KISS THE HOTTES BAND IN THE WORLD
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1972 (see 1972 in music). Easily identified by their trademark face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured firebreathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, and pyrotechnics. Kiss has been awarded 45 gold albums to date.[1][2] The group's worldwide sales exceed 80 million albums.[3][4]
The original lineup of Gene Simmons (bass and vocals), Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar and vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals) and Peter Criss (drums and vocals) is the most successful and identifiable. With their makeup and costumes, they took on the personas of comic book-style characters—the Demon (Simmons), the Star Child (Stanley), the Space Ace (Frehley), and the Cat Man (Criss). Due to substance abuse problems and creative differences, both Criss and Frehley were out of the group by 1982. The band's commercial fortunes had also waned considerably by that point.
In 1983, Kiss abandoned their makeup and enjoyed a commercial resurgence throughout the rest of the decade. Buoyed by a wave of Kiss nostalgia in the 1990s, the band announced a reunion of the original lineup (with makeup) in 1996. The resulting Kiss Alive/Worldwide Tour was the top-grossing act of 1996. Criss and Frehley have since left Kiss again and have been replaced by Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, respectively. The band continues to perform, while Stanley and Simmons have remained the only two constant member
The original lineup of Gene Simmons (bass and vocals), Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar and vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals) and Peter Criss (drums and vocals) is the most successful and identifiable. With their makeup and costumes, they took on the personas of comic book-style characters—the Demon (Simmons), the Star Child (Stanley), the Space Ace (Frehley), and the Cat Man (Criss). Due to substance abuse problems and creative differences, both Criss and Frehley were out of the group by 1982. The band's commercial fortunes had also waned considerably by that point.
In 1983, Kiss abandoned their makeup and enjoyed a commercial resurgence throughout the rest of the decade. Buoyed by a wave of Kiss nostalgia in the 1990s, the band announced a reunion of the original lineup (with makeup) in 1996. The resulting Kiss Alive/Worldwide Tour was the top-grossing act of 1996. Criss and Frehley have since left Kiss again and have been replaced by Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, respectively. The band continues to perform, while Stanley and Simmons have remained the only two constant member
The band's first album of new material in two years, Dynasty (May 23, 1979), continued their platinum streak. The album contained what would become the biggest single in the history of the band, "I Was Made For Lovin' You." The song, which combined elements of hard rock with disco, was a top ten hit throughout the world (peaking at #11 in the U.S.).[28] Dynasty was recorded using session drummer Anton Fig, at the request of producer Vini Poncia, who felt that Criss's drumming skills were not adequate. The only contribution made by the increasingly discontented Criss to Dynasty was "Dirty Livin'," which he co-wrote and sang.[29]
Billed as "The Return of Kiss," the Dynasty tour was expected by Kiss and their management to build on the success of previous tours. Plans were drawn up for a Kiss-themed traveling amusement park, called Kiss World, but were abandoned due to the immense costs involved.[30] Rather than being the band's biggest and most successful tour, "The Return of Kiss" saw a marked decline in attendance.[31]
One very public indication of the heightened friction within the group was an infamous October 31, 1979 interview on Tom Snyder's late-night The Tomorrow Show. During the episode, a visibly irritated Simmons and Stanley try to contain the bombastic (and inebriated) Frehley, whose non-stop laughter and joking overshadowed the content and conversation that takes place between Snyder and the rest of the band. Criss made repeated references to his large gun collection, to the chagrin of Simmons.[32]
By the conclusion of the Dynasty tour in December 1979, tensions between Criss and the rest of the band were at an all-time high. His drumming skills had noticeably eroded, and he even intentionally slowed down or stopped playing altogether during some concerts. The final show of the tour (December 16, 1979) was the last time Criss performed with the group, although he remained an official member for nearly six more months.[33][34]
Yet the disagreements were hardly noticed by Kiss' new fan base. The crowds were very much younger than previous audiences had been, with many pre-adolescent children in Kiss makeup with their mothers and fathers (who were sometimes wearing the makeup themselves) in tow at most concerts. Kiss themselves did little to dissuade this new fan base, donning colorful costumes that reinforced a cartoonish image for these younger fans.[35]
Billed as "The Return of Kiss," the Dynasty tour was expected by Kiss and their management to build on the success of previous tours. Plans were drawn up for a Kiss-themed traveling amusement park, called Kiss World, but were abandoned due to the immense costs involved.[30] Rather than being the band's biggest and most successful tour, "The Return of Kiss" saw a marked decline in attendance.[31]
One very public indication of the heightened friction within the group was an infamous October 31, 1979 interview on Tom Snyder's late-night The Tomorrow Show. During the episode, a visibly irritated Simmons and Stanley try to contain the bombastic (and inebriated) Frehley, whose non-stop laughter and joking overshadowed the content and conversation that takes place between Snyder and the rest of the band. Criss made repeated references to his large gun collection, to the chagrin of Simmons.[32]
By the conclusion of the Dynasty tour in December 1979, tensions between Criss and the rest of the band were at an all-time high. His drumming skills had noticeably eroded, and he even intentionally slowed down or stopped playing altogether during some concerts. The final show of the tour (December 16, 1979) was the last time Criss performed with the group, although he remained an official member for nearly six more months.[33][34]
Yet the disagreements were hardly noticed by Kiss' new fan base. The crowds were very much younger than previous audiences had been, with many pre-adolescent children in Kiss makeup with their mothers and fathers (who were sometimes wearing the makeup themselves) in tow at most concerts. Kiss themselves did little to dissuade this new fan base, donning colorful costumes that reinforced a cartoonish image for these younger fans.[35]
Paul's persona in Kiss is "The Starchild." Wearing Spandex and platform boots, Stanley's persona is that of a Don Juan-esque lover, combining effeminate elements with elements of extreme masculinity, rather than mere androgyny. Although Paul's voice is generally very soft and eloquent during normal conversation, he uses a specific "stage voice" which is like a "Rock N' Roll Preacher" unlike most leading rock frontmen, he gets the crowd to join the band in many of their classic hits and also tends to give a speech or "scripted" story for certain songs (i.e. having sexual encounters with nurses and other women he's met on tour and how much he supports U.S. troops overseas) much like Gene Simmons adopts an animalistic growl on stage for his demon persona.
