The History of KISS: The Rise of the Originals (1973–1980)

The Birth of the Legend

In New York City, 1973, four musicians came together with one mission: to create not just a band, but a spectacle. Paul Stanley (The Starchild), Gene Simmons (The Demon), Ace Frehley (The Spaceman), and Peter Criss (The Catman) painted their faces, donned outlandish costumes, and unleashed a sound that was as heavy as it was theatrical.

KISS wasn’t just another rock band — they were a revolution in sight and sound.

The Early Struggle

The first few years weren’t easy. Their debut album KISS (1974) and the follow-ups Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill built a cult following but didn’t dominate the charts. What changed everything was their decision to capture the raw power of their live show on record.

In 1975, Alive! exploded onto the scene, fueled by anthems like Rock and Roll All Nite. It didn’t just sell millions — it turned KISS into a cultural force. Fans, now proudly called the KISS Army, marched in by the tens of thousands.

Superstardom & The Golden Years

From 1976 to 1978, KISS ruled the rock world. Albums like Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, and Love Gun produced classics that filled arenas around the globe. The stage shows became legendary: fire-breathing, blood-spitting, pyrotechnics, and levitating drum kits — no band had ever put on a show like this.

By 1977, KISS was named America’s #1 Band by Gallup. Toys, comics, lunchboxes, even a pinball machine followed. KISS wasn’t just music — it was an empire.

Cracks Beneath the Makeup

But behind the fire and the facepaint, tensions began to rise. Fame, grueling tour schedules, and personal struggles — including substance abuse issues for Ace and Peter — strained the unity of the band. Creative differences grew as Gene and Paul steered the business and musical direction, while Ace and Peter felt pushed aside.

In 1978, each member released a solo album simultaneously — a bold experiment that highlighted their individuality but also exposed their divisions.

The Breakup of the Originals

By 1979, with the disco-influenced Dynasty and its hit single I Was Made for Lovin’ You, the band was still commercially huge, but internally fractured. Peter Criss’s role diminished, and by 1980 he was officially gone from the lineup. Ace Frehley, frustrated and increasingly disconnected, would follow not long after.

The original magic — four personalities who together created something larger than life — had reached its breaking point.

The Legacy of the First Era

From 1973 to 1980, the original KISS lineup went from playing clubs in New York to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. They sold millions of records, created some of the most iconic imagery in rock history, and built one of the most devoted fan bases ever.

The Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman, and the Catman became more than personas — they became symbols of rock’s limitless possibilities.

And though the band would continue with new members, that first chapter — the era of the originals — remains sacred to the KISS Army.