How many original Kiss band members are still alive?
The original KISS members – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss – return to Los Angeles for the first time to present KISS makeup and costume at the 38th annual Grammy Awards. What Rock Bands Are Jewish?
Who is the current band of Kiss?
Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons expressed an openness to welcome all former Kiss members back to the stage with them when they announced their farewell tour with iHeartRadio back in 2018. But the pair has repeatedly emphasized that they will not be shaking up the band's official lineup — featuring guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer since 2004 — noting longstanding issues with the other co-founders.
What were the nicknames of all the members of Kiss?
Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz August 25, 1949), is an Israeli-American musician, singer, and songwriter. Also known by his stage persona The Demon, he is the bassist and co-lead singer of Kiss, the rock band he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in the early 1970s.
Who were the original members of Kiss?
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of KISS
- All the members of KISS had a rough childhood. ...
- The first time KISS played there was nobody there. ...
- KISS almost lost their record contract. ...
- Ace Frehley was almost electrocuted on stage. ...
- KISS members were called Nazis because of their logo. ...
- Members of KISS were accused of being Satan worshippers. ...
- Peter Criss had a cocaine addiction. ...
How many members of KISS are still alive?
Beyond Kiss's current lineup of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, there are four surviving former members including Frehley, Criss and former lead guitarists Bruce Kulick and Vinnie Vincent.
How old are the people in the group KISS?
It has been 11 years since their last album, and despite their age -- singer and bassist Gene Simmons is 60 years old, while singer/guitarist Paul Stanley is 57 -- they are strapping on platform heels, smearing on the makeup and hitting big arenas nationwide for a 47-city tour.
How much is the band KISS worth?
Having sold more than 75 million records worldwide, KISS is one of the best-selling bands of all time. At press time, KISS released 20 studio albums, 9 live albums, 14 compilation albums, 60 singles, 8 box set albums, and many more things throughout its career. As of 2021, KISS' net worth is $300 million.
Who is the youngest member of KISS?
ThayerAt 57, Thayer is the youngest member of KISS. As a kid growing up in Portland, Ore., Thayer first saw KISS in 1975 at the Paramount Theatre. His lasting memories from the show are of flames surrounding the band.
How old is Ace Frehley?
71 years (April 27, 1951)Ace Frehley / Age
Why is Gene Simmons so rich?
Simmons has spent nearly 50 years as the front man for one of the most popular bands ever. KISS has sold more than 100 million records, but it is Simmons' clever business savvy that led him to a net worth of $400 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Who is the richest rock band of all time?
There are many music bands in the world, but only a few of them are really rich. So, who are the richest music bands in the world, According to a recent study richest music band in the world is The Beatles. The Beatles have a net worth of $2 billion. They are followed by U2, who have a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Who is richest singer?
The 10 Richest Singers in the World 2020PAUL MCCARTNEY. Net worth: ~ $1.2 billion.PAUL HEWSON (a.k.a. Bono) Net worth: ~ $700 million.ROBYN FENTY (a.k.a. Rihanna) Net worth: ~ $600 million.MADONNA CICCONE. Net worth: ~ $570 million.MARIAH CAREY. Net worth: ~ $540 million.ELTON JOHN. ... DOLLY PARTON. ... GLORIA ESTEFAN.More items...•
Who is the richest singer of all time?
Paul McCartney1. Paul McCartney (net worth: $1.2 billion) With $1.2 billion to his name, according to Money Inc., Paul McCartney is still the richest of the richest rock stars ever.
Who is Paul Stanley's wife?
Erin Suttonm. 2005Pamela Bowenm. 1992–2001Paul Stanley/WifeOn November 19, 2005, Stanley married longtime girlfriend Erin Sutton at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pasadena, California. The couple had a son in September 2006, a daughter in January 2009 and a daughter in August 2011.
Who is Ace Frehley daughter?
Monique FrehleyAce Frehley / Daughter
Do the KISS members have kids?
The couple has two children, son Nick and daughter Sophie.
When was Kiss formed?
Kiss (band) Kiss (often stylized as KIϟϟ) is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
What genre is Kiss?
Kiss has typically been classified under the genres of hard rock, shock rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and glam rock. Most of its 1970s albums, particularly the first six released between 1974 and 1977 as well as 1982's Creatures of the Night and 1984's Animalize, featured a hard rock or traditional heavy metal style. 1979's Dynasty and 1980's Unmasked featured a more disco/ pop rock sound, and 1981's Music from "The Elder" found the band dabbling in progressive rock. In 1983, starting with Lick It Up and the removal of its trademark make-up, the band began incorporating glam metal into its sound and visual image. Later, in the early 1990s, its sound grew heavier and abandoned the glam metal sound. In the mid-1990s, the band returned to its original sound.
