KISS

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

Category: Performer

Inducted: 2014

Inducted by: Tom Morello

Nominated: 2010   2014

First Eligible: 2000 Ceremony

Inducted Members: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss

Snubbed Members: Eric Carr, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Vinnie Vincent, Tommy Thayer


Inducted into Rock Hall Revisited in 2000 (ranked #152) .

R.S. Top 500 Albums (?)RankVersion
Alive!3052020
Alive!1592012
Destroyer4892012

R.S. Top 500 Songs (?)RankVersion
Rock and Roll All Nite (1974)4042021

Essential Albums (?)WikipediaYouTube
Alive! (1975)
Destroyer (1976)
Love Gun (1977)
Dynasty (1979)
Creatures of the Night (1982)

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Strutter (1974)
Rock And Roll All Nite (1975)
Beth (1976)
Detroit Rock City (1976)
Shout It Out Loud (1976)
Hard Luck Woman (1976)
Love Gun (1977)
I Was Made for Lovin' You (1979)
Lick It Up (1983)

KISS @ Wikipedia



Comments

66 comments so far (post your own)

KISS: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees

01. Paul Stanley (1973-Present; rhythm guitar, vocals)
02. Gene Simmons (1973-Present; bass guitar, vocals)
03. Ace Frehley (1973–1982, 1996–2002; lead guitar, vocals)
04. Peter Criss (1973–1980, 1996–2004; drums, percussion, vocals)
05. Eric Carr (1980–1991; drums, percussion, backing vocals)
06. Vinnie Vincent (1982–1984; lead guitar, backing vocals)
07. Bruce Kulick (1984–1996; lead guitar, backing vocals)
08. Eric Singer (1991–1996, 2001–Present; drums, percussion, backing vocals)
09. Tommy Thayer (2002–Present; lead guitar, backing vocals)

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/27/2013 @ 18:00pm


were they already inducted?

Posted by akeem on Wednesday, 02/27/2013 @ 18:36pm


No.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/27/2013 @ 18:37pm


I say KISS should be in. They are very influential and are highly innovative in their development of the rock show. They went overboard in merchandising, but so did Elvis and The Beatles. Should they be left out? Are they the greatest musicians? Not really. Neither the above examples or The Sexton Pistols. Most country and blues songs are three chords, so what's your point. Record sales shouldn't keep people out, but they should be accounted for.

Posted by Mr. Stone on Saturday, 03/16/2013 @ 16:33pm


Far too much is made of this issue. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame lacks credibility. To be in the Hockey Hall of Fame means so much more to hockey greats that to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In the latter case so many members of bands whom have been inducted into the Hall don't show up at the ceremony. Van Halen's minimal member appearance is a classic case. There are many other cases of this absenteeism. KISS has now been around for 40 years and continues to draw massive audeinces at conerts. They have a following (as reflected by the conventions)that very few bands have. They have had a huge impact of a range of artists such as Garth Brooks, Lenny Kravitz, etc. Many of the bands that are in now opened for KISS at one time or another (i.e. RUSH). Those credentials make KISS the hall of fame for their industry. Their record speaks for itself. They don't need some venue in Cleveland to rubber stamp the obvious.

Posted by Kissaliverich on Sunday, 04/21/2013 @ 09:55am


Only if the Original Band is inducted. The Members that played on the 1975 album Alive which is the album that launched their career. That would be Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter. These are the guys that came up with the concept of Kiss. The Fire , Spitting Blood, Smoking Guitars etc.
I would not want Ace and Peter to be excluded from this by those 2 ego maniacs Gene and Paul.

Posted by Rick on Saturday, 05/4/2013 @ 20:40pm


Why should any other members be excluded? I think you should at least honor Eric , Vinnie, and Bruce.

