The original and final line-ups of Kiss performing live in 1977 (top) and 2013 (bottom), respectively.

Kiss was an American hard rock band from New York City, US. Formed in January 1973, the group originally featured rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, all of whom contributed to vocals.[1] The band's lineup remained stable for seven years, before Criss left on May 18, 1980 after an injury and increasing personal tensions.[2] He was replaced by Eric Carr, after Anton Fig filled in for 1979's Dynasty and 1980's Unmasked.[3] Two years later Frehley also left the band.

Frehley was replaced by Vinnie Vincent, who debuted with the group in December 1982 after contributing to Creatures of the Night earlier in the year.[4] Vincent also performed on Lick It Up, but was fired at the end of the album's promotional touring cycle in March 1984 for what Simmons called "unethical behavior".[5] He was replaced the following month by Mark St. John, who performed on Animalize.[6] After contracting arthritis which made it difficult to perform, he was temporarily replaced on the Animalize World Tour by Bruce Kulick; St. John's condition improved, performing two full shows and one partial show with Kiss in November 1984. However, it quickly became apparent that Kulick was a more natural fit musically than St. John. As a result, the replacement was made permanent in December and St. John was fired.[7]

The lineup featuring Kulick was the most stable since the band's first incarnation, only ending on November 24, 1991 when Carr died of heart cancer.[8] Due to his illness, Carr was temporarily replaced by Eric Singer for the recording of Revenge, and upon Carr's death Singer joined the band permanently.[9] After performing with the band for several songs as part of MTV Unplugged the previous year,[10] Frehley and Criss officially rejoined Kiss in April 1996 for a reunion tour.[11] The group released new album Psycho Circus in 1998, but by January 2001 had splintered again, as Criss left between legs of the Kiss Farewell Tour and was replaced by Singer.[12]

The following year, Frehley also left Kiss for a second time, with Tommy Thayer taking over his position in March 2002.[13] In October that year, the band announced a special show with the Melbourne Symphony to feature original drummer Criss,[14] who subsequently remained a full-time member.[15] By February 2004, Criss was out of the band for a third time, with Singer returning to take his place again.[16] The final line-up consisting of Stanley, Simmons, Singer and Thayer released two studio albums: 2009's Sonic Boom and 2012's Monster.[1]

Members

Image Name (persona) Years active Instruments Release contributions
Paul Stanley - Azkena Rock Festival 2010 1.jpg
 Paul Stanley
(The Starchild)		 1973–2023
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • occasional lead guitar
  • occasional studio bass (1977-1998)
 all Kiss releases
Gene Simmons (1977).JPG
 Gene Simmons
(The Demon)
  • lead and backing vocals
  • bass guitar
  • occasional studio rhythm guitar (1975-1998)
Kiss - Peter Criss (1977).jpg
 Peter Criss
(The Catman)
  • 1973–1980
  • 1996–2001
  • 2002–2004
    (guest in 1995)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and lead vocals
  • all Kiss releases from Kiss (1974) to Dynasty (1979)
  • Kiss Unplugged (1995)
  • You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996)
  • Psycho Circus (1998)
  • Alive! The Millennium Concert (2000)
  • Kiss Symphony: Alive IV (2003)
Kiss at backstage (1975).jpg
 Ace Frehley
(The Spaceman a.k.a. Space Ace)
  • 1973–1982
  • 1996–2002
    (guest in 1995 and 2018[17])
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
  • occasional studio rhythm guitar and bass (1974-1982)
Eric Carr (1983).png
 Eric Carr
(The Fox)		 1980–1991
(until his death)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and lead vocals
  • occasional studio acoustic guitar and bass (1980-1989)
 all Kiss releases from Music from "The Elder" (1981) to Revenge (1992)
Vinnie Vincent (1983).png
 Vinnie Vincent
(The Ankh Warrior)		 1982–1984 (guest songwriter, 1991-1992)
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
Mark St. John.jpg
 Mark St. John 1984
(died 2007)		 Animalize (1984)
Bruce Kulick.jpg
 Bruce Kulick 1984–1996
(guest in 2018,[17] 2019[18] and 2021[18])
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
  • live keyboards (1987–1988)
  • studio lead vocals (1995-1996, on one track only)
  • occasional rhythm guitar and studio bass (1985-1996)
 all Kiss releases from Asylum (1985) to Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
Eric Singer 2012.jpg
 Eric Singer
(The Catman)
  • 1991–1996
  • 2001–2002
  • 2004–2023
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and lead vocals
  • live piano (2019-2023)
 all Kiss releases from Revenge (1992) to Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997), and from Sonic Boom (2009) onwards
Tommy Thayer 2012.jpg
 Tommy Thayer
(The Spaceman)		 2002–2023 (session musician 1989, 1992, 1998)
  • lead guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
  • Hot in the Shade (1989) – "Betrayed" and "The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away" only
  • Revenge (1992) – backing vocals on select tracks only
  • all Kiss releases from Psycho Circus (1998) onwards (except Alive! The Millennium Concert (2000))

