(Top)

History

• 1971–1975: Early years
• 1975–1978: Rise to prominence
• 1978: Solo and film projects
• 1979–1983: Final makeup years
• 1983–1996: Unmasking
• 1996–2001: Original lineup reunion tour and remasking
• 2001–2008: Post-reunion
• 2008–2012: Sonic Boom and Monster
• 2013–2015: 40th anniversary, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and international collaboration
• 2016–present: Continued activities and final tour

Artistry

• Musical style
• Makeup designs

Influences

Band members

Awards and nominations

Discography

Tours

See also

References

1971–1975: Early years

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.^[15][16][17]

After breaking up Wicked Lester late in 1972, Simmons and Stanley came across an ad in the East Coast version of Rolling Stone placed by Peter Criss, a drummer from the New York City scene who had previously played in the bands Lips and Chelsea.^[18] Simmons and Stanley met Criss in a nightclub where he was playing drums. After hearing Criss sing, they thought Criss should be in the new band they were forming. Criss then auditioned for, and later joined their new band. The three focused on a much harder style of rock than that played by Wicked Lester. In November 1972, the band played a showcase for Epic Records A&R director Don Ellis, in an effort to secure a record deal.^[19] In early January 1973, the group added lead guitarist Ace Frehley. Frehley impressed the group with his first audition, and was asked back for a second audition. A few weeks after Frehley joined, the classic lineup was solidified as the band to be named Kiss.^[20] They also began experimenting with their image, by wearing makeup and various outfits.^[21]

Stanley came up with the name while he, Simmons, and Criss were driving around New York City. Criss mentioned that he had been in a band called Lips, so Stanley said something to the effect of "What about Kiss?"^[22] Frehley created the now-iconic logo, making the "SS" look like lightning bolts, when he went to write the new band name over "Wicked Lester" on a poster outside the club where they were going to play.^[23] (Some of Wicked Lester's artwork included one lightning bolt for the "S" in Lester.^[24]) Later, Stanley designed the logo with a Sharpie and a ruler and accidentally drew the two S's nonparallel because he did it "by eye". The art department asked him if he wanted it to be redrafted to be perfect and he said, "It got us this far, let's leave well enough alone. Our number one rule has always been no rules."^[25]

The letters happened to look similar to the insignia of the Nazi SS, a symbol that is outlawed in Germany by Section 86a of the German criminal code. However, Simmons and Stanley, both Jewish, have denied any intentional likeness to Nazi symbolism in the logo. Since 1979, most of the band's album covers and merchandise in Germany have used a different logo, in which the letters "SS" look like the letters "ZZ" backwards. This logo is also used in Austria, Switzerland, Lithuania, Hungary and Israel to avoid controversy.^[26][27]

The band's name has repeatedly been the subject of rumors pertaining to alleged hidden meanings. Among these rumors are theories that the name is an acronym for "Knights in Satan's Service", "Kinder SS", or "Kids in Satan's Service". Simmons has denied all of these claims.^[28][29]

The first Kiss performance took place on January 30, 1973, for an audience of fewer than ten people at the Popcorn Club (renamed Coventry shortly afterward) in Queens. The band was paid $50 for performing two sets that evening, following a cold-call Simmons had made to the venue, convincing them to hire the new band for a three-night stand.^[30] For the first three gigs, January 30 to February 1, they wore makeup, but the iconic character designs associated with Kiss made their debuts during the March 9–10 shows at The Daisy in Amityville, New York.

Our first show ever was at Coventry. Coventry was a study in contrasts. The first time we played there was nobody there. The last time we played there, you could barely get in the door.

— Paul Stanley^[31]

On March 13 of that year, the band recorded a five-song demo tape with producer Eddie Kramer. Former TV director Bill Aucoin, who had seen the group at a handful of showcase concerts in the summer of 1973, offered to become the band's manager in mid-October. Kiss agreed, with the condition that Aucoin signs the band to a record label within two weeks. On November 1, 1973, Kiss became the first act signed to former teen pop singer and Buddah Records executive Neil Bogart's new label, Casablanca Records.^[32]

The band entered Bell Sound Studios in New York City on October 10, 1973, to begin recording its first album. On December 31, the band had its official industry premiere at the Academy of Music in New York City, opening for Blue Öyster Cult. It was at this concert that, for the first of many times, Simmons accidentally set his hair (which was coated in hairspray) ablaze while performing his fire-breathing routine.^[33]

Kiss's first tour started on February 5, 1974, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, as an opening act.^[34] The band's self-titled debut album was released on February 18. Casablanca and Kiss promoted the album heavily throughout the spring and summer of 1974.

Being in Kiss in the very first year and touring around the United States, we felt like we were taking off. It was like somebody pushing you into the deep end of the pool whether you can swim or not. The early years of Kiss were far from glamorous. We rode in a station wagon hundreds of miles every day. We would take turns driving and sleeping in the back. We ate burgers at roadside taverns. We stopped and peed on the side of long stretches of a highway when we couldn't find a town anywhere near. We ate beans and franks because we couldn't afford better food as we were on an $85 a week salary! Becoming a rock star was better than anything and beyond anything I ever imagined. There were moments of doubt for me that we were gonna make it.

— Gene Simmons^[35]

On February 19, in its first television appearance, the band performed "Nothin' to Lose", "Firehouse" and "Black Diamond" on ABC's In Concert (aired March 29).^[36] On April 29, the band performed "Firehouse" on The Mike Douglas Show. This broadcast included Simmons's first televised interview, a conversation with Mike Douglas in which Simmons declared himself "evil incarnate", eliciting uncomfortable reactions from a confused studio audience. Fellow Jewish-American guest Totie Fields said it would be humorous if beneath all the makeup Simmons was "just a nice Jewish boy". Simmons responded, "You should only know", to which Fields replied, "I do. You can't hide the hook", a reference to the stereotypical "Jewish" nose.^[37][38]

Despite the publicity and constant touring, Kiss initially sold just 75,000 copies. Meanwhile, the group and Casablanca Records were losing money quickly. The band (while touring) stopped in Los Angeles in August 1974 to begin recording its second album, Hotter Than Hell, which was released on October 22, 1974. The only single, "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll", failed to chart, and the album stalled at No. 100.^[39]

With Hotter Than Hell quickly dropping off the charts, Kiss was pulled from its tour to quickly record a new album. Casablanca head Bogart stepped in to produce the next album, trading in the murky, distorted sound of Hotter Than Hell for a cleaner and slightly poppier sound. Dressed to Kill, released on March 19, 1975, fared slightly better commercially than Hotter Than Hell. It also contained what later became the band's signature song, "Rock and Roll All Nite".^[40]

Although Kiss albums had not proved to be big sellers, the band was quickly gaining a reputation for its live performances. Kiss concerts featured such spectacles as Simmons spitting "blood" (an effect made primarily from eggs, yogurt, red food coloring, and maple syrup) and "breathing fire" (spitting flammable liquid at a torch), Frehley soloing as his guitar burst into flames (light and smoke bombs placed inside the guitar), Criss's elevating drum riser that emitted sparks, Stanley's Townshend-style guitar smashing, and pyrotechnics throughout the show.^[41][42]

By mid-1975, Casablanca was almost bankrupt, and Kiss was in danger of losing its record contract. Both parties desperately needed a commercial breakthrough if they were to survive.^[43] That breakthrough came in an unlikely form: a "double live" album.^[44]

1975–1978: Rise to prominence

I saw a pattern emerging with us on the road. Every night, I'd ask somebody before the show, "How are we doing?", which meant, "What's the attendance?" One night they said, "It's sold out," and then the next night I'd hear the same thing. All of a sudden it was becoming the norm. For me the first realization that things were on an upswing was when we played the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Before the show I went on stage, looked out through the curtain and saw this big crowd, and said to myself, "My God, this is really happening!"

— Paul Stanley^[45]

Kiss wanted to express the excitement felt at its concerts (which its studio albums had so far failed to do) with its first live album. Compiled from concerts recorded between May and July in Wildwood, New Jersey, Detroit and Cleveland, and released on September 10, 1975, Alive! achieved Gold status and spawned Kiss's first top 40 single: a live version of "Rock and Roll All Nite". It was the first version of the song with a guitar solo, and this recording has become the best-known version. It is also the basis of most covers, such as the cover by Poison in 1987. In recent years the band admitted that additional audience noise had been added to the album, as well as overdubs on select guitar and vocal spots, not to deceive fans, but to add more "excitement and realism" to the record.^[46]

The success of Alive! not only brought Kiss the breakthrough they had been seeking but arguably saved Casablanca, which was close to bankruptcy. Following this success, Kiss partnered with producer Bob Ezrin, who had previously worked with Alice Cooper. The result was Destroyer (released March 15, 1976), Kiss's most musically ambitious studio album to date. Destroyer, with its rather intricate production (using an orchestra, choir, and numerous tape effects), was a departure from the raw sound of the first three studio albums. Album art was designed by Ken Kelly, who had drawn Tarzan and Conan the Barbarian and also produced album covers for acts such as Rainbow and Manowar.^[47][48] While the album sold well initially and became the group's second Gold album, it quickly dropped down the charts. Only when the ballad "Beth", the B-side of the single "Detroit Rock City", began to gain more airplay on FM radio did the album's sales rebound. The single was subsequently reissued with the A- and B-sides reversed. "Beth" peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's first Top 10 single in the United States.

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. In addition to the three songs, Kiss was the subject of a brief comedic "interview" conducted by Paul Lynde. This included Lynde noting, when hearing the member's first names, "Oh, I love a good religious group."

Two more highly successful studio albums were released in less than a year: Rock and Roll Over (November 11, 1976) and Love Gun (June 30, 1977). A second live album, Alive II, was released on October 14, 1977. All three albums were certified Platinum soon after their release. Between 1976 and 1978, Kiss earned $17.7 million from record royalties and music publishing.^[49] A 1977 Gallup poll named Kiss the most popular band in America. In Japan, Kiss performed five sold-out shows at Tokyo's Budokan Hall, breaking the previous record of four set by the Beatles.

