Article by Kiss

KISS is one of the most unique and successful popular music groups in recording history. Their impact on the music industry and popular culture is unquestioned, having acquired more Gold record awards than any other American band in history and inspired generations of listeners ranging from Garth Brooks to Kurt Cobain to become musicians themselves.
Co-founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, KISS was born out of the ashes of Wicked Lester. The band is best known for its intense sound, elaborate stage shows, and extravagant stage outfits. Until 1983, the band never appeared in public without their make-up (which disguised their real identities). The band first appeared without their make-up in 1983 on a MTV news special. KISS once again donned the makeup on in 1996 for their Alive/Worldwide Tour, which reunited the original members after 17 years apart.

History

Early years

The original members of KISS (and their made-up personas) are Paul Stanley (The Starchild), rhythm guitar/vocals; Gene Simmons (The Demon), bass/vocals; Ace Frehley (The Spaceman a.k.a. Space Ace), lead guitar/vocals; and Peter Criss (The Catman), drums/vocals. Bill Aucoin was the original manager 1973-1981. Doc McGhee is the current manager. Sean Delaney was the group's first road manager and creative director. KISS was originally inspired by the New York Dolls, The Harlots of 42nd Street, and other New York City glam scene bands. They felt the feminine look did not work for them.
1980 saw Peter Criss's departure. Other drummers between 1980 and 1996 and 2001 and 2004:

Eric Carr, 1981-1991 (The Fox, 1981-1982) (died of cancer on November 24, 1991)

Eric Singer, 1991-1996, 2001-2003, 2004 - (new Catman)

1982 saw Ace Frehley officially leave the band. Other lead guitarists between 1982 and 1996 (when the original four members reunited):

Vinnie Vincent, 1982-1983 (The Egyptian Warrior)

Mark St. John, 1983-1984 (no character)

Bruce Kulick, 1985-1996 (no character)

Tommy Thayer, 2002- (new Spaceman)

The roots of KISS can be found deep in New York City. Since boyhood, Paul Stanley (born Stanley Harvey Eisen in Queens, NY, January 20, 1952) had been enthralled with local and national television shows like American Bandstand, which featured the hot rock 'n' roll acts of the day. His future KISS partner Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel, August 25, 1949), meanwhile, had moved to New York from his home country of Israel at age nine, and as he grew up, became interested in movies, comic books, and of course, rock 'n' roll. The two grew up with similar ideas in mind for success, and both had experienced trial and error in various underground garage acts. In 1968, destiny brought Stanley and Simmons together through mutual friend Steven Coronel. By 1971, the two formed a band called Wicked Lester, a band whose sound is best described as eclectic.
Wicked Lester was able to get as far as recording an album for the Epic label in 1972 (the complete album remains unreleased), but Stanley and Simmons were unhappy with the direction their band was headed in. Later in the year, the two decided they were going to quit their own band and move in a vastly different direction. After finding drummer Peter Criss through the Rolling Stone classifieds, and lead guitarist Paul "Ace" Frehley through auditions, Gene and Paul had discovered the sound they were looking for. The original lineup of KISS was created.
The band's name was rumored to stand for "Knights In Satan's Service" or "Knights In Service of Satan" but this is an urban legend - propagated in the 1970s by Minnesota-based evangelists the Peters Brothers - which Gene Simmons has denied in his autobiography, KISS And Make-Up. Simmons states that Paul Stanley suggested the name on the spur of the moment while they were stopped at a traffic light. Paul has also stated that the band name is not an acronym. Ace designed the infamous lightning bolt logo, and the rest is history. It has also been rumoured that the logo came from the German swastika, however, this too has been denied, by Ace.
The first ever KISS performance was on January 30, 1973, following months on end of practicing, to an audience of 10 at the Popcorn Club (renamed Coventry shortly afterwards) in Queens, NY. In June of that year, the band recorded a five-song demo tape with producer Eddie Kramer, which eventually wound up in the hands of former teen pop singer and Buddha Records executive Neil Bogart. With the help of their new manager, former TV director Bill Aucoin, KISS became the first act signed to Bogart's new label, Emerald City Records (which was quickly changed to Casablanca Records).
Produced by Kenny Kerner & Richie Wise, the self-titled debut album, KISS, was released in February 1974. The cover showed the group in their makeup, mimicking the cover of the Beatles' With the Beatles album. At the time, no one really knew what to make of the group's look. Topping at #87 in the charts, the album did feature a few chestnuts in the group's career; "Strutter," "Deuce," "Cold Gin," and the closer "Black Diamond."
KISS' first national tour started on February 5, 1974 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. This is where Gene encountered his first of many more groupies to come.... a girl with purple and green hair, who is credited on his solo album.
On February 21, the band performed "Nothin' to Lose," "Firehouse" and "Black Diamond" for what would become their first national television appearance, on ABC's Dick Clark's In Concert (airdate March 29). Two months later on April 29, the band performed "Firehouse" on The Mike Douglas Show, a broadcast which also included Gene Simmons' first televised interview.
Kerner and Wise also produced the follow-up album, Hotter Than Hell, which was released in October 1974. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, CA, and featured several future KISS classics, including "Goin' Blind", the title track, "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll", and "Watchin' You." The album is also known for its striking cover: the front featured Japanese influenced artwork, and the back cover showed indiviual band shots taken by Norman Seeff at a wild party, and a composite of all four band members' makeup designs. The album did less well than their debut, reaching just #100 on the Billboard album chart.

Success

In 1975, having achieved recognition, but no big hit single, Casablanca Records head Neil Bogart stepped in to produce their next album, trading in the raw sound of KISS and Hotter Than Hell for a cleaner, produced sound with Dressed To Kill, released in March 1975. The album included two important songs in the group's career; "C'Mon And Love Me," their first big radio hit, and "Rock And Roll All Nite," which would become known as the "rock and roll national anthem."
While Dressed To Kill sold better than the previous two KISS studio releases, it was still the live performance fans craved most. Word was spreading about KISS' incredible shows, which set new standards for the live concert experience. KISS delivered more than just the music: there were eye-popping pyrotechnics, including Peter Criss's levitating drum riser, Ace Frehley's smoking (literally!) Les Paul, Paul Stanley's nightly destruction of his guitar, and of course, Gene Simmons' legendary fire-breathing and blood-spitting. How does one capture such an event on vinyl? The answer was delivered in September 1975, when KISS released Alive!, largely recorded in Detroit's Cobo Arena, among other locations. The album would go on to achieve Quadruple Platinum status, and spawned KISS's first top 40 single, the live version of "Rock And Roll All Nite".
Following this success, KISS partnered with producer Bob Ezrin to embark on a musical tour de force the likes of which the band had never seen before. The result was Destroyer (released March 1976), KISS' most commercially successful studio album, which included the hits "Beth", "Detroit Rock City," "God of Thunder" and "Shout It Out Loud." The cover, painted by renowned artist Ken Kelly (who also commissioned the Love Gun album artwork), has also been used on countless T-shirts, posters and other paraphenelia. Many of the songs from Destroyer remain KISS concert staples to this day.
In October 1976, KISS made a historic television appearance, lip-synching "Detroit Rock City," "Beth" and "King of the Night Time World" on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special. For many young music listeners, this was their first exposure to the sonic and visual assault of KISS. In order to capture the essence of the band's look and performance level, the show was co-produced by KISS manager Bill Aucoin. In addition to the three aforementioned performances, KISS was also the subject of a comedic "interview" conducted by Paul Lynde himself.
A 1977 Gallup poll named KISS the most popular band in America. In Japan, KISS broke attendance records previously held by The Beatles. KISS hysteria was in full effect. The group had two comic books released by Marvel, pinball machines, Mego dolls, "KISS Your Face Makeup" kits, Halloween masks, board games, and many other pieces of memorabilia. The group was never seen in public without wearing their makeup and their popularity was growing by leaps and bounds; the membership of the KISS Army, the band's fan club, was now in the six figures. Two more studio albums continued to fuel the KISS fire (November 1976's Rock and Roll Over and June 1977's smash hit Love Gun) before KISS released the sequel to Alive! in November 1977, titled Alive II. The first of many KISS greatest hits compilations, titled Double Platinum, was issued in April 1978.

