List of Kiss members
Kiss is an American hard rock band from New York City, New York. Formed in 1973, the group originally featured rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, lead guitarist Paul Frehley and drummer Peter Criss, all of whom contributed to vocals.[1] The band's lineup remained stable until 1980, when Criss left on May 17.[2] He was replaced by Eric Carr later in the year.[3] Two years later Frehley also left the band, although Stanley and Simmons have claimed that he was fired due to a problem with drug and alcohol abuse.[4]
Frehley was replaced by Vinnie Vincent, who performed on Creatures of the Night and Lick It Up before leaving in 1984.[5] Mark St. John performed on Animalize, before Bruce Kulick replaced him after the album's release.[6] Carr died on November 24, 1991,[7] being replaced by Eric Singer.[8] In 1996, founding members Frehley and Criss rejoined the band for the Alive/Worldwide Tour, marking the first performances of the original lineup in 17 years.[9] The reunited lineup released one studio album, Psycho Circus, in 1998.[1]
Following the 2000–2001 Farewell Tour, Kiss intended to retire from touring; however, the band returned in 2002 with returning drummer Singer (who rejoined the previous year) and new lead guitarist Tommy Thayer.[1] Criss returned to the band later in the year, but left again in 2004.[10] With the current lineup, Kiss has released two studio albums: 2009's Sonic Boom and 2012's Monster.[1]
Members
Current
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Paul Stanley | 1973–present | all Kiss releases | |
 |
Gene Simmons | 1973–present |
|
all Kiss releases |
 |
Eric Singer |
|
|
|
 |
Tommy Thayer | 2002–present |
|
|
Former
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) |
Ace Frehley |
|
|
|
.jpg) |
Peter Criss |
|
|
|
 |
Eric Carr | 1980–1991 |
|
all Kiss releases from Music from "The Elder" (1981) to Revenge (1992) – "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II" and "Carr Jam 1981" only on Revenge |
| Vinnie Vincent | 1982–1984 |
|
| |
 |
Mark St. John | 1984 | lead guitar | Animalize (1984) |
 |
Bruce Kulick | 1984–1996 |
|
all Kiss releases from Animalize (1984) to Psycho Circus (1998) – "Lonely Is the Hunter" and "Murder in High Heels" only on Animalize; "Psycho Circus", "Within" and "Dreamin'" only on Psycho Circus |
Timeline
References
- 1 2 3 4 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kiss: Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ DeRiso, Nick (May 17, 2015). "35 Years Ago: Peter Criss Leaves Kiss – The First Time". Ultimate Classic Rock. Diffuser Network. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ Scott, Tim (September 9, 2015). "Kissteria: A Look Back at the 1980 Australian Kiss Tour". Noisey. Vice. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ Butters, Tim (November 13, 2014). "Ace Frehley Looks Back On Kiss With Disgust: We Were F**king Rock N' Roll Clowns". The Inquisitr. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ Wilkening, Matthew (December 29, 2014). "32 Years Ago: Vinnie Vincent Plays His First Kiss Concert". Ultimate Classic Rock. Diffuser Network. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Ex-Kiss Guitarist Mark St. John Dies". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media). April 6, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Eric Carr, 41, Is Dead; Rock Band's Drummer". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). November 26, 1991. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Kiss' Gene Simmons: Why We Fired Eric Carr On His Deathbed". Blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Ace Frehley On Why Kiss Reunion Tour Stopped Being Fun". Blabbermouth.net. September 30, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ↑ Wilkening, Matthew (June 1, 2014). "Eric Singer Accuses Peter Criss and Ace Frehley of Kiss Hypocrisy". Ultimate Classic Rock (Diffuser Network). Retrieved December 28, 2015.
