KISS

Kiss

Instrumental in popularizing glam and glitter rock, the outrageous theatre and theatrics of Kiss began on vinyl back in 1974 with Paul Stanley (Paul Eisen), Gene Simmons (Gene Klein), Peter Criss (Peter Crisscoula) and Ace Frehley. Their selftitled debut album on Casablanca Records, plus at least 20 releases since then, have earned the once-faceless band 18 gold and 12 platinum albums in the United States alone (some 50 million sold worldwide).

Initially defined by their cartoon character personas, wild costumes, heavy make-up and fire-breathing, bloodspewing stage shenanigans, Kiss’ "heavy metal tnud-rock" music seemed to take a back seat to their megasuccessful visual game plan.

After 1979, when Kiss’ sound seemed to move in a more commercial direction (and both Marvel Comics and NBC broadcasting scored big successes with animated cartoons based on the band), drummer Peter Criss left to pursue outside projects. Ace (guitarist) Frehley was soon to follow, setting off a round of "musical guitarists" for Kiss. Drummer Eric Carr filled Criss’s shoes permanently enough while a series of guitarists (from Vinnie Vincent to Bruce Kulick) set about filling out the band line-up.

The prototype for many a glam metal band to come (Motley Crue, Poison), Kiss is currently in the studio with hitmaking producer Ron Nevison, and according to founder Paul Stanley: "Some people are worried we’ll go too far and go crazy. We’ve always figured life is a one-way ticket. You’ve got to look good for the whole ride and we’re dressed for one crazy one this time!”