Going solo

Even such enormous popularity had its limits, and the band reached them in September 1978, when all four members released solo albums on the same day. Simmons' record was the most successful, reaching number 22 on the charts, yet all of them made it into the Top 50. One month later, an NBC-TV movie produced by Hanna-Barbera hit the airwaves, titled KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. The film was proposed to the band as a cross between A Hard Day's Night and Star Wars, though the final results fell far short of these expectations. The movie was one of the highest-rated TV movies of the year, and saw theatrical release outside the U.S. in 1979, under the title Attack of the Phantoms.
The first KISS album in two years, Dynasty, released in May 1979, continued their streak of platinum albums. The album contained what would become the biggest single in the history of the band, the worldwide smash "I Was Made For Lovin' You." The song, which combined elements of the KISS sound with disco, was a top ten hit throughout the world (although stateside, it only managed number 11) and stands as the most covered KISS song ever. This album, as well as the follow-up Unmasked, were recorded using ghost drummer Anton Fig at the request of producer Vini Poncia, who felt Criss's drumming skills were not up to par with what he wanted. Peter Criss left the band shortly after the May 1980 release of Unmasked. Despite a slick, contemporary pop sound, Unmasked had the dubious distinction of being the first KISS album since Dressed to Kill to fail to go platinum. The tour to support Unmasked never reached the United States (save for a one-off show at New York's Palladium to showcase their new drummer, the dynamic Eric Carr). KISS's 1980 tour of Australia was one of the biggest in the band's history, as the played to sold-out crowds and enjoyed enormous popularlity amongst the fans there.
The band stunned audiences with the release of the symphonic concept album, November 1981's Music From "The Elder", their first album recorded with Carr. It failed to go gold, and couldn't climb past number 75 on the charts.

Reaction to The Elder was harsh. Much of the album contained horns and strings, and was based on a fictional film that never saw the light of day. The issue was not with the quality of the album, but for a band like KISS, who was known for its pounding rhythms, sex-based lyrics, and blood-laden stage show, such a radical departure alienated their fan base. Following its failure, the band was committed to go back in the studio and make the heaviest album of their career.
After recording only four songs, plans for the new album were scrapped. The four leftover songs were combined with classic KISS material from the 1970s for the June 1982 release KISS Killers, a complilation album released outside the United States. The band made good on their promise with October 1982's excellent Creatures of the Night, the hardest album the band had released up to that point. Creatures of the Night fared better than Music From the Elder, yet it couldn't make it past number 45 on the charts. Unfortunately, Ace Frehley left the band after its release; he was replaced by Vinnie Vincent in 1982 in time for the "10th Anniversary" tour. While this tour didn't fare as well as others did in the United States, the band did go on to play for the largest crowds of their career, up to 137,000 fans in Brazil in June 1983. This series of shows would be the last KISS would perform in makeup until June 28, 1996.

Unmasking

Sensing it was time for a change, KISS shocked the music world by appearing without their makeup live on MTV. The publicity worked, as the September 1983 album Lick it Up became their first platinum record in four years. However, Vinnie Vincent was fired after Lick it Up and was replaced by Mark St. John. Animalize, released in September 1984, was just as successful, and the group had clearly recaptured their niche. "Heaven's on Fire" and "Thrills in the Night" became huge MTV hits, and the band continued to be a large concert draw. St. John, however, was soon taken ill with Reiter's syndrome and left the band shortly into the 1984 Animalize tour. Bruce Kulick became KISS' new lead guitarist, and would remain with the group for the next 12 years.
For the rest of the 1980s, KISS turned out a series of best-selling albums (September 1985's Asylum, September 1987's Crazy Nights, the November 1988 compilation Smashes, Thrashes & Hits, and the critically acclaimed November 1989 release Hot in the Shade), culminating in the early 1990 hit ballad "Forever," which was their biggest single since "I Was Made For Lovin' You."
KISS was scheduled to record a new album with their old producer, Bob Ezrin, in 1990 when Eric Carr became severely ill with cancer. The drummer passed away on November 24, 1991 at the age of 41. Devastated, KISS continued and replaced him with drummer Eric Singer and recorded the highly praised Revenge (May 1992), their first album since 1989. The album, considered by many fans as one of the best latter-day KISS albums, was a Top Ten hit and went gold. KISS followed it with the release of Alive III, in May 1993. This was KISS's first live release since 1977's Alive II. In June 1994, the band issued KISS My Ass, a compilation album featuring popular artists of the era putting their own spin on KISS classics. The result was an eclectic mix of sounds, ranging from Lenny Kravitz putting a funky stamp on "Deuce" (with Stevie Wonder on harmonica), a ska version of "Detroit Rock City" by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Die Ärzte performing "Unholy" in German language.
In 1995, the band embarked on a unique and well-recieved "Worldwide KISS Convention Tour." The conventions were all-day events, featuring displays of vintage KISS stage outfits, instruments, and memorabilia, performances by KISS cover bands, and of course featured dealers selling KISS merchandise from every stage of the band's career up to that time. Of most interest to attendees, KISS themselves appeared live and in person, conducting question and answer sessions, autograph signings, and a two-hour unplugged set comprised mostly of spontaneous fan requests. On the first U.S. date, June 17, 1995, former drummer Peter Criss appeared onstage with KISS, to sing lead on "Hard Luck Woman" and backup on "Nothin' to Lose."
On August 9, 1995, KISS joined the long line of musicians to perform on MTV Unplugged. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons contacted former members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley and invited them to participate in the event. Both Peter and Ace joined KISS onstage for several songs at the end of the set. In the weeks following the Unplugged concert, the band returned to the studio for the first time in three years to record Carnival of Souls. The album was completed, but its release was delayed for two years.
Fan reaction to Criss and Frehley at the Unplugged show was so positive that, in 1996, the original lineup of KISS -- featuring Simmons, Stanley, Frehley, and Criss -- reunited to perform the "KISS Alive/Worldwide" tour, complete with their notorious makeup and special effects. This would be the first tour featuring all four original KISS members since 1979.