How much did Kiss make in 1977?
In addition, Kiss's gross income for 1977 was $10.2 million.
Why did Criss leave Kiss?
On the eve of the Japanese and Australian leg of the Farewell Tour on January 31, 2001, Criss suddenly left the band once again, because he and the band could not come to agreement with his contract salary. Taking his place was previous Kiss drummer Singer who, in a move that was controversial among longtime fans, assumed Criss' Cat persona as the Farewell Tour continued.
How many platinum albums does Kiss have?
Kiss also holds the title as America's No. 1 Gold record award-winning group of all time, having earned 30 Gold albums. Kiss has 14 Platinum albums, with three albums being multi-Platinum. On April 10, 2014, the four original members of Kiss were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
When did Kiss appear on the Paul Lynde Halloween special?
Simmons and Frehley share a microphone in 1978. In October 1976 , Kiss appeared on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (aired on ABC the 29th), lip-synching " Detroit Rock City ", " Beth " and " King of the Night Time World ". The show, co-produced by Bill Aucoin, helped introduce Kiss to an even wider audience.
What was Kiss' first album?
Kiss's first album of new material in two years, Dynasty (1979), continued the band's Platinum streak. The disco-flavored " I Was Made for Lovin' You " became one of the band's biggest hit singles to date, peaking at No. 11. Session drummer Anton Fig performed almost all the percussion on the album while Criss recovered from an automobile accident. The only song to feature Criss's drumming was "Dirty Livin ' ", on which he also sang lead.
Who were the original members of Kiss?
Early 1970s - KISS traces its roots to Wicked Lester, a New York-based rock and roll band led by co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Unhappy with the direction of Wicked Lester, Simmons and Stanley part ways with the other members in 1972 after Epic Records rejected an album recorded by the group.
When did Kiss debut?
February 18, 1977 - KISS headline Madison Square Garden in New York City for the first time. May 26, 1977 - KISS announce their debut KISS Marvel Comic book and deposit their own blood in the comic book ink at the Marvel printing plant. June 22, 1977 - KISS is voted the #1 band in America by Gallup Poll.
What year did Kiss win the People's Choice Award?
Late 1976 - Two more studio albums continued to fuel the KISS fire, November 1976's Rock and Roll Over and June 1977's smash hit Love Gun. February 10, 1977 - KISS are presented with the People's Choice Award for the single Beth in the Best Song category.
How many tickets did Kiss Alive sell in 1996?
June 28, 1996 - The KISS Alive Worldwide Reunion tour kicks off at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI, selling out 40,000 tickets in 40 minutes. The mammoth 13-month tour covers 200 shows in 26 countries, playing to over two million people, setting a record for the top-grossing tour of the year.
What is the Kiss legacy?
The KISS legacy continues to grow generation after generation, transcend ing age, race and creed. The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the "Hottest Band in the World" is a striking testament to the band's unbreakable bond with its fans. 1970s ». KISS In The 1970s.
How many albums have Kiss sold?
The Rock N Roll Hall of Famers have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. Honored by their peers, KISS received the illustrious ASCAP Founders Award in 2015. Over 40 years of record-breaking global tours have brought KISS to their fans.
What shows did KISS appear in?
High-profile appearances have included the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, Rockin' The Corps concert, a FOX alliance with KISS appearing in multiple episodes of Family Guy, plus two special guest performances on American Idol finales.
Where is Kiss from?
Kiss is an American hard rock band from New York City, New York. Formed in January 1973, the group originally featured rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, ...
Who was the drummer for Kiss?
In October that year, the band announced a special show with the Melbourne Symphony to feature original drummer Criss, who subsequently remained a full-time member.
When did Criss go out of the band?
By February 2004, Criss was out of the band for a third time, with Singer returning to take his place again. With the current lineup, Kiss has released two studio albums: 2009's Sonic Boom and 2012's Monster.
Who are the members of Kiss?
The reunited quartet of Simmons, Stanley, Frehley and Criss show little sign of any lingering tension, though Stanley takes a shot at the band's longtime critics with his speech. Forty-six years after the first KISS show, the band kicks off its End of the Road World Tour at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada.
