1966

Peter Criss plays in Brooklyn band The Barracudas. Band releases single

months later.

1970

Gene Simmons walks into Advantage Recording Studio in NY to record some

of his songs. Gary Klein who was producing Steely Dan's first album,

invites him to sit in on the recording sessions.

Gene and Paul cross paths for the first time. Gene plays one show with

Paul's band UNCLE JOE.

1971

Gene and his keyboard player (Stephen Coronel) form RAINBOW. Paul

Stanley calls about audition, but is turned down. He later turns up for

rehearsal and is hired. Gene realises he's same guy he rejected on the

phone.

Peter joins CHELSEA. The band (Chris Aroidas: Guitar; Michael Benvenga:

Bass/Vocals; Mike Brand: Guitar; Peter Shepley: Vocals and Peter Criss:

Drums) releases self-titled LP on Decca Records.

October 21 : Gene and Paul begin writing songs together.

1972

CHELSEA disbands. Peter Criss and Stan Penridge form LIPS.

RAINBOW develops into WICKED LESTER. A recording deal with Epic Records

follows.

WICKED LESTER (Simmons: Bass/Vocals; Stanley: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals; Ron

Leejack: Lead Guitar; Brooke Ostrander: Keyboards; Tony Zarella: Drums)

enters Electric Lady Studios to record debut album with Ron Johnsen

producing. After completed, Epic drops the band and record is never

released; although the cover surfaces from the CBS art file (on a

Laughing Dogs album) in 1979.

Lyn Christopher's debut album released on Paramount Records. It features

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley on backup vocals.

April 11 : LIPS folds. Peter Criss advertises in Rolling Stone: "Drummer

with 11 years' experience will do anything to make it." Gene Simmons,

who is putting together second generation of WICKED LESTER, calls him

and sets up a meeting at Electric Lady. Peter shows up wearing very

fashionable clothes and is hired on the spot, without ever auditioning.

WICKED LESTER, now a trio, changes name to KISS. Band rehearses in

freezing loft on Manhattan's West 23rd street.

1973

January 3 : Band places ad in Village Voice for guitarist "with flash"

(not "flash and balls" as stated in various articles).

January 17 : Ace Frehley is 61st person to audition. He wanders into loft

wearing one red and one orange sneaker. He is invited to audition a

second time (22 Jan) and is subsequently hired.

January : KISS puts together first promo kit. Pictures feature band

without makeup.

January 30 : KISS' first show at the Popcorn club in NY for $30 a night,

three nights (band only makes $70 total because not all tickets were

sold). On first night, club changes name to Coventry. The only people in

the audience are Gene's girlfriend, her brother and club's bartender.

This night Ace comes up with KISS logo and band starts wearing makeup.

April : KISS sells out Daisy's on Long Island. Band is building a

following as one of the tightest groups around---and one of the weirdest

looking.

June 17 : KISS enters Electric Lady Studios with producer Eddie Kramer.

Spends two weeks recording demo of "Strutter" (which starts out as

"Stanley The Parrot"), "Deuce", "Watching You", "Black Diamond" and

"Cold Gin". Contrary to certain rumours, "Firehouse" was not recorded

during these sessions.

July 13 : KISS performs self-produced show at the Hotel Diplomat, with

headlining act Brats. Variety's Fred Kirby gives first positive review.

August 10 : KISS puts on third show at the Diplomat. Music business

guests include former FLIPSIDE tv music show producer Bill Aucoin, who

is not-coincidentally sitting next to Peter Criss's sister, who spends

entire show screaming. Very impressed, Aucoin approaches band at the end

of show and offers to become their manager "if they want to be stars".

Bands skeptically accepts offer on condition of getting record contract

within two weeks, otherwise deal is off.

August 24 : Aucoin comes through with record contract from Neil Bogart's

new Casablanca Records. Band signs as label's first act and KISStory is

made.

August 31 : Three more shows at the Coventry with opening act Wild Honey.

October 10 : Band enters Bell Sound Studios near 57th street in Manhattan

to record first album with Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise producing. By

the end of smooth month they have created first LP "KISS".

November-December : Rest of the year is spent mixing album and revamping

stage show. The band perform at the Convetry for the last time on the

21st, 22nd and 23rd of December.

December 31 : KISS' industry live debut at NYC Academy Of Music, opening

for Blue Oyster Cult, Iggy & The Stooges, Teenage Lust as well as German

oom-pah band from Luchow's Restaurant next door, whom the Cult haul

onstage. Gene ignites hair during fire-breathing at end of "Firehouse".

Todd Rundgren and Rick Derringer commiserate with him backstage, caution

him against playing with fire.

1974

January : Photo sessions with ex-Doors' photographer Joel Brodsky yield

album's cover. Paul Stanley has changed black and silver makeup to a

simple star over right eye.

January 8 : Kiss last band to play legendary Fillmore east.

February 18 : First single, "Nothing To Lose" bw/ "Love Theme From Kiss",

and first album "KISS" released. Neil Bogart throws extravagant "Rick's

Cafe" party at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Alice Cooper, amongst

those in attendance, later comments to reporters "They're a good band.

All these guys need is a gimmick". In NY, KISS hires shuttered Filmore

East for press show/party.

February 19 : WNEW in NY becomes first radio station to play KISS. DJ

Alison Steele announces song by new band out of NY and plays "Nothing To

Lose".

February 19 : KISS shoots segments for Dick Clark's "In Concert".

February 24 : KISS appear on Don Kirshner's "Rock Concert" and later in

the month on the Mike Douglas show.

February-April : Band, with $100,000 in equipment, hits the road opening

for Manfred Mann and Savoy Brown. Crowds react well to bizarrely

costumed support act. Record enters Billboard's Top 100.