Posted by Mr.Stone on Thursday, 05/9/2013 @ 22:43pm


I think I figured it out...KIT is Dave Marsh...Dave Marsh is a Dousche...therefore, KIT is a Dousche!!
and, yes, the "C*ck and Hole Hall of Lame" is a joke...
Let's start with the actual name "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame...do yourselves a favor and name it something else more appropriate like:
Dave Marsh's favorite bands hall of fame...it wouldn't be as grand and glorious but it would be more honest.
There are a great number of artists who have been inducted who have no business being associated with anything that has the words "Rock and Roll" attached to it...let alone anything that has the words "hall of FAME" attached to it. Heck, shouldn't your "fame" be one of the factors that put you in the (make air quotes along with this:) "Hall of FAME"? Just saying...but hey...it's not my Private Club...I'm not the one that feels that my personal opinion is so damn important that I'd have to go ahead and open my own (air quotes again) "hall of fame" and name people who only I think are worthy of it's moniker......enjoy your lame club friends...I'll be at a KISS concert with the rest of us that I guess don't have your exquisite pallet for "fine" music...and that is ok with me.

Posted by Kits a Dousch - Not Deuce on Friday, 05/24/2013 @ 23:48pm


So, how do you blame Dave Marsh for the fact that KISS has been on the ballot and were rejected by the voting committee? Take off your tin foil hat, enroll in a remedial Rock and Roll history class then get back with us.

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 05/25/2013 @ 04:03am


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedcIEtbUlQ

A 2014 pretend KISS induction video using the 2013 ceremony with Jann Wenner, Rush and audience reaction.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 10/9/2013 @ 09:43am


KISS

01. Paul Stanley (1973-Present; rhythm guitar, vocals)
02. Gene Simmons (1973-Present; bass guitar, vocals)
03. Ace Frehley (1973–1982, 1996–2002; lead guitar, vocals)
04. Peter Criss (1973–1980, 1996–2004; drums, percussion, vocals)
05. Eric Carr (1980–1991; drums, percussion, backing vocals)
06. Vinnie Vincent (1982–1984; lead guitar, backing vocals)
07. Bruce Kulick (1984–1996; lead guitar, backing vocals)
08. Eric Singer (1991–1996, 2001–Present; drums, percussion, backing vocals)
09. Tommy Thayer (2002–Present; lead guitar, backing vocals)

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 10/15/2013 @ 23:13pm


Of course they should be in the Rock n Roll hall of fame. They have so many albums with such a large variety of music! And they rock live!
The people that try to say they have no talent or aren't musicians are just musical morons. Some of the hottest bands out there now were fans of KISS. They are musicians and obviously know more about bands than you ever will. If can't find a great song in the massive KISS archive... you might as well throw your earphones out!!
There are bands in the hall of fame now that shouldn't even be considered rock?!!

Posted by Todd on Wednesday, 10/16/2013 @ 18:28pm


KISS are terrible because our friend Kit says so and our opinions don't count, only his...ok??

Posted by lino on Thursday, 10/17/2013 @ 18:06pm


Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees Who Will Vote For KISS

Queen, U2, R.E.M, Blondie, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Guns N' Roses, Rush, Heart, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, RUN-DMC

Posted by Roy on Friday, 10/18/2013 @ 10:49am


WOW! I must say I ALWAYS enjoy reading comments BOTH pro and con regarding Kiss and the Rock Hall.As a LONGTIME and LOYAL Kiss fan since 1982, funny enough, the LOWEST point in their career at the time, I think their induction is LONG OVERDUE! However, it would be disingenuous and dishonest of me not to acknowledge that some things that Kiss have done INFURIATE me which, to that end, I can understand where their critics are coming from.

I go on record saying that, contrary to what Gene and Paul say, Kiss DO care what critics think of them, and truth be told, so do MOST other artists and bands. In fact, I'll go as far to say that ANY musician who says they "only care about what fans think" THEY ARE LYING! Put another way, NO BAND OR ARTIST wants to see their body of work ripped apart by a major publication, otherwise why utilize the media if they "don't care"? And with Kiss, make no mistake, for 40 years they have indeed utilized, and manipulated the media, to THEIR benefit, and no one else's!

