Kiss is often considered one of earliest and most influential shock rock bands of the 1970s, following in the footsteps of artists like Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. In its earliest years, the band members painted their faces, assumed unique on-stage personas, and engaged in a variety of theatrics from fire-breathing to pyrotechnics and much more. Eventually, the bandmates shed the face paint and assumed a less shocking on-stage persona, shifting from heavy metal and hard rock to softer rock including even pop and disco.

Kiss has produced a diverse range of music over the last several decades, often shifting between quite distinct genres. Arguably, the largest shift occurred early in the band’s days. Between 1973 and 1977, the band produced six albums that are generally categorized as heavy metal or shock rock. Dynasty, the band’s seventh albums was released on May 23, 1970 and marked a dramatic shift in the band’s sound toward disco.

While this alienated many within the existing fanbase who saw the shift from metal to disco as a betrayal to the genre, others welcomed the new sound with the album’s first single “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Over the next several decades, the band would continue experimenting with other genres including progressive rock, glam rock, power pop, pop rock, and much more.

The founding members of Kiss are:

• Gene Simmons as co-lead vocalist and bassist
• Paul Stanley as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist
• Ace Frehley as lead guitarist and backing vocalist
• Peter Criss as drummer and backing vocalist

Kiss band's successful growth and establishment can largely be attributed to their use of face paint and embracing of on-stage personas. Each member created a unique persona with face-paint designed to symbolize that identity. Stanley was the Starchild, Simmons the demon, Frehley the Spaceman, and Criss the Catman.

Kiss performed its first concert using the name “Kiss” in Queens, New York on January 30, 1973.

Kiss was formed in New York City with their first performance at the Popcorn Club in Queens.

Prior to forming Kiss, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley formed Wicked Lester, their first band together. In 1972, Wicked Lester disbanded leading Stanley and Simmons to form Kiss with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in early 1973.

Contrary to widespread opinion, the band's name has no particular significance. It is simply a name Stanely and the rest of the team liked.

Ace Frehley left Kiss in 1982 because he felt that staying in the band would do him more harm than good. At that time, Frehley had developed substance abuse issues. He believed moving away from the band and the rockstar lifestyle would help him move in a new direction and give him an opportunity to really focus on himself.

Peter Criss left the band three times: He first left in 1980 to pursue a solo musical career. In his 2012 memoir, Criss records how he intentionally sabotaged three of the band's final stage performances before his eventual departure.

Criss reunited with Kiss in 1996 for the band’s Alive/Worldwide Tour. However, he was not welcomed back as an actual member; instead, he was considered a paid-on contract member who was paid substantially less than others who were considered full members. He left in 2001 due to a contractual disagreement with the band.

He returned again in 2002, appearing on the Kiss Symphony Alive IV DVD/CD and touring with the band during the Rocksimus Maximus Tour with Aerosmith. After the tour, Criss left the band for the third time.

Gene Simmon is famously known for his abnormally long tongue, which he often displays during his live performances. It measures an impressive seven inches.

KISS has had 2,994 concerts.

KISS is most often considered to be Rock, United States, Pop Rock, Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal, Album Oriented Rock (AOR), Glam Metal, Glam Rock, Glam, and Arena Rock.

The last KISS concert was on December 02, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, United States. The bands that performed were: KISS / Amber Wild.

The songs that KISS performs live vary, but here's the latest setlist that we have from the December 02, 2023 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, United States:

1. Rock and Roll
2. Detroit Rock City
3. Shout It Out Loud
4. Deuce
5. War Machine
6. Heaven's on Fire
7. I Love It Loud
8. Say Yeah
9. Cold Gin
10. Guitar Solo
11. Lick It Up
12. Calling Dr. Love
13. Makin' Love
14. Psycho Circus
15. Drum Solo
16. 100,000 Years
17. Bass Solo
18. God of Thunder
19. Love Gun
20. I Was Made for Lovin' You
21. Black Diamond
22. Beth
23. Do You Love Me
24. Rock and Roll All Nite
25. God Gave Rock and Roll to You II