Stories about glam rock monsters Kiss.
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Kiss is a world-famous glam-rock band, whose members from the first days of their existence as a collective created a bright and rather scandalous image... And it was this image that turned into a marketing giant! As a result, they managed to turn their success into permanent fame... However, many listeners will call them actors rather than musicians... Why? Yes, their outrageous clothes, make-up and antics go far beyond just rock music. However, it is because of this that the whole world knows about the band! The band released their best hits in the far 70s, but they are still playing today: on the screen, on the radio... Today we have prepared for you a portion of interesting stories about this unique band, which may surprise you....
Kiss may have made a deal with... the devil!
Anyway - the fans of the band would like it very much! The band's image is that of scandalous out-of-the-box guys, built on a love of Lucifer (and much more in that vein). And the band's fans quickly realised that the famous song "The Oath" could well be a tale of Satan:
"Like a sword blade, I am hardened in the hot flames.
I take into the night hardened steel, a bright flame.
I'm not afraid.Now, driven by what I can't see.
I walk forward, surrendering to history.I swear I'll ride for you and your glory.
I believe your strength is riding with me.
I am your servant, and will always be..."
This song, among other things, brought the band a lot of attention, and loyal fans were intrigued by the band's alleged demonic connections. Decades later, the band is still capitalising on this so-called Devil deal (as are the band's fans).
Ace Frehley is considered the gold standard of rock star madness and self-deprecation....
When lead guitarist and founding member of KISS (Kiss), Ace Frehley, published his memoirs in 2012, his crazy stories spread like wildfire across the Internet! As music critic AV Club put it about Fraley's book:
"In his 70s heyday, Fraley's behaviour deviated so far from even the most vague and generous notions of acceptable human behaviour that he might as well have been an alien Harpo Marx, communicating mainly through gestures and sounds...."
So, for decades, hedonistic rock stars have been able to convince themselves that even though they're going crazy - they're not Ace Frehley-level crazy!
The band's management treated the KISS Army creator harshly
Bill Starkey went to his first concert in 1974 and was mesmerised by their music... By the following year, he had recruited some of his friends and started a fan group called KISS Army. Starkey and his classmates started spreading the music - they claimed it wasn't about gimmickry, costumes or make-up: it was all about the music... Starkey was the first commander-in-chief of the KISS Army, and his mate, Jay Evans, was its field marshal!
Starkey's efforts caught the group's attention, and he met them in 1975. He decided to run KISS Army from his home, but in 1976 he received notice that management would take over... Starkey was not compensated for his idea. The leadership also designed a logo and began recruiting members, reaching 100,000. The base waned for a while, but was revitalised in 2007 with a new website.
As of 2018, joining KISS Army includes receiving a t-shirt, discounts on band merchandise, and pre-concert ticket information. The price for an annual subscription is $50.
Germany banned the KISS logo in the 1970s because of its similarity to World War II iconography
The name "KISS" and the band's logo have remained the subject of speculation since its inception... Alleged links to Satanism have fuelled claims that KISS is an acronym for Knights in the service of Satan. Gene Simmons always denied this, but also admitted that the band didn't reject the idea because it was good for business: after the release of the band's first album, in an interview with Circus magazine, Simmons said that he "sometimes wondered what human meat tasted like...". Of course, this caused a flurry of emotions!
As for the logo, many thought the KISS lettering was remarkably similar to the letters SS or Schutzstaffel from World War II. Germany even banned the logo in the late 1970s. But according to Ace Fraley, who drew the logo, it was a coincidence.
Despite his partying behaviour, Simmons allegedly doesn't drink ...
Despite his hardcore lifestyle, Gene Simmons claims to have remained sober his entire life! Simmons claims that he avoided alcohol and other drugs for the sake of his mother, a World War II concentration camp survivor. The musician also said that he "had no right to harm his mother, even morally, because she had had enough of that in her life..."
In doing so, Simmons was outspoken about drinkers. He openly criticised his bandmates who drank, calling them "drunks" and "losers". This attitude is consistent with Simmons' public persona. Not only did Simmons insult people suffering from substance abuse, but he also allegedly encouraged people with depression to end their lives! He also wanted immigrants to learn English....
Paul Stanley claimed his former band members were racist posers
Ace Fraley and Peter Criss left KISS in 1982 (information about whether or not they were fired varies, but Fraley claims he left of his own accord). The departure of both members was attributed to their addictions, but their former bandmates accused both of some other disgusting behaviour... Thus, Paul Stanley stated:
"They felt powerless when faced with the tireless focus, drive and ambition of me and Gene. As a result, the two of them tried to sabotage the band..."
Stanley also claimed that Fraley often wore Nazi paraphernalia (something Simmons also mentioned in his autobiography) and Criss mocked waiters in Chinese restaurants... Both Stanley and Simmons told a story about how Fraley and Criss allegedly dressed as Nazis one night and knocked on Simmons' door asking for his papers. In addition, Stanley spoke out about Simmons, stating that "he was never the genius he claimed to be! He was just a guy who took responsibility for the actions of a lot of other people..."
KISS sell everything from Hello Kitty dolls to lunchboxes to air packs!
All the visuals associated with KISS were hardcore, outrageous - starting with their album covers depicting monsters, fire and women! The band cast a wide net, producing merchandise for adults and children, as well as a few things that might appeal to both. A KISS lunch box was a treasured gift for children in the 1970s (there is a newer version), and a KISS comic book allegedly mixed the blood of the band members themselves with ink...
As of 2018, you can go to the KISS website and buy water bottles, shirts, mobile phone cases and even a waffle iron with demons! The band even sold air sacks and Hello Kitty KISS dolls! In 2014, Paul Stanley proudly said: "we'll put our brand on anything!"
Some equate the KISS show with theatricality....
KISS critics - those who don't want to call them a rock band - see the band's concerts as spectacle rather than entertainment. The common perception is that the shows are a distraction from bad lyrics and lacklustre musical performances. Many people, such as writer Steve Knopper of the Washington Post, believe that KISS shows are more about lights, lasers and fire than songs.
At the same time, some believe that theatricality makes KISS a band for people, because the impressive effects appeal to the crowd...
The band has allegedly been excluded from a concert honouring Michael Jackson's memory...
In Cardiff, Wales, KISS have dropped out of the line-up for a Michael Jackson tribute show. This came after media reports that Gene Simmons made disparaging remarks about the late singer shortly after his death. The October 2011 concert was to be titled KISS, but promoters abandoned the move.
By the way: Michael Jackson is not the only respected figure Simmons has spoken out about. His long list of swear words also includes Prince, whose death he allegedly called "pathetic".....
Gene Simmons made a journalist take off his shirt before giving an interview....
KISS are known for making all sorts of condescending remarks and requests in their self-proclaimed god status as a rock band! Not least one of these stories concerns a journalist from South America who was about to interview the band in 2012 until they challenged his attire.
He was wearing an Iron Maiden shirt. Gene Simmons immediately pointed this out and reportedly refused to answer questions until the journalist removed the shirt.