From my perspective, I've ALWAYS talked with other fans about a certain amount of resentment I see that Kiss still harbors towards their critics, who were/are notorious for saying that Kiss ONLY cares about the BRAND, and not the BAND. And truthfully, who can blame them? In that sense, BOTH Gene and Paul helped perpetuate that THEMSELVES with merchandise overkill, unfortunately.

On the other hand, perhaps Kiss'strong business acumen is the MAIN reason why the critics and execs are resentful towards Kiss, and as a result, have not YET been inducted into the Hall? I think there's some truth to both scenarios.

It's too bad that some only see Kiss as nothing more than "show". True, they have NEVER been the greatest musicians or songwriters, HOWEVER, they have GREAT songs that have stood the test of time. One does NOT have to be a great "musician" to have great songs, likewise, there are great musicians who have TERRIBLE songs! Kiss offer the BEST of both worlds: straight-ahead, no-nonsense rock and roll with visual flair that will ALWAYS go hand in hand, and of course, will always be a lightning rod for fans AND critics of Kiss. And truthfully, I wouldn't want it any other way!

Anyway, great comments everybody PRO AND CON! I continue proudly to call Kiss the GREATEST American rock and roll band of all time, and hopefully a 2014 Rock Hall induction is right around the corner!

Posted by V.F.T. on Wednesday, 11/27/2013 @ 23:55pm


It's hard to deny this band's influence on so meny glam and heavy metal bands, but what I can't stand about KISS are all the merchindisc that goes along with it. I mean, KISS comic books?

Don't get me wrong, I like KISS and their music and would vote them in to the Hall.

By the way, Zach, are there some lesser-known Alice Cooper songs that I should listen to?

Posted by Andrew on Sunday, 12/1/2013 @ 22:07pm


12/10/2013 :

Wee-e-e-e--l-l-l. LOL! Looks like all of you "nay-sayers" who don't like KISS and said they'd never make it have finally lost! KISS is currently leading the voting on The R&R Hall Of Fame site for 2014 inductess and clearly outdistancing all other nominees! HA!! Serves you all right!

Posted by Lazurus on Tuesday, 12/10/2013 @ 21:31pm


Well its about time KISS is one of the best bands out there i"ve been a fan for $#yrs i"ve seen there shows 20 times and i hope to again this has been along time comeing after 45 yrs as a fan i say thank you gene.paul.ace.and peter. tommoy. eric carr r.i.p eric with out you my rock and roll would be lame so to KISS Keep Rocken

Posted by cindy allen on Tuesday, 12/17/2013 @ 11:41am


Does anyone know if Peter Criss and Ace Frehley will even be invited to the ceremony?

Posted by Conrad on Tuesday, 12/17/2013 @ 18:36pm


Personally, I think that the members of the KISS army should now support the nomination and induction of Twisted Sister. What do you think? ;-)

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 01/1/2014 @ 02:40am


'Enigmaticus', I have to say NO to a Twisted Sister induction. Mind you, I like them very much, but their impact, respecfully, was NOWHERE NEAR what Kiss achieved. And truth be told, I think the guys would openly acknowledge that.

That said, if there was ever a "Hard Rock Hall Of Fame" created, I would absolutely put them in there. Unfortunately, their impact on the "rock world" per se, is marginal at best.

What I would LOVE to see though is a Kiss/Twisted Sister tour for 2014. Frankly, they would give the CURRENT Kiss lineup a run for the money without a doubt! Great question.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Kiss on their LONG OVERDUE induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! WELL DESERVED Gene, Paul, Peter, and Ace!

Posted by V.F.T. on Thursday, 01/9/2014 @ 14:45pm


Screw you kit

Posted by jo bob on Wednesday, 01/15/2014 @ 16:25pm


Twisted Sister - have you all lost it completely? Congrats to KISS - although I think for the most part their music is horrid, their stage show was as good as it gets. Sadly, I do not think this will be a happy induction. I will be shocked if Ace and Peter come within 20 miles of the King Pimp himself, Gene Simmons.