When we played in Japan in the late '70s, nothing could prepare you for the hysteria because when people are telling you how big you are, you're big compared to what? Until you're faced with mass hysteria it doesn't really sink in. For you not having been in a certain country makes them that much more rabid for you to go.

— Paul Stanley^[50]

In May 1977, Kiss made the first of its many comics appearances, in Howard the Duck issue 12, published by Marvel Comics.^[51]

The first Kiss compilation album, Double Platinum, was issued on April 2, 1978. This double album included many remixed versions of the band's hits, as well as "Strutter '78", a re-recorded version of a song from the group's first album. At Bogart's request, this version of the song featured a disco influence.^[52]

During this period, Kiss merchandise became a substantial source of income for the group. Some of the products released included a pair of comic books issued by Marvel (the first contained ink mixed with actual blood donated by the group), a pinball machine, dolls, "Kiss Your Face Makeup" kits, Halloween masks, board games, lunch boxes, trading cards and many other pieces of memorabilia. Membership in the Kiss Army, the band's fan club, was in the six figures. Between 1977 and 1979, worldwide merchandise sales (in-store and on tour) reached an estimated $100 million.^[53]

1978: Solo and film projects

Alive II was the band's fourth Platinum album in just under two years, and the ensuing tour had the highest average attendance in the group's history. In addition, Kiss's gross income for 1977 was $10.2 million. The group, along with manager Aucoin, sought to push the brand harder. To that end, an ambitious, two-pronged strategy was devised for 1978.^[54]

The first part involved the simultaneous release of four solo albums from the members of Kiss. Although Kiss has claimed that the solo albums were intended to ease rising tensions within the band, its 1976 record contract did in fact call for four solo records, each of them counting as half an album toward the group's five-record commitment.^[55] Each album was a solo effort (none of the group appeared on another's album), however all were released and marketed as Kiss albums (with similar cover art and poster inserts). It was the first time that all current members of a rock band had released solo albums on the same day.^[56]

For the band members, it was a chance to showcase their individual musical styles and tastes outside of Kiss, and in some cases to collaborate with contemporary artists. Stanley's and Frehley's albums were most similar to Kiss's hard rock style, while Criss' album featured an R&B style with multiple ballads. Simmons' was the most diverse of the four, featuring hard rock, ballads, Beatles-influenced pop and a cover version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the Disney film Pinocchio. Simmons' many collaborators included Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, the Doobie Brothers' Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Donna Summer, Janis Ian, Helen Reddy, Bob Seger, Katey Sagal, and his then-girlfriend Cher.

The solo albums were released on September 18, 1978. Casablanca spent $2.5 million on the marketing campaign for the albums, and announced they were shipping five million copies, guaranteeing Platinum status.^[57] Despite the large shipments, none of the albums sold particularly well and were later sold as cut-outs. Of the four, Simmons's album charted the highest in the U.S., peaking at #22, while Frehley's spawned the only resulting Top Forty hit single, a cover of "New York Groove", written by Russ Ballard and originally performed by Hello.^[58] Frehley's album has gone on to be the biggest seller since the introduction of Soundscan in 1991.^[59]

The second part of Kiss's and Aucoin's plan called for the band to appear in a film that would cement its image of larger-than-life rock-and-roll superheroes. Filming commenced in the spring of 1978. Although the project was proposed to the band as a cross between A Hard Day's Night and Star Wars, the final result fell far short of those expectations. The final product, Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, debuted on NBC on October 28, 1978.^[60] It was released theatrically, after many changes, outside the U.S. in 1979 under the title Attack of the Phantoms. The band members were unhappy with the finished film and would speak about their filmmaking experience in later interviews with a mix of humorous embarrassment and regret. They felt that the film portrayed them more as clowns than superheroes. The artistic failure of the film led to a rift between the band and Aucoin.^[61]

1979–1983: Final makeup years

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 Living'", on which he also sang lead.^[62] The album is also notable due to Frehley singing three lead vocals versus Simmons two, which he put down to increased confidence following the success of his solo album.^[63]

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 because of the immense costs involved;^[64] however, "The Return of Kiss" saw a marked decline in attendance.^[65]

The crowds on this tour were much younger than previous audiences had been, with many preadolescent 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.^[66]

The fans were unaware of the dissension within the band. 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 attempted, unsuccessfully, to contain the inebriated Frehley, whose frequent laughter and joking overshadowed the conversation between Snyder and the rest of the band. Criss made references to his large gun collection, to the chagrin of Simmons.^[67]

By the end 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 for almost 17 years, although he remained an official member for nearly six more months.^[68][69]

Anton Fig played all the drums on the next album, Unmasked, although he was not credited, while Criss appeared on the cover. Showcasing a slick, contemporary pop sound, Unmasked (released May 20, 1980) had the dubious distinction of being the first non-Platinum Kiss album since Dressed to Kill. Soon after the album's release, Criss's departure was officially announced.^[70][71] Fig, considered a member of Kiss for one day following the departure of Criss, was then fired by Stanley and Simmons, who felt he was not a good fit for the band. He would ultimately join Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band, acting as the drummer for David Letterman's television programs until the host's retirement.^[72]

The band auditioned dozens of replacements for Criss in June 1980. One of the many who auditioned was Tico Torres (who would later be with Bon Jovi). They finally settled on a little-known drummer-guitarist-pianist-keyboardist-singer from Brooklyn named Paul Charles Caravello (born July 12, 1950) who adopted the stage name Eric Carr. His first makeup design was modeled on a hawk, though it was rejected as Stanley felt it looked more like a chicken. Carr ultimately settled on a "Fox" persona. In his Fox makeup, he was introduced on ABC's Kids Are People Too!, and debuted with the group on July 25, 1980, at the Palladium concert hall in New York City. This was Kiss's only U.S. show in support of Unmasked. The band's 1980 tour of Australia and New Zealand, on the other hand, was one of the biggest in its history, as they played to sold-out crowds and received overwhelmingly positive press coverage.^[73][74]

For its next album, the band worked again with producer Ezrin, with whom Kiss had found success on Destroyer. Early press reports indicated that the new album would be a return to the hard rock style that had originally brought the band success. However, 1981's Music from "The Elder" was a concept album featuring medieval horns, strings, harps, and synthesizers.^[75]

The album was presented as a soundtrack to a film that was never made, making it difficult to follow the storyline. To make matters worse, having received negative feedback following its record company's preview of the album, Kiss altered the record's track sequence in most countries to emphasize potential singles "The Oath" and "A World Without Heroes", which all but guaranteed the inability of listeners to understand the already-muddled storyline. Once released, fan reaction to The Elder was harsh; it failed to achieve Gold status and peaked at No. 75 on the Billboard album chart.^[76]

The band made only two appearances in support of the new album, both in January 1982. One was a performance on the ABC late-night variety program Fridays, while the second was a lip-synced performance that was broadcast via satellite during Italy's Sanremo Music Festival.^[77]

Absent from the satellite performance was Frehley, who had become increasingly frustrated with Kiss's new musical direction. Upset with the band's decision to record Music from "The Elder", he did not actively participate in the album's creation, providing lead vocals for only one track, "Dark Light". He did not appear at a special concert at Studio 54 in New York City, leaving Kiss to perform as a trio. He recorded his guitar parts at his home studio in Wilton, Connecticut, and mailed them to Ezrin. Another source of frustration for Frehley was that with the departure of Criss, and with Carr not being an equal partner in the band, he was often outvoted 2-to-1 on group decisions. In June 1982, Frehley's departure from the band was negotiated, although he did not officially leave until December.

Simmons stated in his autobiography Kiss and Make-Up that Van Halen founder Eddie Van Halen was eager to replace Frehley as Kiss's lead guitarist. Simmons and Eddie's brother Alex convinced Eddie to remain with Van Halen.^[78] Eddie was willing to break up Van Halen due to tensions between himself and lead vocalist David Lee Roth, who ultimately left the band in 1985.^[79][80] Paul Stanley, however, has since denied the rumors of Eddie Van Halen wanting to join Kiss.^[81] Other notable guitarists who auditioned to replace Frehley included Punky Meadows of Angel,^[82] Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake,^[83] Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi,^[84] and Yngwie Malmsteen.^[85]

Soon afterward, Kiss made major changes to its business dealings – chief among them was severing ties with its manager of nine years, Bill Aucoin, and cutting back on its unwieldy organizational tree. Although Frehley had already decided to leave the band, he was pictured on the covers of 1982's Killers and Creatures of the Night, although he did not participate in the recording of either album.^[86]

Creatures of the Night (October 13, 1982) was Kiss's heaviest album to date, and although it fared better than Music from "The Elder", it peaked at only No. 45 on the charts and was not certified Gold until 1994. In Frehley's absence, Kiss utilized a number of guitarists for the recording of the album, including Vinnie Vincent.

Frehley's last appearance with the band (until the 1996 reunion) was in the music video for the single "I Love It Loud", which was co-written by Vincent. Frehley also appeared on the cover of the original Creatures of the Night album artwork. When the album was remixed and re-released in 1985 with a non-makeup cover and a slightly different song order, to reflect the band's roster change and abandonment of its makeup and costumes, Vincent was again absent from the album cover, as then-current lead guitarist, Bruce Kulick, appeared instead.^[87] The liner notes accompanying the remixed LP, however, credited both Frehley and Vincent with lead guitar performances on the Creatures of the Night album. Vincent officially replaced Frehley as lead guitarist in December 1982, as the band embarked on its 10th Anniversary Tour.^[88][89]

Vincent originally wanted to use his birth name (Cusano) in the band, but this was vetoed by Simmons on the grounds that it sounded "too ethnic". Specifically, according to Simmons, "it sounded like a fruit vendor". Simmons went on to note that "fairly or unfairly, rock and roll is about the image".^[90] 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 the misgivings that both Simmons and Stanley harbored about his personality, Vincent was taken into the band. Stanley designed a character, "the Wiz"^[91][92] also known as "the Egyptian Warrior",^[93] and makeup centered around an Egyptian ankh, for Vincent.^[90] According to the official authorized Kiss biography, written by David Leaf and Ken Sharp, "the Egyptian Ankh Warrior" refers to Vincent's makeup and persona, while the nickname "the Wiz" refers to his virtuosity as a guitar player.^[94] According to the Simmons autobiography Kiss and Make-Up, Vincent's Kiss persona was solely "the Wiz". A persona as "the Ankh Warrior" or similar is not mentioned in the book at all.^[91][92]

From 1982 to 1983, the new lineup of Kiss became Simmons (the Demon), Stanley (the Starchild), Eric Carr (the Fox) and Vincent (the Egyptian Warrior)^[93] or the Wiz.^[91][92]

Vincent's personality did not mesh well with either Stanley or Simmons, and he was dismissed from Kiss at the end of the Creatures tour. He was quickly reinstated before recording started for Lick It Up because Simmons and Stanley could not find a new lead guitarist on such short notice. Vincent appeared on the cover of Lick It Up and was credited as the lead guitarist. He received a writing credit for eight of the ten songs on the album.

