Over the course of just three years, the KISS phenomenon was established: Gene and Paul met Peter, they met Ace, three studio albums were released, and multi-platinum breakthrough was achieved with KISS Alive!. Here is the story of how KISS came to be in the early years of the 1970s. Continue reading “1973 – 1975: Coming Alive”
Author: Christer Andresen
Christer lives and works in Trondheim, Norway. He holds a PhD in film studies, and teaches horror and the fantastic in genre entertainment. Christer authored the acclaimed books 'Norwegian Nightmares: The Horror Cinema of a Nordic Country' and 'Iron Maiden: Song by Song', and is currently writing the upcoming 'KISS: Song by Song'.
Christer is also a songwriter, lyricist and producer, and releases music with the hard rock bands Keldian and Madam Curie, where he sings and plays guitar. Catch up with Christer at www.christerandresen.com
Christer runs Maiden Revelations, a website about the history and aesthetics of British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, and he is currently building Strange Ways, a website that takes a critical in-depth look at the history of the American rock band KISS.
Welcome to STRANGE WAYS: The Unauthorized History of KISS
As the American rock band KISS celebrate their 50th anniversary, and in the years ahead, this website will be dedicated to a critical in-depth look at the entire history of the band and the brand. Continue reading “Welcome to STRANGE WAYS: The Unauthorized History of KISS”
KISS Alive! (1975)
“You wanted the best, and you got it!” The ultimate KISS battle cry opens their first live album, a double record that would come to define KISS more than anything else they have done. Almost fifty years later, KISS Alive! stands tall as a masterpiece. Continue reading “KISS Alive! (1975)”
Dressed To Kill (1975)
There was even less of a gap between the second and third KISS albums. In about a year, they had released three records that are the foundation of everything the band would achieve. Dressed To Kill is a KISS classic, despite not being widely acclaimed at the time. Continue reading “Dressed To Kill (1975)”
Hotter Than Hell (1974)
KISS began their 1970s cycles of intense productivity by releasing their second album just a few months after the first. Hotter Than Hell contains some all-time KISS classics, but would struggle to match its predecessor. Continue reading “Hotter Than Hell (1974)”
Kiss (1974)
It started over 50 years ago. And decades later, it is obvious that the beginning of KISS was built on great music. Their debut album Kiss stands up to this day. Continue reading “Kiss (1974)”
Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley is The Spaceman: co-founder, lead guitarist and singer in KISS. He joined the band in early 1973 and left in 1982. Later he rejoined KISS in the 1990s and left again in 2001. Continue reading “Ace Frehley”
Peter Criss
Peter Criss is The Catman: co-founder, drummer and singer in KISS. He was in the band from 1972 until 1980, and later returned for two more spells in the 1990s and 2000s. Continue reading “Peter Criss”
1970 – 1972: Pre-KISStory
Before KISS there was Wicked Lester. In the murky depths of time, a strange musical journey began, and the fates of four ambitious individuals from New York City started to intertwine. Continue reading “1970 – 1972: Pre-KISStory”
Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley is The Starchild: co-founder, singer and rhythm guitarist in KISS. He has been with the band from its inception until the present day. Continue reading “Paul Stanley”
STRANGE WAYS 