Posted by Dameon on Friday, 02/7/2014 @ 12:18pm


I'm shocked and disappointed to hear that, as of this writing,Ace and Peter will NOT be performing with Gene and Paul at the induction in April! In short order: A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL KISS FANS! Is there anybody at 'FRL' who can perhaps get more information on this?

Posted by V.F.T. on Saturday, 02/22/2014 @ 19:56pm


Ace and Criss not performing, but are they attending, speaking and collecting their trophies?

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 02/22/2014 @ 20:43pm


Of course all of this drama with KISS. Could it be any other way? Even with them not performing, they have taken the spotlight from all other inductees with all of the bickering between Gene/Paul and Ace/Peter. People aren't even talking about Nirvana. It is like nobody else is even being inducted. That is always the way KISS wanted it. I wouldn't be surprised if they secretly do plan on performing and this is all a way gin up publicity. Probably not, but I put nothing past them. I'm a fan of the original line up, by the way. But the rockhall had to know what they were getting into.

Posted by dezmond on Sunday, 02/23/2014 @ 13:31pm


Seriously, what did anyone expect? Realistically, it was always going to be just Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter. Anyone who said it'd be otherwise was either lying or deluded. Just wasn't happening.

As far as who will pay tribute to Kiss. At the risk of inciting the KISS Army, their music was not that technically proficient, and fairly easily replicable. Bon Jovi would probably seize the opportunity to try and get their name on the ballot again. Or for a pure, fun, HBO spectacle, get Poison. They'd easily wh*re themselves out for the occasion.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 02/23/2014 @ 15:01pm


What if they are lying and they really are going to perform. Maybe it's a surprise.

If KISS doesn't perform, then which four artists get to paint their faces and perform for KISS? We need three guitarists/singers and a drummer/singer, or maybe not: Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie and Don Henley or maybe Insane Clown Posse themselves can do it with the in house musicians for the Rock Hall.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 02/23/2014 @ 20:20pm


http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-cancel-rock-hall-of-fame-performance-after-lineup-dispute-20140223#ixzz2uCMuVZIK

Kiss Nix Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Performance After Lineup Dispute

"This is understandably an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone," band says

Posted by Roy on Monday, 02/24/2014 @ 05:42am


Probably Kiss inductees (If The Band get they want):

Gene Simmons (1973-Present)
Paul Stanley (1973-Present)
Ace Frehley (1973–1982, 1996–2002)
Peter Criss (1973–1980, 1996–2001, 2002–2004)
Eric Carr (1980-1991)
Bruce Kulick (1984-1996)
Eric Singer (1991–96, 2001–02, 2004 – present)
Tommy Thayer (2002 – present)

Posted by L.A on Monday, 02/24/2014 @ 08:12am



Probably Kiss inductees (If The Band gets what they want):

Gene Simmons (1973-Present)
Paul Stanley (1973-Present)
Ace Frehley (1973–1982, 1996–2002)
Peter Criss (1973–1980, 1996–2001, 2002–2004)
Eric Carr (1980-1991)
Bruce Kulick (1984-1996)
Eric Singer (1991–96, 2001–02, 2004 – present)
Tommy Thayer (2002 – present)

Posted by L.A on Monday, 02/24/2014 @ 08:13am


I so hope they get Lady Gaga to induct them and to preform. That would be hilarious!

Posted by Gassman on Monday, 02/24/2014 @ 08:37am


Hall and Oates and KISS are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the same year and Hall and Oates have a song called Kiss On My List.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/26/2014 @ 19:24pm


**mind blown**

Posted by DarinRG on Wednesday, 02/26/2014 @ 19:42pm


Eddie Trunk says the person inducting Kiss is "someone not openly associated with Kiss and someone the HOF loves"

Who could this be?

Alice Cooper? Neil Young? Elton John? Jeff Beck? Eric Clapton? Madonna? Prince?

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 03/6/2014 @ 23:06pm


Lady Gaga

Posted by Gassman on Thursday, 03/6/2014 @ 23:15pm


How does the HOF love Lady Gaga?

