Is KISS More Of A Rock Band Or A Traveling Pawn Shop?

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I've tried to get into these guys over the years but they seem more like the record executives on stage than the musicians. Lucky Gene Simmons doesn't drink or he woulda poked Paul Stanley mistaking him for Cher. Just a thought...

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I think of them as more of an over priced 5 & 10 store. All of the useless crap, but more expensive then it should be.

However, they were my first concert, and I did buy a shirt. In fact I can be seen on the show 20/20 buying that shirt, during a segment they did on the band.

 

[xfire]

That one song they had, Hotel California is ok.

 

[FreeOnes_Adam]

I think they are one of those bands that you had to have been there for. I don't get it, but they were before my time. I'm sure they are very talented musicians, just not my cuppa.

And I agree, Hotel California, is a decent KISS song.

 

[John_8581]

That one song they had, Hotel California is ok.

And I agree, Hotel California, is a decent KISS song.

Hotel California? That is a song and an album by the Eagles ... (You would consider the Eagles easy listening)

....Let's take that a step further, Kiss as an easy listening band. Hysterical. -- Ace Frehley would appreciate that.

Peter Criss (who I share the same birthday with ) singing "Beth"

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Delete. Never mind. Couldn't get the video to work. Horsefeathers!

 

[xfire]

😁

Well, they shore ain't The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

 

[FreeOnes_Adam]

Delete. Never mind. Couldn't get the video to work. Horsefeathers!

I couldn't rob anyone of the chance to read horsefeathers. It made me chuckle.

 

[John_8581]

I couldn't rob anyone of the ******* to read horsefeathers. It made me chuckle.

We're going to have Supa in here? Geez.

 

[D-rock]

They aren't my favorite band in the world, and I would list many rock bands above them. That said I think they have been on quite a journey over the decades. They went from being overrated for so long I feel the pendulum has swung too far and are actually given too much hate these days. Did they have a gimmick they shamelessly drove into the ground? Yes. Did they let that gimmick be the thing that defined them most? Yes. Did they focus on marketing as opposed to the quality of their music to get success? Yes. Still with a gun to my head and forced to be as objective as possible in grading their music I will grudgingly admit that they did make a handful of songs that were decent, and some I even like listening to on the radio today.

That's more than I can say for a lot of bands both even their contemporaries, but even a lot more bands that have come out today.

 

[gmase]

That one song they had, Hotel California is ok.

Keep on Loving You was much better.

I've tried to get into these guys over the years but they seem more like the record executives on stage than the musicians. Lucky Gene Simmons doesn't drink or he woulda poked Paul Stanley mistaking him for Cher. Just a thought...

I have never liked them either. Let’s see: KISS or Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, BOC, Beatles, Who, Allman Bros, et al.

 

[Master Rible]

I like Kiss the band, but not Kiss the brand.

 

[Bluejaye]

Well, I don't think my cat likes Kiss.
She's taken to sleeping in front of the stereo. I put on some KISS, she didn't go anywhere near her bed. I put on some Queen, and straight back to sleep in her usual spot.

 

[xfire]

Does anyone think KISS is a great band? And if they do, why? The music is rudimentary, lyrics are laughable, and the vocals are weak.

KISS fans never talk about their, "great" songs, because every song in their catalog is utterly plain and boring. Definitely not one of the all-time great bands.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I think they are a great band, from the standpoint, they have been very successful, made a lot of money, and do have a loyal following. You are 100% on the music though. Some songs are okay, but they sound the same, and they aren't lighting up the night sky with any of them. They're done now though, I seem to remember seeing a couple of stories on Yahoo, about a final tour, and then it's retirement, or solo work, I imagine Gene and Paul are set, but who knows about the other 2, they don't own any rights, or royalties. In fact Paul and Gene bought out Peter and Ace, and turned them into paid musicians, nearing their end with the band.

 

[xfire]

They've been hugely successful, and that's great, but musically they're the opposite of great.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

They've been hugely successful, and that's great, but musically they're the opposite of great.

Yeah, I agree. If you want to judge success buy musical content, not even in the top 25 or 50. But in terms of cash and fan loyalty, they are.

 

[deathmetaldude]

It is funny how people love to trash Kiss these days. They were ahead of their time when they came on the scene in the 70s. Gene and Paul wrote catchy songs. Put on a stage show. They entertained us. Think how boring concerts were in the 70s. Kiss up the ante and kicked everyone's ass. Plus they used their fame to help other up coming bands. Van Halen, Rush, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest all toured as opening acts for Kiss.

 

[gmase]

It is funny how people love to trash Kiss these days. They were ahead of their time when they came on the scene in the 70s. Gene and Paul wrote catchy songs. Put on a stage show. They entertained us. Think how boring concerts were in the 70s. Kiss up the ante and kicked everyone's ass. Plus they used their fame to help other up coming bands. Van Halen, Rush, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest all toured as opening acts for Kiss.

Very true. This is interesting: https://www.loudersound.com/news/we-rejected-van-halen-in-1976-to-protect-kiss-admits-paul-stanley

It then makes you think: Did the Monkeys make Hendrix? Or did Vanilla Fudge make Led Zeppelin? There has to be hundreds of these.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Of course we also have to take into consideration, are own aging. As we get older, and our opinions, and lives change, so does our taste, and tolerance. Back when I was in 8th grade, and going to that Kiss concert they were a great band, as I got older, and made new friends, I got turned on to different bands, and styles, and genera's, When I thought Kiss was the greatest, I hadn't heard Robert Fripp, or Frank Zappa play a guitar. We don't really get reference points, until we get older, and start to experience new things. Now I can't seem to be able to tell the difference between any of the new music. It all sounds the same to me. I'm like a grumpy, crusty old guy telling young people that "you kids today don't know what good music is!", just like the old folks in my family used to do.