Reunion

The buzz surrounding the reunion of all four original band members started in typical grandiose KISS fashion. On February 28, 1996, the late Tupac Shakur introduced the original KISS - clad in full makeup and stage outfits - to a rousing ovation at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. Two months later on April 16, the band held a press conference aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York, where they announced their plans for world domination. The conference, emceed by Conan O'Brien, was simulcast to 58 countries. On June 28, the "KISS Alive/Worldwide" tour kicked off at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, in front of a sold-out crowd of 39,867 fans. Shows were selling out in minutes, and like the days of yore, KISS hysteria was everywhere. The tour stretched to nearly every corner of the globe over a one-year period, and stands today as one of the top-grossing tours of all time.
In September 1998 the reunited group issued Psycho Circus, the first album with the original lineup since 1980's Unmasked. The ensuing tour in support of Psycho Circus was a success, and the Psycho Circus album debuted in the top three of the Billboard Album chart. The album's title track nabbed a Grammy nomination. The tour itself was historic for being the first to ever incorporate 3-D visuals into a stage show. August 13, 1999 saw the nationwide premiere of a KISS-themed motion picture titled Detroit Rock City. The movie was set in 1978, focusing on four teenagers (featuring Edward Furlong) willing to do anything to score tickets for a sold-out KISS show in Detroit. The film's premiere was preceded two days earlier by KISS receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The quartet announced in the spring of 2000 that they would be launching a U.S. Farewell tour in the summer, which became one of the year's top concert draws.
But on the eve of a Japanese and Australian tour in early 2001, Peter Criss suddenly left the band once again, supposedly discontent with his salary. Taking his place was previous KISS drummer Eric Singer, who in a controversial move among longtime fans, donned Criss' cat-man makeup (since Simmons and Stanley own both Frehley and Criss' makeup designs, there was no threat of a lawsuit) as the farewell tour continued. With the band scheduled to call it a day supposedly by late 2001, a mammoth career-encompassing Box Set was set for later in the year, while the summer saw perhaps the most over-the-top piece of KISS merchandise yet -- the "KISS Kasket."
The group was relatively quiet through the rest of the year, but 2002 started with a bang as Gene Simmons turned in an entertaining and controversial interview on NPR where he criticized the organization and berated host Terry Gross with sexual comments and condescending answers 1. He was promoting his autobiography at the time, which also caused dissent in the KISS camp because of the inflammatory remarks made towards Ace Frehley. Frehley was quite angry at the situation, leading to his no-showing of an American Bandstand anniversary show.
With KISS's Farewell Tour never reaching an official conclusion, KISS launched a double headlining tour with Aerosmith in 2003. Peter Criss rejoined the band earlier in the year, but unfortunately, Ace Frehley refused to continue on with KISS. He (and his makeup) were replaced by former Black N Blue guitarist Tommy Thayer. Shortly after the arrival of Thayer, the band recorded Alive IV with the acclaimed Melbourne Symphony Orchestra while in Australia. The KISS/Aerosmith tour was a tremendous success, but Simmons and Stanley were unimpressed with Criss's uneven and chaotic drumming style (his skills had in fact deteriorated over time). Criss was fired in late 2003 and once again replaced by Eric Singer.
KISS played to sold out houses throughout the U.S. on the 2004 "Rock the Nation" tour, and shows no signs of slowing down. After all these years, KISS remains "The Hottest Band In the World".

Members

Current members

Gene Simmons - vocals, bass (1972 - present)

Paul Stanley - vocals, guitar (1972 - present)

Eric Singer - drums (1992 - 1995, 2001 - 2002, 2004 - present)

Tommy Thayer - guitar (2003 - present)

Original members

Gene Simmons - vocals, bass (1972 - present)

Paul Stanley - vocals, guitar (1972 - present)

Peter Criss - vocals, drums (1972 - 1980, 1996 - 2001, 2003)

Ace Frehley - vocals, guitar (1972 - 1982, 1996 - 2002)

Other members

Eric Carr - drums (1980 - 1991)

Vinnie Vincent - guitar (1983)

Mark St. John - guitar (1984)

Bruce Kulick - guitar (1984 - 1995)

Band Members

Band member	Instrument(s)	Dates	Albums recorded
Gene Simmons	bass, vocals	1972 - present	all
Paul Stanley	guitar, vocals	1972 - present	all
Ace Frehley	guitar, vocals	1972 - 1982, 1996 - 2002	KISS Hotter Than Hell Dressed to Kill Alive! Destrotyer Rock and Roll Over Love Gun Alive II Dynasty Unmasked Music From 'The Elder KISS Killers Creatures of the Night Psycho Circus
Peter Criss	drums, vocals	1972 - 1980, 1996 - 2001, 2003	KISS Hotter Than Hell Dressed to Kill Alive! Destroyer Rock and Roll Over Love Gun Alive II Dynasty Unmasked Psycho Circus Alive IV: KISS Symphony
Eric Carr	drums	1980 - 1991	Music From 'The Elder Kiss Killers Creatures of the Night Lick it Up Animalize Asylum Crazy Nights Hot in the Shade
Bruce Kulick	guitar	1984 - 1995	Asylum Crazy Nights Hot in the Shade Revenge Alive III Carnival of Souls MTV Unplugged
Eric Singer	drums	1991 - 1995, 2001 - 2002, 2004 - present	Revenge Alive III Carnival of Souls MTV Unplugged
Vinnie Vincent	guitar	1982 - 1983	Lick it Up
Mark St. John	guitar	1984	Animalize
Tommy Thayer	guitar	2003 - present	Alive IV: KISS Symphony

Discography

KISS (1974; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Hotter than Hell (1974; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Dressed to Kill (1975; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Alive! (1975; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Destroyer (1976; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

The Originals (1976; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley); special limited-edition release containing the first three KISS studio albums, plus a slew of special premiums. No longer available.

Rock and Roll Over (1976; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Love Gun (1977; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Alive II (1977; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

The Originals II (1978; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley); special release from Japan containing Destroyer, Rock And Roll Over, and Love Gun, plus a slew of special premiums. No longer available.

Double Platinum (1978; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Paul Stanley (1978; one of the four KISS solo albums)

Gene Simmons (1978; one of the four KISS solo albums)

Peter Criss (1978; one of the four KISS solo albums)

Ace Frehley (1978; one of the four KISS solo albums)

The Best of Solo Albums (1979; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley) — 3 tracks each from each solo album; unavailable in North America)

Dynasty (1979; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Unmasked (1980; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

Music from "The Elder" (1981; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Frehley)

KISS Killers (1982; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Frehley, plus compilation old songs) — unavailable in North America

Creatures of the Night (1982; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Frehley)

Lick It Up (1983; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Vincent)

Animalize (1984; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/St. John)

Asylum (1985; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Kulick)

Crazy Nights (1987; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Kulick)

Chikara (1988; compilation released only in Japan)

Smashes, Thrashes, and Hits (1988; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Kulick, two new tracks alongside 13 classic KISS songs)

Hot in the Shade (1989; Simmons/Stanley/Carr/Kulick)

Revenge (1992; Simmons/Stanley/Singer/Kulick)

Alive III (1993; Simmons/Stanley/Singer/Kulick)

KISS My Ass (1994; official tribute album featuring modern artists performing KISS classics)

MTV Unplugged (1996; Simmons/Stanley/Singer/Kulick/Frehley/Criss)

You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996; compilation)

Greatest KISS (1997; compilation)

Greatest Hits (1997; compilation released only in the United Kingdom)

Carnival of Souls (1997; Simmons/Stanley/Singer/Kulick); recorded in 1995, released two years later

Psycho Circus (1998; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Frehley)

The Box Set (2001; compilation)

The Very Best of KISS (2002; compilation)

Alive IV - KISS Symphony (2003; Simmons/Stanley/Criss/Thayer)

20th Century Masters Vol. 1 (2003; compilation); budget title covering 1970s KISS hits

20th Century Masters Vol. 2 (2004; compilation); budget title covering 1980s KISS hits

Gold (2004; compilation) covering 1974-1982; also included a DVD of the 1987 home video KISS eXposed.

