Spewing blood, breathing fire and detonating explosions in front of enthralled audiences of headbangers, the cartoonish quartet set the standard for arena-rock spectacle and canny merchandising. The band formed in 1973 when bassist Gene Simmons and guitarist Paul Stanley hooked up with guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss in New York City. With their signature makeup and exaggerated costumes, they caught the attention of Casablanca Records chief Neil Bogart, who signed them to his label. KISS built its huge audience by touring hard; it broke through in 1975 with the album “Alive!” and the single “Rock and Roll All Nite.” KISS' biggest hits, though, would be the power ballads “Beth” and “Forever.” After flying high in the '70s, the band experienced commercial ups and downs and repeated lineup changes. The original quartet reunited in 1996 for a successful tour, but Criss left again in 2001. In 2009, KISS ended an 11-year studio hiatus with a new album, “Sonic Boom.”
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