What Love Can Be

The song What Love Can Be by Kingdom Come from their 1988 self-titled debut album is a power ballad that struck a chord with fans, earning significant airplay on US radio and MTV. One piece of trivia comes from a 2018 interview on Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon, where drummer James Kottak shared that the song’s emotional depth and slow, brooding tempo were intentional to contrast the band’s harder-edged tracks like Get It On. He noted that Lenny Wolf’s vocal delivery, often compared to Robert Plant’s, gave the song a raw, heartfelt quality that resonated with listeners. Fans on Reddit’s r/hairmetal community have debated its similarities to Led Zeppelin’s Since I’ve Been Loving You, with some calling it a loving homage and others a derivative work, yet many agree its lush production and soaring guitars make it a standout.

Another story about What Love Can Be ties to its music video, which became an MTV staple. According to a 2018 BraveWords interview, bassist Johnny B. Frank recalled how the video’s dramatic, dimly lit aesthetic was chosen to capture the song’s intense emotion, helping it connect with the MTV audience. The song’s success contributed to the album’s platinum status in the US, Germany, and Canada. Fans in the Kingdom Come Official Fan Group on Facebook often share nostalgic stories of hearing the song on the radio during the late ’80s, with one member recounting how it was their high school prom slow-dance anthem.

Kingdom Come was formed in 1987 in Hamburg, West Germany, by singer Lenny Wolf, born Frank Wöllschlager, after his previous project, Stone Fury, achieved moderate success. Wolf, inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Scorpions, recruited American musicians Danny Stag (guitar), Rick Steier (guitar), Johnny B. Frank (bass), and James Kottak (drums) to create a hard rock sound with a polished, arena-ready edge. Their debut album, released in 1988, was a massive hit, driven by Wolf’s vision to blend slick hooks with heavy metal grit. Despite early comparisons to Led Zeppelin, which earned them the nickname “Kingdom Clone,” Wolf pursued his unique style, leading to tours with major acts like Van Halen and Metallica on the 1988 Monsters of Rock Tour.

The band faced challenges after their second album, In Your Face (1989), when all members except Wolf left due to personal reasons and commercial pressures. Wolf reformed the band with new lineups, releasing albums like Hands of Time (1991) and continuing to tour Europe. By 2018, original members Stag, Steier, and Frank rejoined, with Keith St. John replacing Wolf as vocalist, and the band toured to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut. After Kottak’s death in 2024, Matt Muckle took over as drummer, and Ezekiel “Zeke” Kaplan became the vocalist, keeping the band active.

You can follow Kingdom Come’s official website for updates on tours and releases. Their social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share news and interact with fans. For fan communities, the Kingdom Come Official Fan Group on Facebook is a vibrant space for discussions and memorabilia sharing. Additionally, MelodicRock.com serves as a fan hub with detailed band updates and discography insights.