KISS

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This is an incredible rock band that was innovative and creative and had its own style. This American rock band came together in January of 1973 in New York City. They became well known for their flamboyant stage outfits and the black and white paint on their faces. Their performances were dynamic and included fire breathing, spitting blood, and smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits and even pyrotechnics. Altogether Kiss has earned 28 gold albums and sold over 40 million albums in the U.S. The original members of KISS are Paul Stanley vocals and rhythm guitar, Gene Simmons vocals and bass guitar, Ace Frehley lead guitar and vocals, and Peter Criss drums and vocals. When it came to decide on their makeup and costumes Stanley chose Starchild, Simmons The Demon, Frehley Spaceman or Space Ace and Criss Catman. Demanding fans got them to reunite in the 1990s and this resulted in the KISS Alive/Worldwide/Reunion Tour in 1996 and 1997. Due to creative difference Criss and Frehley departed from the band. At present Stanley and Simmons have remained the only original members and at one point added on Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. KISS was included in VHI’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, on MTV’s list The Greatest Metal Bands and number one on Hit Parader’s Top 100 Live Bands. They got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999. This year 2014 they are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The very first performance of KISS was on January 30, 1973 at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York. At this time they wore no makeup. It was in March when they finally appeared in full makeup. Their first tour was in 1974 to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and their debut album was simply called KISS. Songs included “Firehouse”, “Nothin’ to Lose”, and “Black Diamond”. Their first greatest hits album Double Platinum was issued in 1978. During this time KISS had a lot of merchandise with their logo on the market among the items were KISS dolls, makeup kits, Halloween masks, board games and bubble gum trading cards. KISS’s heaviest album came out in 1982 Creatures of the Night. Some of their memorable songs include the ballad “Beth” sung by Criss, “Hard Luck Woman”, “Strange Ways”, Kissin’ Time”, “I Finally Found My Way”, and “Baby Driver”. Among the band’s top ten hits are “Rock n’ Roll All Nite”, I Was Made for Lovin’ You”, “Detroit Rock City”, “Love Gun”, “Beth”, “Forever”, “Strutter”, “God of Thunder”, “God Gave Rock ‘n Roll To You” and “Crazy, Crazy Nights”. To the delight of their many fans KISS is still touring and performing. How many KISS fans out there? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_%28band%29