Historical Dates

January

31, 1999 - Pregame Show at Super Bowl XXXIII

31, 1998 - Ace Frehley Performance at Gibson Party, NAMM

30, 2000 - Psycho Circus #26 ships

30, 1999 - UNION appears at NAMM

30, 1998 - Psycho Circus #26 Ships

30, 1998 - Psycho Circus #6 Ships

30, 1973 - KISS play their first show at the Coventry in Queens, NY

29, 1999 - Millenium Rebroadcast

26, 1998 - UNION HARD RADIO Album Premiere and Chat

26, 1998 - Feb/Mar Non-Sport Update with Trading Cards article

25, 2005 - KISS My Ass DVD Released

25, 2005 - Konfidential DVD Released

25, 2005 - X-Treme Close Up DVD Released

25, 1998 - Angel Medina Signing - Chicago ComicFest - Chicago, IL Ramada Ohare

24, 1998 - Angel Medina Signing - Chicago ComicFest - Chicago, IL Ramada Ohare

24, 1998 - VH1 Presents the 70's

24, 1995 - KISS plays 5 dates throughout Japan and donates part of its earnings to victims of the Kobe earthquake.

20, 1999 - MuchMusic Spotlight

20, 1998 - Loaded Deck, Frehley's Comet Album Released

20, 1998 - Chris Lendt Interview, WZLX/Boston (100.7 FM)

20, 1952 - Paul Stanley Birthday

19, 1999 - MuchMusic Spotlight

18, 2000 - Union Chat on Yahoo

16, 1999 - Gene Simmons at Fangora Convention

16, 1987 - Wanted Dead Or Alive premiers.

16, 1978 - KISS appear on the American Music Awards via satellite from Largo, MD.

15, 2002 - Gene Book Signing in Toronto, Chapters Festival Hall

15, 1982 - KISS appear on ABC-TV’s Fridays. It is the first and only live performance in support of Music From The Elder.

14, 2000 - MuchMusic Spotlight

11, 2005 - KISS Gold Released

11, 2000 - Detroit Rock City VHS released for rental

11, 1999 - KISS present Will Smith with honors at the American Music Awards.

9, 2002 - Gene and Paul @ American Music Awards

9, 2000 - Paul and Ace appear at Sam Ash New York Custom Guitar Show

8, 2002 - Gene Book Signing Brentanos LA

8, 1974 - A press party is held at the Fillmore East to celebrate KISS’ first album.

7, 2002 - Gene on Politically Incorrect

6, 2002 - Peter on HBO's OZ

5, 1998 - "Master and Slave" Goes for Radio Adds

4, 2000 - Second Coming worldwide release on video and DVD

3, 2004 - Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley appear on the opening segment to the NFL Widcard Playoff Games

3, 2000 - Proving that the Y2K show would not be the last performance of the band, KISS play Ankorage, Alaska, for the first time since appearing there in 1974

2, 1974 - Variety magazine prints a positive review of the KISS performance at the Academy of Music.

February

29, 2000 - KISS Immortals Webisodes Debut

28, 2003 - KISS Symphony - Show with Melbourne Symphony

28, 1998 - Indianapolis KISS Expo

28, 1998 - Fifth Annual KISS CONVENTION in Stockholm Sweden

28, 1996 - A reunited KISS, in makeup, appear at the Grammys to present an award.

27, 1998 - Pre-Indy Expo Party with KISS'D

27, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WZZQ/Terre Haute, IN

26, 1999 - European Leg of Psycho Circus tour begins

26, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WWGZ/Flint, MI

25, 2003 - KISS perform live of Rove Live

25, 2000 - Psycho Circus #27 ships

25, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WXRR/Laurel, MS

24, 2002 - Perform @ XIX Winter Olympic Closing Ceremony

24, 1999 - 41st Grammy Awards

24, 1999 - Union debut album released USA

24, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WCLG/Morgantown, WV

24, 1974 - KISS appear on Don Kirshner's

23, 2000 - Union AOL Chat

23, 1998 - Union Record Release Party, AOL Nightclub

23, 1998 - Union debut album released Europe

22, 2003 - Gene and Paul on Saturday Morning Rove

22, 2001 - VH1 All Access: Music Money Power' Looks at Rock's 25 Biggest and Savviest Money-Makers

22, 2000 - Union "Blue Room" Released

22, 1999 - Special Tour Edition Live CD EP released in Europe

22, 1999 - KISS photo session for Got Milk? advertising campaign

21, 1974 - KISS tapes a performance for Dick Clark's In Concert

20, 2002 - Gene Book Signing Caesar's Palace Las Vegas

20, 2000 - WCW SuperBrawl PPV with Demon

20, 2000 - Atlanta KISS Expo

20, 1976 - KISS add their footprints to the sidewalk outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

19, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WRDX/Wilmington, DE

18, 2001 - Atlanta KISS Expo

18, 2000 - Psycho Circus Magazine #5 ships

18, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KTGL/Lincoln, NE

18, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WBUZ/Toledo,OH (rescheduled)

18, 1977 - KISS makes its first appearance at Madison Square Garden before a sold out crowd of 19,626 screaming New Yorkers.

18, 1974 - Debut album, KISS, released on the East coast, while on the West coast it is released on the 21st.

18, 1974 - Casablanca Records holds a launch party in Los Angeles to commemorate the release of KISS.

17, 2001 - Indianapolis KISSFest

17, 2000 - Union Live on KNAC.com

17, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KQCL-KQPR/South Mpls, MN

17, 1977 - Headline Madison Square Garden

16, 2003 - 10th Anniversary Atlanta KISS Expo

16, 2000 - Advance tickets for some tour dates go on sale at Ticketmaster Online in a VH1 promotion. Fans rabidly snap up 70,000 tickets before they go on general sale on the 19th

16, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WCRX (88.1FM)/Chicago, IL

15, 2004 - Atlanta KISS Expo

15, 1989 - Paul hits the road on a solo tour playing classic material from his solo album and some new material. Members of his touring party include Bob Kulick and Eric Singer.

14, 2002 - Gene Simmons Book Signing @ Book Soup in LA

14, 2000 - KISS Announce Their Farewell Tour

13, 2000 - Third Annual Indy KISS Expo

11, 2003 - We're A Happy Family, the Ramones Tribute CD released.

11, 2001 - Gene Simmons on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire airs

11, 2000 - Psycho Circus Magazine #5 ships

11, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WBUZ/Toledo, OH

11, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WIMK/Iron Mountain, MI (taped)

10, 2003 - Paul on MTV2 Ramones Special

10, 1977 - KISS win People’s Choice award for the single “Beth�?

9, 1999 - Girls of KISS on the Newstand

9, 1998 - Union Chat Francesca Cappuci's Hollywood Grill, on the Real Hollywood Network

9, 1998 - Toy Fair, New Action Figures Debut

8, 2002 - Gene Book Signing Virgin Megastore NYC

8, 1998 - KISS (& Rock) Trade & Collectable Fair in Australia

8, 1978 - "Rocket Ride" / "Tomorrow and Tonight (Live)" 7" single is released in the U.S.

7, 2002 - Gene Simmons on Conan

7, 1999 - 5th Annual Atlanta KISS Expo

7, 1956 - Mark St. John Birthday

6, 2002 - KISS Lane Bryant Fashion Show Webcast

5, 2002 - KISS Performs @ Lane Bryant Fashion Show

5, 1999 - Psycho Cirucs issue 16 ships

4, 1974 - KISS departs New York City for the wind-blown winterland of Western Canada.

3, 1999 - Girls of KISS mailed to subscribers

3, 1995 - Kiss returns to Australia after 15-year absence. First ever "official" Kiss Convention takes place at Hyatt Hotel in Perth, WA. Highlighs of the tour include a live performance of "Shandi" in Perth.