April 7 : KISS plays Detroit, Michigan for the first time.

April : "Kissin' Time" released. WSHE-radio, FT Lauderdale, holds kissing

contest after single release. Contests held nationally; winners kiss for

96 hours!. "Kissin' Time" goes on to reach #83 on national charts.

May : KISS passes through Hollywood, CA. where Paul gets rose tattoo at

Lyle Tuttle's on Sunset. Next stop: Alaska!!

June-July : Touring, more touring. --Average 15 shows per month.

August : Band enters LA's Village Recorder Studios with Kerner and Wise

to lay down tracks for new LP.

October 22 : Hotter Than Hell, with bilingual cover hits the stores.

Record features shortened version of "Let Me Go, Rock N Roll" which by

now has become a staple of the band's live shows. The song is later

released as single but fails to chart.

November-December : Touring. Other bands begin to balk at having too

outrageous opening act. Mott the Hoople emphatically refuses to let KISS

tour with them.

1975

February : Band enters Electric Lady to record third album with Neil

Bogart. On last day of sessions, band (in makeup and street clothes)

brings in photographer to take pictures of them while recording. The

last shots, taken outside the studio, become cover of new album.

March 19 : Dressed To Kill released.

April 2 : "Rock And Roll All Nite" released. Single reaches #68 on

Billboard's Top 100, 17 May, 1975. Band shoots "Rock And Roll All Nite"

and "C'mon And Love Me" videos at the Michigan Palace in Detroit.

May 16 : First major arena sell-out: Cobo Hall, Detroit. Michigan, Ohio

and New Jersey shows recorded for live album.

July 10 : Second single from Dressed To Kill released. "C'mon And Love

Me" becomes minor hit in selected towns.

August : More touring.

September 10 : Greatest record album in history of planet released. Its

title: KISS Alive!. Earth would never be the same.

October 9 : KISS visits Cadillac, Michigan. Cadillac High School football

team has winning season through "KISS Defense" tactics. Assistant coach

writes to KISS; group suggests homecoming visit for 2000 students, plus

concert in gym.

October 10 : Mayor of Cadillac and city officials present KISS with key

to the city. Officials all wear makeup. KISS parade held on Main

Street/KISS Boulevard.

October 14 : Ultimate single from ultimate album released. Live version

of "Rock And Roll All Nite" proves a bona fide AM smash. Single reaches

#12 on 19 November 1975.

November 21 : KISS fly to Terre Haute, Indiana for first official

gathering of KISS Army on KISS Day.

December 4 : Alive certified Gold; a first for KISS. Band continues

touring non-stop, selling out bigger and bigger halls.

December 31 : Blue Oyster Cult plays second bill to KISS at Long Island,

NYC's Nassau Coliseum. Sweet Revenge!.

1976

January 25, 26, 27 : KISS play three sold out nights at Cobo Hall in

Detroit. Paul writes a certain song in city's honour.

Feb 20 : Four sets of Kiss footprints are placed on the sidewalk outside

Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood,CA.

March 1 : New LP complete. First, Casablanca releases single "Shout It

Out Loud". It fails to match the success of "Rock And Roll All Nite".

March 15 : Destroyer released. Album features plenty of of strings and

boy's choirs, and even slow ballad Beth. Rockers "Detroit Rock City",

"God Of Thunder" and "Shout It Out Loud" make album an instant classic.

Behind the scenes, Ace Frehley unhappy that Bob Ezrin has removed some

of his work and overdubbed session guitarist Dick Wagner. Solo on "Sweet

Pain" is entirely Wagner's.

April 18 : Despite long-winded hedging, Destroyer becomes KISS' second

Gold LP. Band gets back on the road with news costumes and set designed

by Jules Fisher Associates. First destination: Canada.

April 30 : As "Shout It Out Loud" fizzles on charts, Casablanca releases

"Flaming Youth"---In both cases searching for an anthem follow-up to

"Rock And Roll All Nite".

May 13 : KISS' first European concert takes place at the Free Trade Hall,

Manchester, England.

May 16 : KISS makes debut appearance at Hammersmith Odeon, London.

European "KISS Around The World" tour continues through July.

June 15 : The KISS Tour Album released to promote summer U.S. tour.

July 1 : U.S. tour begins at Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA.

July 21 : Casablanca releases three record set, The Originals; includes

first three albums plus KISS memorabilia. In quick time it sells over

250,000 copies.

August : KISS sells kisses, $.93 each in Atlanta, GA. record shop.

Proceeds to Muscular Dystrophy.

Destroyer tour hits the south with 45 tons of equipment, 40-member crew

and seven tractor-trailers. Set is largest mobile in US, involves video

projection, rockets, lasers, visual effects and the God Of Thunder

machine.

"Beth" re-released. Originally b-side to "Detroit Rock City" in July, it

is now issued as A-side. Becomes million-seller smash, 5 June 1977.

September : KISS hires out Star Theatre in Naunet, NY. Begins recording

live-in-the-studio LP with Eddie Kramer in effort to get back to

pre-Destroyer roots.

September 25 : "Beth" at #7 becomes KISS' highest charting single.

October 31 : KISS appears on Paul Lynde's Halloween Special; performs

"Beth", "Detroit Rock City" and "King Of The Night Time World".

November 1 : Rock And Roll Over released; ships Gold, first KISS LP to do

so. A solo spot with Peter up front singing "Beth" over taped

accompaniment is added to road show.

November 11 : Rock And Roll Over receives Gold and Destroyer Platinum

certifications. Another first for KISS.

December 1 : An effort to follow-up "Beth" this time, Casablanca pulls

Rod Stewart-clone/Peter Criss ballad "Hard Luck Woman". Song reaches

decent #15, but fails to match up.

