KISS Image credit: BUILDseriesNYC
THE GENESIS of KISS BAND :
KISS was an Iconic American rock band formed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in New York City around 1973.
KISS Band was popularly known for their Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Music, face painting, unique costumes, and props. They also became famous for their unique style like performing with smoking guitars, fire breathing, levitating drum kits, and blood spitting.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE BAND :
The Kiss band members were based on comic-style characters
- Paul Stanley as the Starchild.
- Gene Simmons as the Demon.
- Ace Frehley as the Spaceman/Space Ace.
- And Peter Criss as the Catman.
KEY MEMBERS AND THEIR ROLES :
Kiss started with 4 members in 1973 – Paul Stanley as a vocals and rhythm guitarist, Gene Simmons as a vocals and bass guitarist, Ace Frehley as a lead guitarist and vocals & Peter Criss as a drummer and vocals. The band members changed several times in 40 years with only Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons being permanent members.
However, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley left the band due to creative and personal differences in 1980 and 1982 respectively. They were replaced by Eric Carr as the Fox and Vinnie Vincent as the Ankh Warrior.
The final band members during their last performance were Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer
THE EARLY YEARS: FROM WICKED LESTER TO KISS :
Wicked Lester earlier known as Rainbow (changed Rainbow name due to a name conflict with another band) was formed by Gene Klein and Paul Stanly in the 1970s in New York City. Most importantly they got a deal from EPIC Records which got canceled later, ending in the band falling apart in 1972 leading to the birth of KISS in 1973.
BAND’S EARLY STRUGGLES & THE TRANSFORMATION FROM WICKED LESTER TO KISS :
Wicked Lester got into trouble after musical gear got stolen only after two performances. They got help from Electric Lady Studios (who co-produced them later) to record some demos. Despite their best efforts, they failed to sell the tapes.
Gene Klein and Paul Stanly decided to form Kiss due to a lack of success and creative differences among other members.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ICONIC MAKEUP AND COSTUMES :
Kiss was famous for their iconic makeup and costumes based on comic characters.
Likewise, they were famous for their unique performance style called shock rock (Heavy rock/metal music with shock value like grabbing the attention of the viewer by fake blood spitting, and fire breathing on stage). They used fire guitars, levitating drums, smoke bombs and pyrotechnics.
KISS’S RISE TO STARDOM :
Kiss became an Instant success in their 1st live performance and became one of the most successful rock bands & a pop culture phenomenon in America during the 1970s. The ‘Alive’ became so successful that they even saved Casablanca from bankruptcy.
They even made it into a comic book in 1977 appearing in ‘Howard the Duck’ published by Marvel Comics.
In 1983, their Music aired on MTV regularly helped them to gain new generation fans. They partnered with several studios and record label companies.
Kiss made the decision to abandon their trademark makeup and costumes and appear without makeup in public with an album ‘Lick It Up’ in 1983. However, during the tour, Vincent did not get along with Simmons & Stanley, and he left the band.
In 1995, they joined the long line of musicians to perform on MTV Unplugged.
In 1999, KISS was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
ALBUM RELEASES :
They released a series of Platinum albums in 1985’s Asylum, 1987’s Crazy Nights, and in the 1988 greatest hits compilation Smashes, Thrashes & Hits.
In 1989 they ended the decade with the release of the album Hot in the Shade.
the band released the album Revenge in 1992.
In September 1998, the reunited group issued the album Psycho Circus.
In 2009, they released a new studio album, titled Sonic Boom.
The band started the European leg of the ‘Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour’. In the same year, Kiss started ‘The Hottest Show on Earth Tour’ in the United States 2010.
A documentary was aired on the band titled Biography: “Kisstory” in 2021.
AWARDS & TOUR ACROSS THE WORLD :
In February 2002, Kiss performed during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
During 2006, Simmons, Stanley, and Criss were inaugural inductees into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
In 2007, a new comic book series named after the band titled Kiss 4K: Legends Never Die was released.
During 2012, They started playing venues in the US & Canada and visiting cities they had not played in some time. During this time, they released an album Monster.
In 2014, Kiss was inducted into ‘Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’. Also in September 2015, the RIAA announced that the band had earned more Gold records (a total of 30 Gold album awards)
The Kiss announced that it would be ending its career with the ‘End of the Road’ multiple times but, on the other hand, continued to perform shows from 2016-2023.
They appeared again as a special guest on America’s Got Talent on February 17, 2020
Kiss performed an exclusive New Year’s Eve 2020 livestream show at The Royal Beach at Atlantis the Palm, Dubai which broke two Guinness World Records. or the highest flame projection in a music concert and another for the most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert.
In the 2022 edition of the Kiss Kruise from October to November 2022, which was their final time performing on the cruise.
In 2023 they performed pre-game entertainment at the 2023 AFL Grand Final in front of more than 100,000 spectators in the stadium.
Kiss performed their final show with digital avatar at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 2 2023.
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