Founded by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in 1973 the band is known for their stage outfits and face paint. In the mid 1970s the band rose to fame with their live performances that featured fire breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars and more.
With their make-up and costumes, the four members took on personalities of characters; The Starchild (Stanley), The Demon (Simmons), The Spaceman (Frehley) and The Catman (Criss).
Due to creative differences throughout the years, Peter Criss left the group by 1982. When Criss left, Eric Carr took over in 1980 however he was only with the group for 12 years before his passing at the age of 41 in 1991 of heart cancer. Soon after his passing, Eric Singer took over after playing with Paul Stanley a few prior.
Becoming frustrated with the new KISS musical, Frehley was upset with the bands direction and only lead vocals for one more track, “Dark Light” leaving the band in 1982 while remaining a business partner until 1985. After his departure, Eddie Van Halen wanted to fill his spot in the band, however Eddie’s brother Alex and Gene Simmons convinced Eddie to remain with Van Halen. With their being multiple new lead guitarists for the group, it wasn’t until 2002 that Tommy Thayer joined the band as their lead guitarist.
With both Eric Carr and Tommy Thayer taking over the lead for Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, they have embraced the make up for the original members.
The band is currently on their End of the World Tour for their farewell tour to all of the new and old KISS fans. The band will be in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on April 9th. Photos from their performance in Memphis, Tennessee are below.
Discography:
Studio Albums:
– KISS (1974). – Hotter than Hell (1974)
– Dressed to Kill (1975) – Destroyer (1976)
– Rock and Roll Over (1976). – Love Gun (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) – Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
– Psycho Circus (1998) – Sonic Boom (2009) – Monster (2012)
Live Albums:
– Alive! (1975). – Alive II (1977)
– Alive III (1993) – Kiss Unplugged (1996)
– You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996) – Kiss Symphony: Alive IV (2003)
– Alive! The Millennium Concert (2006) – Kiss Rocks Vegas (2016)