December 11 : Ace Frehley nearly electrocutes himself onstage at

Lakeland, Fl. Minutes later Gene Simmons sets hair on fire during

"Firehouse".

1977

January 5 : Rock And Roll Over certified Platinum; number two for KISS.

More roadwork.

February 18 : KISS plays first homecoming concert to packed rafters at

Madison Square Garden. Finally admit to selves they have arrived as

superstars. Peter tells reporter from NY Times night before: "I used to

tell my folks I'd end up there one day, and they'd always laugh. So

tomorrow night we're playing the Garden, and when I think about that I

get cold". Enough said.

February : Blood drawn for first Marvel Comics special.

February 28 : Dressed To Kill certified Gold; first of three pre-Alive!

albums to do so.

March 3 : Second single off Rock And Roll Over, "Calling Dr. Love",

released. Reaches #16, 9 April 1977.

March 18 : Band takes off for Japan on first "Sneak Attack" tour. Plays

concerts in four cities, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Tokyo, including one

four-night stand that tops Beatles attendance records. The band wears

Destroyer costumes but plays on the Love Gun stage (without the rising

platforms).

April 4 : Japan theirs, KISS returns home.

May : After brief holiday, KISS in studio again with Eddie Kramer at New

York's Record Plant to work on next LP.

June 30 : Love Gun becomes first KISS LP to ship Platinum. One million

copies sold before they'd even finish recording. Certified both Gold and

Platinum on this day. Album features debut of Ace Frehley as lead singer

on his own composition "Shock Me".

Marvel Comics special goes on sale -- 400,000 copies purchased; a record

that would stand for over ten years!

July 1 : KISS sets out on first extensive Canadian tour with new stage

set. Cheap Trick supports.

August 7 : KISS returns to States for debut of new staging in concerts

there.

August 26,27,28 : Alive II cut at Los Angeles Forum. Gene sets hair on

fire for seventh time. [Author's note: While many bootlegs state that

these concerts took place on 25, 26 & 27 August, the original tour

schedule shows the concerts actually happened Aug 26-28.]

September : KISS number one on Gallup Youth Survey of 1,069 US teenagers'

favourite groups.

Band stage outfits installed in Hollywood Wax Museum.

October : Alive II ships Platinum. Album features one side of brand new

songs recorded at Capital Theatre and Electric Lady studios. Of those,

only "Rocket Ride" features Ace; others feature Bob Kulick and Rick

Derringer on guitar.

November 15 : Alive II tour begins at Myriad Convention Centre, Oklahoma

City, OK.

December 14, 15, 16 : KISS performs three sold out shows at New York's

Madison Square Garden. Total attendance: 60,000.

December : KISS number two Billboard artist of the year for Hot 100 top

LPs combined. KISS is only act to have three platinum albums in 1977.

1978

January : Via satellite from Largo, MD, KISS appears on American Music

Awards; perform "Rock And Roll All Nite". Later this month, Edwin Newman

interviews band on his TV special, "The Land Of Hype And Glory".

February 2 : Alive II tour ends with two sold-out shows in Providence,

RI.

February : "Rocket Ride", first KISS single to feature Ace Frehley on

lead vocals, released. Single hits top-40.

March 29-30-31/April 1-2 : KISS play a record five sold-out shows in

Tokyo, eclipsing the four-night record set by Beatles and themselves.

April : Double Platinum, greatest hits compilation, released.

May-June : Five weeks spent filming "KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park".

Shooting takes place at Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA. On 19 May, KISS

performs free show to be used in the movie.

August 28 : Marvel Comics ships second KISS special comic book. Another

best-seller.

September 18 : Four solo albums released simultaneously. 1.25 million

copies of each (5 million total) shipped. Ace Frehley's "New York

Groove" becomes huge radio hit; reaches #13 on 2 December 1978.

October 28 : World premiere made-for-NBC-TV-film "KISS Meets The Phantom

Of The Park". Filmed at Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia,

California, the film rates as NBC's second most-watched programme of the

year, behind only miniseries "Shogun".

November : Gene Simmons' outfit borrowed by United States Smithsonian for

a world tour called "American Art", which also features outfits by Cher

and Elvis Presley.

1979

February : KISS returns to the studio, this time under direction of Peter

Criss' solo producer, Vini Poncia.

May : New LP, Dynasty, released; first collaborative KISS album in a

year. Climbs to #9 on Billboard's LP charts. Certified Triple-Platinum

on 10 July 1979. A number of songs on album feature ex-Ace Frehley

session-man Anton Fig on drums.

June 15 : Dynasty tour begins in Lakeland, FL with brand new staging and

costumes. Show features songs from the four solo albums.

June 16 : "I Was Made For Lovin' You" becomes certified radio hit. Spends

11 weeks on singles chart, peaking at #11 on this day.

July : HBO KISS concert special premieres.

August 16 : Gold certification awarded for sales of over one million

copies of single "I Was Made for Lovin' You".

September : Second single off Dynasty, "Sure Know Something," released.

October : Gene and Ace on radio's "Budwiser Presents The Robert Klein

Hour". Klein asks if Simmons' tongue can reach bridge of his nose.

Response: "It can reach the 59th Street Bridge." Later this month, band

appears on classic "Tomorrow" show with Tom Snyder.

November : Pictures of band members without makeup begin to appear in

magazines. A chubbier-than-usual Paul Stanley is photographed coming out

of Studio 54 disco.

December 16 : Closing date of Dynasty tour. It would also be Peter Criss'

last concert with KISS (last time all four original members perform

together).

December : Avco Embassy releases "KISS In Attack Of The Phantoms"

theatrically worldwide (except US).