2, 2002 - 2002 Indy KISS Expo

2, 1998 - Union, Old Man Wise Radio Adds

2, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WKBH/LaCrosse, WI

1, 2001 - Gene Simmons Tapes Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

1, 1973 - KISS plays The Coventry

March

31, 2000 - Psycho Circus #28 ships

30, 2004 - The Best of KISS/The DVD Collection Released

29, 2005 - DVD Release of Remedy Costarring Ace Frehley

29, 2001 - KISS Begin Australian Leg of Farewell Tour

29, 1998 - Orlando KIS - he Holiday Inn on International Drive

28, 1999 - TV.com airs story about KISSONLINE

28, 1974 - "Nothin’ to Lose" / "Love Theme from KISS" 7" single is released in the U.S.

27, 1999 - TV.com airs story about KISSONLINE

27, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WMMS/Cleveland, OH

27, 1975 - Headline Detroit's Cobo Hall for first time

26, 1999 - TV.com airs story about KISSONLINE

25, 2001 - New England KISS Expo

23, 1998 - Live +1, Second Sighting and Trouble Walkin' Remasters Release

20, 1976 - The Destroyer Tour gets under way in Lakeland, Florida.

19, 1975 - Dressed To Kill released

18, 1977 - KISS visit Japan for the first time, playing a 5 day sold out stand at Budoken Hall, Japan, beating The Beatles record of 4 days.

17, 1984 - Evansville, Indiana. Last show of the Lick It Up Tour and Vinnie’s final show with KISS.

16, 2003 - KISS Perform @ The Palms in Las Vegas, NV.

15, 1998 - Nashville KISS Expo

15, 1976 - Destroyer released, shipped Gold

14, 1999 - CNET,"the web" airs story

13, 1999 - CNET,"the web" airs story

13, 1998 - Psycho Circus Issue 7 ships

12, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KOMP/Las Vegas, NV

12, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WABB-FM/Mobile, AL

12, 1996 - Unplugged album and video released.

11, 2003 - 2003 Tour of Japan Begins

11, 2000 - KISS kick off their "Farewell Tour" at the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. Material from the 1980's is again included in the set which is similar to the track listing of Alive IV. VH1 covers the event showing around half and hour of K

11, 1999 - Paul Stanley is announced to be playing the lead role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Phantom Of The Opera, at Toronto's Livent Group Pantages theatre in a run from May 25th to August 1st...

11, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KLAZ/Hot Springs, AR

10, 2005 - Gene Appears on Apprentice

9, 2001 - KISS Begin Japanese Leg of Farewell Tour

9, 2000 - During pre-Tour rehearsals in Phoenix, KISS shoot a commercial for Pepsi

9, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KSD/St. Louis, MO

6, 2005 - Indy KISS Expo

6, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KMJX/Little Rock, AR

5, 2005 - Indy KISS Expo

5, 1999 - Psycho Cirucs issue 17 ships

5, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KZZE/Medford, OR

5, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - Talk America Radio Networks (taping for national syndication)

4, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - WZOZ/Oneonta, NY

4, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KFMX/Lubbock, TX

3, 2001 - Melbourne KISS Expo

3, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KTCT/San Francisco, CA

3, 1977 - "Calling Dr. Love" / "Take Me" 7" single is released in the U.S.

2, 1998 - Chris Lendt/KISS and SELL Interview - KGGO/Des Moines, IA

1, 2005 - KISS Appear on Ellen DeGeneres Show

1, 1987 - First KISS convention ever held in the United States

1, 1978 - Double Platinum released

1, 1976 - "Shout it Out Loud" / "Sweet Pain" 7" single is released in the U.S.

April

30, 2000 - New York KISS Expo

29, 2005 - KISS Army debut show in Iraq

29, 1999 - KISS are forced to postpone their planned dates in Russia following violence resulting from NATO action against Serbia...

29, 1975 - Rock and Roll All Nite released as a single, first time on singles chart

29, 1974 - KISS films their performance for The Mike Douglas Show

28, 2002 - 16th Annual NY KISS Expo

28, 2001 - KISS Pinball for Playstation Released

28, 2000 - Psycho Circus TPB #3

27, 2004 - Spin The Bottle - A Tribute To Kiss Released

27, 2002 - ACE FREHLEY Birthday Bash

27, 1998 - Union Released in Europe

27, 1951 - Ace Frehley Birthday

26, 2003 - VH1 Ultimate Albums - Alive!

26, 1998 - NY/NJ KISS Expo - Rothman Center in Hackensack, NJ

25, 1999 - 13th Annual New York KISS Expo

24, 1998 - Psycho Circus Issue Eight Ships

23, 1998 - Chris Lendt Interview,CHET-FM/British Columbia, Canada

23, 1992 - Revenge club tour kicks off at the Stone in San Francisco.

21, 2000 - Psycho Circus #29 ships

19, 2001 - Gene Simmons Appears on "Turns Ben Stein On"

18, 2003 - Live Nationwide Radio Special

16, 2000 - Nashville KISS Expo

16, 1999 - KISS:Psycho Circus issue 18 ships

16, 1996 - KISS officially announce the reunion on the USS Intrepid

16, 1988 - KISS return to Japan for the first time in 10 years.

12, 2002 - Milan KISS Expo

12, 1999 - Psycho Circus Comic Released Brazil

11, 1972 - Peter Criss places ad in Rolling Stone, Drummer looking for a band!

9, 1998 - Goldmine Issue 464, with KISS content

9, 1998 - Chris Lendt Interview - KPOI/Honolulu, HI

9, 1998 - Chris Lendt Interview - WTCM/Traverse City, MI

9, 1991 - Eric Carr undergoes heart surgery to remove a tumor.

8, 1997 - KISS' Greatest KISS released in the USA.

7, 1998 - Peter Criss Solo Albums Released on CD COOL

7, 1998 - Union Live at Meander, Amsterdam

5, 2001 - KISS Chat on Radioundercover.com

4, 1997 - At a concert in Columbus, GA, Peter is too ill to play and is replaced by his drum tech, Eddie Kannon.

2, 2000 - Omaha KISS Expo

2, 1978 - The compilation Double Platinum is released.

2, 1975 - "Rock And Roll All Nite" the first single off the album Dressed To Kill is released

1, 2005 - KISS - Rockin' The Corps

1, 1985 - The first KISS home video Animalize Live is released in the U.S.

May

30, 1999 - Sydney KISS Expo

29, 2001 - Wanted Dead or Alive Released on DVD

29, 1999 - Petra Verkaik at Collectors Expo

27, 2004 - 2004 tour of Japan kicksoff

26, 1977 - KISS donate blood for their first Marvel comic book

25, 1999 - Argentina KISS Expo

24, 1974 - World KISS Off happens in Chicago and sets a world record

23, 1998 - SYDNEY KISS Expo

23, 1979 - Dynasty released

22, 1999 - Paul Stanley Instore in Toronto Tower

22, 1998 - Psycho Circus #9 ships

21, 1974 - KISS's performance of “Firehouse�? on the Mike Douglas Show airs.

20, 2001 - Ace Frehley inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame

20, 1993 - KISS performs live on the Arsenio Hall Show

20, 1980 - Unmasked is released

19, 2000 - Psycho Circus #30 ships

19, 1999 - Famous Monsters #226 with KISS Covers On sale

19, 1978 - KISS perform at Magic Mountain Amusement Park, California for the filming of “KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park.�?

18, 1999 - Union Live Album Released

18, 1993 - KISS becomes part of Rock Walk of Fame

18, 1993 - Alive III released, it debuts at #9 in the charts

18, 1987 - The home video Exposed released. It is very successful and attains Platinum status while a compilation clip video for "Rock And Roll All Nite" is released to support it.

16, 1975 - KISS play Detroit's Cobo Hall, and some of the show is recorded for Alive!

