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• Hard rock group KISS formed in the early 1970s and became an international phenomenon on the strength of their elaborate costumes and makeup, a thrilling live show influenced as much by P.T. Barnum as the Rolling Stones, and an easily relatable "rock and roll all night and party every day" call-to-arms. The original lineup consisted of Gene Simmons ("the demon"), Paul Stanley ("the starchild"), Ace Frehley ("the spaceman") and Peter Criss ("the catman").

  KISS' first album of original material in 11 years, Sonic Boom, was released exclusively via Wal-Mart on October 6, 2009. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard album charts.

• Fast Facts

  1. Genre: Hard rock
  2. Formed: 1972
  3. Origin: New York City
  4. Labels: Casablanca, Mercury, Sanctuary, Columbia
  5. Simmons and Stanley were in the band Wicked Lester prior to forming KISS
  6. 1983: KISS retired their trademark make-up and stage costumes
  7. Official fan club is known as the KISS Army
  8. 1996: The original lineup of Simmons, Stanley, Frehley and Criss reunited in full make-up
  9. Have sold over 85 million albums worldwide
  10. Current members: Gene Simmons (bass), Paul Stanley (guitar), Eric Singer (drums), Tommy Thayer (lead guitar)

• Featured Discography

  • 1974: KISS
  • 1974: Hotter Than Hell
  • 1975: Dressed to Kill
  • 1975: Alive!
  • 1976: Destroyer
  • 1976: Rock and Roll Over
  • 1977: Love Gun
  • 1977: Alive II
  • 1978: Double Platinum
  • 1978: Ace Frehley
  • 1978: Gene Simmons
  • 1978: Paul Stanley
  • 1978: Peter Criss
  • 1979: Dynasty
  • 1980: Unmasked
  • 1981: Music From "The Elder"
  • 1982: Creatures of the Night
  • 1983: Lick It Up
  • 1984: Animalize
  • 1985: Asylum
  • 1987: Crazy Nights
  • 1988: Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
  • 1989: Hot in the Shade
  • 1992: Revenge
  • 1993: Alive III
  • 1997: Carnival of Souls
  • 1998: Psycho Circus
  • 2009: Sonic Boom

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Paul Stanley | Gene Simmons | Gene Simmons Sex Tape | Gene Simmons Family Jewels | AC/DC | Guns N' Roses | Van Halen | Motley Crue | Ozzy Osbourne

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