1980

January : KISS (minus Peter Criss), enters NY's Record Plant to lay down

follow-up to Dynasty. Ex-Ace Frehley session-man, Anton Fig again

provides drumming.

May : Unmasked released; first album in 5 years which fails to reach

Platinum status. Video for "Shandi" features Peter Criss; his last TV

appearance as a member of KISS.

May 17 : Although no longer a member of the band, Peter Criss is actively

involved as the group checks out 2000 applicants for the position of new

drummer. Eric Carr passes the audition with "Detroit Rock City", "Black

Diamond (vocals)","Strutter", "Firehouse" and "Is That You?". A hawk

character is designed but quickly scrapped. Carr then sketches a fox and

transformation is complete.

July : Peter "officially" leaves the group.

July 25 : Eric Carr's live debut at the Palladium in New York.

August 8 : KISS appear on the cover of People magazine. Feature on band

includes lengthy articles on all four members, including Carr, and

pictures of Simmons' girlfriends, Diana Ross and Cher, and the first

official pictures of KISS without makeup.

August : KISS leaves for three-month European tour (29 dates). First date

at Castle St. Angelo, Rome, Italy on 25 August.

November 9 : Five-week Australian stadium tour -- KISS performs 11

sold-out 40,000-70,000 shows. Becomes band's most profitable tour to

date.

December 3 : Last Unmasked show at Western Springs Arena in Aukland NZ.

Band returns to States to start writing material for upcoming LP.

1981

January 12 : The R.I.A.A. donates some 800 rock Lps to the Library Of

Congress. Included is KISS' "Alive!".

January : Best Of Solo Albums LP released around the world except in

North America.

March 1 : KISS enters Ace Frehley's Ace In The Hole studios in

Connecticut to lay down tracks for new LP Rockin' With The Boys. Band

records classic "Deadly Weapons" but fails to release it.

May : Band enters IRS studios in New York to record demos of songs for

new album. By now band has decided to make concept album and Bob Ezrin

is brought in to handle production. Band moves to New York's Record

Plant and then to Ezrin Farms in Toronto, Canada. Tracks for Rockin'

With The Boys are never released. Cover for album is also scrapped.

July 1 : Formal sessions for The Elder begin at Record Plant in NY.

Recording continues through August and September. Album takes longest of

any KISS LP to record.

July : KISS awarded "Best Group" honours by Rehnbahn Express Magazine.

Gene and Eric fly to Vienna to receive award before 14,000 fans.

November 16 : Release of first and last concept album Music From The

Elder. Record is well received by critics, but fails to win over

record-buying public.

November 22 : "A World Without Heroes" released. Band performs "I" on the

Solid Gold TV show. "Heroes" would eventually peak at #56 on Billboard

charts.

November 28 : The Elder recommended in Billboard's Top Album Picks.

December : Band appears on ABC's "Fridays" show. Performs "The Oath", "A

World Without Heroes" and "I". Only live appearance done in support of

The Elder.

December : Live satellite broadcast to San Remo Music Festival in Italy.

Performance of "I" without Ace Frehley.

December : KISS goes on promotional tour of Mexico, doing interviews

about The Elder on Mexican TV.

1982

March : Band begins recording new EP (tentatively titled Severe Cuts) at

Los Angeles' Record Plant studios. Songs "Nowhere To Run", "Partners In

Crime", "Down On Your Knees" and "I'm A Legend Tonight" --all featuring

Bob Kulick on lead guitar-- wind up on overseas compilation album

instead.

May : Killers, a 'Best-Of' LP, released worldwide except North America.

July : Ace Frehley involved in car crash as KISS returns to studio to

record a new album. Band uses session guitarists Vincent Cusano (aka.

Vinnie Vincent), Robben Ford and Steven Ferris.

October 13 : KISS returns to their heavy metal roots with Creatures Of

The Night. Ace Frehley pictured on cover, although his input has been

minimum. Record is dedicated to Casablanca label president Neil Bogart,

who had died of cancer earlier this year.

October-November : Band embarks on short promotional tour with Ace, then

flies to England for a 10-day promotional visit. When questioned by

music reporters about his status, Ace tells them, "As you can see I'm

still in the band".

November : Ace leaves KISS although reportedly, at the time, only

temporarily.

December 28 : "Creatures Of The Night Tour" begins in Bismark, ND. with

Vinnie Vincent replacing Ace Frehley on guitar. Tour is band's first

stateside venture in three years.

1983

January : "I Love It Loud", first single from Creatures is recommended in

Billboard's "Top Singles Picks".

March : Gene and Paul appear on CBS show "Nightwatch" to discuss

religious protests and the band's career.

June 18-19-20 : Three huge sell-out shows at world's biggest stadium,

Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Attendance: 247,000.

June 25 : Last show in makeup at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

August : KISS cancels a 3 day tour of Argentina when the extremist Free

Fatherland Nationalist Commando movement threatens to stop the tour even

if it "goes so far as to cost the very lives of that unfortunate band".

September 18 : Now a 70-city touring veteran, Vinnie Vincent makes his

recording debut and finale on Lick It Up. Band appears on MTV sans

makeup for the first time. National evening news re-broadcast the event.

October 11 : Six week European tour opens in Lisbon, Portugal. Vinnie

Vincent is fired upon completion of tour, but 'rejoins' the band for US

leg of tour.

December 26 : Now billed as the loudest band in the world, KISS opens US

Lick It Up Tour in Atlanta, Georgia.

KISS donates track "Lick It Up" to the MTV Cancer Benefit Album.

1984

March 17 : Lick It Up Tour closes in Evansville, IN. Vincent leaves KISS

for good.

July 1 : Animalize sessions begin at Right Track Studio in NY. In Gene

Simmons' absence (away in Vancouver filming "Runaway"), ex-Plasmatics

bassist Jean Beauvior lays down much of the album's bass tracks.

