Kiss exploded on the scene in January of 1973. formed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Kiss is one of the best selling bands in history, selling over 100 million records worldwide. They also hold the record with 30 Gold albums, as well as 14 platinum albums, with three of them going multi-platinum.

Rock And Roll All Nite (1975)

Kiss, with their make-up and costumes, took on the personae of comic book-style characters: with the Starchild (Stanley), The Demon (Simmons), The Spaceman or Space Ace (Frehley), and The Catman (Criss). However, due to creative differences, both Criss and Frehley had left the group by 1982. Several musicians have filled those spots over the years.

Black Diamond (1975 Promo)

In 1978, I was leading a convoy from North Adams, MA to Springfield, MA for a Kiss concert in January. There were three cars packed with friends from high school. Unfortunately, a lady in an oncoming vehicle lost control and slammed into the 1973 International Scout I was driving. The Scout was a sturdy vehicle, and we were all okay. Her car was totaled. Once the tow trucks, ambulance, and police left, we all piled into the remaining vehicles and continued on. It wasn’t until we got to the Civic Center that I realized that my ticket was in the towed off Scout. My friends all went in, and I found a bar where the bartender took pity on me and let me hang out until the concert was over and I could catch my ride home.

I did eventually see them many years later in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the Thompson-Boling Arena in 2003. It was a double-header with Aerosmith. While Aerosmith is arguably more musically talented, Kiss blew them off the stage.

Strutter (Madison Square Garden, 1996)

Kiss is perhaps best known for their face paint and stage outfits. The group rose to fame in the mid-to-late 1970s with their spectacular live performances featuring fire breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and lots of pyrotechnics.

Calling Dr. Love (Dodger Stadium, 1998)

Calling Dr. Love was always one of my favorite later Kiss songs. I was more attuned to the KISS ALIVE songs. But Dr. Love had a simple little driving riff that just caught my attention.

And then, there is always Lick It Up.

Lick It Up (Washington. DC, 2004)

I also always liked Detroit Rock City, too, although I like the extended version that ends with screeching tires, breaking glass, and crunching metal. I am not sure why. I have been in several car wrecks, and they are not much fun. Maybe that’s what the song was warning me about.

Detroit Rock City (Live on Letterman, 2012)

Kiss even had something for you, Disco fans out there. When I first heard this song, I was mortified. But, it did kind of grow on me over time. It’s really not that bad, written in collaboration with Desmond Child and Vini Poncia. And, you get to see Paul Stanley fly!

I Was Made For Loving You (Rock the Nation, 2004)

I hope you will take a few minutes and check out some of my other blog posts by clicking here!

And check out my new novel, Montagnard, on Amazon.com! Joe just got his copy last night and texted me that he is already on page 153. He said, “Darren, I love the book. I can’t put it down!”