Personality issues arose once again, and Vincent was fired following the Lick It Up tour, due in part to excessive guitar soloing at a 1984 concert in Quebec. He was replaced by Mark St. John. Vincent was later utilized by Kiss as a songwriter on the 1992 album Revenge, contributing to the songs "Unholy", "Tough Love", "Heart of Chrome" and "I Just Wanna". Vincent and the band parted ways. Persistent rumors circulated for years among Kiss fans regarding the true reason for Vincent's dismissals from Kiss, with at least one band member refusing to comment except to say that legally it was not up for discussion. Simmons stated in an interview several years later that Vincent's firing was for "unethical behavior", but he did not elaborate:

Vinnie, for the record, was fired for unethical behavior, not because of lack of talent.^[95]

1983–1996: Unmasking

Sensing it was time for a change, Kiss made the decision to abandon their trademark makeup and costumes. The band officially appeared in public without makeup for the first time since their very early days on a September 18, 1983, appearance on MTV, which coincided with the release of Lick It Up.^[96] The tour to promote the new album and the unmasked band members began in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 11, 1983, at Pavilhão Dramático de Cascais, the band's first concert without makeup since early 1973. Lick It Up became Kiss's first Gold record in three years, but the tour was even more sparsely attended than the previous one. Vincent did not get along with Simmons and Stanley, and he left the band at the conclusion of the tour in March 1984. Vincent's replacement was Mark St. John, a session player and guitar tutor.^[97]

With St. John, Kiss released the album Animalize on September 13, 1984. Animalize followed the success of Lick It Up, and due in part to consistent MTV play for the "Heaven's on Fire" video, Animalize was the band's bestselling record in America during the decade, with over two million albums sold. With the success of the album and subsequent tour, Kiss had recaptured some of its earlier glory (though not to the level of its 1970s heyday). St. John, however, came down with reactive arthritis during tour rehearsals, and only performed at a handful of shows before being dismissed from the band in December 1984. The band hired Bruce Kulick to replace St. John. Kulick had previously filled in for St. John during the first two months of the Animalize tour. Kulick was Kiss's fourth lead guitarist in less than three years, but he stayed with the band for 12 years.^[98] Kulick was one of the band's longest-serving members, with the longest continuous tenure of anyone other than Simmons and Stanley, until Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer broke his record in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

You can't help but have a good time at one of our shows when everybody is going nuts onstage. That kind of good time is infectious. You can't fake it. You can't fool the audience. The people will see right through you if you put on a fake smile or you're not putting out your best. The band are alive and well and playing better than we ever have.

— Gene Simmons^[99]

One of the first concerts Kulick played as an official member of the band was at Detroit, Michigan's Cobo Hall. It was filmed for the MTV special Animalize Live.

The lineup of Stanley, Simmons, Carr and Kulick turned out to be the most stable since the original, and for the rest of the 1980s, Kiss released a series of Platinum albums: 1985's Asylum, 1987's Crazy Nights and the 1988 greatest hits compilation Smashes, Thrashes & Hits. Crazy Nights, in particular, was one of Kiss's most successful albums overseas. The single "Crazy Crazy Nights" reached No. 4 on the singles chart in the United Kingdom, the band's highest-charting single in that country.^[100]

Kiss ended the decade with the October 1989 release Hot in the Shade. Although the album failed to achieve Platinum status, it spawned the hit ballad "Forever", co-written by Michael Bolton. Peaking at No. 8 in the US, it was the group's highest-charting single since "Beth" and was the band's second Top 10 single.^[100]

During this time, Kiss struggled with its identity and fan base. Simmons, arguably the driving force in Kiss during the 1970s, became less involved with the group in the 1980s as he pursued outside interests, most notably a film career. Stanley took a more prominent role as a result.^[101][102]

In February 1991, the band decided to once again enlist Ezrin to produce its next album. Before recording could begin in earnest, however, tragedy struck. In March 1991, it was discovered that Carr had a tumor on his heart. It was successfully removed the following month, but more tumors were soon discovered in his lungs. Carr received chemotherapy and was pronounced cancer-free in July. However, in September he suffered the first of two cerebral hemorrhages. He died on November 24, 1991, at the age of 41.^[103][104]

Despite the tragic loss of a longtime member, Kiss continued, introducing veteran drummer Eric Singer (born Eric Doyle Mensinger on May 12, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio). Singer had played with Paul Stanley previously, as part of Stanley's backing band during a 1989 solo tour.

Kiss released Revenge on May 19, 1992. It featured a leaner, harder-edged sound, as indicated by the first single, "Unholy". In a surprise move, Kiss enlisted Vincent to help with songwriting duties. The album debuted in the Top 10 and went Gold. Kiss embarked on a brief club tour of the U.S. in the spring of 1992, before beginning an American tour in September 1992. The tour was documented on the album Alive III, released on May 14, 1993. Four days later, Kiss were inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk.^[105]

In 1995, the group released the book Kisstory, a 440-page, 9 pounds (4.1 kg), detailed chronicle of the group's history to that point. That same year, the band embarked on a unique and well-received Worldwide Kiss Convention Tour. The conventions were all-day events, featuring displays of vintage Kiss stage outfits, instruments and memorabilia; performances by Kiss cover bands; and dealers selling Kiss merchandise from every stage of the band's career. Kiss appeared live at the conventions, conducted question and answer sessions, signed autographs, and performed a two-hour acoustic set composed mostly of spontaneous fan requests. On the first U.S. date (June 17, 1995), Criss appeared onstage with Kiss to sing "Hard Luck Woman" and "Nothin' to Lose". It was the first time Criss had performed publicly with the band in nearly 16 years.^[106][107]

1996–2001: Original lineup reunion tour and remasking

On August 9, 1995, Kiss joined the long line of musicians to perform on MTV Unplugged. The band contacted Criss and Frehley and invited them to participate in the event.^[108] Both joined Kiss on stage for several songs at the end of the set: "Beth", "2000 Man", "Nothin' to Lose" and "Rock and Roll All Nite".^[106] The Unplugged appearance set off months of speculation that a possible reunion of the original Kiss lineup was in the works. In the weeks following the Unplugged concert, however, the band (with Kulick and Singer) returned to the studio for the first time in three years to record a follow-up to Revenge. Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions was completed in February 1996, but its release was delayed for almost two years. Bootleg copies of the album circulated widely among fans.^[109] While Kiss continued to exist publicly as Simmons, Stanley, Kulick and Singer, arrangements for a reunion of the original lineup were in the works. These efforts culminated with a public event as dramatic as any the band had staged since its 1983 unmasking on MTV. With the following statements, Tupac Shakur introduced the original Kiss lineup, in full makeup and Love Gun-era stage outfits, to a rousing ovation at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards:^[110]

You know how the Grammys used to be, all straight-looking folks with suits. Everybody looking tired. No surprises. We tired of that. We need something different, something new, we need to shock the people ... so let's shock the people!

On April 16, the band members held a press conference aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City, where they announced their plans for a full-fledged reunion tour, with the help of new manager Doc McGhee. The conference, MC'd by Conan O'Brien, was simulcast to 58 countries.^[111] On April 20, nearly 40,000 tickets for the tour's first show sold out in 47 minutes.^[112]

The first public concert featuring the newly reunited Kiss was an hour-long warm-up show on June 15 for the annual KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, California, during which the band nearly ignited the stage of the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater.^[113] On June 28, the Kiss Alive/Worldwide Tour began at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in front of a sold-out crowd of 39,867 fans. The tour lasted for 192 shows over the course of one year and earned $43.6 million, making Kiss the top-drawing concert act of 1996.^[114] The average attendance of 13,737 is the highest in the group's history.^[112]

There were many many nights when I was looking around the stage and going "This is magic." This is beyond anybody's wildest fantasies. What was important about these shows is we had a much bigger task than people understood. Our biggest competition was our history. We didn't have to be as good as we used to be. We had to be as good as people thought we were. The show wasn't to be a replica of what we've done, it was to be what people imagined we had done. We had to be totally committed. and also totally sure that we could not only live up the legend but also surpass it. In terms of the stage show for the reunion tour, what we wanted to do was look at the '77 show in a sense as a pinnacle. That is what we chose to build on but not copy. There are also elements from other shows too in the sense that there's bombs and the flying rig and the breaking of the guitars. At that time, it was the ultimate Kiss show in the sense that we looked at the show, which we thought was our best and said, "Top this."

— Paul Stanley^[115]

In September 1998, the reunited group issued Psycho Circus. Although it was the first album with the original lineup since 1979's Dynasty, the contributions of Frehley and Criss were minimal. While the images of Frehley and Criss are featured prominently on the album, most of the lead guitar work was later revealed to have been performed by future band member Tommy Thayer. Former member Kulick made an appearance on the intro of the song "Within". Most drum duties were handled by session musician Kevin Valentine. Despite the controversy, the album achieved a No. 3 chart debut, the highest position for a Kiss album until Sonic Boom debuted at No. 2 in 2009.^[116] The title track received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.^[117] The Psycho Circus Tour opened at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Halloween in 1998, and was simulcast on FM radio across the U.S. It proved to be another success, and was historic for being the first to ever incorporate 3D visuals into a stage show.^[118][119]

On August 11, 1999, Kiss was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the "Recording Industry" category. The next month, the group worked in collaboration with World Championship Wrestling to produce a Kiss-themed wrestler known as the Demon, whose face was painted to resemble Simmons' makeup. The group performed "God of Thunder" live on WCW Monday Nitro to debut the character. The band received $500,000 for the one-night, one-song performance.^[120]

Kiss launched a U.S. Farewell Tour in March 2000.^[121] The group quickly added dates to the tour, which ran through April 2001.

