Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island's music outlet, takes a brief look at what made Kiss so influential
For more than 46 years, veteran New York metal band Kiss
has been shocking fans with spectacular theatrics and enduring rock hits. Now,
the band is in the middle of their ‘End Of The Road’ World Tour, giving fans
one final hurrah before putting the touring life behind them. The band finishes
up the first North American leg this weekend and will embark on a European leg
at the end of May with another North American leg following close behind in
August. According to reviews from previous nights, the iconic metal band’s
farewell tour is not one to miss.
Part of what has made the band so successful has been stage
presence and shock value. Each member’s heavy, mask-like make-up highlights a
different persona, each one with its own mystery and lore. Gene Simmons’ Demon’s
extra-long tongue is the stuff of legend, especially when it is extended and
dripping blood. The story about how they drew blood during a concert on Long
Island to use as the red dye in their Kiss comic book lives on in infamy.
With such a presence, it only seems fitting that the band would
have gotten good at selling themselves as a brand. Kiss has put their name on
everything you can think of from normal-seeming items like action figures,
notebooks and Christmas ornaments, to outrageous ones like Hello Kitty dolls,
waffle makers and coffins.
As much as the presence, though, Kiss’ music has been able
to stand the test of time. The band has 24 studio albums under their belt, 11 of
which have gone platinum in the United States, as well as countless
platinum-selling live and compilation albums. “Rock and Roll All Night,” the
band’s first top 20 hit all the way back in 1975, continues to be a
quintessential track that has stuck within the collective memories of not just
rock fans but music fans in general for decades. “Detroit Rock City” inspired
an entire movie.
Such endurance has given Kiss lasting influence. It’s an
influence that can be felt in artists and genres far removed from the glam
metal the band have become known for. Grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden
and Alice in Chains counted the band as an early example of rebellion. Just
like Kiss borrowed from early glam punk bands like the New York Dolls, the
Ramones were influenced by the band’s brand. Bands and artists from such
diverse backgrounds as Weezer, Nine Inch Nails, Pavement, The Hold Steady,
Beastie Boys and The Roots all found a common influence in Kiss.
From their time-tested music to their beyond impressive
stage presence and branding, Kiss have proven themselves to be legends in not
just metal, but in rock music in general. Their influence spans many decades
and genres and continues to spread as new fans discover the band’s music and
create bands of their own. Kiss may be hanging up their platform shoes and
costume make-up in the live setting, but their legacy will continue to live on
for a long time.
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Before Kiss heads back to New York this summer, pick up music and memorabilia from the band at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island's top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more, including one of the largest Kiss collections on the island, in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.
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