The Story Of KISS

Introduction Before KISS was formed, they were known as Wicked Lester.Wicked Lester had more of an emphasis on folk rock.Wicked Lester was disbanded in 1972 and formed the band

KISS in 1973.

KISS Original Lineup The original lineup of KISS consists of:Paul Stanley: vocals, rhythm guitarGene Simmons: vocals, bass guitar Peter Criss: vocals, drumsAce Frehley: vocals, lead guitar This lineup is known as KISS’s most famous

lineup

Paul Stanley

Lead Vocals, rhythm guitarTakes the persona of “The Starchild”Given name: Stanley Harvey Eisen

Stanley’s original makeup design was “The Bandit”

Stanley without makeup

Gene Simmons

Bass guitar, lead vocalsTakes the persona of “The Demon”Given name: Chaim Weitz

Simmons without makeup Simmons

blowing fire

Ace Frehley Lead guitar, vocalsTakes the persona of “Space Ace”Given name: Paul Daniel Frehley

Frehley without makeup

Frehley’s smoking guitar

Peter Criss Drums, vocals Takes the persona of “The Catman”Given name: George Peter John Criscolla

Criss without makeup

1974 – The Beginning

In 1974, KISS released their first two albums. Both albums did not sell well but contained many classic KISS songs including “Strutter”, “Deuce” and “Black Diamond” on KISS, Hotter Than Hell” and “Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll” on Hotter Than Hell.

KISSHotter Than Hell

KISS’s costumes were much simpler because they did not have much money at the time.

Even though their records where not selling very well, KISS created their own loyal following with their innovative live performances with stage theatrics.

1975- From Bottom To Top

In 1975, KISS released two albums, their first, “Dressed to Kill”. This album did not sell very well and KISS could have lost their recording contract.

Dressed To Kill

Alive!

KISS finally hit their big breakthrough with their live album “Alive!” which captured their raw sound from their live performances and was their first record to sell 500,000 copies.

During this time and for the next few years, KISS were thought to be satanic by many people especially adults. They thought KISS meant “Knights In Satan’s Service”.

1976-1977: The Glory YearsDestroyer

In 1976, KISS released their breakthrough album Destroyer. . It did not sell as well as expected until a radio station played the song “Beth” sung by Peter Criss. After that the album sales skyrocketed and Destroyer became KISS’s first album to sell a million copies. It is known as KISS’s best studio album among fans and contains KISS classics like “Detroit Rock City” and “God of Thunder”.

Rock And Roll Over

Also in 1976, KISS released Rock And Roll Over. This album marked the return of the straight forward hard rock that was found on their earlier releases. This album contains KISS classics like “Calling Dr. Love” and “Take Me”.

Love Gun

In 1977, KISS released Love Gun. The album sound is very similar to the straight forward hard rock that was found on their previous album. This album contains KISS classics like “Love Gun” and “Christine Sixteen”.

Alive 2In 1977, KISS released their second live album, Alive 2, which contained live versions of their songs from 1976-1977.

1976-Present: Merchandise

KISS merchandise first appeared in 1976 and have generated more merchandise revenue than any other rock band.

KISS merchandise has included everything from:

Lunchboxes Action FiguresCondoms

Caskets Comic Books Video Games

1978: Solo Albums In 1978, each member of KISS would release a solo album. The solo albums created tensions between the band members because the solo albums

were similar to a contest to see which album would sell the best. This caused each band members growing egos to clash against each other.

Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley’s solo album was the most similar to the sound of KISS.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons’ solo album sound was similar to The Beatles.

Ace Frehley

Ace Frehley’s solo album is the favourite among fans and critics.

Peter Criss

Peter Criss’ solo album is known as the worst among fans and critics.

1978-1980: Changing Times

In 1978, KISS stared in the television movie, KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park. The movie was poorly received by the band because of the idiotic way the movie made them appear.

In 1979, KISS released the album, Dynasty, which contained the disco hit “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”. Drummer, Peter Criss, would only play on one track because of a serious car crash. This would be the last album Peter Criss would play on until the reunion. Drums were played by Anton Fig.

Dynasty

Unmasked

In 1980, KISS released the album, Unmasked. The album’s pop rock sound was not received well by fans and critics. It was their first album not to go platinum (one million records sold) since 1975’s Dressed To Kill. Peter Criss was credited for playing the drums though he had already left the band. Anton Fig played the drums on this album.

The tensions with the band members were very high at this point which is clearly show by this video.

1980-1982: DeclineEric Carr would replace Peter Criss on drums in 1981. Carr drumming was influenced by the style of Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham. He took the persona of “The Fox”.

Eric Carr

Music From The Elder

In 1981, KISS released the concept album, Music From The Elder. The album’s art rock sound was received poorly by fans and critics. KISS thought the album was a bad idea to begin with. The sales of the album were so poor that they did not tour to support the album. This was the last album Ace Frehley would play on until the reunion.