14, 1999 - KISS:Psycho Circus issue 19 ships

14, 1992 - Revenge is released and dedicated to the late Eric Carr. It debuts at #6 in the US charts

13, 1976 - KISS kicks-off their first tour of Europe with a show in Manchester, England.

12, 1958 - Eric Singer Birthday

10, 1974 - The "Kissin’ Time" 7" single is released in the U.S. with "Nothin’ to Lose" as the B-side.

9, 1998 - MELBOURNE KISS Expo

8, 2004 - KISS Return to Australia

8, 2001 - Katey Sagal on Intimate Portraits, Featuring Gene Simmons

8, 1982 - Neil Bogart dies from cancer

5, 1995 - KISS OTAKU goes online

4, 2005 - Ace on E!'s Howard Stern Show

4, 1990 - The Hot In The Shade Tour kicks off in Lubbock, Texas

3, 2005 - Ace on E!'s Howard Stern Show

3, 2002 - American Bandstand's 50th Celebration

3, 1998 - KISS Expos in Europe

3, 1998 - ADELAIDE KISS Expo

2, 1999 - 2nd Annual Indianapolis KISS Expo

1, 1998 - UNION Begins Tour

1, 1976 - KISS invades Europe

June

30, 1977 - Love Gun released, shipped Platinum

30, 1977 - The first, record breaking, Marvel Comic containing some of the members blood in the ink is released.

28, 1999 - Gene, the cast of DRC, and Everclear shoot a video for "The Boys Are Back In Town" in L.A...

28, 1998 - The New Annual Cleveland KISS Expo

28, 1996 - The Alive/Worldwide Tour kicks off at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, selling out in record time.

28, 1985 - Creatures of the Night is remixed and rereleased with a new cover and slightly different track listing.

27, 2001 - Gene Simmons on E! Howard Stern Show

26, 1998 - Psycho Circus #10 Ships

25, 2002 - Paul on Chris Isaak Show

25, 1998 - UNION released in Japan

25, 1996 - You Wanted The Best released

25, 1983 - Sao Paulo, Brazil. Last show of the Creatures of the Night Tour and the final show in make-up for 13 years.

25, 1982 - KISS Killers is released in Japan.

23, 2001 - KISS PARTY MILANO, ITALY

22, 1977 - #1 band in America, Gallup Poll

21, 2005 - KISS Chronicles Released

20, 2004 - Debut issue of KISS The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine

19, 2002 - Gene on MTV Cribs

18, 2001 - Forever Part of VH1 Power Ballads

18, 1999 - Psycho Circus comic #20 ships

18, 1983 - KISS performs before an estimated crowd of 137,000 in Rio de Janeiro. It is the largest crowd of their career.

17, 1995 - US leg of the official KISS Convention tour begins in Los Angeles, CA with Peter Criss joining the band onstage for an acoustic performance.

17, 1973 - Demo recorded with Eddie Kramer

15, 2004 - The Best of KISS Volume 2 The Millennium Collection released

15, 1996 - KISS play KRQQ's Weenie Roast as a tour warm-up. The first gig since 1979 with all original members in makeup.

15, 1979 - The Dynasty Tour begins in Lakeland, Florida.

13, 2001 - Gene Simmons, Special Guest on FX Networks, The Test

12, 2001 - KISS: Immortals Released on DVD

12, 2001 - Gene Simmons Guest on the Howard Stern Show

12, 1973 - KISS record their first demo

10, 2004 - Rock The Nation 2004 Tour Kicks Off in San Antonio, TX

9, 2004 - KISS on Rockline

8, 2004 - Gene Simmons solo album ***hole released

7, 2004 - KISS: VH1 Classic's 'Headline Act' To Premiere

7, 2003 - Evansville KISS Expo

4, 2002 - Gene Simmons Tongue Issue 1 Released

3, 2001 - E! True Hollywood Story, Miami Vice w/ Gene Simmons

2, 1973 - KISS show at The Daisy, reviewed in Variety

1, 1974 - Paul gets his tattoo in San Francisco, CA.

July

29, 1997 - Todd McFarlane's first KISS action figures released

28, 2001 - Ace Frehley on VH1 Cover Wars

28, 1979 - KISS in Japan premiers on HBO.

28, 1976 - “Detroit Rock City" single released with the B-side "Beth"

27, 2002 - Gene Comic Book Signing "Things From Another World" store in Citywalk, Universal City, CA

26, 2003 - KISS Signing in Atlantic City

26, 1998 - Detroit KISS Expo

25, 1998 - Pittsburgh KISS Expo

25, 1997 - "Action League Now!" episode starring the KISS action figures premiers in theaters, shown before the movie Good Burger

25, 1996 - Kiss plays four sold out shows at MSG in NYC.

25, 1980 - "Tomorrow" / "Naked City" 7" released in the U.S.

25, 1980 - The first and only U.S. show of the Unmasked Tour takes place at the Palladium in Manhattan, it is Eric Carr’s concert debut with KISS.

24, 2004 - When KISS Ruled the World on VH1

24, 2002 - Issue #1 KISS/Dark Horse Comic

24, 1998 - Bruce Kulick Plays Natinal Anthem at Cannons Baseball Game

23, 2003 - Instore at Best Buy in NYC

23, 1999 - Psycho Circus issue #21 ships

22, 2003 - KISS Symphony Double CD Release

22, 1980 - Official press release is issued announcing the addition of Eric Carr to the group.

21, 1998 - Toyfare #13, KISS Cover & poster

21, 1976 - The Originals, a special repackaging of the first three albums, is released

20, 1999 - Union debut album re-released on Spitfire Records

20, 1999 - ESP released via Rock Hard/Universal

20, 1993 - Another long-form video is released. Like its' predeceesors Konfidential also attains Gold status.

17, 1998 - Wizard World, Chicago

15, 1998 - Japanese Box Set released

14, 2002 - 9th Annual Detroit KISS Expo

12, 1950 - Eric Carr Birthday

10, 1999 - Las Vegas KISS Expo

10, 1975 - The "C’mon and Love Me" / "Getaway" 7" single is released in the U.S.

9, 1998 - Paul Stanley Instore, Nashville

8, 2001 - Detroit KISS Expo

8, 1977 - The Love Gun Tour gets under way in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

5, 1997 - KISS conclude their Alive/Worldwide Tour at Finsbury Park, London.

5, 1977 - "Christine Sixteen" / "Shock Me" 7" single is released in the U.S.

3, 1999 - 3rd Annual Moscow KISS Expo

1, 2001 - VH1’s KISS: Beyond the Makeup" @ 9pm

1, 1993 - Meet-and-greet session at Avalon in Boston

August

31, 2002 - Redbeard KISS Radio Special

31, 1998 - First Single, Psycho Circus, Released, Sweden

30, 2002 - Redbeard KISS Radio Special

30, 2002 - That 70s Show Kiss Special on VH1

29, 1999 - 4th Annual Cleveland KISS Expo

29, 1998 - The Rock & Horror Expo

29, 1998 - Kevin Conrad signing Electris City Comics

29, 1980 - First European show of the Unmasked Tour takes place in Rome, Italy.

28, 2001 - Rockstar Soundtrack Released, incs. Lick It Up

28, 1998 - Still Wicked CD EP released

28, 1998 - KISS & TELL More released

28, 1978 - The second Marvel KISS Comic goes on sale.