The Reunion tour made us the number one band again. We played to about two million people in one year. Then we did the Psycho Circus tour and after that we thought, "been there, done it." We're the champs again, let's retire on top and we felt there is nothing worse than having someone go away and you don't get to say goodbye so this tour really is for the fans and to celebrate the whole history of the band.

— Paul Stanley^[122]

2001–2008: Post-reunion

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's Cat persona as the Farewell Tour continued.^[123]

With the band supposedly set to retire by early 2001, a career-encompassing collection entitled simply The Box Set, consisting of 94 tracks on five CDs, was released in November of that year, while the summer saw perhaps the most outrageous item of Kiss merchandise yet – the Kiss Kasket. In introducing the Kiss Kasket, Simmons quipped, "I love livin', but this makes the alternative look pretty damn good."^[124]

On December 4, 2001, Kiss was one of the honorees at the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences ("The Recording Academy") Heroes Award ceremony, at the NARAS New York Chapter. NARAS has 12 chapters throughout the United States, hence 12 ceremonies throughout the year, with the honorees each being honored by the chapter closest to their residence. By receiving this honor, which NARAS has renamed the "Recording Academy Honors", Kiss effectively received NARAS' second-highest career honor, right behind the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.^[125][126]

Kiss was relatively quiet through the rest of the year, but 2002 started with some controversy as Simmons took part in a controversial interview on National Public Radio with host Terry Gross.^[127] In February 2002, Kiss (with Singer on drums and Frehley on lead guitar) performed during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah^[128] which was Frehley's final performance as a member of Kiss.

On March 6, 2002, Kiss performed a private concert at a resort in Trelawny, Jamaica. Frehley, who was no longer under contract, did not perform with the group. He was replaced by Thayer, who donned Frehley's Spaceman makeup and costume for his first live appearance with Kiss.^[129] That month, the band (with Thayer) taped an appearance on the American sitcom That '70s Show.^[130] The episode, "That '70s Kiss Show", aired in August 2002. Thayer again performed with the group in April 2002, when Kiss performed "Detroit Rock City" (with pre-recorded music and live vocals) for an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary show, which aired on May 3.^[131]

In February 2003, Kiss traveled to Australia and recorded Kiss Symphony: Alive IV with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Marvel Stadium (then known as Telstra Dome) in Melbourne. Thayer once again replaced Frehley, while Criss returned to the group.

Despite claims made prior to the Farewell Tour that it would be the group's last, Kiss toured with Aerosmith in 2003.^[132] Frehley announced that his departure from the band was permanent, stating that he believed the Farewell Tour would be Kiss's last,^[133] and declined Simmons' invitation to join the band on the Aerosmith tour.^[134][135] He was permanently replaced by Thayer, as Kiss moved into a post-reunion phase that saw the band easing into a new lineup, permanently featuring Thayer as "Spaceman" and Singer as "the Catman". On this tour, still featuring Criss, the group introduced the "Platinum" tickets package, with the most expensive packages costing $1,000. This package included a seat in the first five rows, a meet-and-greet with Kiss after their performance and a photograph with the band.^[136] The tour earned more than $64 million in 2003, which ranked seventh for the year.^[137]

Simmons and Stanley did not renew Criss's contract when it expired in March 2004. Criss, on his website, stated that "No one, again, no one has called me, or my attorney about an extension for future touring. As a founding member I find this to be disrespectful to me, and to the fans that have made us one of the biggest bands in the world."^[138]

During the summer of 2004, Kiss headlined the Rock the Nation 2004 World Tour, with Poison as the opening act. The tour ended in August with a sold-out show in Mexico City. Selected dates on the tour were filmed for the Rock the Nation Live! concert DVD, released on December 13, 2005.^[139] Stanley, who had been experiencing increasing difficulty with his hip, had his mobility limited during the tour. He has already had two hip surgeries performed, with more likely in the future.^[140]

After the conclusion of the Rock the Nation Tour, Kiss performed only sporadically for a number of years. The group played two shows in 2005, and another six in 2006. Four of the 2006 shows were July concerts in Japan, including two dates (July 22 and 23) as a headlining act at the 2006 Udo Music Festival. Kiss performed four July 2007 concerts, three of which were dubbed the Hit 'N Run Tour. Prior to the final show on July 27, Stanley was hospitalized with an extremely rapid heartbeat. In his absence, Kiss performed in concert as a trio for the first time since 1982. This was the first Kiss concert that Stanley had missed during his then 34-year tenure with the group.^[141]

Kiss (along with Queen, Def Leppard and Judas Priest) were honored at the inaugural "VH1 Rock Honors" event, held May 25, 2006, in Las Vegas. In June 2006, Simmons and Stanley attended the opening of the Kiss Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On October 15, 2006, Simmons, Stanley and Criss were inaugural inductees into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, along with performers such as Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Louis Armstrong, the Ramones and Tony Bennett.^[142]

Stanley released his second solo album, Live to Win, on October 24, 2006, and undertook a brief solo tour in support. On October 31 the same year, the group released Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977, the first of 10 possible DVD sets featuring complete concert footage, interviews and never-before-seen clips.^[143] By January 2007, the set had been certified 5× Platinum in the United States.^[144] A second volume was released on August 14, 2007. It was certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA on October 24.^[145] What seemed to be the final entry, Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000, was released on December 18, 2007, and has been certified 8× Platinum by the R.I.A.A.^[146]

In April 2007, former guitarist St. John died from an apparent cerebral hemorrhage at age 51.^[147] After being forced to leave Kiss in 1984, St. John formed the short-lived glam metal group White Tiger.

Though Kiss had been eligible for enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1999, they were not nominated until 2009 and were not inducted until 2014. While this snub displeased some fans, Stanley and Simmons maintained that it was meaningless to them. Nevertheless, a group of about 200 Kiss fans held a protest rally in front of the Hall of Fame in Cleveland on August 5, 2006. It was the first known organized demonstration seeking the induction of a band into the Hall.^[148]

In 2007, a new comic book series featuring the band was released by the Kiss Comics Group in association with Platinum Studios, titled Kiss 4K: Legends Never Die.

The band picked up their pace in 2008, embarking on their first proper tour of Europe in nearly a decade. On January 30, 2008, Stanley confirmed that Kiss would launch the Kiss Alive/35 World Tour, playing arena and stadium shows in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. On March 16, 2008, Kiss closed the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit as well as performing in Brisbane and Sydney as part of this tour. Kiss played at the Rock2Wgtn two-day festival held in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 22 and 23, 2008; the festival also featured Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Poison, Alice Cooper, Lordi, Sonic Altar and Symphony of Screams, with special effects provided by WETA Workshop (of The Lord of the Rings and King Kong fame).^[149]

Throughout the summer of 2008, Kiss headlined festivals as well as their own shows and played to a record audience of about 400,000 people.^[150] As part of this tour, Kiss headlined the Download Festival at England's Donington Park on June 13. Three days later, they headlined the Arrow Rock Festival in Nijmegen, Netherlands. On June 28, Kiss headlined the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium. It was the last show of the European leg of the Kiss Alive/35 Tour. On August 4, Kiss played at Rockin' the Rally at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as part of the tour. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds proclaimed August 4, 2008, to be "Kiss Rock and Roll Day" in South Dakota. In September 2008, both Simmons and Stanley confirmed rumors that the Kiss Alive/35 Tour would continue with extensive tours of North America in the beginning of 2009, as well as South America. The latter tour included shows on April 5 in Argentina, April 7 and 8 in Brazil, April 14 in Peru (the first Kiss show ever in Peru), and other concerts in Venezuela (the first Kiss show ever in Venezuela) and Chile. That summer, Kiss came back to North America to continue the Alive/35 World Tour, starting on July 18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.^{[151][152][153]}

2008–2012: Sonic Boom and Monster

More than 10 years after their last studio album, and following years of denials about ever wanting to do a new album, Stanley and Simmons changed their minds. In November 2008, Stanley stated to rock photographer Ross Halfin that a new Kiss album was in the works. Stanley himself would be the producer, and the album would have a "real 70s Kiss sound" to it. Later that month, Simmons and Stanley both publicly confirmed the information about a new Kiss album:

We have 4 tunes recorded. If you're a fan of our stuff from about 1977, you'll feel right at home. All of us have taken up the songwriting call to arms in the same spirit we once did – without a care in the world and without outside writers. Nothing to prove to anyone. Just doing what comes naturally. Ignoring fashions, trends and with a personal vow from all of us: no rapping. There are plenty of people out there doing this and they don't need four palefaced guys pretending they're from the hood. Besides, I'm not sure how to correctly pronounce 'wassup.' See you all there ... Or maybe later!^[150]

The band appeared on American Idol in May 2009, performing "Detroit Rock City" and "Rock and Roll All Nite" with Adam Lambert.^[154]

In October 2009, a new studio album, titled Sonic Boom, was released.^[155] It included a CD of new material, re-recorded versions of famous Kiss hits (previously released as Jigoku-Retsuden, a Japanese exclusive album in 2008) and a live DVD recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[156] "Modern Day Delilah" was released as the lead single from Sonic Boom on August 19, 2009. The song was Kiss's first single release in 11 years, since 1998's "You Wanted the Best". The song gained positive feedback from both critics and fans, and was compared to the band's 1970s work.^[157][158] In support of the new album, Kiss appeared live on Late Show with David Letterman on October 6, 2009, and on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on October 7, 2009. Sonic Boom debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

On September 25, 2009, the Kiss Alive/35 North American Tour kicked off at Cobo Hall in Detroit; both nights were filmed for future DVD release. These were the band's final performances there, as the venue was later closed as part of the renovation of the Cobo Center. Kiss headlined the 2009 Voodoo Experience held at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Halloween night.^[159] During their performance at the MTS Centre on November 9, 2009, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, one of the lighting trusses caught on fire from a pyro cue. The truss had to be lowered in order to have the fire put out. During the five or so minutes it took to extinguish the fire, the band broke into the song "Firehouse". No one was hurt and the show continued.^[160]

Kiss started the European leg of the Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour in May 2010. Tragedy struck Kiss for a third time when former manager Aucoin died of cancer on June 28, 2010, at the age of 66. Stanley and Simmons said he was like the fifth member of Kiss. The tour included their first UK arena shows in 11 years and their first visit to Slovakia. Kiss later played at two dates in US cities Cheyenne, Wyoming and the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, North Dakota, in July 2010. They also played at the Indiana State Fair in August and the Minnesota State Fair in September. They also made a brief appearance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 17, 2010. On July 23, Kiss started The Hottest Show on Earth Tour in the United States.

