Kiss

Kiss are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. The group was founded by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and became known for a theatrical stage presentation featuring distinctive make-up, costumes and elaborate live shows. Kiss are notable for a long-running career spanning multiple decades, a substantial catalogue of hard rock hits, and a major influence on arena rock performance style.

The band developed during the early 1970s and recorded their early albums for Casablanca Records. Initial studio releases gained attention within the rock press and touring circuit, but their wider breakthrough came with the live album Alive! (1975), which captured their concert reputation and helped establish them as a major act. Through the mid-1970s the band released successful studio albums including Destroyer (1976), which featured “Beth”, and Rock and Roll Over (1976), consolidating their commercial standing in the United States and internationally.

Kiss reached their peak commercial visibility in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with albums such as Love Gun (1977) and Dynasty (1979), the latter including “I Was Made for Lovin’ You”. The group also expanded into merchandising and film and television appearances, reflecting a broader cultural presence beyond recorded music. Line-up changes began to shape the band’s later history, including departures and returns among original members and the introduction of new guitarists and drummers over time.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Kiss continued to release albums and tour, including a period performing without make-up and a later high-profile reunion that restored the original visual identity. They maintained a prominent live presence into the 2000s and 2010s, releasing later studio albums such as Sonic Boom (2009) and Monster (2012). The band continued large-scale touring into the 2020s and announced a concluding period of touring activity, while individual members also pursued solo work and other projects.

Kiss have sold over 100 million records worldwide and are among the most commercially successful hard rock acts. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Their influence is often traced in the staging and spectacle of later rock and metal touring, and their best-known songs remain staples of classic rock radio and live performance culture.