September 19 : Mark St John's recording debut released. Album goes top-20

and is certified both Gold and Platinum in December 1984.

September 30 : Animalize Tour opens in Brighton, England. Bruce Kulick

temporarily replaces Mark St. John on guitar.

November 15 : Animalize Live In The U.S. opens in Bethlehem, PA. 100

cities will be attacked. Special live treat includes 25-foot-high

lightning truss on which band runs around above audience.

November 27 : Mark St John stricken by Reiter's Syndrome. He and Bruce

Kulick perform at this and the following night's shows in Baltimore, but

eventually St.John is forced to leave due to his worsening condition.

November 30 : Ace Frehley and his Frehley's Comet perform their very

first public show at S.I.R. studios in New York.

December 8 : Animalize Live Uncensored shot at Cobo Hall, Detroit

Michigan. To commemorate anniversary of "Alive!", KISS puts out an

A.P.B. via radio to locate two youths pictured with banner on album back

cover. Longtime fans Bruce Redoute (left) and Lee Neaves (right with arm

up) are immediately notified. Band and fans are reunited backstage and

over dinner -- banner intact!.

1985

January 9 : "Thrills In The Night" recommended by Billboard's 'Pop

Singles Review'. Animalize Live Uncensored premieres on MTV.

February : Avoca, NY high school student David Lemancke, obviously `bored

of education', paints 40-foot mural of his favourite band (yes, KISS) on

school wall. School officials demand removal and 50 students with

excellent taste stage a sit-in in the school's auditorium. Officials

order janitors to paint over mural anyway.

March : Ace Frehley records demo and embarks on mini-tour of New York and

neighbouring areas with Frehley's Comet.

March 29 : Animalize Tour comes to a climatic end at huge sold-out

Meadowlands Arena (East Rutherford, NJ) show.

April 19 : Animalize Live Uncensored released on videocassette. It has

since been certified Platinum.

July 14 : Creatures Of The Night restocked with new cover featuring Bruce

Kulick. Title track, "I Still Love You" and "War Machine" are replaced

by newly remixed/remastered versions. Original blue cover LP becomes

prized collector's item.

September 16 : Bruce Kulick makes his official recording debut (with

KISS) on Asylum. First single/video "Tears Are Falling" premieres on MTV

on 27 September.

November 29 : Asylum Tour opens in Little Rock, Arkansas. Show boasts

largest KISS sign ever, 40' x 20'. Band goes through three stages: album

cover--quickly scrapped, temporary set made up of previous sets, and

final stage, all new and state-of-the-art.

December : KISS asked to play Sun City, South Africa. Band refuses.

1986

April 11 : Asylum Tour wraps up at Meadowlands Arena, NJ. Beginning of

eventful year for KISS. Plans surface for next album. Rumours abound of

directional changes, solo projects and other assorted fabrications.

Meanwhile, KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park becomes available on

videocassette.

May : KISS contributes live version of "Heaven's On Fire" to the various

artists LP "Hear 'N' Aid" for heavy metal music's fund- raising

activities for famine relief.

Gene Simmons adds Black 'N' Blue to his list of production credits which

already includes Wendy O. Williams, Keel and of course, the famous Van

Halen demo.

Summer : KISS film their second videocassette, Exposed, stuffed with

interviews, bikini-clad women and most importantly, plenty of vintage

live footage.

Bruce Kulick records instructional tape for Hot Licks series. Eric Carr

also propositioned for Hot Licks and begins making plans for a 1987

videotape and instruction/songwriting guide.

Autumn : KISS is/isn't in the studio depending upon who you ask. New

album is/isn't due by year's end. Band is/isn't using outside producer.

End result: everyone is confused.

Gene Simmons continues to pursue one of his many outside activities--

acting. In a case of fiction definitely being stranger than fact,

Simmons portrays an Arab terrorist who dies a memorable death with a

grenade in his mouth in "Wanted: Dead Or Alive", starring opposite

Rutger Hauer. Simmons adds this to a lengthy list of credits, as

follows. He portrayed the evil Charles Luther in "Runaway", with Magnum

magnate Tom Selleck. Simmons is killed again, but no before blowing

Kirstie Alley's brains out with a "Bye, bye baby". His big-screen debut

had theatres packed with KISS enthusiasts shouting "Yeah Gene!" each

time he obliterated another character. He did a cameo on the second

season opener of "Miami Vice" as drug kingpin on yacht full of

centre-fold type babes (what else would you expect?). In "Never Too

Young To Die", Simmons played Ragnar, a hermaphrodite, and sported a

gold corset, stockings, and shaved chest. Stole the show from John

Stamos and Vanity Sixx. As DJ Norman "The Nuke" Tauroy in "Trick Or

Treat", a don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-him spot is worth the price of

admission. Tony Fields as Sammi Curr and Ozzy Osbourne as anti-rock

evangelist are no slouches either!. Gene's last acting appearance was on

HBO's "The Hitchhiker," opposite Sandra Bernhard in an episode titled

"O.D. Feelin'".

September : Eric Carr gets more than he bargains for when he invites

English photographer to a 'private' photo shoot in his bathtub. Pictures

appear one week later in popular British weekly magazine.

1987

February : Paul Stanley joins Poison onstage in Texas for rave-up of

"Strutter".

March 1 : Band enters One On One recording studio in Los Angeles with

producer Ron Nevison to record new album, tentatively titled "Who Dares

Wins".

Gene Simmons produces Japanese metal rockers E-Z-O. Foursome sports full

facial makeup --quelle coincidence!.

May 18 : Exposed videocassette released. Ships Gold and hits Platinum

within a month.

