The history of KISS

1. The Story Of KISS

2. 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.

3. KISS Original Lineup
 The original lineup of KISS consists of:
 Paul Stanley: vocals, rhythm guitar
 Gene Simmons: vocals, bass guitar
 Peter Criss: vocals, drums
 Ace Frehley: vocals, lead guitar
 This lineup is known as KISS‟s most famous
lineup

4. Paul Stanley
 Lead Vocals, rhythm guitar
 Takes the persona of “The Starchild”
 Given name: Stanley Harvey Eisen
Stanley‟s original
makeup design
was “The Bandit”
Stanley without
makeup

5. Gene Simmons
 Bass guitar, lead vocals
 Takes the persona of “The Demon”
 Given name: Chaim Weitz
Simmons
without
makeup Simmons
blowing
fire

6. Ace Frehley
 Lead guitar, vocals
 Takes the persona of “Space Ace”
 Given name: Paul Daniel Frehley
Frehley Frehley‟s
without smoking
makeup guitar

7. Peter Criss
 Drums, vocals
 Takes the persona of “The Catman”
 Given name: George Peter John Criscolla
Criss
without
makeup

8. 1974 – The Beginning
KISS
Hotter Than Hell
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
Even though
their records
“Let Me Go, Rock „n‟ Roll”
where not on Hotter Than Hell.
selling very
well, KISS KISS‟s costumes
created their were much
own loyal simpler because
following with they did not have
their innovative much money at
live the time.
performances
with stage
theatrics.

9. 1975- From Bottom To Top
Dressed To Kill
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.
Alive!
During this time KISS finally hit their big
and for the next breakthrough with their
few years, KISS live album “Alive!”
were thought to be which captured their
satanic by many raw sound from their
people especially live performances and
adults. They was their first record to
thought KISS sell 500,000 copies.
meant “Knights In
Satan‟s Service”.

10. 1976-1977: The Glory Years
Destroyer
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”.
Alive 2 Rock And Roll Over
In 1977, KISS
released their
second live
album, Alive
2, which
Love Gun contained live
versions of
their songs
from 1976-
1977.
In 1977, KISS released Love
Gun. The album sound is very Also in 1976, KISS released Rock And Roll Over. This
similar to the straight forward album marked the return of the straight forward hard
hard rock that was found on rock that was found on their earlier releases. This
their previous album. This album contains KISS classics like “Calling Dr. Love”
album contains KISS classics and “Take Me”.
like “Love Gun” and
“Christine Sixteen”.

11. 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 Condoms Action Figures
Caskets Comic Books Video Games

12. 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 Gene Simmons
Paul Stanley‟s solo Gene Simmons‟
album was the most solo album
similar to the sound of sound was
KISS. similar to The
Beatles.
Ace Frehley Peter Criss
Ace Frehley‟s Peter Criss‟
solo album is solo album
the favourite is known as
among fans the worst
and critics. among fans
and critics.

13. 1978-1980: Changing Times
In 1978, KISS stared in
the television movie,
KISS Meets The
Phantom Of The Park. Unmasked
The movie was poorly
received by the band
because of the idiotic
way the movie made
them appear.
The tensions with the band
members were very high at
this point which is clearly
show by this video.
Dynasty
In 1979, KISS released the In 1980, KISS released the album,
album, Dynasty, which Unmasked. The album‟s pop rock
contained the disco hit “I Was sound was not received well by fans
Made For Lovin‟ You”. and critics. It was their first album not
Drummer, Peter Criss, would to go platinum (one million records
only play on one track sold) since 1975‟s Dressed To Kill.
because of a serious car Peter Criss was credited for playing
crash. This would be the last the drums though he had already left
album Peter Criss would play the band. Anton Fig played the drums
on until the reunion. Drums on this album.
were played by Anton Fig.

14. Eric Carr 1980-1982: Decline
Eric Carr would replace Peter
Criss on drums in 1981. Carr Vinnie Vincent Music From The Elder
drumming was influenced by
the style of Led Zeppelin
drummer, John Bonham. He
took the persona of “The
Fox”.
Vinnie Vincent would
replace Ace Frehley on
guitar. He took the
persona of “Egyptian
Ankh Warrior”.
In 1981, KISS released the
Creatures Of The Night concept album, Music From
In 1982, KISS released the The Elder. The album‟s art
album, Creatures Of The Night. rock sound was received
The album was KISS‟s heaviest poorly by fans and critics.
to date thanks to Eric Carr‟s KISS thought the album was
drumming. The album sales a bad idea to begin with. The
were poor though it is sales of the album were so
considered one of KISS‟s best poor that they did not tour to
albums by band members and support the album. This was
fans. Even though, Ace Frehley the last album Ace Frehley
is one the cover, he does not would play on until the
play on the album because he reunion.
had already left KISS.

