Kiss

Kiss is a hard rock band who formed out of New York in the early 1970's and were one the of the biggest acts of the decade.  The band's trademark is wearing make-up, costumes, blowing fire on stage, chewing blood, and doing all sorts of outrageous activities on stage.  There are only two members who have been with the band from the start, Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons.  These two guys were in another group named Wicked Lester before the formation of Kiss began.  Stanley and Simmons split that band and after seeing an ad in Rolling Stone for drummer Peter Criss, they auditioned him and Kiss was born.  Lead guitarist Ace Frehley would join the band a few months later.  Kiss began their first tour in 1974 at the same time their self-titled debut album Kiss was released.  Along with touring they performed on a few TV shows, and then it was back to the studio.  Their second album, Hotter than Hell didn't do so hot. (pun intended) In the middle of their tour they quickly went in and recorded their third studio album.  At this time Kiss was becoming a popular live act, but there albums wouldn't sell for anything.  So they decided to release a live album, which ultimately saved the band.  It was a huge success.  The band would then begin to sell out shows, and continue to record studio and live albums that sold quite well.  In 1978 the band did an unusual thing.  All four members on the same date released a solo album.  They were still a band, but as a side project they all released their own album.  The cover of these albums consists of the member's face with their makeup on.  Along with the constant touring, and recording, there were also Kiss comics and movies that were made.  In 1980 Kiss drummer Peter Criss had left the band, and for the first time ever, there was a new member of Kiss.  Next came Frehley.  He was upset with the direction with the band and couldn't agree on anything with Stanley and Simmons, so he left the band to pursue his solo career.  In 1983 with the new lineup, Kiss cleaned off their make-up and did an entire tour as "normal" guys.  Kiss began to slide downhill after this.  Only half the original members were part of the group, they weren't wearing makeup, and their albums just were not selling.  In 1990 they called on successful producer Bob Ezrin for the third time in their career.  At this time new drummer Eric Carr was told he had a tumor in his heart.  It was removed, but cancer would spread and he died in 1991.  In 1995 Kiss agreed to record an Unplugged concert for the MTV series.  Criss and Frehley also participated on a few tracks during the concert.  Fans thought that they may be joining the band for a reunion tour, but it was only false hope.  One year later the band did reunite, with them being the number one tour of 1996. In 2003 the band did a tour with Sylvia and Aerosmith.  Ace Frehley backed out of it last minute, but the tour did include three of the original members, and yeah I went to one these shows, and Kiss was awesome, they should have been the final act.  Since then they have slowed down a bit.  Not as much touring, and not recording.  They have been making a lot of old concert footage DVD's which has become a huge seller. 

Kiss - 1974     Hotter than Hell - 1974     Dressed to kill - 1975     Alive - 1975    

Destroyer - 1976     Rock and roll over - 1976     Love gun - 1977     Alive II - 1977

Gene Simmons - 1978     Ace Frehley - 1978     Peter Criss - 1978     Paul Stanley - 1978

Dynasty - 1979     Unmasked - 1980     Music from the Elder - 1981    

Creatures of the night - 1982     Lick it up - 1983     Animalize - 1984     Asylum - 1985

Crazy nights - 1987     Hot in the shade - 1989     Revenge - 1992     Alive III - 1993

Kiss Unplugged - 1996     Carnival of souls - 1997     Psycho circus - 1998     Alive IV - 2003

Ideal compilation - SG

Scott's Music Library