Those ever-present rumours rear their nasty heads again. This time, it's

a farewell makeup tour with all former members. Obviously bullshit, but

a popular rumour just the same.

June 20 : Paul Stanley joins Poison again in Dallas at the Texxas Jam for

round two of "Strutter". Crowd of 80,000 goes totally nuts. Backstage,

Stanley modestly denies having stolen the show.

August 5 : During interview on Long Beach, CA radio station KNAC, band

invites fans to be part of the "Crazy Crazy Nights" video, to be shot in

downtown Los Angeles next Saturday afternoon.

August 8 : 3000 fans pack the Olympic Auditorium in LA for video shoot

and free concert afterwards. On top of that, band gives away 300

one-of-a-kind t-shirts commemorative of the occasion, as well as one of

Simmons' basses and one of Stanley's guitars.

August 18 : "Crazy Crazy Nights" video released. Instant radio add. Video

premieres on MTV the same week.

September 18 : New album, now titled "Crazy Nights" released as

world-wide catalogue sales stands at 70 million. New product enters

charts at #57, then #24, #18...

October : Gene Simmons produces another Black N Blue album and says he

will launch own record company, "Simmons Records".

"Reason To Live" video spends 4 weeks (off and on) at #1 on MTV's most

requested videos chart. Station is forced to change rules so that no

other video can pull another 'coup' the way "Reason" had.

November 15 : Crazy Nights world tour opens in Jackson, Mississippi with

special guests White Lion, later with Great White. Rumours of Alive III

in full force.

1988

March : Crazy Nights long form video released. Gold.

April 16 : KISS returns to Japan after a 10-year absence. Plays two

sold-out show at Tokyo's Budokah Hall on 21 and 22 April.

June : KISS enter Right Track Studios, NY. to cut two new tracks for

upcoming greatest hits package. "Let's Put The X In Sex" and "Rock Hard"

are recorded having only been written a couple of days earlier.

August : Gene Simmons starts "Simmons Records" label. First act signed:

House Of Lords.

August 12-13 : Not since their early days has KISS played a small club.

On this occasion band breaks with tradition and performs for extremely

tightly-packed audiences at the Ritz in New York.

August 16 : Another club show, this time at London's Marquee. Show is

warm-up for upcoming Monsters Of Rock concert.

August 20 : Audience of 107,000 jumps to their feet as first notes of

"Deuce" thunder across Donnington Park, England. Eurostadium tour

follows.

October 11 : "Let's Put The X In Sex" single released. KISS sued by

owners of building used as backdrop in the "X in Sex" video, for

depicting the building in a "pornographic manner"...suit is later

dropped.

November 16 : To commemorate 15 years of KISStory, a greatest hits

package, Smashes, Thrashes And Hits is released becoming Gold and

Platinum album within weeks. It features 15 newly mixed/mastered songs,

including Eric Carr's version of "Beth" and two new Stanley tunes.

1989

February 15 : Paul Stanley sets out on first ever solo tour, performing

material from his 1978 solo album besides the obligatory classic KISS

repertoire, which includes "Let's Put The X In Sex" and the

by-then-unreleased "Hide Your Heart". Led Zeppelin's "Communication

Breakdown" is another show highlight. Members of his solo band include

Bob Kulick and future KISS member Eric Singer.

May 4 : Solo tour closes at the Palace in Hollywood, CA. Gene Simmons and

Bruce Kulick amongst those in attendance.

July 1 : KISS returns to Fortress Recording Studio, where they have been

demoing songs for upcoming Lp.

August : KISS re-signs with Mercury/Polygram for next 10 years. Seven

albums to be released include Simmons and Stanley solo Lps, greatest

hits and "Alive III" packages.

September : "Hide Your Heart" video shoot atop the Wilshire Hotel in

downtown Los Angeles.

October 11 : Simmons and Stanley begin promo tour of major city radio

stations to announce release of new album, Hot In The Shade.

October : KISS host MTV's Headbanger's Ball.

November 21-22 : "Rise To It" video shoot at S.I.R. studios stage #3. For

the first time in six years Paul and Gene put on makeup and outfits

again. Audience is invited to attend 22 Nov shoot. (Note: Eric Carr and

Bruce Kulick appear as Peter Criss and Ace Frehley in flashback scene.)

December : 'Star' newspaper comes out with headline "KISS Drummer Hits

The Skids", claiming Peter Criss is a homeless alcoholic. Only problem

was the person featured in article was an impostor named Christopher

Dickinson. Peter would eventually file suit against the Star and settle

for an undisclosed amount.

1990

February : "Forever" lodges itself at #8 on Billboard's Top 100 singles

chart. First Top-10 hit for KISS in 14 years!.

February : Promo compilation First KISS Last Licks released. Pressing of

only 800 (on vinyl) makes it rare collector's item. Demo versions of

"Deuce" and "Strutter" (from June 1973) make their first appearance on a

KISS record. Remix of "Nowhere To Run" unavailable elsewhere.

April 14 : Benefit show at the Stone Pony, Ashbury Park, NJ.

April 24 : Free show for 200 contest winners from all over California at

the Country Club in Reseda. At this point, set of 26 songs is longest

concert in band's history. This marks the first and last live

performance of Eric Carr's "Little Caesar".

May 4 : Hot In The Shade tour opens in Lubbock, TX. Stage is largest in

KISS history. It features 40-foot high by 70-foot wide sphinx whose

mouth band emerges from. Leon, as they call it, shoots lasers from its

eyes and sings part of "God Of Thunder" amongst other things.

June : Paul Stanley runs into a piece of metal onstage and cracks his

ribs. Band in forced to cancel a few shows.

