Kiss' history began, when bassist and singer Gene Simmons, along with guitarist and singer Paul Stanley formed a band named Wicked Lester. They recorded one album and performed in a few lives until they decided to create a new band. They found drummer Peter Criss and began playing together, while they made an attempt to change their image, by putting makeup to their faces and using different cloths. Guitarist Frehley joined the band in January of 1973 and the new line-up from New York decided to be referred as Kiss.
They established their makeup designs from their fourth live and after. They followed their first tour in 1974 and their homonymous first album came out a few days later, in February of that year, containing 10 tracks. The second album, "Hotter Than Hell", wasn't successful, but the next one, named "Dressed to Kill", included the hit "Rock and Roll All Nite" and gained more success. Kiss became more popular because of their live performances, in contrast with their album sales. They used a lot of effects, like breathing fire and spitting blood by Simmons, or Frehley's flaming guitar, sparks, pyrotechnics and others. In March of 1976, they released "Destroyer", probably their most successful album. Their music style can be described mainly as hard rock, heavy metal and shock rock.
Several successful albums followed, along with another one live and their first compilation, named "Double Platinum". In September of 1978, four members of the band released solo projects that were promoted as Kiss albums. Their seventh album "Dynasty", came out in May of 1979 and includes the signature song of Kiss, "I Was Made for Lovin' You". After the "Dynasty Tour," Criss left the band. The next album, "Unmasked", was recorded with session drummer Anton Fig, but later he was replaced by Pau Charles Caravello, known as Eric Carr.
Each member of the band has its nickname, while from 1983 until 1995, the band decided to stop wearing the make-up and their eccentric clothing. In 1982, Frehley also left the line-up and was finally replaced by Vinnie Vincent, but he was fired in 1984. Mark St. John took his place, being followed by Bruce Kulick later. This line-up, (Stanley, Simmons, Carr and Kulick), stayed until 1991 when Carr died after two intracerebral hemorrhages. Eric Singer became the new drummer and with him, Kiss released two albums and their first bibliography, named "Kisstory".
In the following years, Kiss reunited several times and performed in many live shows and events. Kulick has left the band in 1996, while guitarist Tommy Thayer has joined it from 2002. Kiss, apart from their large discography and their numerous live appearances, they have taken part in various projects, they have released many music videos and video albums, while they have entered Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Kiss
