KISS is an American rock group that first became popular in the 1970’s. The members are known for their cartoonlike face paint, wildly theatrical costumes, and spectacular live concerts. KISS became one of the world’s best-selling groups. It has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
KISS was formed in New York City in 1973 by co-lead singer and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley (Stanley Harvey Eisen, 1952-…); Israeli-born co-lead singer and bassist Gene Simmons (Chaim Witz, 1949-…); singer and drummer Peter Criss (Peter George John Criscuola, 1945-…); and singer and lead guitarist Ace Frehley (Paul Daniel Frehley, 1951-…). Each member wears a different face paint design and costume that reflect a unique stage persona.
KISS released its self-titled debut album in 1974. By early 1975, the group released two more albums and toured heavily in the United States. KISS began to attract notice for its theatrical concerts, which featured elaborate lighting, pyrotechnics ( fireworks ), fake-blood spitting, and fire breathing. A live album produced from a number of these concerts, called Alive!, was released later in 1975. The album became a top-10 hit in the United States. It featured the group’s first hit, “Rock and Roll All Nite,” which became KISS’s anthem.
In 1976, KISS released its fifth album, Destoyer. It became the group’s most commercially successful album. It featured their biggest hit, “Beth,” sung by Criss. The group’s popularity peaked soon after this, with thousands of pieces of KISS merchandise appearing on the marketplace, including makeup kits, masks, comic books, board games, and pinball machines. The group’s legions of devoted fans became known as the KISS Army. In 1978, the group appeared in a live-action television movie, KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. In October 1978, all four members released solo albums on the same day.
In 1980, Criss left the group. He was replaced later that year by Eric Carr (Paul Caravello, 1950-1991). In 1982, Frehley left the group to pursue a solo career. He was replaced later that year by Vinnie Vincent (Vincent John Cusano, 1952-…).
In 1983, the group appeared without their face paint for the first time on a live MTV special. Vincent was replaced in 1984 by Bruce Kulick (1953-…). Carr died in 1991 and was replaced by Eric Singer (Eric Doyle Mensinger, 1958-…). KISS performed without face paint until 1996, when the original members reunited for a world tour and began performing and recording together again. The group has performed in face paint since then. Criss remained with the group until 2001, when Singer replaced him. Frehley left the group again in 2002 and was replaced by Tommy Thayer (1960-…).
The group’s other notable songs include “Black Diamond” and “Deuce” (both 1974); “Detroit Rock City,” “Hard Luck Woman,” and “Shout It Out Loud” (all 1976); “Calling Dr. Love” and “Shock Me” (both 1977); “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” (1979); “Lick It Up” (1983); “Forever” (1990); and “Psycho Circus” (1998).
In 1999, Stanley performed the title role in a Toronto production of the musical The Phantom of the Opera. Simmons starred on the reality TV show “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” (2006-2012). The four original members of KISS were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