On April 13, 2011, Kiss began recording a new album due for release later in the year.^[161] Simmons stated, the album "is gonna be the next step to Sonic Boom. Very similar – straight rock songs, no ballads, no keyboards, no nothing, just rock."^[161] The band also used old analog equipment instead of more popular digital recording gear. Simmons said: "Technology is a seductive bitch, she will seduce you. You press this button, you don't have to do anything. But analog is the love of your life. You can push real hard and it always gives back. For the new album, the actual recording process was 24-track tape and an old Trident board. And as many tubes as possible. You need tubes, electricity and thick wood to make that thick sound."^[162][163]

Kiss spent the summer of 2011 playing venues in the US and Canada, visiting cities they had not played in some time; it was dubbed the "Lost Cities Tour". Their next album Monster was released in October 2012. KISS by Monster Mini Golf was opened in March 2012 in Las Vegas. The facility is an 18-hole indoor miniature golf course, featuring arcade games, a gift shop, and numerous pieces of band memorabilia on display. The complete current version of the band attended the grand opening.^[164]

Kiss appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 20, 2012. A press conference was held on the same day to announce a summer North American tour called The Tour, co-headlined by Mötley Crüe. The Tour started on July 20 and ended on October 1.^[165] The single "Hell or Hallelujah" was released internationally on July 2, 2012, and on July 3 in North America. Monster was released on October 9, 2012, in North America.

Kiss kicked off the Monster World Tour on November 7, 2012, in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the River Plate Stadium and continued the six-date South American leg with dates in Santiago, Asunción, Porto Alegre, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro until November 18. The Australian leg began on February 28, 2013, in Perth at the Perth Arena and ran through March 16 in Mackay at Virgin Australian Stadium. They were joined by Mötley Crüe, Thin Lizzy and Diva Demolition. The band extensively toured Europe and Canada with a few US dates in June through August, and then Japan in October.^[166]

2013–2015: 40th anniversary, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and international collaboration

On October 16, 2013, Kiss was again announced as a nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,^[167] and was subsequently announced as an inductee on December 17.^[168]

In 2013, Kiss purchased a share of an Arena Football League expansion franchise set to begin play at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, in 2014. Simmons, Stanley and manager McGhee jointly owned the team, called the Los Angeles Kiss. Both Simmons and Stanley are known fans of the AFL.^[169] The LA Kiss offered National Football League free agent quarterback Tim Tebow a contract to join their team and play in the AFL, but he did not join.^[170] The team folded in 2016.^[171]

In 2014, Kiss toured as co-headliners with Def Leppard. After Simmons toured with Joe Elliott in South America, the two talked about their bands working together. From June 23 to August 31, 2014, the bands toured 42 cities, with a dollar per ticket donated to such military charities as Wounded Warrior Project.^[172]

For the first time in the band's 41-year history, Kiss was featured on the cover of the April 10, 2014 (Issue 1206) edition of Rolling Stone magazine. On April 10, 2014, Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though the rockers did not perform, the original four members showed up at the 29th annual induction ceremony in Brooklyn to accept the honor.^[168][173] In November 2014 the band played a historic nine-show run at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.^[174]

External video
Yume no Ukiyo ni Saite Mi na Kiss's first collaboration single with another artist.

On January 28, 2015, Kiss released a collaboration single with the Japanese female idol group Momoiro Clover Z, titled "Yume no Ukiyo ni Saite Mi na". It was the first time Kiss had issued a collaboration record with another artist.^[175] In Japan, it was released physically in two versions: "Momoiro Clover Z Edition" (on CD and Blu-ray) and "Kiss Edition" (CD only).^[176][177] An alternate mix of the single's title song was also included as an opening track on the Japanese-only SHM-CD album Best of Kiss 40, released in Japan on the same day.^[178][179]

Before the collaboration, the members of Kiss had watched concert videos of Momoiro Clover Z. Stanley later commented during an interview:

Spectacular show! Great choreography! Music like we never heard before. We said, "this is something we can do!" Somebody said, "Kiss, why are you doing it?" "Because we can!" It's two worlds getting together, doing something unbelievable. Music power rocks the world.^[180]

On September 15, 2015, the RIAA announced that the band had earned more Gold records than any other American band in the association's 63-year history, with a total of 30 Gold album awards (including the band's four 1978 solo albums). Cary Sherman, the RIAA CEO and chairman, commented:

What an extraordinary achievement for an enduring band. Forty years later and the band is still rocking. Congratulations to KISS on their Gold album milestone and continued success.^[181]

2016–present: Continued activities and final tour

In 2016, Kiss conducted a summer tour, titled the Freedom to Rock Tour, of less frequented cities and smaller venues. The tour ran throughout the summer, with opening acts Caleb Johnson and the Dead Daisies.^[182] On December 13, 2016, Kiss performed during the season 11 finale of The Voice, accompanied by the season winner Sundance Head.^[183]

There had been conflicting stories regarding whether Kiss would record another album. Simmons had said "yes" in interviews, saying that he had songs written and lined up for a new album. Stanley and Thayer disputed this, however, and said that they did not vow to make one and that the band could move forward without new music.^[184][185] However, on March 25, 2021, Stanley stated that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of Kiss producing new music,^[186] with both Simmons and Stanley stating in later interviews that the band doesn't need to record another album.^[187][188]

The band continued to perform shows in North America and Europe on the Kissworld Tour throughout 2017 and 2018.^[189]

On September 19, 2018, following a performance on America's Got Talent, Kiss announced that it would be ending its career with the End of the Road World Tour in 2019.^[190] Stanley commented:

This is gonna be our last tour. It will be the most explosive, biggest show we've ever done. People who love us, come see us. If you've never seen us, this is the time. This will be the show.^[1]

In October 2018, the band reunited with Ace Frehley and Bruce Kulick on the Kiss Kruise. It performed "2,000 Man", "New York Groove", "Nothin' to Lose", and "Rock and Roll All Nite". This was the first time Frehley and the band had performed together since 2002 for the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Kulick's first time performing with the band live since his departure in 1996.^[191]

The band's final tour kicked off on January 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; it currently features 186 additional dates that run through October 3, 2020, in Fort Worth, United States.^[192] In February 2019, Simmons said the farewell tour would likely gross between $150 million and $200 million, "not counting ancillaries, licensing, merchandise and stuff like that".^[193] During the first leg of the End of the Road World Tour, Kiss was accused by fans of lip syncing and using backing tracks.^[194] Three years prior, Simmons had been critical of bands using backing tracks on live shows. Former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach defended Kiss, saying that the band did not lip-sync at the show he attended.^[195] Stanley did not confirm nor deny that he lip syncs on stage, saying he is taking care of his voice.^[196] Accusations were revived by fans following the band's Belgium performance when there was a slip-up with the fireworks and drum cues on the opening song.^[197] Doc McGhee, the band's manager, later confirmed that Stanley did sing fully, confirming simultaneously that Stanley will sing to tracks, but denied that he was lip syncing.^[198]

On November 14, 2019, the band announced that its Australia and New Zealand shows on its final tour had been canceled due to Stanley's health issues, and stated: "Doctor's orders ultimately have taken precedence and finally we now find ourselves with no choice but to surrender".^[199] In December 2019, X Japan's Yoshiki joined the band in Tokyo and Osaka on their Japan leg to perform "Beth" on piano and "Rock and Roll All Nite" on drums.^[200][201] They would later collaborate on a televised New Year's Eve performance in Japan, performing "Rock and Roll All Nite" under the combined name "YoshiKiss".^[202][203]

Kiss appeared again as special guests on America's Got Talent on February 17, 2020, with a televised performance of "Rock and Roll All Nite".^[204] The band would later dedicate "Do You Love Me" to Kobe Bryant and the 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash victims during the Los Angeles show at the Staples Center on March 4, 2020.^[205]

With the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band had temporarily ceased its final tour, with Simmons commenting that the tour would continue once scientists had confirmed that it is safe to resume.^[206] The 2020 edition of Kiss Kruise had been postponed to October 2021, as a result of the pandemic.^[207]

Kiss had announced on November 20, 2020, that they would perform an exclusive New Year's Eve 2020 livestream show.^[208] The Kiss New Year's Eve 2020 Goodbye livestream concert was produced by City Drive Studios^[209] and directed by Daniel Catullo.^[210] The pay-per-view concert was part of the Landmarks Live Series and was filmed with over fifty 4K cameras with 360-degree views on a 250-foot stage at The Royal Beach at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. The performance broke two Guinness World Records: one for the highest flame projection in a music concert and another for the most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert.^[211]

On December 2, 2020, Simmons confirmed that the band would continue their final tour in the summer of 2021; in which there are another 150 shows left, as well as rescheduling the Australian leg of the final tour.^[212][213] In a June 2021 interview, Stanley remained optimistic that the band would complete their final tour when playing concerts was safe and discussed the inevitable retirement of Kiss.^[214] He also did not rule out the possibility of former members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss making appearances during the final tour, stating that he is "open to the idea".^[215] Simmons later invited Frehley to perform encores with the band for their final tour,^[216] but Frehley turned down the invitation.^[217]