July 4 : More bad luck. While on route to New York, Paul Stanley is

involved in massive car accident. Car is totalled, but Stanley luckily

makes it out without major injuries. More shows cancelled.

November 9 : Very successful Hot In The Shade tour closes at Madison

Square Garden in New York. Eric Carr's last concert with KISS. Band

promises to return in two years to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

1991

February : Back in studio demoing material for new LP, to be produced by

Bob Ezrin.

April 9 : Eric Carr undergoes surgery to remove tumour from his heart.

July 9 : Soundtrack of movie "Bill & Ted Bogus Journey" features brand

new KISS tune "God Gave Rock And Roll To You II"; originally done by

Argent, for whom KISS opened back in 1974. Song is produced by long-time

friend Bob Ezrin and features Eric Carr on backing vocals and Eric

Singer on drums---even though the video for it shows Carr on drums.

July : "God Gave Rock And Roll To You II" becomes huge hit in England,

reaching #4 on UK charts.

August : Announcement is made that Eric Carr has cancer.

September : Eric suffers first of two brain aneurisms.

November 24 : Eric Carr dies of cancer due to complications from various

earlier operations to remove cancer tomour from his heart. Band and fans

in utter shock. He's survived by his parents and two sisters. KISS's

next album "Revenge" and Slaughter's "Wild Life" albums dedicated to his

memory.

December : Seeking relief, KISS returns to the studio to lay down tracks

for upcoming LP, Revenge. Band announces Eric Singer is new drummer.

1992

January : Work on Revenge continues.

April 23 : Show at San Francisco's "The Stone" marks beginning of month

long club tour. Everywhere shows are announced, tickets sell in matter

of hours, minutes in some cases. Support act are fellow Mercury band

Shooting Gallery. "Stone" show is Singer's first live appearance with

KISS.

May 4 : First single off Revenge, "Unholy" released.

May 14 : Revenge released. It debuts at #6 on Billboard's Top-100 LP

chart. Highest debut of any KISS album in band's career.

May 16-26 : KISS performs 8 sold-out shows throughout the U.K.

October 1 : Revenge tour opens in Allentown, PA. Least impressive stage

in recent memory includes Statue Of Liberty which during War Machine

falls apart revealing grinning metal skull. Not used during the final

dates of the tour.

November 27-29 : Eddie Kramer tapes Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis

shows for upcoming Alive III album. Shows are also filmed for release on

video-cassette.

December 20 : Revenge tour comes to an early end after the Phoenix, AZ

show, due to poor ticket sales. Second leg of tour is subsequently

cancelled.

Single "Everytime I Look At You" released. Record company support for it

is almost non-existent, and what potentially could have been another

smash-hit for KISS, fades into obscurity instead.

1993

February 25 : Interview and performance on nationally syndicated "Howard

Stern's Show". Gene and Howard settle long-time feud. Gene later

discloses that he once slept with Jessica Hahn, who is another guest on

the show. Acoustic version of "Detroit Rock City" is highlight of show.

March : KISS flies into Nashville to record "Hard Luck Woman" with

country star Garth Brooks. Song will appear on upcoming KISS tribute

album, scheduled for early 1994 on Mercury.

May 8 : First single off new album released, "I Love It Loud (live)".

Video premieres in MTV the same week.

May 18 : First live album in 15 years, Alive III, released. US version

lacks track "Take It Off", which is on all other countries' releases.

Alive III debuts at #9 on US charts, but quickly drops out of sight.

KISS are inducted into the Rock And Roll Walk Of Fame in Hollywood, CA.

Members Paul, Bruce and Gene leave hand- and footprints on wet cement. A

special plaque honouring Eric Carr and his contribution to KISS, is also

put on display. 18th May is declared "KISS Day" in Los Angeles. Peter

and Ace would later put their hand prints on cement as well.

May 20 : Appearance on Arsenio Hall's show becomes KISS' first US TV

performance in 12 years. "Detroit Rock City" and "Deuce" go out to an

audience of millions.

June 7 : KISS answers fan's questions on nationally syndicated live radio

show, "Rockline".

June 15 : Month long promotional party tour begins in Dallas, TX. It ends

15 July in Los Angeles, CA.

June : Gene Simmons produces Lenny Kravitz's version of "Deuce" (which

features Stevie Wonder doing Harmonica solo) at Clinton recording

studios in New York City, for the same tribute album which by now will

be called either "Great Expectations" or "Kiss My Ass".

July 11 : TV appearance on Howard Stern's show.

July 20 : "Konfidential", a long form videocassette, documenting the

band's 1992 Revenge tour, is released. Video features songs off Alive

III, as well as classics from 1976. Gold.

August : List of performers for upcoming tribute LP is made known. Among

others, the list includes the Lemonheads, Megadeth, Nine Inch Nails,

Extreme, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Guns N Roses, Alice In Chains, Bell Biv

Devoe, Anthrax, Soul Asylum, Lenny Kravitz, Garth Brooks and Stevie

Wonder. Many of these artists would not appear on the final album due to

legal pressures from their record companies.

September 11 : KISS headlines the 1993 Foundations Forum in Burbank, CA.

This marks KISS' only concert of the year. Band performs "Goin' Blind"

live for the first time in their history.

September 18 : Performance clips and interview are featured on MTV's

Foundations Forum special.

December : Peter Criss' new band CRISS releases self-titled EP, which

includes new acoustic version of classic "Beth".

December 12 : KISS perform at Pleasure Island in Disney World in Florida

for upcoming TV special Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve '94. Songs

include "Detroit Rock City", "Makin' Love" and "Rock And Roll All Nite".

December 31 : KISS on ABC's Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve '94. Only

two out of the three songs taped are used, and for some odd reason the

footage is shown backwards (it appears they are left handed). Very nice

way to start the new year.

