Forty years ago today – on January 30, 1973 – KISS performed their very first concert at Popcorn (The Coventry) in Queens, NY. The band performed 2 sets at the club that night for a crowd of under 10 people.
The original lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss grew out of the ashes of pre-KISS band Wicked Lester.
Four decades on, KISS is still rocking a legion of fans that number in the millions around the globe. Now 40 years strong, Paul, Gene, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer prepare for their "Monster" world tour in 2013.
"My dream from the start was five years of glory with KISS,” says Paul. “Along with Peter and Ace, we kicked doors open that stood in our way, and every band member who has stood with me at some point during these decades has played an essential part in turning that five year dream into a phenomenal 40-year reality. I thank each of you for your contribution to this milestone.”
"Our journey and victories are a joy I also share with you, our fans who have always given us the freedom to stand and fall on our own terms, and we have done both with a grateful smile,” Stanley continues. “For the past ten years, Tommy and Eric's pride and dedication have enabled Gene and I to reclaim and celebrate all that we have been, while continuing to move forward in a way that would have been impossible without them. I love playing with the band as it is today, and many of my proudest moments are tied to moments of magic we have created together in the studio and on the stage. I know we're ready to do it again."
Gene offers appreciation "To the Kiss Army — who made it all possible for us. To Paul, without whom I would never have been able to achieve my dreams. And to the band — past and present — for continuing to treat the stage as holy ground and the fans as our bosses. Here's to another 40 years!"
"At 40 years strong, I'm proud to be in one of the greatest bands in rock history,” says Thayer. “KISS is a band that is as full of life and vitality today as it was 10, 20, 30 and 40 years ago. All eras of the band should be celebrated today. Long live KISS."
"A special thanks to all of the fans who have been with the band on this roller coaster ride called KISS for 40 years!,” adds Eric. “I am honored to be a part of this machine and pay special respect to all members past and present. I especially want to thank Paul, Gene, Tommy and [manager] Doc McGhee for giving me a place to call home. And most importantly the fans. YOU fuel this engine!"
KISS See also:
KISS: Charity auction features Paul Stanley phone call & guitar
Swedish music journalist to publish KISS biography
KISS celebrates 40th anniversary
VIDEO: On stage with KISS before the curtain drops
VIDEO: KISS slot machines promo
KISS: Tommy Thayer promotes new signature Les Paul guitar
KISS launch KISS Kruise III website
Rock News Artist Of The Year #3: KISS
KISS release Monster iBook
KISS Kruise 3 announced
VIDEO: KISS release trailer for Casablanca Singles box set
KISS: Tommy Thayer Spaceman Les Paul due in January
KISS Kruise II video recap
KISS, Motley Crue announce Australian tour
KISS: Peter Criss memoir debuts on New York Times Best Sellers List
VIDEO: KISS drummer Peter Criss talks about new autobiography
Aerosmith bassist comments on Steven Tyler’s KISS statement
VIDEO: KISS answer fan questions at SiriusXM Town Hall
KISS: Peter Criss responds to comments by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler
Limited-edition KISS PEZ candy coming soon
KISS’ Gene Simmons given $320 million to reform Led Zeppelin
KISS top the hennemusic Hot 10
Gene Simmons says KISS reunion would be the death of the band
KISS: Paul Stanley responds to Aerosmith singer’s slam
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler: KISS is a comic book rock band
VIDEO: KISS rock Good Morning America
VIDEO: KISS rock new single on Letterman
KISS: Casablanca singles box set due next month
KISS classic featured in UK coffee commercial
KISS preview Monster special edition 3D-hologram cover
KISS Army Night to be featured at Rocktoberfest
KISS to rock 50th Live On Letterman concert webcast
VIDEO: KISS share commercial for new album, Monster
AUDIO: KISS stream two new songs from Monster
KISS: Paul Stanley’s mother passes
KISS to perform on Late Show with David Letterman
VIDEO: KISS – Gene Simmons’ daughter auditions for The X Factor
KISS: Peter Criss to promote memoir with book signing events
KISS – New action figures unveiled
VIDEO: KISS - Gene Simmons sings anthem at Oakland Raiders game
KISS top the hennemusic Hot 10
KISS: Gene Simmons to sing national anthem at Oakland Raiders game
KISS: Preview first chapter of Peter Criss memoir Makeup To Breakup
PHOTOS: KISS postpone tonight’s Detroit show after tour truck accident
VIDEO: KISS perform Detroit Rock City in Indianapolis
KISS: Rockline replay available
KISS: Peter Criss to appear at New Jersey KISS Expo
AUDIO: KISS – Destroyer Resurrected audio samples available
KISS & Motley Crue donate 100K to Colorado shooting victims
KISS confirmed for Rockline appearance
KISS top the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: KISS Shout It Out Loud in Louisville
AUDIO: Lullably Renditions Of KISS preview
KISS: Monster track listing revealed
KISS reveal new album cover
VIDEO: KISS rock private set at Florida meet & greet
KISS: Ace Frehley working on second memoir
VIDEO: KISS perform private set at Raleigh meet & greet
VIDEO: KISS & Motley Crue donate $250,000 to Hiring Our Heroes
KISS announce concert dates in Mexico
VIDEO: KISS and Motley Crue kick off summer tour
Lullaby Renditions Of KISS due next month
KISS to play free private show for US troops and veterans
KISS: Destroyer Resurrected due next month
VIDEO: Multi-cam footage of KISS performing new single
KISS: Hell Or Hallelujah lyric video available in 11 more languages
VIDEO: KISS perform new single in London
VIDEO: KISS – Hell Or Hallelujah lyric video
AUDIO: KISS – Hell Or Hallelujah preview
KISS: New single due next week, album in October
KISS and Family Guy join forces
Ace Frehley announces summer tour dates
PHOTO: KISS – Paul Stanley 1974 action figure preview
VIDEO: Ace Frehley joins Pearl Jam guitarist for KISS classic