Creatures Of The Night

In 1982, KISS released the album, Creatures Of The Night. The album was KISS’s heaviest to date thanks to Eric Carr’s drumming. The album sales were poor though it is considered one of KISS’s best albums by band members and fans. Even though, Ace Frehley is one the cover, he does not play on the album because he had already left KISS.

Vinnie Vincent

Vinnie Vincent would replace Ace Frehley on guitar. He took the persona of “Egyptian Ankh Warrior”.

1983-1984:KISS UnmasksWith KISS’s decline in popularity, they thought it would be a good time to try something different. In 1983, KISS appeared in public for the first time without makeup for an interview on MTV. This put KISS back into the music spotlight after a few years of obscurity.

In 1983, KISS released the album, Lick It Up. This was KISS first album to go platinum in the U.S. since 1979’s Dynasty. The album sales were boosted by MTV airplay of their music videos. This would be the last album with guitarist, Vinnie Vincent after he was fired because of his behaviour

Lick It UpAnimalize

In 1984, KISS released the album Animalize. The album went platinum in the U.S. thanks in past to MTV airplay of their music videos.

Mark St. JohnMark St. John would replace Vinnie Vincent as guitarist for the Animalize album. It would be his only album with KISS.

1985-1990AsylumIn 1985, KISS released the album, Asylum. The album was the first with guitarist, Bruce Kulick. KISS would start to wear more flashy and colourful clothing because many glam metal bands were doing this successfully and KISS wanted to follow that trend.

Bruce Kulick would join KISS as lead guitarist for the Asylum album. He would stay with KISS until the reunion tour.In 1987, KISS

release album, Crazy Nights. The album sound was similar to the Bon Jovi album, Slippery When Wet and featured keyboards.

Crazy Nights

Bruce Kulick

Hot In The Shade

In 1989, KISS released the album, Hot In The Shade. The album is KISS’s longest studio album clocking in at 58:39. The album contains the hit power ballad “Forever”.

1991-1994Eric Carr

November, 21st, 1991, was a sad day for KISS with the death of drummer Eric Carr. Eric Carr was one of the best drummers of all time and was loved by KISS fans. He was replaced by Eric Singer.

In 1992, KISS would release the album, Revenge. The album is considered one of the best KISS albums ever made among fans and band members. It was the first album with drummer Eric Singer.

Revenge Alive 3

In 1993, KISS would release the live album, Alive 3. The album was the third in the Alive series.

Eric Singer

Eric Singer would become the drummer of KISS after Eric Carr’s death. He would remain with KISS until the reunion but would return later after Peter Criss’s departure.

1995-2001: The ReunionKISS Unplugged

In 1995, KISS performed unplugged on MTV with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. This caused speculation that a reunion could be in the near future.

The Original Lineup of KISS surprised everyone when they appeared together at the 1996 Grammy’s. A few months latter they held a press conference to announce their reunion.

In 1998, KISS released the album Psycho Circus. It was the first album since 1979’s Dynasty to have the original lineup play on the album though Ace Frehley and Peter Criss did not participate in most of the tracks.

Psycho CircusThe 1996-1997, Alive/Worldwide tour was the first tour with all original members since the 1979 Dynasty tour. This tour is KISS’s most successful tour of all time.

Detroit Rock City

In 1999, the movie, Detroit Rock City was released. The movie is about four teenage KISS fans who try to get into a KISS concert. The movie bombed at the box office though it has become a cult classic among KISS fans.

2002-PresentTommy Thayer would replace Ace Frehley as lead guitarist in 2002. He donned Ace Frehley’s “Spaceman” persona.

Tommy ThayerEric Singer

Eric Singer would become KISS’s full time drummer in 2004 replacing Peter Criss. He donned Peter Criss’ “Catman” persona.

Sonic Boom In 2009, KISS released the album, Sonic Boom. It was their first album since 1998’s, Psycho Circus. The album was well received by fans and critics who praised it for being similar to their 1970’s work.

Monster

In 2012, KISS released the album, Monster. The album has received positive reviews from fans and critics.

Gene Simmons: Family Jewels

Gene Simmons: Family Jewels was a reality show that aired on A&E from 2006-2012. The show followed Gene Simmons and his family's life.

KISS Army

The KISS Army is a fan club that was started in 1975. During KISS’s glory years (1975-1978) the KISS Army had about 100,000

members and made $5,000 USD per day. If you enlisted in the KISS Army, you receive KISS merchandise like a

KISS Army key chain for $5.00 a year. KISS Army is also is used as the name for KISS’s fan base. KISS re-launched the KISS Army in 2007 after many years of inactivity. The slogan for the KISS Army is “KISS Wants You!”

1976 KISS Army Ad