Paul Daniel Frehley (born April 27, 1951[1]), better known as Ace Frehley, is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of 'Space Ace' when the band adopted costumes and theatrics. Frehley played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982.
After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a moderately successful solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclualthough to date he has not released any new music.sion of t
he band's Farewell Tour. He has since resumed his solo career,
After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a moderately successful solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclualthough to date he has not released any new music.sion of t
he band's Farewell Tour. He has since resumed his solo career,
Paul Daniel Frehley (born April 27, 1951[1]), better known as Ace Frehley, is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of 'Space Ace' when the band adopted costumes and theatrics. Frehley played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982.
After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a moderately successful solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of the band's Farewell Tour. He has since resumed his solo career, although to date he has not released any new music.
After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a moderately successful solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of the band's Farewell Tour. He has since resumed his solo career, although to date he has not released any new music.
Vincent was brought in as a songwriter and uncredited studio replacement for Ace Frehley during recording for Creatures of the Night. He contributed to several songs on the album, including "I Love It Loud", and "I Still Love You". Vincent was subsequently chosen to replace Frehley permanently.
Vincent originally wanted to use his given name in the band, but this was vetoed by Gene Simmons on the grounds that it sounded "too ethnic". Vincent then suggested the name "Mick Fury", but this was also disallowed. Simmons later suggested the name change to Vinnie Vincent. Vincent started actively pushing to join KISS as a full member. Despite misgivings Simmons and Paul Stanley harbored about his personality, Vincent was taken into the band, and Stanley designed an "Ankh Warrior" persona and makeup for him.
From 1982-1983, the new line-up of KISS became Simmons (Demon), Stanley (Star Child), Eric Carr (Fox), and Vincent (Ankh Warrior). This incarnation of KISS was to be the last incarnation of the original makeup era. At the end of the Creatures tour, the band removed their make-up.
Vincent originally wanted to use his given name in the band, but this was vetoed by Gene Simmons on the grounds that it sounded "too ethnic". Vincent then suggested the name "Mick Fury", but this was also disallowed. Simmons later suggested the name change to Vinnie Vincent. Vincent started actively pushing to join KISS as a full member. Despite misgivings Simmons and Paul Stanley harbored about his personality, Vincent was taken into the band, and Stanley designed an "Ankh Warrior" persona and makeup for him.
From 1982-1983, the new line-up of KISS became Simmons (Demon), Stanley (Star Child), Eric Carr (Fox), and Vincent (Ankh Warrior). This incarnation of KISS was to be the last incarnation of the original makeup era. At the end of the Creatures tour, the band removed their make-up.
St. John was featured on the album, "Animalize" recorded during mid-1984. During work for the album, St. John clashed with the other members of the band, and eventually developed arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome), which caused his hands and arms to swell. He was all but unable to perform live as a member of KISS, and only played two full shows and one partial show during the "Animalize" tour, with Bruce Kulick playing the rest. [1] Mark St. John was officially replaced by Bruce Kulick on December 8, 1984. [2]
St. John's only video appearance with KISS is in the video for "Heaven's On Fire". Regardless, Mark played on one of KISS’ most successful studio albums of the unmasked period and any line-up apart from the originals. [citation needed] He is also the only KISS member not to appear in any album front cover, since the Animalize cover only features a tapestry of animal prints.
St. John's only video appearance with KISS is in the video for "Heaven's On Fire". Regardless, Mark played on one of KISS’ most successful studio albums of the unmasked period and any line-up apart from the originals. [citation needed] He is also the only KISS member not to appear in any album front cover, since the Animalize cover only features a tapestry of animal prints.
Kulick is best known as lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss from December 1984 to August 1996, replacing Mark St. John. He is the brother of guitarist Bob Kulick, who himself played with Kiss as a ghost guitarist, as well as playing with Paul Stanley as a solo artist.
The song "I Walk Alone" from Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions is the only Kiss track to feature Kulick as lead vocalist.
The song "I Walk Alone" from Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions is the only Kiss track to feature Kulick as lead vocalist.
