ↑ Baltin, Steve. "Sunday Conversation: Greta Van Fleet On Pissing People Off, The Politicians They Want To Do Acid With And More". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  10. ↑ "Josh Kiszka | The Range Planet". therangeplanet.proboards.com. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  11. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2023-06-21). "Greta Van Fleet Singer Josh Kiszka Comes Out as Member of LGBTQ Community: 'It's Imperative That I Speak My Truth'". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  12. ↑ Hudak, Joseph (2023-08-15). "Greta Van Fleet's Singer Worried He'd 'Have a Target on My Back' When He Came Out. Instead, Rock Fans Rallied". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
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