Kiss Bio

Kiss

 

Known for outrageous stage antics and distinctive costuming, Kiss is one of the most immediately recognizable rock bands to come out of America.

 

Formed over 1972 and 1973, the original band lineup included frontman Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Already donning the characteristic makeup, the first official Kiss concert occurred January 30, 1973. A dismal three people attended.

 

Despite unimpressive turnouts, the band secured a new manager and, shortly after, a recording contract. After time in the recording studio, they opened for Blue Oyster Cult at the Academy of Music. Performing his now famous fire breathing act, Simmons actually caught his hair on fire while onstage.

 

Although nothing seemed to be going right for the band, they still managed to release the albums Kiss, Hotter than Hell, and Dressed to Kill as well as make their television debut with Dick Clark’s In Concert.

 

Shocking or confusing most of the music consuming demographics, none of their albums performed well in sales. Their tours, however, continued to draw crowds as the pyrotechnics and antics swelled to new proportions. Without record sales, however, their label was teetering on bankruptcy and the lavish band was dangerously close to getting dropped.

 

Practically overnight, everything changed. Their next two albums, Alive! and Destroyer, attempted to emulate the excitement of a live show, which they did to great success. Sales went through the roof, and this flood of cash is credited with saving their label, Casablanca.

 

More successful albums followed as well as an unbelievably lucrative merchandise chain. From makeup to Halloween costumes, Kiss was everywhere you turned in the late 70s. They were even dubbed the most popular band in America for 1977.

 

1978 brought the simultaneous release of each band member’s solo album. Simmons’ album, in particular, featured many musical stars such as Joe Perry, Rick Nielsen, Donna Summer, Bob Seger, and Cher.

 

Despite the incredible marketing power, sales peaked and waned quickly. Coupled with a disastrous acting attempt, it marked the beginning of the end for the band. Tensions within the band were at a high, culminating with the loss of Criss. Things only deteriorated from there.

 

The band, in a wild attempt to boost sales, performed without makeup on MTV in 1983. Failing to impress, there were several more band member shakeups. Finally hitting a winning combo, the end of the 80s delivered more platinum albums for the band. It also spawned creative collaborations such as the Michael Bolton penned single, “Forever.”

 

Although Kiss never officially left the scene, nostalgia for the band peaked in the mid-90s with Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved. Covers were performed by Lenny Kravitz, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

 

A reunion tour was held in 1996 to rave success. They received more exposure with the release of Detroit Rock City in 1999 (starring Edward Furlong, Giuseppe Andrews, and Natasha Lyonne) and an appearance on That ‘70s Show beside Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, and Laura Prepon.

 

Although tensions within the band caused more lineup changes, Kiss continued to do what it does best—tour.

 

Over their career, Kiss has sold over 80 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful bands to date.




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