I grew up in the 70s but never liked them. Image or the music. Yes, there were KISS logos drawn on desks all over my high school.
They were my first love. I was all in as a kid until around the time of Dynasty. Then I dropped them like a hot rock. Tuned back in around Unplugged and the reunion tour. Other than that, very little rotation in my house over years. But, lo and behold, the KISS song by song thread, re-awakened my interest - so I picked up the rest (barring the last 3) of the albums I didn't have and dug in. I think there's quite a bit of good, fun rock and roll across their discography. Of course, they have made plenty of missteps, done very stupid things and certainly have said a LOT of dumb crap - all of which makes them an easy and often well deserved target. But, man, they were a super entertaining band. There is plenty of space for them on my shelf. Just as there is plenty of space for Miles, Leonard Cohen, King Crimson and any other band that moves me.
They did well in North America, but their appeal wasn’t anything like on the same scale worldwide, so I don’t think they’d ever be considered that important.
I love them. Mostly the 70s stuff. I don't have much interest in what they did after, but those 7os albums I love and always will. And I realize everyone has different taste so I wouldn't tell anyone they're wrong for not liking something, but I believe most people that just dismiss them out of hand haven't really heard the albums. Because there's a lot of great stuff. and just to use these two songs as an examples.. KISS - Let Me Know (W/ Lyrics) I listen to those and I don't understand how someone can say that's not good rock.
I wonder how many of us were obsessed with Kiss as preteens, dropped them as we got older, and rediscovered them in our 30s. I know this is the trajectory for a handful of us.
I went through my KISS phase like a lot of kids my age did when Alive & Alive II came out. I remember waiting anxiously for KISS Meets The Phantom to come on. I got into other music after Dynasty but always kept an eye on what they were doing. Got all in again for the reunion tour and enjoy them till this day for what they are, a fun rock n roll show. Looking forward to trying to see the farewell tour.
Quite the opposite actually! The band was/is insanely popular in places like Japan, Australia, South America. Heck, they were the places that kept Kiss afloat when the US gave up on them around 1979-1983. And any glance at collectibles or ebay listings will reveal an unimaginable wealth of unique foreign pressings, imports, collectibles. Aside from being very "All American" in their drive or topical mindset, I almost think of Kiss as more of a "foreign band" sometimes! At the very least they are certainly out of this world.
Quite possible the second or third most important band in the history of rock. The Rolling Stones KISS The Beatles It's that simple.
Good band with a firm commitment to rock music and remembered their primary job is to entertain people.
No, they weren’t insanely popular. You need to check out their record sales worldwide from start to end. Popular in North America. But not so much around the rest of the world.
I was in the my late twenties when I began to explore their music. At that age, I had no illusions about their abilities or their motivation (it was always all about getting rich, getting laid, getting loaded - though only the first two in the case of Gene and Paul). They are a 'fun band' with a fascinating history (just read those autobiographies!) and a surprisingly varied musical palette. A multi-genre band, in fact.
In my humble opinion, a good Rock/Pop Band that does a very high energy and entertaining show with a few memorable hits and album tracks. Seen them in concert twice during their 70’s/early 80’s heyday, once with Peter Criss at Madison Square Garden and the second time seeing their first show at the Palladium in NYC with Eric Carr on drums.
Apart from the comic book image, nothing. The "Detroit Rock City" movie was sort of entertaining though.