27, 2003 - Wizard #85 with KISS stickers

27, 2002 - The Very Best of KISS Released

27, 1999 - KISS Psychco Circus Magazine #3 ships

27, 1999 - Psycho Circus Tradepaperback #2 ships

27, 1994 - First South American stadium tour on over ten years

26, 1977 - Some of KISS’ three night stand at the LA Forum, Los Angeles, CA. is taped for Alive II

25, 2002 - Charlotte KISS Expo

25, 1949 - Gene Simmons Birthday

24, 1998 - First Single, Psycho Circus, Released, US

23, 1999 - Perform on WCW Monday Nitro in Las Vegas

22, 2001 - Gene Simmons appears on Crossing Over

21, 2002 - KISS #2, Dark Horse comic

21, 1998 - Second Leg Union tour Begins

20, 2001 - Konfidential, X-treme Closeup DVDs Released in the UK

20, 1999 - KISS Trade Paperback #2 ships

20, 1988 - KISS play at the Monsters Of Rock festival at Castle Donnington, England.

19, 2001 - Gene Appears @ Nudes A Poppin in Indiana

18, 2001 - Gene Appears @ Wizard World in Chicago.

17, 1996 - KISS headline the Castle Donnington "Monster's Of Rock" festival in England.

16, 2000 - "At Any Cost" Airs on VH1, with Gene Simmons

16, 1979 - "I Was Made For Lovin' You" awarded Gold certification for one million singles sold.

14, 1976 - Band makes an appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta

13, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens

12, 1999 - Detroit Rock City screening in San Diego

12, 1988 - KISS play two nights at the Ritz club in New York. The concert is a warm-up for the European Tour and is filmed by MTV.

11, 2002 - Omaha KISS Expo

11, 2001 - Ace Frehley on VH1 Cover Wars

11, 1999 - Star on Hollywood Blvd.

10, 2000 - Gene & Paul on KLOS FM

10, 1999 - At the Detroit Rock City premier party KISS perform a mini-set of four songs: "Cold Gin", "Rock And Roll All Nite", "Detroit Rock City", and "Shout It Out Loud"...

10, 1973 - KISS audtions for soon to be manager Bill Aucoin.

9, 2002 - Ace Performs @ Don Hill's, NYC

9, 1999 - Detroit Rock City Premiere

8, 1999 - Montreal KISS Expo

8, 1995 - Original members of KISS reunite for MTV’s Unplugged

8, 1987 - KISS perform free show and the Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, to film segements for their Crazy Crazy Nights video.

7, 1998 - Psycho Cirucs Issue #11 Ships

4, 2001 - Ace Frehley on VH1 Cover Wars

4, 2000 - KISS TPB #2 Special Edition

4, 1995 - KISS performs on Late Night With Conan O'Brien

3, 2002 - Gene @ San Diego Comic Con

3, 1999 - Detroit Rock City magazine special released

3, 1999 - Detroit Rock City Soundtrack released

3, 1999 - Universal Music Group releases the Detroit Rock City soundtrack.

1, 2003 - Billboard Spotlight on KISS

1, 1999 - Detroit KISS Expo

September

30, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens - Australia

30, 1984 - First show of the Animalize Tour takes place in Brighton, England with Bruce Kulick filling in for Mark St. John who is suffering from an arthritic malady called Reiter’s Syndrome.

29, 1998 - Gilby Clarke, "Rubber" released, with Eric Singer on drums

26, 1999 - New England KISS Expo

26, 1998 - Tickets Onsale for Halloween Show @ Dodger Stadium

25, 2002 - Dark Horse KISS #3 Released

25, 1998 - Psycho Circus Released, Sweden

23, 1983 - Lick it Up is released in the U.S.

22, 2002 - Gene & Paul on FOX All Access Countdown

22, 1998 - Psycho Circus, the first album of new material with all four original members since 1979 is released.

22, 1998 - Lick It Up, Animalize, Asylum, Crazy Nights Remasters Released Canada

21, 1998 - Psycho Circus Press Conference

21, 1998 - Psycho Circus Released, Australia, Norway, Italy, Holland

19, 1979 - "Sure Know Something" / "Dirty Livin’" 7" single is released in the U.S.

18, 1998 - Psycho Circus Trade Paperback ships

18, 1998 - Psycho Circus Released, Japan

18, 1987 - Crazy Nights released.

18, 1983 - KISS appear on MTV at 11:30PM EST in a taped broadcast that shows the band without makeup publicly for the first time. "Lick it Up" video has its world premiere on MTV.

18, 1978 - Four solo albums released simultaneously, shipping one million copies of each album. This had never been done before or since.

17, 1984 - Animalize is released in the U.S., "Heaven’s On Fire" / "Lonely is the Hunter" 7" single is released in the U.S.

16, 1998 - Album Network, Psycho Circus Wolrd Premiere Radio Broadcast

15, 2002 - Gene & Paul on FOX All Access Countdown

14, 1998 - Psycho Circus Released, Belgium

14, 1998 - First Single Released, Australia

14, 1998 - First Single Released, Italy

12, 1998 - Fifth Annual New England Expo

11, 2004 - Gene & Paul attend Richmond NASCAR

11, 1993 - KISS play their only full concert of the year at the Foundations Forum in Burbank, CA, Goin' Blind is performed for the first time.

10, 2004 - Gene & Paul attend Richmond NASCAR

10, 1975 - Alive!, a double live album is released

9, 2003 - KISS @ Symphony Movie in FL

9, 2003 - KISS Symphony DVD Release

9, 2003 - KISS Symphony Movie Premiere

9, 2001 - Montreal KISS Expo

9, 1985 - Asylum is released in the U.S.

8, 2002 - Montreal 2002 KISS Expo

8, 2002 - KISSfest Chicago 2002

7, 2001 - Gene on Politically Incorrect

7, 2000 - KISS farewell concert performance from NJ, 7:30pm on BS2 (satellite division of Japan's NHK network)

7, 1998 - First Single Released, Sweden

7, 1998 - First Single Released, Holland

6, 1998 - Buffalo KISSFEST

4, 2002 - Gene & Paul on Rockline

4, 2001 - KISS on VH1 Behind The Movie

4, 1998 - Psycho Circus #12 ships

4, 1996 - KISS perform 4 songs at the MTV Music Awards

3, 1999 - Psycho Circus #22 ships

2, 2002 - Redbeard KISS Radio Special

1, 2002 - Redbeard KISS Radio Special

1, 2001 - Ace Frehley on VH1 Cover Wars

1, 1998 - Lick It Up, Animalize, Asylum, Crazy Nights Remasters Released

October

31, 1999 - Paul Stanley concludes a stunningly successful 15-week run as the Phantom Of The Opera...

31, 1998 - Appearance on MadTV

31, 1998 - Special Halloween Show, Los Angeles

31, 1998 - Chicago Comicfest

31, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WAAF, Worcester

31, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - KTXQ, Dallas

31, 1995 - KISS MTV Unplugged premieres.

31, 1979 - KISS appears on NBC-TV’s The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. The show was taped on October 28.

31, 1976 - KISS appear on Paul Lynde's Halloween Special

30, 2003 - Symphony Big Screen in Canada

30, 1998 - Appearance on Millennium

30, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WDHA, New York

29, 1999 - iBash Halloween show, Las Vegas

29, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens - Spain

29, 1999 - Psycho Circus #24 ships

29, 1997 - Signing - Barry Levine/Robert Conte, Tower Books, New York City

29, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WBAB, Long Island

28, 2001 - NHRA KISS Drag Racing in Las Vegas

28, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens - Malaysia

28, 1999 - KISS finally get honored with an appearance on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch where they waste N'SYNC

28, 1997 - Carnival Of Souls - USA, UK, Canada, Japan

28, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WRCX, Chicago

28, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WMMS, Cleveland

28, 1978 - The Movie Of The Week, “KISS Meets Phantom of the Park�? premieres on NBC

27, 2001 - Tampa, FL KISS Expo

27, 1998 - US Psycho Circus Consumer Single and Video Released

27, 1997 - Carnival Of Souls - Argentina, Spain, Finland, Norway, Italy

27, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - KEGE, Minneapolis, MN

27, 1997 - Radio Promo Tour - WRIF, Detroit, MI

26, 2001 - "KISS Live" on VH1

25, 1982 - Creatures of the Night released in the U.S.

