Hell, their face paint is as famous as any of their songs and while we’re on the subject, they’ve written some of the greatest rock n’ roll songs of all time.
Consider their breakthrough album, 1975’s Alive!, begins with the introduction, “You wanted the best and you got it! The hottest band in the land, KISS!” The new two-part Biography: KISStory is an epic tale of grit and determination, achievement and innovation, vulnerability and narcissism, camaraderie and betrayal, not to mention, sex, drugs and rock n’ roll.
Both episodes include the disclaimer, “Neither Ace Frehley or Peter Criss participated in the creation of this documentary and do not endorse the views in this program.” Criss went so far as to forbid the use of his song “Beth,” the band’s only Top 10 single.
Both came from Jewish families directly impacted by the Holocaust and felt like outsiders growing up, Simmons an Israeli immigrant, Stanley suffering from a birth defect that left him deaf in one ear.
Stanley speaks in almost mystical terms about the band’s evolution, as if some supernatural power brought them together and showed them how to apply the Kabuki-inspired face paint which revealed who they were or who they wanted to be.
Though KISS’ outlandish appearance and pyrotechnics made them a concert attraction, record sales were lackluster until Alive! etched the excitement of their live show onto four vinyl album sides.
Since 2002, Simmons and Stanley have been joined on stage by early ‘90s drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer wearing the makeup of their predecessors.
However, its kitchen sink approach to chronicling the band’s career is in keeping with their time-honored tradition of giving their fans all they want and more.