1994

April 2 : First of four one-off shows KISS would perform in the US in

1994. This one takes place at Villa Park, IL., as part of WBB2 103.5 The

Blaze's third anniversary. Classics such as "Got To Choose" and "Goin'

Blind" added to live show. Debut of Eric Singer on lead vocals on

classic "Black Diamond".

April 19 : Second show of the year, this time in San Antonio, TX., as

part of the La Semana Alegre celebrations.

June 7 : A limited edition vinyl version of Kiss My Ass released. It

contains bonus track "Unholy" by German act Die Artze which would not

appear on U.S. CD.

June 2 1: Kiss My Ass finally released worldwide. It debuts at number 19

on the Billboard music charts. Garth Brooks' "Hard Luck Woman" very well

received by radio DJs across the country. Gold.

July 4 : KISS (Gene and Paul) on Rockline radio show.

July 13 : KISS fans jolted out of bed when band makes surprise appearance

on NBC's Tonight Show as Garth Brooks' backup band on the Rock And Roll

Over classic "Hard Luck Woman". KISStory made.

July 26 : KISS (Gene and Paul) with the Gin Blossoms on the Late Show

with David Letterman. Bands perform "Christine Sixteen" and KISStory is

made once again.

July 30 : Third US show of the year in Nashville, TN., as part of Gibson

guitars' 100th anniversary. Band performs on floating stage.

August 27 : First South American stadium tour on over ten years!. Touring

with KISS are Suicidal Tendencies, Slayer and Black Sabbath for whom

KISS once opened back in 1974. Concerts announced for Argentina, Chile,

Brazil, and Mexico. Opening night in Sao Paulo draws 60,000 metal hungry

fans. Band uses Hot In The Shade "Sphinx" stage and stripped-down

Revenge stage set.

September 3-4-14-15-16 : Monsters Of Rock South American tour continues

with an unprecedented 5 sell-outs in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1995

January 24: Kiss plays 5 dates throughout Japan and donates part of its

earnings to victims of the Kobe earthquake. Band uses old Animalize

stage. Records "Rock Bottom" and "Strutter" during rehearsal in Tokyo.

February 3: Kiss returns to Australia after 15-year absence. First ever

"official" Kiss Convention takes place at Hyatt Hotel in Perth, WA.

Highlighs of the tour include a live performance of "Shandi" in Perth.

May: "KISSTORY", a $160, 9-lb Kiss bible, finally begins shipping. Fans

complain books fall aparts easily. Nothing's perfect. Kiss corrects

problems and ships second edition.

June 17: US leg of Konvention tour begins in Los Angeles, CA. Peter

Criss joins band onstage for acoustic performance. Crowd loves it. More

to come...

June : Peter Criss and Ace Frehley reunite for first leg of "Bad Boys

Tour". Peter's band "Criss" supports yet another Ace Frehley tour. Shows

end with Ace/Peter jamming to "Nothin' To Lose" and "Rock And Roll All

Night".

August 1: Successful "KISS Worldwide" convention tour winds down in

Pittsburgh, PA. Rumours of a Kiss reunion run rampant after it is

reported band's NY gig would be filmed for MTV's Unplugged.

August 9: Rumours, which for years have been denied by the band, at last

become "Kisstory". For the first time in 15 years, Ace Frehley, Peter

Criss, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons perform live, onstage together

again. Crowd, fortunate enough to witness the event, goes nuts. The

original four perform "2000 Man" and "Beth", and are joined by the

current lineup for "Nothin' To Lose" and "Rock And Roll All Nite". The

entire show, including 14 other songs performed by current four, is

taped for an MTV Unplugged special.

October 31: "Unplugged & Unmasked", Kiss' MTV special, premieres on the

music channel. MTV decides to edit out, amongst others, gems such as

"See You Tonight", "World Without Heroes" AND "2000 Man".

November: Kiss in the studio...or so the band says. A new album,

promised for 1996, makes this the longest gap between studio albums in

the group's career. Meanwhile, new albums by Ace Frehley and Criss (who

are still on tour together) are also in the works.

1996

January: News about a reunion tour leak from the Kiss camp. Within weeks

reunion tour is talk of the rock world, eventhough band has said

nothing.

February: More rumours about the reunion tour. Confirmation from people

close to Kiss lend credibility to story. Still, no comment from the

band.

February 28: A HUGE page in Kisstory is written when the band,

completely unannounced, shows up at the Grammy's in full makeup! . Ace,

Gene, Paul and Peter, who wear 1977's Love Gun outfits, give award to

Hootie and the Blowfish and disappear backstage. Again, no word about

upcoming tour.

March 11: Kiss scheduled to appear on Rockline radio show. Band cancels

and promises to re-schedule.

March 12: "Kiss Unplugged" album and home video released. MTV reruns

concert special.

April 16: Finally! After months of speculations and rumours, Kiss, at a

press conference onboard the USS Intrepid, announces long awaited

Reunion tour. Opening date in Detroit (37,000 seats) sells out in an

amazing 47 Minutes, setting a new record for the venue! The '70s are

back, baby!

April 22: Kiss on nationally syndicated radio show Rockline.

June 15: First official concert (a warm-up) by reunited Kiss takes place

at KROQ's Wiennie Roast at Irvine Meadows in Los Angeles....

June 25 :"YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST!", live compilation

released to celebrate start of summer tour. Features previously

unreleased live tracks "Room Service", "Two Timer", "Let Me Know" and

"Take Me".

June 28 : KISS returns!!!!!! First "Alive/Worldwide Tour 1996" show at

Tiger Stadium, Detroit. Members in top form, especially Ace, who

according to all reports, steals the show. Can you spell KISSTORY?