24, 2003 - KISS on A Scooby-Doo Halloween

23, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WBRK - Pittsfield, MA

22, 2002 - KISS And Make-Up Paperback Released

22, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens - UK

22, 1974 - Hotter Than Hell released

21, 2002 - Australian Press Conference to Announce Melbourne Symphony Show

21, 2001 - Mac Tools KISS Cars Race @ O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Texas

21, 1997 - Metal Edge - Interviews with Gene, Paul and Bruce

21, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WRKR, Kalamazoo, MI

19, 1998 - McFarlane KISS Magazine #1 released

17, 1999 - First Annual Dallas KISS Expo

17, 1997 - Signing - Barry Levine/Robert Conte/Go Figure Issue Two Party - Golden Apple Comics, Hollywood, CA

17, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - KILO, Colorado Springs, CO

17, 1989 - Hot In The Shade released. San Francisco tries to jump into the bay during world series.

17, 1974 - The Hotter Than Hell Tour officially begins with a headline show in Comstock, Michigan.

16, 1998 - Psycho Circus #13 Ships

15, 2003 - KISS Behind The Mask The Official Authorized Biography Released

15, 2001 - Classic Rock Magazine KISS Special

15, 1997 - Psycho Circus Issue Three

15, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WFXW, St Charles, IL

15, 1997 - Series One Trading Cards Ship

14, 2001 - Balitmore KISS Expo

14, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WXZR, Albany, NY

14, 1977 - Alive II, the band’s second double live album is released

14, 1975 - A live version of "Rock And Roll All Nite" released from the album Alive!

13, 2002 - 2nd Annual Baltimore Expo

13, 2001 - Melbourne, Australia KISS Expo

13, 1997 - Carnival Of Souls - Sweden, Germany

13, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WKUZ, Saginaw, MI

11, 1997 - Signing - Angel Medina, Keith's Komix, Schaumburg, IL

11, 1983 - Debut concert of the Lick It Up Tour takes place in Lisbon, Portugal and marks the first KISS concert to be performed without make-up.

10, 1997 - KISS and Sell author Chris Lendt - WBZU, Richmond, VA

7, 2003 - KISS Symphony The Single Disc Released

7, 2000 - Last Show on US Leg of Farewell Tour, Charleston, S.C.

7, 1997 - Remasters - Dynasty, Unmasked, Elder, Creatures of the Night

6, 2002 - Indy KISS Expo

6, 1998 - Magazine KISS & Friends

5, 2004 - KISS Gold Sound + Vision Released

4, 1998 - Chicago KISS Expo, Hillside Holiday Inn

3, 1999 - Chicago KISS Expo

1, 2001 - Last KISS Online PPV on Sho.com

1, 2001 - Paul Stanley Chat on Sho.com

1, 1999 - Psycho Circus #23 ships

1, 1992 - The Revenge Tour begins in Allentown, PA

November

29, 1985 - First date of the Asylum Tour in Little Rock, Arkansas.

28, 2001 - Ace Frehley part of New York Steel Benefit Show

27, 1992 - The first of three shows are taped by Eddie Kramer for Alive III

27, 1984 - Mark St. John makes his live debut with KISS in Baltimore. He performs the last 2/3rd’s of the concert. Following the Poughkeepsie concert, Mark makes his final appearance in Binghamton on November 29.

26, 2002 - KISS: The Early Years Released

26, 1999 - Psycho Circus #25 ships

25, 2001 - The New Chicago KISSfest

24, 1998 - Video "Second Coming" Released

24, 1991 - Passing of Eric Carr

24, 1976 - The Rock and Roll Over Tour begins in Savannah, Georgia. "Beth" is included in the live show for the first time.

23, 1998 - Radio Adds, Second Single

23, 1997 - Philadelphia KISS Expo

23, 1997 - Return of the Comet CD Release

22, 1998 - 3rd Annual Philadelphia KISS Expo

22, 1998 - VH1 Special

21, 2001 - KISS on Rockline Radio

21, 1989 - KISS start filming of the "Rise To It" video, with Paul and Gene donning makeup.

21, 1975 - First official gathering of the KISS Army

20, 2001 - KISS Box Set Released

20, 2001 - Gene & Paul In-Store Tower Records, Los Angeles, CA

20, 1998 - Goldmine #478 with KISS Feature

20, 1998 - AOL Chat at 10pm ET

18, 2001 - Pittsburgh, PA KISS Expo

18, 1987 - Ace Frehley auditions for KISS

17, 2001 - Grenchen, Switzerland Expo

17, 1998 - MTV Unplugged Released on DVD

16, 1997 - Toronto KISS Expo

15, 1988 - Smashes, Thrashes and Hits released.

15, 1987 - The Crazy Nights Tour kicks off in Jackson, Mississippi.

12, 1998 - Psycho Circus Tour Begins

12, 1997 - Psycho Circus Issue Four Released

11, 2001 - KISS NASCAR Winston Cup Homestead, FL

11, 1996 - Greatest KISS released in Europe.

11, 1990 - The Hot in the Shade tour concludes at MSG. This is Eric Carr's final concert with the band.

11, 1981 - Music From The Elder is released in the U.S.

11, 1977 - The Alive II Tour starts in Oklahoma City.

11, 1976 - Rock And Roll Over receives its' Gold certification while Destroyer is also certified Platinum.

10, 2001 - Louisville, KY KISS Expo

9, 1997 - Chicago KISS Expo

8, 2001 - Gene & Paul Chat @ Nascar.com

8, 1997 - Webmaster Conclave - Chicago KISS Expo

3, 1998 - Metal Edge KISS Special

3, 1997 - Bruce Kulick and John Corabi AOL Chat

3, 1997 - Carnival Of Souls - Australia

2, 2003 - Winnipeg KISS Expo

2, 2001 - Gene on Politically Incorrect

2, 1997 - Toledo KISSFest

1, 2001 - Gene on The Late Late Show

1, 1998 - 8th Annual Toronto KISS Expo

1, 1998 - Chicago Comicfest

1, 1980 - KISS arrive in Australia

1, 1976 - Rock And Roll Over released

1, 1973 - KISS sign a record deal with Casablanca Records

December

31, 2003 - KISS Symphony on Dick Clark's NYE Show

31, 1999 - Detroit Rock City opens - South Africa

31, 1999 - New Year's Eve, Vancouver, Canada

31, 1998 - New Year's Eve, Detroit, MI

31, 1996 - KISS perform via satellite from the Meadowlands on Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve Party on ABC

31, 1975 - KISS headlines the sold-out Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with the Leslie West Band and Blue Öyster Cult opening.

31, 1974 - first tv appearance, Dick Clark's New Year's Eve

31, 1973 - Gene breathes fire and sets his hair on fire for the first time opening for Iggy and The Stooges and Blue Oyster Cult

30, 1999 - At rehearsals for the New Year's show KISS perform "Forever"

29, 1982 - First show of the Creatures of the Night Tour takes place in Bismarck, North Dakota with new, temporary guitarist Vinnie Vincent who dons an Egyptian Warrior persona.

27, 2001 - Paul Stanley Chat @ Rockonline.com

27, 1997