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 03/6/2014 @ 23:16pm


How does the HOF love Lady Gaga?

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 03/6/2014 @ 23:16pm


sampling isn't writing... it's arranging maybe... but not writing. you never truely put your creative into it.. so..it's not genius.. your just a punk user of the system put in place. standing upon the shoulders of genius. corporate structure has made it this way to generate profit for itself...it's puppets in it's places. lights, camera, action. on the wayside...sure... words can be put together by you.. whatever... any monkey can string a sentence to spell your name and say wassap? we can use our collective misery to fell our minds but the ones with true wealth are the ones who hold it in their blood... not the ones who buy it... they have nothing. they can take what they want... when they die they will still have nothing. what i was born with i will take with me.. i'm am only licensing it to you in this world.

Posted by Curt on Wednesday, 03/19/2014 @ 03:53am


Is Chuck Klosterman inducting Kiss?

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/29/2014 @ 07:00am


Is Jack Black inducting Kiss?

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/29/2014 @ 11:51am


Is Nigel Farage inducting KISS?

Posted by GFW on Saturday, 03/29/2014 @ 14:37pm


Chuck Klosterman has written about KISS quite extensively. They are his favorite band and he often goes into tangents about them in his books.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 03/29/2014 @ 21:16pm


After reading the article on Cracked.com today that included Nickelback, I'm absolutely inclined to think that Chad Kroeger is the ideal person to induct KISS. And given the Hall's hate for KISS, it wouldn't surprise me if that's who they got.

NO ONE deserves to be inducted by Jack Black. That's just cruel and unusual punishment.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 03/30/2014 @ 01:05am



According to KISS, they were treated like uninvited guests at the 2014 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony because of all the negative comments they have made over the years about the institution. They were not given the bags of goodies at the ceremony, which included the books with the biographies of all the 2014 inductees and the cds. We will have to wait and see if the KISS members will get the ballots in their mail boxes so they can vote for the 2015 inductees and if they will scan the ballots and post them online so we can see who they voted for.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 09/13/2014 @ 10:50am


KISS is quite properly in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, albeit at least 15 years later than they should have been. The statistics and longevity don't lie. Their delayed entry is yet another example of why the Hall of Fame in this industry does not have the same status as it does in professional hockey or certain other professional sports. If you are still performing in large arenas some 40 years after forming as a recording act and doing so with numerous lineup changes in your history, then you are the hall of fame. The induction is merely a symbolic stamp of approval which band members over the years have taken or left by attending or not attending the ceremony. The litmus test for success in rock music is not the induction. It's the millions of fans that continue to buy cds, tickets, etc. decades after the creation of the band.

Posted by Rich on Thursday, 12/25/2014 @ 12:41pm


Why is chicago not in?100 million plus.top 3 of 70s.rrhof is a joke.u have beyonce and lady Gaga crap.but chicago snubbed?its a joke!

Posted by john mammano on Saturday, 01/3/2015 @ 16:58pm


^Well, that was a well informed, articulate, rant. I don't see how the RRHoF could ignore that.

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 01/3/2015 @ 22:24pm


RRHOF finally got it right inducting KISS. They were too massive to ignore. 40 years rocking the nation and the world with larger than life stage shows and quality songs. They've influenced most rock musicians who came later even Garth Brooks. The stripped down MTV Unplugged was a winner. Ace made a surprise appearance Sure Know Something and 2000 Man were particularly strong. More talented than the critics said. A KING salute to KISS. My Kiss Army patch is somewhere. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 05/24/2015 @ 20:18pm


im a fan of gene simmons I lisen to dr. love lick it up detroyt city shout it out

Posted by Adontae on Tuesday, 10/27/2015 @ 19:40pm


im trying to play like gene simmons im also part of the kiss army and kiss stans for kinght in satins service.

