KISSTORY

KISS--BAND BIO--

The origins of KISS go way back, to an ancient and forgotten time.

Actually 1968, 19 yr. old Gene Klein meets 16 yr. old Stanley Eisen through mutual friend Steve Coronel. This meeting would not go well as Gene and Stan would argue over who had the best original song. The two would go their separate ways never to meet again. Eventually Gene and Stan through many later encounters would forge a lifelong friendship.

1970-1971: Gene Klein now known as Gene Simmons and Stanley Eisen now known as Paul Stanley have teamed up with Steve Coronel (guitars) Brook Ostrander (keyboards) and Tony Zarella (drums) would form the group Wicked Lester. Wicked Lester would relentlessly practice and perform live. They even managed to secure a record deal (although no album was released). By late 71 Paul and Gene would decide that Wicked Lester had no future and disband the group.

1972: While still working to create the ultimate rock band. Gene and Paul would hook up with drummer Peter Criscuola (Criss). The new trio still using the name Wicked Lester would come up with a "bone crushing sound" and consider the idea of wearing make up. By late 72 the band after kicking around new names for the group would settle on KISS. Not long after this KISS would hook up with guitarist Paul Frehley (Ace). KISS as we know and love are born.

1973: Endless practicing and experimenting with their look and stage show, the members of KISS would begin to develope their legendary personas. Paul would become the Starchild, Gene the Demon, Peter the Cat, and Ace the Space Ace. After many live performances KISS would meet Bill Aucoin who would become their manager. Bill would promise KISS a recording contract in exchange for the management opportunity. Within days KISS is signed to fledgling Casablanca Records.

1974: Would see the release of KISS their debut album. Shortly after that they would begin their first major tour. KISS would earn a reputation as an incredible live act and would begin to upstage their headliners. In late 74 KISS would release their 2nd album Hotter Than Hell. More touring would commence and now KISS was headlining.

1975: In March Dressed to Kill the 3rd album is released. This would be KISS' breakthrough album and would produce KISS' first hit Rock and Roll All Night. Their popularity and their mystique would continue to grow. Their mystique would develope due to the fact that KISS would not be seen in public without their makeup. Late 1975 KISS would release their first live album Alive. Alive would go down in history as one of the best live albums.

1976: In March Destroyer is released. This would be one of KISS' most ambitious albums. It would also cause a bit of a stir among their fans. Beth would become KISS' biggest single ever and earn them a People's Choice Award. The Spirit of 76 Tour would become one of the biggest of the year. In October KISS would appear on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special. In November Rock And Roll Over is released. Another tour would follow this album.

1977: After conquering Japan, KISS would release their 7th album Love Gun in June. Marvel Comics would also release their first issue of Marvel Super Special featuring KISS and printed with real KISS blood. Another tour would follow. In November KISS would release their 2nd live album, KISS Alive II.

1978: Despite being the hottest band in the world, disention would begin to surface among the members, most notably Peter Criss. Who fans were speculating might leave the group, which would not happen for two more years. In April Double Platinum is released. This is a double greatest hits package. In May KISS began shooting KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park, their first feature film. The movie was a big success on TV but the band and many fans were dissapointed. Later in the year each member would work on their solo albums which would be released in September.

1979: In May Dynasty was released. Dynasty earned the group more commercial success, but many fans weren't happy because of the "disco sound" of the album. On the following tour. Peter was not up to performing and was asked to step down. It was time for KISS to find a new drummer.

1980: KISS was working on their next album. They were using a session drummer on the album (as were they on Dynasty). In May Unmasked was released. Peter did one more appearance with KISS on a promo video. Later KISS would meet Paul Caravello (Eric Carr) who would become the new drummer for KISS. The rest of KISS would help Eric develope his persona. At first they tried the Hawk, but this made Eric look like a giant chicken, so the band came up with the Fox. In July Eric would make his live debut in New York. Unmasked, however was not a big success in the US so KISS went to Australia to promote the album. This proved to be very successful.

1981: Following their 80-81 tour, KISS decided to begin work on a new album. They decided to go back to their original sound. The band wanted to create material in the Destroyer vain, they enlisted the aid of producer Bob Ezrin (who produced Destroyer). Ezrin though convinced the band to due a concept album. Gene, Paul, and Eric liked the idea but Ace didn't. This album, The Elder, was released in October. Fans however, weren't receptive to The Elder. They didn't like the new sound and new look of the band. The Elder became KISS' worst selling album. Due to poor sells KISS didn't tour in support of The Elder. KISS was paying the price for their musical experimentation on begun Dynasty and Unmasked. Fans were unhappy with KISS' current musical direction.

1982: While working on their next album, Ace had decided to leave KISS even though Creatures of the Night would be KISS' heaviest album. KISS used session guitarists on the recording of Creatures, while trying to persuade Ace to stay. Ace however decided not to return so KISS decided to keep session guitarist Vincent Cusano (Vinnie Vincent). Vinnie would adapt the persona of the Egyptian Lover. Following the Creatures of The Night tour, KISS would do something that would shock the world. They decided to quit wearing makeup.

1983 to 1995:
In 1983 Vinnie would record one more album with KISS, Lick It Up (the first to show the band sans makeup), before leaving. In 1984 KISS would recruit Mark Norton (Mark St. John) for Animalize. He would leave the band and would be replace by Bruce Kulick. Bruce recorded 8 albums with KISS. Asylum 1985, Crazy Nights 1987, Smashes, Trashes, and Hits (best of package) 1988, Hot In The Shade 1989, Revenge 1992, KISS Alive III 1993, Unplugged 1996 and Carnival of Souls 1997 (actually recorded in 1995). In early 1991 while KISS was beginning work on a new album. Eric Carr was diagnosed with cancer. He had open heart surgery to remove the cancer. Eric Singer was brought in to work on the next album. In May the cancer had spread into Eric Carr's lungs. He began chemotherapy would was initially effective. In September Eric suffered a brain hemmorage and was again hospitalized. On November 24, 1991 Eric died. Eric Singer permanently replaced Carr. He recorded on Revenge through Carnival of Souls.
1995 to the Present:
Following the success of Unplugged, where original members Ace and Peter joined KISS for several songs, talks began for a reunion tour. This tour became a reality in 1996-97 and was hugely successful, with the band wearing makeup and 70's era customes again. While the reunion tour was going on. Ace & Peter rejoined KISS permanently and Bruce and Eric left to persue solo projects. In 1998, 19 years since they last recorded together the original KISS released an album. Pyscho Circus was released in October. Another hugely successful tour followed. During most of 1999 Paul Stanley was performing as the Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera in Toronto. 1/1/2000 KISS performs in Vancouver to ring in the new Millenium. A new live album KISS Alive IV is being planned. As the future unfolds, who knows what KISS has instore for the world.....
Well that's about it for the KISSTORY, please proceed on the individual band member pages.

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