Kiss This!

Described as the “hottest band in the world” by the devoted fans of the KISS Army, the guitar shredding, fire spitting, make-up wearing band known as Kiss, is often regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time.

 

The original lineup of Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (vocals and bass guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, percussion and vocals) can be credited for the development and success of the band.

 

Tracing back to the roots of a rock and roll band under the name of Wicked Lister, we find Simmons and Stanley in New York City during the early 1970’s. Displeased with the direction of Wicked Lister, Simmons and Stanley who had co-founded the band, decided to split from the other members of the band and form a new group

 

In 1972, Peter Criss was discovered in a Rolling Stone ad under the description of a drummer “looking to do anything to make it.”  Several months later, Ace Frehley auditioned for the band and Kiss was finally formed.  Focusing on a much harder style of rock than Wicked Lester had originally played and through the theatrical inspirations of Alice Cooper, Slade, and the New York Dolls, Kiss had begun to find the sound and image they were looking for.

 

After signing a record deal with Casablanca Records, Kiss entered the recording studios and produced the self-entitled album “Kiss” in February of 1974.  Although this album along with their seconded recorded album, “Hotter Than Hell” did not receive the commercial success that Casablanca Records was looking for, the band’s live shows had started to stir up some noise as stories of blood spitting, guitar smashing, and fire-breathing rockers were spread through word of the KISS Army.

“Rock And Roll All Night” which would soon become KISS’ trademark song was produced on their 3^rd album “Dressed to Kill” in March of 1975.  Unfortunately, the album had not proven much more of a success in record sales as its predecessor. Although Kiss was quickly gaining a reputation as a top-flight live act, the costs of the smoking guitars and blazing flames sent Casablanca Records towards bankruptcy.  In order to survive, some sort of breakthrough was drastically in need.

 

Thus a double live album titled “Live!” was released on September 10, 1975.  Achieving gold status and eventually platinum status, this record had finally captured the excitement and exhilaration that the studio records had been missing and sent Kiss on their way towards stardom as listeners began to realize the true sounds of Kiss.

 

Between the years of 1976 and 1979, Kiss produced 6 platinum records featuring songs such as, “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,” “Love Gun,” and “Beth”.  Sadly however, towards the end of the decade the once heavy metal sound and image of Kiss began to fade.  Tension began to grow between Criss and the rest of the group and left the band for a solo career.  The drummer Eric Carr filled Criss’ shoes and strummed away into the 90’s.

 

From 1980 to 1998 Kiss produced 11 more albums of which 5 went gold and 3 platinum and still continue to rock into the 21^st century remaining in the eys of some as the “hottest band in the world.” 

More detailed history of Kiss can be found here 

Kiss logo can be found here

Led Zeppelin biography

Led Zeppelin, a band considered the most successful and influential pioneer of heavy metal, was made up of Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Jason Plant, and John Bonham. They formed in the late 1960's and quickly gained popularity. Jimmy Page had a keen understanding of the guitar, which was hugely beneficial to the group. He was also skilled in recording-- he did not over-do distortion, but instead used it to play up the band's talents. Their predecessors, the Yardbirds, paved the way with a guitar style consisting of a hint of Blues and they added their own twists of British folk music and mythology.
Their biggest hit, "Stairway to Heaven," was never released as a single. Even so, the band sold over 100 million records in the United States alone throughout their career. Led Zeppelin II became #1 on the Billboard charts within two months of release; since then, every release of new material has gone platinum. In 1973, their U.S. tour actually broke box office records in many states, a feat which showed their popularity was equal to (if not greater than) that of the Beatles. By 1975, they were considered the most popular rock and roll group in the world.
Sadly, in 1975, there was a car crash which involved Plant and his family. This event made tours less frequent, which only increased their popularity as the world saw them as more mysterious and mystical. In 1976, they released their cd Prescence, which sold more than four million copies, and began their U.S. tour. More tragedy hit Plant's family as his six year-old son died unexpectedly of a viral infection. They cancelled the rest of the tour. Grief-stricken, he took the next year and a half off. Luck did not pick up speed for the group. On September 25, 1980 the group had just finished a short British tour and was auditioning for another U.S. tour when Bonham died of asphyxiation; while passed out from drinking one night, he inhaled his own vomit and died. After this, the group broke up. They all attempted solo projects, but never formed new bands. Since then, various Greatest Hits cds have been released and the three remaining members made their first appearance again in 2007.



http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/biography

The Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols formed in London in 1975. The Sex Pistols are considered one of the most influential bands to come out of the 1970's, responsible for initiating the Punk Movement.

The Sex Pistols originally comprised vocalist Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977. Under the management of impresario Malcolm McLaren, the band created controversies which captivated Britain. Their concerts repeatedly faced difficulties with organisers and authorities and public appearances often ended in mayhem. Their 1977 single "God Save the Queen", attacking Britons' social conformity and deference to the crown, precipitated the "last and greatest outbreak of pop-based moral pandemonium". The single was deemed so unspeakable that workers in a record plant refused to press it and official chart compilers refused to acknowledge its chart-topping position.

Visit their website for other information on the band; http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/

See the book "Say something outrageous: Punk fashion, capitalism and a new future for the avant-garde" by E.G. Patterson for a detailed review on the affect the band had on the punk movement, and the cultural impact on their followers.

The Sex Pistols constantly priding themselves on cheating the audience; Johnny Rotten famous for his "Have you ever felt like you been cheated" quote at the end of his concerts (after collecting valuable items that have been thrown up to the stage, the performance usually consiting of poorly recited versions of their songs. For an interesting insight into the usual style of concert see the following blog.

www.songfacts.com contains some interesting fun facts about their most notoriously known song "God save the Queen".