Posted by Adontae on Tuesday, 10/27/2015 @ 19:42pm


Congratulations on your 2014 induction! It brought the original 4 together. Mr. Simmons, I liked what you had to say "Abba is in but Yes is out?!" Hopefully, they'll be re-nominated this Fall and this time inducted!

Posted by Bill Langan on Tuesday, 01/26/2016 @ 17:13pm


Ew!! How did they get in!? They were only known for pretty pyrotechnics and wearing makeup.

Posted by Michael on Sunday, 11/4/2018 @ 14:14pm


@ Michael

KISS is highly much more influential than ya think both musically and visually.

There are a lot of names who are/were fans of them including Marilyn Manson, Poison, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Slipknot, Spinal Tap, Guns N' Roses, GWAR, Kix, Misfits, Mötley Crüe, Queens of the Stone Age, Skid Row, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, W.A.S.P., Weezer, White Zombie, Accept, Alice in Chains, Anvil, Bon Jovi, Danzig, Extreme, Great White, Hanoi Rocks, Insane Clown Posse, King Diamond, Manowar, Melvins, Monster Magnet, Rob Zombie, Scorpions, Slayer, The Darkness, Type O Negative, Y&T, Anthrax, Babylon A.D., Foo Fighters, Godsmack, Judas Priest, Nirvana, Placebo, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Andreas Moe, Andy Black, Dopesick, GosT, Sloppy Joe's, Trippie Redd, Mudvayne, Trent Reznor, Emperor, Darkthrone, Mayhem, and many more.

Posted by The Dude on Sunday, 11/4/2018 @ 15:46pm


KISS basically were the progenitors of arena rock along with Led Zeppelin. I know Alice Cooper, the New York Dolls and Iggy came before them but no one did it more elaborate than them. They deserved their induction.

Posted by Timothy Pernell on Sunday, 11/4/2018 @ 17:27pm


KISS' induction cheapens the rock hall so much as to make the whole enterprise meaningless. Kiss sucks so hard light can't escape. Just a total pile of sh*t.

Posted by D. Stroy on Thursday, 06/27/2019 @ 00:35am


I'm still amazed people question KISS RRHOF credentials. Songs like Beth, Detroit Rock City, Hard Luck Woman,Love Gun, Rock & Roll All Nite, Strutter, etc have stood the test of time. They have a massive amount of influence on a diverse group of musicians from Garth Brooks to The Replacements to Weezer to the many hard rock/metal bands in the 80's and now. Longevity-45+ years and still rocking on this Tour. They elevated the concert experience to an incredible level since the late 1970's. The large KISS logo, Gene's breathing fire, Ace's smoking guitar, the legendary KISS personas, pulsating lights, large sound, pyrotechnics etc.
Throw in the armada of 30 gold records and over 100 million records sold in America and across the world. That's commercial success on a grand scale. Maybe, they weren't Bob Dylan lyrically or didn't have a virtuoso on the scale of a Ritchie Blackmore or Steve Vai...However, KISS were and still very good musicians. Just listen to their MTV Unplugged 1995. Is there any more underrated front man than Paul Stanley? The Star Child! His strong tenor rising to a high level, underrated rhythm guitar playing, ability to address the crowd and get the concert people on their feet. KISS I think very underrated with their harmonies and vocals. Think on some Classics like I Was Made For Loving You, Love Gun, Sure Know Something, Strutter, etc. Gene is probably better vocally than I give him credit for... He's strong on God Of Thunder, I Love It Loud, and Naked City as well as others. KISS also brilliant visionaries when it comes to business and marketing. KISS buttons, dolls, lunchboxes, T-shirts you name it. Other groups followed KISS and realized the $ and added revenue they could receive from such items. Honestly, I'm surprised KISS wasn't 1st ballot with their innovation and influence. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 07/8/2019 @ 16:14pm


Have to say I'm of two minds about this.

As someone whose first concert I attended was a KISS show in Mobile Alabama in 1976, I have a nostalgic fondness for KISS.

(I have a similar nostalgic fondness for Barry Manilow.)