It was announced on December 15, 2020, that a biopic of the band was in the works, with hopes to release it on time with the band's final concert. The band's manager Doc McGhee spoke about the process: "Hopefully in the next week we'll have a company behind it, and we'll start finishing the script, and hopefully by the time we end we'll have a movie finished for July of next year."^[218] Deadline reported that Netflix has nearly finalized a deal to produce the Kiss biopic titled Shout it Out Loud, which will be released in 2024.^[219][220] The film will be made with close cooperation from both Simmons and Stanley, and will focus on the formative years of the band.^[221][222]

Following the announcement of the biopic, a two-part documentary on the band titled Biography: Kisstory was also announced and aired on A&E on both June 27 and 28, 2021, with an exclusive live performance following after its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2021.^[223][224]

In an interview on October 6, 2021, Stanley confirmed that the final concert for Kiss will likely happen within the next year and a half, stating: "I believe strongly by the beginning of 2023 we will be finished, it seems only natural for the final show to be in New York. That is where the band started, and that was really the background for the band getting together and writing these songs and played loft parties and played clubs starting with an audience of probably 10 people. It seems we should go full circle."^[6] The band performed on board for the 2022 edition of the Kiss Kruise in October to November 2022, which was their final time performing on the cruise.^[225] In addition to adding another 100 cities on tour into 2023,^[226] Simmons stated that he will continue working with the American rock-inspired restaurant Rock & Brews, and performing with his solo band when the final tour has concluded. He later stated that the band will be retiring out of self-respect and love for the fans and that he will be very emotional during the band's final performance which he presumed would take place around 2024,^{[227][228][229]} although band manager McGhee insisted that their final show will take place in 2023.^[230] During an interview on The Howard Stern Show on March 1, 2023, the band confirmed their final show will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 2.^[231]

Despite the tour being their final, both Simmons and Stanley have not ruled the possibility that Kiss could continue without them or the original members for a "new generation"^[232][233] with a possibility of occasional guest appearances.^[234]

Artistry

Musical style

Kiss has typically been classified under the genres of hard rock,^[235] heavy metal,^[236] shock rock,^[237] glam metal,^[238] and glam rock.^[239] 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 makeup, the band began incorporating glam metal into its sound and visual image.^[240][241] Later, in the early 1990s, its sound grew heavier and abandoned the glam metal sound.^[242] In the mid-1990s, the band returned to its original sound.^[239]

Its music is described as "a commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock, driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, cloying melodies, and sweeping strings. It was a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late 1980s."^[239] The first review of Kiss by Rolling Stone, in 1973, described the band as "an American Black Sabbath".^[243] The same magazine's review of Hotter than Hell stated that "with twin guitars hammering out catchy mondo-distorto riffs and bass and drums amiably bringing up the rear, Kiss spews forth a deceptively controlled type of thunderous hysteria."^[244] At the same time, Bennington Banner from Rock Music magazine said, "With its members' bizarre, Kabuki-like makeup, studded black leather costumes and arsenal of on-stage firepower – both musical and literal – Kiss represents the most extreme form of hard rock in 1974."^[245]

Makeup designs

The band is famous for its iconic makeup designs, each of which represents a different character or persona. The current lineup consists of the original four designs: the "Starchild", the "Demon", the "Spaceman" and the "Catman". The band formerly included a practice of giving any new members a new persona, such as "the Fox" for Carr and "the Ankh Warrior" for Vincent; this practice was ended after Singer and Thayer took up Frehley's "Spaceman" and Criss's "Catman" personas. When asked on the matter, Simmons stated "Why wouldn't we use the classic makeup? We own it". Criss relinquished his rights to his makeup when he left the band in 2004, which he later regretted, saying "I'm pissed at myself that my makeup slipped through my hands"; while Frehley claims he licensed his design to the band and would get it back, a notion which Stanley has called "a fantasy".^[246]

During 1973–74, Stanley occasionally used an alternative makeup design called the "Bandit" for select photo-shoots and live shows after Neil Bogart, head of Casablanca Records, suggested to him that he use a design that was symmetrical like those of the rest of the band. During this time, he was also still using the Starchild makeup—sometimes even using both designs at the same photo-shoots. In 1974, he stopped using the Bandit design permanently. On the cover of the band's debut album, Criss used a drastically different variation of his Catman makeup (dubbed the "Pantomime Cat") after he allowed the makeup artist at the shoot to use their own ideas instead of following the usual design. Carr was originally going to be the "Hawk", a design which Simmons recalled in his autobiography looked like Big Bird from Sesame Street. One photo of Carr wearing this proposed design exists today, and also one of a mannequin Stanley set up wearing the proposed makeup and outfit. Unlike the Bandit and Pantomime Cat, this alternative design was never used in any official capacity. The Hawk design was also considered for Vincent and Singer.^[247]

St. John and Kulick were members of Kiss only during the non-makeup period. Kulick stated that had he ever worn makeup in the band, he would have liked to have been the "Dog": "I figure that since there's already a cat in the band, I should probably be the dog. I'd have a big circle around one eye and I'd look like Petey from the Little Rascals. I've actually seen one or two fan renditions of what that might look like, so yeah, I'd be the dog." The four original makeup designs have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with ownership and licensing rights held by Simmons and Stanley.

• 

  The Starchild
  Paul Stanley
  (1973–present)

• 

  The Demon
  Gene Simmons
  (1973–present)

• 

  The Spaceman
  Ace Frehley ("Space Ace")
  (1973–1982, 1996–2002)
  Tommy Thayer
  (2002–present)

• 

  The Catman
  Peter Criss
  (1973–1980, 1996–2000, 2002–2004)
  Eric Singer
  (2001–2002, 2004–present)

• 

  The Fox
  Eric Carr
  (1980–1983)

• 

  The Ankh Warrior
  Vinnie Vincent
  (1982–1983)

Influences

Kiss was strongly influenced by Alice Cooper and New York Dolls,^[248] while Gene Simmons has stated that the band's "musical heart and soul lies in England".^[249] 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 here. 'Rock and Roll All Nite' is a direct bastard child of Slade's 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now'".^[249] In his book, Kiss and Make-Up, Simmons wrote of the glam rock group Slade, "... we liked the way they connected with the crowd and the way they wrote anthems ... we wanted that same energy, that same irresistible simplicity".^[250]

The world of concert touring was changed by Kiss's practice of erecting uniquely designed stage sets. Tours got larger, carrying more personnel and equipment, including sets, costumes, sound and lighting gear, and pyrotechnics, all requiring more trucking and the total cost increasing by millions of dollars. Kiss also innovated with a significant expansion of concert merchandising, selling non-musical Kiss-branded goods to concertgoers. The sales of merchandise helped pay for the concert expenses and bring a profit to the band as well as give them more of a presence without relying solely on radio. Other bands copied Kiss by selling their own branded goods at concerts, a practice which became more of a necessity in the 1980s with increasing costs of touring.^[248][251] In addition to concert merchandising, Kiss has extended its influence to include a full Kiss-themed mini-golf course at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[252][253]

Band members

Current

• Paul Stanley – lead and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (1973–present)
• Gene Simmons – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar (1973–present)
• Eric Singer – drums, backing and lead vocals (1991–1996, 2001−2002, 2004–present)
• Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals (2002–present)

Former

• Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals (1973–1982, 1996–2002)
• Peter Criss – drums, backing and lead vocals (1973–1980, 1996–2001, 2002–2004)
• Eric Carr – drums, backing and lead vocals (1980–1991; died 1991)
• Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals (1982–1984)
• Mark St. John – lead guitar, backing vocals (1984; died 2007)
• Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals (1984–1996)

Awards and nominations

Discography

Studio albums

Tours

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
• List of bestselling music artists

References

Citations

"It's Official: KISS To Launch Farewell Tour, 'End Of The Road'". Blabbermouth.net. September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

"GENE SIMMONS Says KISS's 'End Of The Road' Tour Could Last More Than Three Years". Blabbermouth. November 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2019.

"KISS To Launch Three Year Tour In January 2019, Says GENE SIMMONS". Blabbermouth. June 4, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2019.

Kielty, Martin. "Kiss Reveal 75 New 2020 'End of the Road' Tour Dates". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 6, 2019.

"PAUL STANLEY On Why 'End Of The Road' Is KISS's Final Tour: 'It's Just Not Possible To Continue Doing This The Way We Do It'". Blabbermouth.net. January 5, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020.

Graff, Gary (October 6, 2021). "Paul Stanley Reveals New Plans for the End of Kiss' Farewell Tour". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

"15 Most Influential Bands of All Time". Loudwire. August 30, 2018.

"KISS - America's #1 Gold Record Award Winning Group of All Time". Recording Industry Association of America. September 15, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2019.

Martin-Brown, Becca (September 22, 2017). "Rooted In Enjoyment". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved March 31, 2022.

"Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved October 8, 2019.

"RIAA Top Selling Artists". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 13, 2017.

"MTVNews.com: The Greatest Metal Bands Of All Time". Mtv.com. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on July 28, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

"VH1: '100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists': 1-50". RockOnTheNet. Retrieved July 1, 2019.

"The 50 Best Metal + Hard Rock Live Bands of All Time". Loudwire.com. October 19, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2019.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, pp. 14.

Gill, Focus, pp. 68–71.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 20–21.

Brod 2020, p. 15.

Weiss 2016, p. 59.

"Artist bio: Ace Frehley". Kayos Productions. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2010.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 33, 57–58.

Gene Simmons (1987). Exposed (VHS). Mercury.

Gebert and McAdams, Kiss & Tell, pp. 41, 42.

Apfelbaum, Sue (April 29, 2013). "Iconic New York Music Logos Explained – KISS". Red Bull Music Academy. p. 12. Retrieved June 16, 2017. Article also hosted by Sue Apfelbaum here.

