Kiss is an icon rock band that made its first debut in 1973. The original band members included:
- Paul Stanley- who played rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons- who played bass
- Ace Frehley- Who played lead guitar
- Peter Criss- who was the bands drummer
Almost from the very beginning the band was known for their over the top flamboyant costumes and make-up. Their theatrical shows include elaborate lighting, and such things as smoke bombs and blood spitting. Their music was hard hitting fist pounding hard rock.
KISS immediately began building a following by traveling throughout the United States and playing their music. Teenagers were first drawn to the bands costumes and entertaining shows, but then started to really enjoy in their music. The band was never seen in public without its make-up adding to both the bands popularity and mystic.
The 1970s
By the time KISS’s album “Alive” came out in 1975 it made it to the top of the charts, which was considered excellent for a band that had just come together two years earlier. The band followed up a year later with their 1976 released album “Destroyer” which went platinum and earned the band even more fans.
As KISS’s popularity and fame continued to grow KISS merchandise began to pop up all over the place. Posters, Make-up, Masks, board games, even pinball machines were all featuring the band and it’s individual members. The group even was featured in two comic books released by Marvel comics and the group had their own action movie that they starred in.
In 1977 Gallup Poll named KISS the most popular band of the year and it’s fan base grew even larger.
In 1978 each of the four members of band release individual albums on the same day in October of 1978, although none of these individual albums ever reached the popularity of the albums the group did together.
In 1979 the original group recorded their last album “Dynasty” together.
The 1980s
Things started to change for the band in the 1980s. Criss left the band, which started a series of different band members during the next several years. The band also failed to produce any popular albums during this time.
Knowing they had to do something to regain popularity for their music KISS appeared without make-up and the trick worked because in 1983 they released their first platinum album in 4 years “Lick it Up” This was followed by series of hit albums that ended with their best selling single “Forever” in 1990.
1990s through Today
In 1996 The original band of Stanley, Simmons, Frehley and Criss got together for an International tour complete with their make-up and special effects. While the band did reproduce some of their old music they focused more on merchandise than making music and once again the band slipped down the charts.
The band however, continued touring and recording and despite having at least 2 farewell tours there are concert tours planned for this year (2019)