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Gary Corbett - Cinderella.jpg
 Gary Corbett 1987–1990
(died 2021)		 keyboards Corbett was the band's first live keyboardist, performing on the Crazy Nights and Hot in the Shade Tours.[19]
20121021-215634-250_Portnoy-Sheehan-Sherinian-MacAlpine_Boerderij_Zoetermeer.jpg
 Derek Sherinian 1992 Sherinian took over from Corbett for the 1992 Revenge Tour, before Kiss ceased using live keyboardists.[20]

Session

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Bruce Foster 1973–1974
  • acoustic piano
  • additional guitar
 Kiss (1974)
Warren Dewey fire engine
Dick Wagner
  • 1975–1976
  • 1991–1992 (died 2014)
  • guitar solo
  • guitar licks
  • acoustic guitar
Brooklyn Boys Chorus 1975–1976 additional vocals Destroyer (1976)
David and Josh Ezrin voices
New York Philharmonic orchestra
Bob Ezrin
  • 1975–1976
  • 1981
  • 1998
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • bass
  • fender Rhodes
Jimmy Maelen 1977 (died 1988) conga drums Love Gun (1977)
Eddie_Kramer.jpg
 Eddie Kramer 1977 keyboards
Village_People-Cop.jpg
 Ray Simpson backing vocals
Hilda Harris
Tasha_Thomas_Publicity_Photo_001.jpg
 Tasha Thomas 1977 (died 1984) backing vocals
Bob_Kulick_2017.png
 Bob Kulick
  • 1977
  • 1980 (died 2020)
  • lead guitar
  • additional guitar
Anton_Fig.jpg
 Anton Fig
  • 1979
  • 1980
 drums
Vini Poncia
  • keyboards
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
Tom Harper 1980 bass Unmasked (1980)
Holly_Knight_songwriter.jpeg
 Holly Knight keyboards
Tony Powers 1981 Music from "The Elder" (1981)
Michael Kamen 1981 (died 2003) orchestral arrangements
Allan Schwartzberg
  • 1981
  • 1984
  • 1985
  • drums
  • overdubbed additional drums
Robben_Ford.jpg
 Robben Ford 1982 lead guitar Creatures of the Night (1982)
CJ and Steve Farris (292804812).jpg
 Steve Farris
Adam Mitchell additional guitar and end lick
Dave Wittman backing vocals
Jimmy_Haslip.jpg
 Jimmy Haslip bass
Mike Porcaro with bass guitar.jpg
 Mike Porcaro 1982 (died 2015)
Rick_Derringer_20110624.jpg
 Rick Derringer 1983 guitar solo Lick It Up (1983)
Desmond Child at Lincoln Center's "American Songbook" (cropped).jpg
 Desmond Child 1984 backing vocals Animalize (1984)
Mitch Weissman
  • additional guitar
  • bass
Jean_Beauvoir.png
 Jean Beauvoir
  • 1984
  • 1985
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Animalize (1984)
  • Asylum (1985)
Tom Kelly, ASCAP concert, 2011.jpg
 Tom Kelly 1987 backing vocals Crazy Nights (1987)
Phil Ashley
  • 1987
  • 1989
 keyboards
Charlotte Crossley 1989 backing vocals Hot in the Shade (1989)
Valerie Pinkston
Kim Edwards-Brown
Pat Regan saxes
All Star Cadillac Brass horns
Kevin Valentine
  • 1989
  • 1991–1992
  • 1998
 drums
  • Hot in the Shade (1989)
  • Revenge (1992)
  • Psycho Circus (1998)
Jesse Damon 1991–1992 backing vocals Revenge (1992)
Jaime_St._James.jpg
 Jaime St. James
The Crossroads Boys Choir 1995–1996 Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
Nick_Simmons_Gene_Simmons_SD_Hard_Rock_2009.jpg
 Nick Simmons
Carole Keiser
  • choir management
  • string arrangement
Shelly Berg 1998
  • acoustic piano
  • orchestration and conductor
 Psycho Circus (1998)
Brian Whelan
  • 2007–2009
  • 2011–2012
 piano