When did Kiss play their first show?
January 30, 1973: KISS plays their first show. The original KISS lineup of Stanley, Simmons, drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley performs its first show before a sparse audience at the Popcorn Club/Coventry in Sunnyside, Queens. August 10, 1973: The band scores their first record deal.
When did Criss and Frehley reunite?
August 9, 1995 : Criss and Frehley reunite with the band for 'MTV Unplugged'. Again on the upswing following the 1994 release of the tribute album KISS My Ass, the band brings Criss and Frehley on stage to perform with Singer and Kulick on MTV Unplugged.
What is the name of the album that the band Kiss released?
All four members of KISS simultaneously release their self-titled solo albums. Frehley's album, fueled by the Top 20 hit "New York Groove," enjoys the greatest commercial success of the quartet.
What is the first song of Kiss?
KISS releases its self-titled debut album, which features signature tracks like "Strutter" and "Deuce." Three days later the band enjoys its inaugural television appearance on the Dick Clark-hosted ABC in Concert.
When did Criss leave the band?
June 16, 1980: Criss leaves the band. Criss, who was absent from the recent studio release Unmasked, departs the band. He is soon replaced by Eric Carr, who debuts in late July under the guise of the Fox. November 10, 1981: 'Music From The Elder' is released.
When did Kiss go on tour?
June 14, 1996: The four original member go on tour together. KISS announces the upcoming Alive/Worldwide Reunion tour, to feature the four founding members in their familiar makeup, from the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City. The tour becomes the top-grossing concert act of the year.
What song did Kiss play in 1975?
So rather than pay for studio time, Kiss put out a live LP, 1975’s “Alive!”. It included the song “Rock and Roll All Nite,” which had flopped when the band first released it as a studio take; this time around, the live cut went to No. 12 on the Billboard charts, giving Kiss the break they needed.
When did Kiss release its self-titled album?
In 1974 Kiss released its self-titled album of rudimentary rock. But their show was a marvel: Simmons breathed fire and dribbled blood as staged explosions punctuated beats. It drew the attention of the “Mike Douglas Show.”.
Who is the producer of Flipside?
In the audience was Bill Aucoin, the producer of a rock-themed TV show called “Flipside.”. He loved the band, face paint and all. Despite no experience in handling musicians, Aucoin offered to manage Kiss and swore that he would land them a record deal in 30 days.
Who made men wear makeup?
In the early 1970s, David Bowie, Lou Reed and the New York Dolls made men in makeup cool. So it was no wonder that a Queens band wanted to try it out, too. “Kiss originally wore lipstick and eyeliner,” recalled musician Binky Philips, who went to high school with guitarist Paul Stanley.
What are some crazy facts about Kiss?
But here are 10 pretty insane facts about the band you may not know. 1. The band’s logo has to be altered in several countries that outlaw Nazi symbols. KISS is known all over the world, as recognizable as Mickey Mouse and Batman.
When did the Kiss team get liquidated?
The team and its roster were liquidated during the offseason in October of 2016, the band pulling their support after the end of the season prior. 7. The red ink used in the first KISS comic book published by Marvel Comics had blood from the current members mixed into it.
What is the legend about Gene Simmons' tongue?
The legend, for those who don’t already know, was that KISS bassist Gene Simmons had the tongue of a cow grafted onto his tongue to lengthen it.
Why is the S in the KISS logo?
This is because the double, lightning bolt-shaped S’s in the KISS logo were also used by Nazi Germany’s Schutzstaffel during World War 2 —a paramilitary organization under Hitler himself. 2. Member Vincent Vinnie, known as “The Ankh Warrior,” used to record music for television.
What is Gene's signature tongue?
The truth is, Gene’s signature 7 inch tongue is something he was just born with, noticing it for the first time when he was a teen, which he claims “came in handy with the girls.”. 4. The idea to name the band KISS was pretty anti-climactic.
Where did the Kiss Army come from?
The KISS Army came about from a group of protesting fans. Anyone who knows KISS knows that their fans are affectionately referred to as the ‘KISS Army.’. This name first came about in the early 70’s in Indiana when a local radio station refused to play songs from the band.
Is Kiss the same as Batman?
KISS is known all over the world, as recognizable as Mickey Mouse and Batman. As such, of course, it’s a given that they would tour across the ocean as well. But did you know that their iconic symbol has to be changed when used in countries like Germany and Israel, places where any and all Nazi symbols are outlawed?