15. 1983-1984:KISS Unmasks Mark St. John
With KISS‟s decline in
Mark St. John
popularity, they thought it
would replace
would be a good time to try
Vinnie Vincent
something different. In 1983,
as guitarist for
KISS appeared in public for
the Animalize
the first time without makeup
album. It would
for an interview on MTV. This
be his only
put KISS back into the music
album with
spotlight after a few years of
KISS.
obscurity.
Lick It Up
Animalize
In 1983, KISS released
the album, Lick It Up.
This was KISS first In 1984, KISS
album to go platinum in released the
the U.S. since 1979‟s album
Dynasty. The album Animalize. The
sales were boosted by album went
MTV airplay of their platinum in the
music videos. This U.S. thanks in
would be the last album past to MTV
with guitarist, Vinnie airplay of their
Vincent after he was music videos.
fired because of his
behaviour

16. Asylum
1985-1990
In 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 Bruce Kulick would join Bruce Kulick
that trend. KISS as lead guitarist for
Crazy Nights the Asylum album. He
would stay with KISS until
In 1987, KISS the reunion tour.
release
album, Crazy Hot In The Shade
Nights. The
album sound
was similar to
the Bon Jovi
album, In 1989, KISS released the
Slippery album, Hot In The Shade. The
When Wet album is KISS‟s longest
and featured studio album clocking in at
keyboards. 58:39. The album contains the
hit power ballad “Forever”.

17. Eric Carr
1991-1994
Eric Singer
Eric Singer would
November, 21st, 1991, was a sad day become the drummer
for KISS with the death of drummer of KISS after Eric
Eric Carr. Eric Carr was one of the Carr‟s death. He would
best drummers of all time and was remain with KISS until
loved by KISS fans. He was replaced the reunion but would
by Eric Singer. return later after Peter
Criss‟s departure.
Revenge Alive 3
In 1992, KISS would
release the album,
In 1993,
Revenge. The
KISS would
album is
release the
considered one of
live album,
the best KISS
Alive 3. The
albums ever made
album was
among fans and
the third in
band members. It
the Alive
was the first album
series.
with drummer Eric
Singer.

18. 1995-2001: The Reunion
KISS Unplugged
The Original Lineup of
In 1995, KISS KISS surprised
performed unplugged everyone when they
on MTV with original appeared together at
members Ace Frehley the 1996 Grammy‟s. A
and Peter Criss. This few months latter they
caused speculation held a press conference
that a reunion could be to announce their
in the near future. reunion.
In 1998, KISS The 1996-1997,
Psycho Circus released the Alive/Worldwide tour
album Psycho was the first tour with all
Circus. It was the original members since Detroit Rock City
first album since the 1979 Dynasty tour.
1979‟s Dynasty This tour is KISS‟s most
to have the successful tour of all
original lineup time.
play on the
In 1999, the movie, Detroit
album though
Rock City was released. The
Ace Frehley and
movie is about four teenage
Peter Criss did
KISS fans who try to get into
not participate in
a KISS concert. The movie
most of the
bombed at the box office
tracks.
though it has become a cult
classic among KISS fans.

19. Tommy Thayer 2002-Present Eric Singer
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels
Tommy Thayer Eric Singer
would replace would become
Ace Frehley as KISS‟s full time
lead guitarist drummer in
in 2002. He 2004 replacing
donned Ace Peter Criss. He
Frehley‟s donned Peter
“Spaceman” Criss‟
persona. “Catman”
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels was a persona.
reality show that aired on A&E from 2006-
2012. The show followed Gene Simmons
and his family's life. Monster
Sonic Boom In 2009, KISS
released the In 2012,
album, Sonic KISS
Boom. It was their released the
first album since album,
1998‟s, Psycho Monster. The
Circus. The album album has
was well received received
by fans and critics positive
who praised it for reviews from
being similar to fans and
their 1970‟s work. critics.

20. KISS Army
1976 KISS Army Ad
 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!”