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
January 1973 – May 1980
May 1980 – December 1982
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Carr – drums, backing and lead vocals
December 1982 – March 1984
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Carr – drums, vocals
April – December 1984
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Mark St. John – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Carr – drums, vocals
December 1984 – November 1991
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Carr – drums, vocals
December 1991 – April 1996
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Bruce Kulick – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Singer – drums, backing and lead vocals
April 1996 – January 2001
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Peter Criss – drums, vocals
January 2001 – March 2002
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Singer – drums, vocals
 none
March – October 2002
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Singer – drums, vocals
October 2002 – March 2004
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Peter Criss – drums, vocals
April 2004 – December 2023
  • Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals
  • Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
  • Eric Singer – drums, vocals

References

  1. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kiss: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ DeRiso, Nick (May 17, 2015). "35 Years Ago: Peter Criss Leaves Kiss – The First Time". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  3. ↑ Everley, Dave (December 10, 2016). "Dysfunctional Days & Crazy Nights: The Epic Story Of Kiss In The 80s". Classic Rock. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  4. ↑ Wilkening, Matthew (December 29, 2014). "32 Years Ago: Vinnie Vincent Plays His First Kiss Concert". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  5. ↑ Blau, Max (April 8, 2014). "The Long Kiss Goodbye: The Search for Vinnie Vincent". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  6. ↑ Cox, Adam (July 22, 2016). "KISS Retro-Active – Animalize (1984)". Decibel Geek. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  7. ↑ Floren, Ingo (July 20, 2004). The Official Price Guide to Kiss Collectibles. Ingo Floren. pp. 191–192. ISBN 9781400050291. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Eric Carr, 41, Is Dead; Rock Band's Drummer". The New York Times. November 26, 1991. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Kiss' Gene Simmons: Why We Fired Eric Carr On His Deathbed". Blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ Greene, Andy (December 17, 2013). "Kiss Reunite for 'MTV Unplugged' in 1996". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  11. ↑ Christopher, Michael (April 16, 2016). "When Kiss Commandeered An Aircraft Carrier For A Press Release". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Video – Peter Criss Modern Drummer Web Exclusive". Modern Drummer. February 19, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  13. ↑ Morgan, Anthony (January 2013). "KISS – Outta This World". Metal Forces. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  14. ↑ "It's Official: Kiss To Perform With Australian Symphony". Blabbermouth.net. October 21, 2002. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Paul Stanley: Ace Frehley Won't Be Rejoining Kiss". Blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Kiss: Australian Support Acts, Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. February 27, 2004. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Kiss Reunite with Ace Frehley on Kiss Kruise: Watch". November 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Bruce Kulick Sits in with Kiss on Kiss Kruise".
  19. ↑ Czynszak, Chris (December 7, 2016). "Eric Carr Remembered with Gary Corbett Pt1 – Ep265". Decibel Geek. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Derek Sherinian Gets Kissed All Over Again". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 11, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
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