KISS
Biography
Kiss, an American rock band, was formed in New York City in 1973. The original and most well-known lineup consisted of Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Peter Criss (drums and vocals). The band is famous for its members' face paint and dramatic stage outfits, which helped them rise to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s with their spectacular live performances. These shows often included fire breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, and pyrotechnics.
Early Years and Rise to Prominence
Kiss traces its roots to a band called Wicked Lester, led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. After that band failed to achieve success, Simmons and Stanley decided to form a new group with a harder rock sound. They recruited drummer Peter Criss and lead guitarist Ace Frehley in early 1973. The band's name, Kiss, was conceived by Stanley, and Frehley designed the iconic logo with the "SS" resembling lightning bolts. Each member adopted a unique persona: Stanley was The Starchild, Simmons was The Demon, Frehley was The Spaceman, and Criss was The Catman.
After their first three studio albums had modest sales, the band released the live album Alive! in 1975. This album was a commercial breakthrough, earning the band its first gold record and producing the hit single "Rock and Roll All Nite." Following the success of Alive!, Kiss released Destroyer in 1976, which became one of their best-selling studio albums. By 1977, a Gallup poll named Kiss the most popular band in America.
The "Unmasked" Era and Lineup Changes
By 1982, creative differences led to the departure of both Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. They were replaced by Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent, respectively. In 1983, Kiss made a significant change by appearing without their signature makeup and costumes for the first time on MTV. This marked the beginning of their "unmasked" era. The album released during this period, Lick It Up, was successful and introduced the band to a new generation of fans. The band saw further lineup changes with Bruce Kulick replacing Vinnie Vincent on lead guitar. In 1991, drummer Eric Carr passed away from heart cancer and was replaced by Eric Singer.
Reunion and Farewell Tour
In the mid-1990s, a wave of Kiss nostalgia led to the original lineup reuniting in 1996, complete with their makeup and costumes. The subsequent reunion tour was highly successful. However, Criss and Frehley left the band again by 2002. Tommy Thayer took over lead guitar, and Eric Singer returned on drums, adopting the Spaceman and Catman personas, respectively.
In 2014, the original four members of Kiss were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band embarked on their final tour, the "End of the Road World Tour," in January 2019, which concluded in December 2023. Kiss has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time.
Musical Style and Influence
Kiss's musical style is primarily hard rock and heavy metal, though they have experimented with other genres, including disco on their 1979 album Dynasty, which featured the hit "I Was Made for Lovin' You." Their theatrical live shows, inspired by artists like Alice Cooper, set a new standard for rock performances. They have been cited as a major influence by numerous bands, including Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, and Slipknot.