Van Luling, Todd (May 26, 2016). "Paul Stanley Shares Stories You Didn't Know About KISS". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2016.

Van Luling, Todd (July 8, 2016). "Ace Frehley Addresses Theory About The Famous KISS Logo". HuffPost. Retrieved January 27, 2021.

Wilkening, Matthew (May 18, 2020). "How Nazi Comparisons Forced Kiss to Change Their Logo in Germany". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved January 27, 2021.

Simmons, Gene (2001). Kiss and Make-up. Crown. ISBN 0-609-60855-X. p. 119

Mikkelson, David (May 21, 2014). "KISS: Does It Stand for 'Knights in Satan's Service'?". Snopes.com. Snopes. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.

Wilkening, Matthew (January 30, 2016). "The Day Kiss Played Their First Show". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved August 22, 2020.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 4.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 145–146.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 27.

"Kiss Chronology". kissonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 5.

Kielty, Martin (March 29, 2021). "When Kiss Made Their National TV Debut". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

Greene, Andy (April 22, 2021). "Flashback: Kiss Perform 'Firehouse' on 'The Mike Douglas Show' in 1974". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977 (DVD). VH1 Classic. October 31, 2006.

Gill, Focus, pp. 140–141.

Prato, Greg. "Review Dressed to Kill". AllMusic. Retrieved January 6, 2010.

"On tour with KISS". EW.com. Retrieved July 19, 2021.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 62–64.

Young, Charles (April 7, 1977). "Kiss: The Pagan Beasties of Teenage Rock". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.

Prato, Greg. "Review Alive!". AllMusic. Retrieved January 6, 2010.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 8.

Gill, Focus, pp. 169–172.

Mark Voger (October 22, 2006). "Criss eager to meet television idol Zacherley". Asbury Park Press. p. 6E.

"Manowar truck to make its debut in Austria this weekend". Austria Today. September 8, 2006.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 65–66.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 13.

"Howard the Duck 1-32 + Extras - First KISS in Comics" (in Japanese). Worthpoint.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

Gill, Focus, pp. 272–273.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 162.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 88–89.

Gill, Focus, p. 271.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 92.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 94.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 95.

"KISS: SoundScan-Era Record Sales Revealed". February 12, 2007.

"Kiss Meets the Phantom". Google News. No. 252. Bryan, Ohio: The Bryan Times. October 27, 1978. Retrieved May 31, 2022.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 91–92.

Gill, Focus, pp. 346–347.

"Ace Frehley Shares Honest Opinion on KISS Going Disco, Admits Band 'Cheated a Little' on Iconic Live Album".

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 102–105.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 98.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, p. 100.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 170–171.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, pp. 97–98.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 150–151.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 109.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 101–102.

"KISS Legend Ace Frehley - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 2)". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 113.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, p. 102.

Gill, Focus, p. 460.

Gill, Focus, pp. 462–463.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 117.

Simmons, Kiss and Make-up, p. 186.

Gill, Focus, p. 514.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 243–244.

"Paul Stanley explains the truth about Eddie Van Halen almost joining KISS". November 4, 2018.

Prato, Greg (March 2, 2017). "The Guitarist Who Turned Down KISS, Aerosmith & New York Dolls". alternativenation.net. Retrieved March 2, 2017.

Nikas, Sakis; Dolas, Yannis. "Interviews - Doug Aldrich". rockpages.gr. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.

"Richie Sambora - Kiss Reject, Pop Rock Hero". guitar.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2012.

Ochoa, Hugh. "Yngwie Malmsteen Interview: Strats, Shreds and Sweeps". guitarinternational.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2012.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 255–256.

Saulnier, Jason (March 14, 2011). "Bruce Kulick Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved May 8, 2013.

Gill, Focus, pp. 493–495.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, pp. 118–120.

Simmons, Kiss and Make-up, p. 187.

Simmons, Gene (2001). KISS AND MAKE-UP. Arrow Books. ISBN 978-0-09-943614-0 (Page 187 lines 17-18)

Simmons, Gene (2001). Kiss and Make-up. Arrow Books. ISBN 978-0-09-943614-0 (Page 192 lines 3-4)

Leaf, David; Sharp, Ken (2003). Kiss: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography. Warner Books. p. 103. ISBN 0-446-53073-5.

Leaf, David; Sharp, Ken (2003). Kiss: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography. Warner Books. passim. ISBN 0-446-53073-5.

Pore-Lee-Dunn Productions. "Interview With Gene Simmons". Classicbands.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 289.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, p. 294.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, pp. 139–140.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 21.

"Singles Chart Action". The Kiss FAQ. Retrieved July 30, 2006.

Lendt, Kiss and Sell, pp. 311–312.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, p. 360–363.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, p. 107.

"Eric Carr, 41, Is Dead; Rock Band's Drummer". The New York Times. November 26, 1991. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

"Guitar Center's Hollywood Rockwalk". Rockwalk.com. Retrieved October 11, 2011.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 108–110.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 217.

Kelley, Ken (March 12, 2016). "When Kiss Reunited, Then Went Acoustic, on 'Unplugged'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved January 24, 2022.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, pp. 403–404.

"Grammy Flashback 1996". MTV. Archived from the original on February 22, 2002. Retrieved July 30, 2006.

Browne, David (April 16, 2021). "Flashback: Kiss and Conan O'Brien Announce the Band's 1996 Reunion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 224.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 225.

"Kiss is top concert draw of 1996". USA Today. December 30, 1996. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 29.

Caulfield, Keith (October 14, 2009). "Michael Buble Beats Kiss On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2009.

"41st annual Grammy nominees and winners". CNN. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2006.

Leaf and Sharp, Behind the Mask, p. 112, 115.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 245.

"Fighting Spirit Magazine – Article". Fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.

Rosen, Craig (February 14, 2000). "Kiss 'Farewell' Tour Dates Announced". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on June 17, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2006.

(2019). End of the Road World Tour Program, p. 31.

Rosen, Craig (January 31, 2001). "Peter Criss Leaves Kiss, Eric Singer Steps In". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on September 24, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

"Kiss Introduce Their Latest Merchandising Endeavor: The Kiss Kasket". NYRock. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2006.

"Kiss Honored At Heroes Award Event To Benefit N.Y.C. Rescuers' Families". Archived from the original on December 16, 2006.

"The Official Site of the GRAMMY Awards". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010.

"Terry Gross interview with Gene Simmons". Internet Archive. Retrieved August 13, 2009.

Wise, Mike (February 25, 2002). "OLYMPICS: CLOSING CEREMONY; Games End With a Mixture Of Rowdy Relief and Joy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 269.

"About Tommy Thayer". Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2007.

Gooch and Suhs, Kiss Alive Forever, p. 270.

Brod 2020, p. 240.

(July 25, 2003). Infoplease. Retrieved April 17, 2006.

Frehley 2011, pp. 271–272.

"YouTube". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2015.

"KissOnline Presale and Ticket Package Details". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.

"2003 Top 20 Concert Tours". www.infoplease.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.

"Peter Criss - The Official Site". petercriss.net. March 2, 2004. Archived from the original on April 11, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2006.

Prato, Greg (November 8, 2005). "Kiss Keeps Rocking With Live DVD". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

"Kiss frontman needs more hip surgery". The Rock Radio. December 14, 2005. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

"Paul Stanley Hospitalized Prior To California Gig; Kiss Performs As Three-Piece". Blabbermouth.net. July 28, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007.

"Kiss Members To Be Inducted Into LONG ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME". Blabbermouth.net. April 22, 2006. Retrieved April 23, 2006.

"Kiss To Continue Raiding Vaults For DVD Series". Billboard. November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2006.

"American video certifications – Kiss – Kissology Volume 1". Recording Industry Association of America.

"American video certifications – Kiss – Kissology Volume 2". Recording Industry Association of America.

"American video certifications – Kiss – Kissology Volume 3". Recording Industry Association of America.

Prato, Greg (April 8, 2007). "Ex-Kiss guitarist Mark St. John dies". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007.

"Kiss fans protest Rock Hall of Fame snub". August 6, 2006. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2006.

"'Rock2wgtnââ'¬â"¢ announces the next big name for festival". Infonews.co.nz. November 19, 2007.

"> News >". Kissonline. Com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

"KISS To Play Peru For First Time In April". Blabbermouth.net. February 3, 2009.

"KISS To Play Venezuela For First Time". Blabbermouth.net. February 7, 2009.

"Kissonline.com". Kissonline.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.

Montgomery, James (May 20, 2009). "Adam Lambert Gets Glammed Up With Kiss". MTV. Retrieved October 17, 2009.

"> News > Pre-Order Sonic Boom Now!". Kissonline. Com. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

"Kiss to release new album at Wal-Mart, Sam's: Album will only be available through world's largest retailer". Associated Press. August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2009.

Appleford, Steve (August 17, 2009). "Kiss 'Born Again' With Walmart's 'Sonic Boom': Band Talks New LP". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2009.

Kreps, Daniel (June 22, 2009). "Kiss "Days From Finishing" New Album, Walmart Deal In the Works". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009.

"Eminem to headline New Orleans' Voodoo Experience | News". Nme.Com. June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

Sterdan, Darryl (November 10, 2009). "Kiss by the numbers". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved November 11, 2009.

"KISS: Basic Tracks For Five New Songs Laid Down". Blabbermouth.net. April 18, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.

"Kiss Going Retro for 'Monster' Recording Sessions". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 12, 2011.

"KISS Online :: News". Kissonline.com.

"Monster Mini Golf presents Kiss". monsterminigolf.com. Retrieved April 11, 2014.

Baltin, Steve (March 21, 2012). "KISS and Motley Crue Announce 'The Tour'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 17, 2022.

Lifton, Dave (April 4, 2013). "Kiss Announce 2013 Canada Tour". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 30, 2021.

"Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Rolling Stone. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.

"Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inductees". rockhall.com. Retrieved April 11, 2014.

"Arena Football League, KISS Bring Pro Football Back to Los Angeles". Arena Football League. August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on February 9, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2013.

