Kiss

Theatrical make-up, striking costumes and explosive live shows: thanks to a spectacular horror imagery, Kiss rise to prominence in the 1970s, winning over hordes of American teenagers. But beyond their striking aesthetic, it's the music that will win over audiences, through powerful, catchy hits: true stadium anthems. Pioneers of hair metal alongside Alice Cooper, Kiss will go on to deliver, over the years, a repertoire that is both aggressive and irresistibly catchy, managing to combine the wild fury of heavy metal and hard rock with the hook-laden appeal of pop and glam.

The band forms in Detroit at the start of the decade, led by Gene Simmons on bass and Paul Stanley on vocals. The classic line-up soon takes shape, with the addition of lead guitarist Ace Frehley and Peter Criss behind the drums.

It's 1974 when Kiss release their self-titled debut studio album. Within a little over a year, three more records follow: "Hotter Than Hell", "Dressed To Kill" and the commercial smash "Alive!", which includes the hit "Rock 'N' Roll All Nite", the band's first song to break into the American Top Ten. "Alive!" will go on to be regarded as one of the most important live albums in rock history: Rolling Stone magazine will include it in its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time (No. 159).

Riding the wave of their success, Kiss release "Destroyer", earning a platinum record thanks to the power ballad "Beth". Kiss mania has exploded around the world, and the band's merchandise spreads far and wide, to the point of convincing Marvel to dedicate two whole comic book issues to the group.

After "Rock and Roll Over" and "Love Gun", released respectively in 1976 and 1977, the members of Kiss decide to each release a solo album in 1978. The following year, the band regroups for the release of "Dynasty", driven by the explosive single "I Was Made For Lovin' You", destined to remain one of the group's most famous songs, thanks above all to its bass riff and chorus. The single will reach No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, climbing to the top of the charts in numerous European countries.

In 1980, Kiss open the new decade with "Kiss Unmasked". The album's release is followed by the first of a long series of line-up changes. Drummer Peter Criss, in fact, leaves the group and is replaced by Eric Carr, who will be in the studio for the following album, 1981's "Music From The Elder". Following the work's poor commercial performance, Ace Frehley also departs, replaced by Vinnie Vincent in 1982. That same year, "Creatures Of The Night" brings the group back to the top.

With 1983's "Lick It Up", Kiss present themselves to the public for the first time without make-up. Much appreciated by fans, the move draws huge interest to the band, rewarding the Detroit quartet with the platinum record that had eluded them for four years. "Animalize", released in 1984, also meets with great success, coinciding with the arrival of new guitarist Bruce Kulick in the line-up. "Asylum", "Crazy Nights", "Hot In The Shade": these are the decade's final three releases, the third of which contains the hit ballad "Forever".

The 90s open with a profound loss for the band, who lose drummer Eric Carr to cancer. Delayed by two years, the album "Revenge" is released in 1992. In 1996, like a bolt from the blue, comes the news fans had long been waiting for: the original Kiss line-up reunites to work on the album "Psycho Circus", released in 1998. But the truce among the founding members doesn't last long, and within a few years Ace Frehley and Peter Criss leave for the second time. Eleven years must pass before the band records a new album of original material. Titled "Sonic Boom", the album is followed three years later by "Monster": their last studio album. After celebrating 40 years of career in 2013, the following year Kiss are finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Among the many reissues and compilations recently released, the reissue of the 1982 best of, Killers, stands out. Offered in a limited collector's edition (double pink LP + 7-inch single), it gathers the best of their first decade.

(Source: Universal Music)

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