Smoke fills the stage, raw vocals tear into the air. Long hair flows like black ink against the wind. Their power cracks ears and floors with a yell. This is the magic of Kiss. The impact of Kiss on the musical industry is undeniable and unforgettable. The band is a creative force and an inspiration for many fans. Here are several ways they have changed the industry and inspired others:
Overall Creativity: Kiss took a creative approach to rock. At the time the band formed (1973), the typical band would often focus on having an edgy style. However, Kiss took a different spin on typical bands, drawing heavy inspiration from comics, something often not seen in bands at the time. Kiss also had very unique concerts with each member embodying a different persona on stage (Paul Stanley represents a outer space-like character called The Star Child, Gene Simmons represented a evil villain character called The Demon, Ace Frehley represented an alien-like character called The Spaceman/Space Ace, and Peter Criss represented repellence in a character called The Batman). The band would not only sing, but they preformed theatrical stage stunts such as fire breathing, spewing smoke from bass guitars, levitating platforms, etc.
Inspiration in Works: Kiss is the definition of rags to riches. In the 1970s, the band struggled due to a theatrical style that was perceived as odd by many individuals. The concept that the band could be successful even when others saw nothing in them can teach fans that they can build their dreams from the bottom up. There were many difficulties within the band among its members, such as personality clashes, creative differences, differing priorities, lineup changes, and tension from Hollywood/the industry, yet the band never officially disbanded. This tells fans that individuals can remain strong in times of immense tension.
Successes: After gaining popularity, Kiss achieved massive success, selling 100 million albums worldwide, including hits like “Destroyer” and “Alive!” Many songs ranked high on the Billboard charts, such as “Destroyer” (#11), “Alive!” (#9), and “Beth” (#7). The band quickly sold out tickets thanks to their unique stage stunts; the End Of The Road tour alone earned $250 million in ticket sales. Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 and received numerous prestigious awards. They also sold merchandise successfully, including figurines, shirts, and posters, and inspired bands like Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, and Ghost.
“I would sit in my room for hours listening to their records and not taking my eyes off the album covers. These images, these faces, were like candy to my eyes,” said fan Eddie Dunn.
Music is almost like a magic that changes with time. Styles are invented, bands become popular, bands fall out of favor, people experiment, and new sounds are formed. But the smoky magic of Kiss lingers in the air.
