Glam Metal
N.Y.C, january 1973 : a musical duo project starts with guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons.
The band’s original lineup included Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass), Bronx native Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Brooklyn native Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals).
The american singer & sonwriter from Detroit, Alice Cooper undoubtedly inspired Kiss with his full-face makeup and stage performances.
With their makeup and costumes, the band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters: “the Starchild” (Stanley), “the Demon” (Simmons), “the Spaceman” (Frehley), and “the Catman” (Criss).
These characters were later joined—or replaced—by the “the Wiz” (Vinnie Vincent) and “the Fox” (Eric Carr).
1973 – 1977
Kiss Solo albums
September 1978: four individual album covers painted by portrait artist Eraldo Carugati were released on the same day under the collective title “Kiss”.
Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Bob Seger, Donna Summer, and Cher contributed to Gene Simmons’ solo album.
Vincent “Vini” Poncia produced Peter Criss’ solo album.
At Criss’s prompting, Poncia was brought in to produce Kiss’s 1979 album Dynasty and co-wrote their disco hit song “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” from that album.
1978 – 1979
New Yorker Pat Benatar covered it in 1979: No You Don’t , The Sweet (1974).
Californian Joan Jett & The Blackhearts followed suit in 1982 with: Do You Wanna Touch Me?, Gary Glitter (1973).
Following in 1983, Quiet Riot covered Slade with : Cum On Feel The Noise (1973) and Mama Weer All Crazee Now (1972).
Twisted Sister and Mötley Crüe join the party, as do Japan’s Osaka Loudness. (ラウドネス).
1980 – 1989
From left to right : Quiet Riot, Kiss, Mötley Crüe.
© Casablanca Records, Universal Music, Pinterest.