But, even back then, I realized KISS was more a marketing machine than they were serious musicians. My brothers and I would oftentimes joke about a KISS songwriting session, where Gene and Paul would COMPOSE while Ace and Peter sat on the side lines. In our imaginations, Gene and Paul would pretty much "songwrite" by putting the slips of paper with LOVE HOT BABY FIRE AND GIRL into a hat and pulling out slips of paper randomly to come up with lyrics:

"YOUR LOVE IS HOT! SO LIGHT MY FIRE" and then we can play some guitar! Paul and Gene would put forth! One song would be done.

"THAT GIRL LIGHTS MY HOT FIRE! GIVE ME YOUR LOVE!" and then we can play some guitar! Another brilliant composition done.

"HOT IS MY LOVE FOR YOU GIRL! YOU SET ME ON FIRE BABY!" and then some guitar.

"BABY GIRL I WANT YOUR LOVE! GIVE ME YOUR HOT FIRE!"- guitar.

"THAT GIRL GETS ME SO HOT! MY LOVE GUN IS FIRING!" -The use of a participle, no doubt, would be evidence of a progression in songwriting ability- guitar!

"THAT GIRL IS ON FIRE, I'LL PUT HER OUT WITH MY LOVE!"- use of a participle again when there's the complexity of a contraction could be too confusing to the KISS ARMY, so it would be best to be avoided- guitar!

"BABY BABY BABE! I WANT YOUR LOVE!"- guitar! Classic KISS! Sure to be the single!

So SIDE A is already done!

The old joke is that the KISS solo albums, whose quality control was at the above level of songwriting ability shipped platinum and returned double platinum.


I still kind of like them, but I know they suck.

Posted by Eric Tompkins on Monday, 07/8/2019 @ 18:41pm


After hearing about KISS’ possibilities to continue with no original members like Gwar is doing right now, I’d hate to see Slipknot do the same years from now, since the biggest common ground between those three bands is they’re known for their “each band member gets their own character individually” concept.

Posted by The Dude on Monday, 07/8/2019 @ 19:45pm


A musician pal of mine, who was active in NYC during the 70's had this to say about KISS:

The reason KISS came to Manhattan to play is because no self-respecting musician from the Bronx would have anything to do with them. (Ace and Paul are from the Bronx.)

He went on to say, that local musicians at the time were surprised at their popularity. Proves the public isn't the best arbiter of good music.

Posted by Emma on Friday, 08/23/2019 @ 15:53pm


KISS IS THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD, this bull sh*t you hear today doesn't compare to what these people I call fellow musicians have done. They are as I would like to call them and as they have called themselves, "The Elders!".

Posted by Lone Wolf on Saturday, 05/16/2020 @ 22:22pm


Wow! So many KISS haters, lol. Besides ticket sales, the many gold/ platinum albums, Rock'n with and without make up make-up, selling out stadiums, over the top shows, other bands covering their songs (that suck...NOT, lol), keeping a band going with new members throughout the years, Tribute bands, loads of merchandise, movies, comics, action figures, keys to 2 city's......How about the fact that KISS is still doing what they do....Rock'n, (after the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame) while other bands have come and gone quietly into that good night! Let the haters hate......they probably think Madonna is Rock'n Roll! lol.

Posted by Robert "The Breeze" Walker on Saturday, 02/13/2021 @ 05:03am


Zach we get it because a certain type of hipster is bad all indie and alternative hip hop they might enjoy is bad. Totally valid argument. It's not like you just close your ears to all underground music past 1985 based on personal biases that have nothing to do with the actual music itself or anything.

Posted by David on Wednesday, 02/24/2021 @ 09:56am


Rest in Peace Gary Corbett (touring keyboardist), 1959-2021.

Posted by Joe on Friday, 07/16/2021 @ 02:04am


Still upsets me that Carr wasn't included. Kulick and Vincent also should've gotten it. But Carr especially.

For the sake of completeness I'd have put in Thayer and Singer too but I get why they weren't.

Posted by Will m on Friday, 02/23/2024 @ 11:36am


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