When did Kiss release Alive?
They really needed a breakthrough to keep afloat. Then in September of 1975, Kiss' album Alive! was released, skyrocketing them to fame pretty much overnight.
What was the KISS famous for?
KISS was famous for their flamboyant, over-the-top theatrical stunts in the 70s. But a couple of times, those stunts got out of hand. In 1976, Ace Frehley nearly got killed during a gig in Florida. As the band came down to the stage, he took a hold of a metal rail to balance himself and was seized by the electric current, which made a circuit with his guitar. Thankfully he was able to let go before he got seriously hurt. "I got electrocuted in Florida and I survived," Frehley recalled to Rolling Stone (via Ultimate Classic Rock ). He took a break and shortly after came back on stage to finish the night's set and was met with a standing ovation. The accident later became the inspiration for the song "Shock Me," the first track he ever sang on a KISS album.
What is the most famous rock band?
KISS is among the most successful bands in the history of rock. Best known for its members' face paint and elaborate costumes, KISS formed in New York City in the early 70s and has become famous for its staggering live performances, which featured fireworks, blood-spitting, fire breathing, and smoking guitars.#N#Coming onstage dressed as fantasy characters, KISS made history for being something people had never seen before. With their contagious youthful energy and powerful electric vibes, they conquered teenage rock, releasing gold and platinum-winning albums. The band went through several breakups, with the departure of guitarist Ace Frehely and drummer Peter Criss in the 80s who, together with vocalists Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, made up the original line-up of the band. In the 1990s, KISS reunited once again and went on a worldwide tour. In 2014, KISS was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But despite their achievements and success in the music industry, things didn't always go well. Here's a look at the tragic real-life story of KISS.
Why did Kiss break up?
KISS' breakup was nasty. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images. After their initial success, KISS started to fall apart because of members' clashing personalities. The departure of Peter Criss only showed that the band had some deep internal issues, which were not going to be easily solved.
Why was Peter Criss fired from Kiss?
Peter Criss was fired from KISS. Al Pereira/Getty Images. Peter Criss was fired from the band because of his drug addiction and wild behavior. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, on at least three occasions Criss deliberately sabotaged the band's shows during their 1979 tour.
Why was Kiss banned?
The logo was banned in Germany, where the use of symbols and imagery associated with the Nazis is illegal and is subject to fines or even imprisonment, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. But KISS members have always denied the allegations.
Where did Peter Criss go to school?
Peter Criss went to Catholic school in Brooklyn, where he suffered severe punishment by the nuns, including having his knuckles cracked until they bled, as he later recalled in his 2012 autobiography Makeup to Breakup: My Life in and out of Kiss.
Overview
Kiss (stylized as KIϟϟ) is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Known for its members' face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid–1970s with shocking live performances, which featured fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyr…
History
Kiss traces its roots to Wicked Lester, a New York City–based rock band led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. That band recorded one album, which was shelved by Epic Records, and played a handful of live shows. Simmons and Stanley, feeling a new musical direction was needed, abandoned Wicked Lester in 1972 and began forming a new group.
Artistry
Kiss has typically been classified under the genres of hard rock, shock rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and, to a lesser extent, glam rock. Most of its 1970s albums, particularly the first six released between 1974 and 1977 as well as 1982's Creatures of the Night and 1984's Animalize, featured a hard rock or traditional heavy metal style. 1979's Dynasty and 1980's Unmasked featured a more disco/pop rock sound, and 1981's Music from "The Elder" found the band dabbli…
Influences
Kiss was strongly influenced by Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, while Gene Simmons has stated that the band's "musical heart and soul lies in England". The Beatles and the Yardbirds' trio of rock guitarists Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were among the British acts he praised, with Simmons stating, "I've ripped off so many English riffs, if the British influence wasn't there, we wouldn't be h…
Members
Current
• Paul Stanley – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar (1973–present)
• Gene Simmons – lead and backing vocals, bass (1973–present)
• Eric Singer – drums, backing and lead vocals (1991–1996, 2001−2002, 2004–present)
Discography
Studio albums
• Kiss (1974)
• Hotter than Hell (1974)
• Dressed to Kill (1975)
• Destroyer (1976)
Tours
• Club Tour (1973)
• Kiss Tour (1974)
• Hotter than Hell Tour (1974–1975)
• Dressed to Kill Tour (1975)
• Alive! Tour (1975–1976)
See also
• Album era
• Kiss videography
• List of songs recorded by Kiss
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart