Questions
Who formed Kiss and when?
Kiss was formed in 1973 in New York City by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. The band grew out of an earlier group called Wicked Lester that Stanley and Simmons walked away from in 1972.
What are the four members’ makeup characters?
Each member played a comic book style persona: Paul Stanley as the Starchild, Gene Simmons as the Demon, Ace Frehley as the Spaceman (or Space Ace), and Peter Criss as the Catman.
Who designed the famous Kiss logo with the lightning bolt letters?
Ace Frehley reportedly created the lightning bolt "S" logo when he rewrote the band’s name over "Wicked Lester" on a club poster.
Is it true a Kiss comic book was printed with the band’s real blood?
Yes. In 1977 Marvel Comics released Kiss comic books whose ink was reportedly mixed with actual blood donated by the band members.
What is the blood Gene Simmons spits on stage made of?
The stage blood was reportedly made from a mix of eggs, yogurt, food coloring, and maple syrup, part of the band’s shock rock theatrics along with fire breathing and pyrotechnics.
Did all four members really release solo albums on the same day?
Yes. In 1978 all four members simultaneously released solo albums, a first for a rock band. Casablanca Records shipped five million copies behind a 2.5 million dollar marketing push, but sales disappointed.
Which member’s solo album did the best?
Only Ace Frehley’s 1978 solo album produced a Top 40 hit, "New York Groove."
When did Kiss first take off the makeup?
Kiss appeared publicly without makeup for the first time since 1973 on September 18, 1983, debuting the new look on MTV alongside their album "Lick It Up." The unmasked era lasted 13 years.
How did the classic lineup reunion happen in 1996?
The 1996 reunion brought back the original makeup, and the band was dramatically introduced by Tupac Shakur at the Grammy Awards. The 1996 to 1997 reunion tour grossed 143.7 million dollars.
What was the Kiss Meets the Phantom movie?
"Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park" was a 1978 film that deeply disappointed the band. Stanley and Simmons later reportedly spoke about it with a mix of humorous embarrassment and regret, feeling it made them look like clowns rather than superheroes.
Did Kiss really sell a coffin?
Yes. In 2001 Kiss merchandised a coffin style Kiss Kasket, with Simmons joking, "I love livin’, but this makes the alternative look pretty damn good."
How many gold albums does Kiss have?
Kiss has 30 Gold albums, the most of any U.S. band, plus 14 Platinum albums. A 1977 Gallup poll named them America’s most popular band.
What is the Kiss Army?
The Kiss Army is the band’s official fan club, which reached six figures in membership during the late 1970s. Worldwide merchandise sales from 1977 to 1979 were estimated at around 100 million dollars.
When did Kiss stop touring?
Kiss announced its End of the Road World Tour in January 2019 and played their final show in New York City in December 2023, though the band has since reunited occasionally for special events and new music.
Has Kiss been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes. Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014, and the band also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 1999.