Breech, John (September 9, 2013). "LA KISS offer Tim Tebow contract to play Arena football". CBSSports.com.

Wilkening, Matthew. "Confirmed: Kiss' Football Team Folds". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 11, 2020.

Elavsky, Cindy (March 22, 2014). "Celebrity Extra". King Features. Retrieved June 5, 2014.

"Kiss founders set aside feud to take stage at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction". nydailynews.com.

Kiss Rocks Vegas

"ももクロ vs KISS、大型コラボの"キーマン"が明かす制作秘話を独占公開". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved January 30, 2015.

"Momoiro Clover Z are teaming up with KISS!". SBS PopAsia. November 19, 2014.

"Momoiro Clover Z vs. KISS, collaborative single in effect". Barks. November 19, 2014. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.

"KISSの来日記念盤/日本独自企画によるスペシャル・アルバム、緊急発売決定!!ももクロ vs KISS コラボソング（別ミックス）も収録!". Kiss Army Japan Official Fan Club. November 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014..

"KISS To Release Japanese Original Greatest Hits". Neowing. December 3, 2014.

"2015/01/19 21:54". Momoiro Clover Z Official Ustream. Retrieved January 19, 2015.

"KISS - AMERICA'S #1 GOLD RECORD AWARD WINNING GROUP OF ALL TIME". RIAA. September 15, 2015. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.

bravewords.com. "KISS - Freedom To Rock Tour Commercial".

"KISS and Sundance Head 'Rock and Roll All Nite' on 'The Voice' Finale: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

"Gene Simmons Vows Kiss Will Make Another Album". Ultimate Classic Rock.

"Kiss New Album To Be Recorded In 2016? Paul Stanley Feels Band Can Move Forward Without New Music!". March 8, 2016.

"PAUL STANLEY On Possibility Of New KISS Music: 'Never Say Never'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.

"Paul Stanley Explains Why Kiss Doesn't 'Need' To Release New Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.

Kielty, Martin (May 15, 2022). "Gene Simmons Will Be 'Crying Like Baby' During Final Kiss Song". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 17, 2022.

Andrew Trendell (November 29, 2016). "KISS announce 2017 UK and European arena tour". NME. Retrieved April 21, 2021.

"KISS Announces 'End of the Road' Farewell World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

Blistein, Jon (November 1, 2018). "Watch Ace Frehley Reunite With Kiss for Acoustic Set". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 2, 2018.

"Kiss Announce First 'End of the Road' Farewell Tour Dates". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved October 29, 2018.

Kornelis, Chris (February 23, 2019). "Gene Simmons on KISS and Capitalism". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2019.

Buchanan, Brett (February 8, 2019). "KISS Accused of Lip Sync Screw Up in Video: 'That Was Pathetic'". Alternative Nation. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.

Wilkening, Matthew (February 14, 2019). "Sebastian Bach Says 'Kiss Is Not Lip-Syncing'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved April 10, 2019.

Buchanan, Brett (February 28, 2019). "KISS Reveal the Truth After Lip Syncing Allegations". Alternative Nation. Retrieved April 10, 2019.

"Kiss 'Backing Tracks' Accusations Revived After Eric Singer's 'Mistake' At Antwerp Concert". Blabbermouth.net. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.

"Kiss's Longtime Manager Addresses Paul Stanley 'Lip-Sync' Accusations". Blabbermouth.net. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.

"KISS Australian Tour Cancelled Due To Paul Stanley's Illness". Wall Of Sound. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.

"Yoshiki makes surprise appearance at Kiss concert in Tokyo". Japan Today. Retrieved January 3, 2020.

Blabbermouth (December 13, 2019). "KISS Joined By X JAPAN's YOSHIKI For Two Songs At Tokyo Concert (Video)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved January 2, 2020.

"KISS And YOSHIKI Collaborate For Once-In-A-Lifetime New Year's Eve Television Performance". Blabbermouth. December 27, 2019.

"Yoshiki & KISS Will Ring In 2020 Together". GRAMMY.com. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2020.

"Watch KISS Perform 'Rock And Roll All Nite' On 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' Season Two Finale". Blabbermouth. February 9, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.

"See Kiss Pay Tribute to Kobe Bryant at Los Angeles Concert". Rolling Stone. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.

"Gene Simmons not touring with KISS until scientists say it's safe". Calgary Herald. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.

"'KISS Kruise X' Postponed To October 2021". Blabbermouth. May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.

"KISS Announces 'Kiss 2020 Goodbye' New Year's Eve Virtual Concert". Blabbermouth. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.

"KISS 2020 GOODBYE". issuu. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

Kielty, Martin. "Kiss Confirm New Years' Eve Show World Records". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

"KISS' New Year's Eve Dubai Concert Breaks Two Guinness World Records". Music Mayhem Magazine. January 2, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

"KISS Has Another 150 Shows Left In 'End Of The Road' Tour, Including Stop In 'The Coldest Place On Earth'". Blabbermouth. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.

"Legendary rockers KISS announce MASSIVE farewell tour of Australia". 7NEWS.com.au. February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.

Seah, Daniel (June 4, 2021). "Paul Stanley thinks KISS should retire: "We can't do it forever"". Guitar.com. Retrieved June 4, 2021.

"KISS's PAUL STANLEY On ACE FREHLEY And PETER CRISS Making Appearances During 'End Of The Road' Tour: 'If It's Meant To Be, It Will Happen'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.

Lewry, Fraser (April 28, 2022). "Gene Simmons still wants Ace Frehley to appear at Kiss farewell shows". Classic Rock. Retrieved April 28, 2022.

"Gene Simmons: Ace Frehley & Peter Criss Have Turned Down Offers To Join Kiss Onstage". Vermilion County First. Retrieved June 19, 2022.

Wiggins, Keavin (December 15, 2020). "KISS Biopic In The Works 2020 In Review". antiMUSIC. Retrieved April 21, 2021.

Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 21, 2021). "Netflix Near Deal On KISS Biopic 'Shout It Out Loud;' Joachim Rønning To Direct Film With Leaders Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons Center Stage". Deadline. Retrieved April 21, 2021.

"Kiss Biopic To Arrive In 2024". Blabbermouth.net. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.

"Report: KISS Biopic 'Shout It Out Loud' Coming To NETFLIX". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.

"KISS Manager Talks Band Biopic – "It'll Be A Theatrical Release, Then Netfllix"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.

Blistein, Jon (April 27, 2021). "Kiss Documentary to Premiere on A&E This Summer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

"Watch KISS Play Five-Song Set At TRIBECA FESTIVAL". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.

"2022 Edition Of Kiss's Annual 'Kiss Kruise' Will Feature Band's 'Last Performance Onboard'". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.

"Gene Simmons says Kiss will adding "100 cities" to their farewell tour". Guitar.com. June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.

"Gene Simmons On His Post-Kiss Plans: 'It's Gonna Be A Different Kind Of A Thing'". Blabbermouth.net. May 27, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.

Schaffner, Lauryn (May 28, 2022). "Gene Simmons - KISS Are Retiring Out of Self-Respect + Love for Their Fans". Loudwire. Retrieved May 29, 2022.

Sharp, Ken (September 21, 2022). "Gene Simmons on mortality, regret, his childhood, 'the end of the road' for Kiss and more". Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia. Retrieved October 13, 2022.

Singer, Quentin (January 31, 2023). "Kiss Expecting To Play Their Final Show In 2023". Forbes. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

DiVita, Joe (March 1, 2023). "Kiss Officially Announce Last Show on Their Farewell Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved March 1, 2023.

Reilly, Nick (June 22, 2021). "Paul Stanley says Kiss could continue without him and Gene Simmons: "It's bigger than any member"". NME. Retrieved March 13, 2023.

Vallet, Harry (August 16, 2022). "Gene Simmons: KISS May Continue with "Four Deserving 20-Year-Olds Sticking the Makeup Back On"". Consequence.net. Retrieved March 13, 2023.

Kielty, Martin (August 20, 2022). "Gene Simmons' Concept for Kiss Show Without Original Members". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 13, 2023.

"Kiss Bio". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.

Lefcowitz & Preiss 1997.

Tolinski, Brad (June 6, 2011). "Shock Rock! The Attack of Alice Cooper, Kiss, Slipknot and the 10,000-Foot Radioactive Teenager". guitarworld. Retrieved June 6, 2011.

Grobmeier, Danielle (November 12, 2015). "Still Cowboys From Hell". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 26, 2021.

Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "( Kiss > Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

Steveson, Jane. "Canoe – Jam! Music - Pop Encyclopedia - KISS, but no tell". JAM!. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2010.

Crocker 1993, pg. 8, "In the middle of the seventies, glam-metal rockers like Queen, Sweet, T. Rex, Slade, and later, KISS, would keep the world safe for flamboyant clothes and makeup, androgyny, bizarre theatrics and powerful riffing."

Franck, John. "allmusic (Revenge - Review)". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2013.

"Article - Kiss - New Years 1973 Review - KissFAQ-Wiki". Kissfaq.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

"Article - Kiss - Hotter Than Hell RS Review - KissFAQ-Wiki". Kissfaq.com. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

"Article - Kiss - Hotter Than Hell 2 - KissFAQ-Wiki". Kissfaq.com. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

Grow, Kory (April 6, 2016). "Gene Simmons Talks Kiss Makeup Controversy". Rolling Stone.

"Undiscovered Kisstory: Alternative Makeup Designs" at Metaltalk.net

Konow, David (2009). Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal. Crown/Archetype. p. 48. ISBN 9780307565600.

"Kiss Founder Gene Simmons Says Band's 'Heart and Soul Lies in England'". Ultimate Classic Rock. September 22, 2017.

Simmons, Gene (2002). Kiss and Make-up. Three Rivers Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-609-81002-2.

Van Buskirk, Eliot (February 23, 2010). "Music Won't Feed The Band – But Merch Might". Wired. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

Blabbermouth (February 1, 2016). "'Kiss By Monster Mini Golf' Moving To Rio All-Suite Hotel And Casino In Las Vegas". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved July 18, 2020.

General bibliography