Is Kiss good?

Question

They're not in the hall of fame, Should they? Do you like them?
I personally do not. What do you have to say?

Answer 1

I wasn't their greatest fan. I don't even think they were that good of a band. However, if you can put Madonna in the RORHOF when she has never been rock, you could make a very strong case for KISS being there too. You cannot ignore their impact and following.

Answer 2

Kiss have always been more of a business enterprise, than a group of serious musicians. They ARE corporate rock.

As a musician, I've never thought of Kiss as having any musical ability whatsoever. Ace Frehley has to be one of THE worst lead guitarists I have ever heard. Gene Simmons is a hack as a bass player, and Peter Criss is a lousy excuse for a drummer, and Paul Stanley...please! I'd say that the boy group 'Hanson' has more talent!
I saw Kiss live in 1978, and almost walked out! They were out of tune, and sounded like a bunch of 2nd or 3rd rate musicians (or worse). It was a horrible show. The only reason that I stayed was because the concert was a birthday gift from my wife and I to her brother (he was 14).
One of their top selling albums, 'Kiss Alive' wasn't even a true live album. In recent years there has been some controversy, and Eddie Kramer seems to have changed his tune a little as to exactly how much studio trickery and enhancement was done.
I think as musicians, the members of Kiss fall somewhere in between inadequate and barely adequate. To me and many others they were a novelty act that had the right gimmick that happened to appeal to a bunch of easily impressed kids.
They epitomize the word 'poser' when used in the context of rock and roll. Only my opinion, (and many others I'm sure).
Just waiting for the 'thumbs down' to start appearing...haaa!

Edit - I would hardly call Kiss a major influence on music, whether it's Metal or Rock. Without Kiss we would still have the great bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Tygers of Pentang, etc, and all the great bands that they influenced. Those guys were inspired via the influences of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Wishbone Ash, Black Sabbath, Budgie, and a ton of other underground UK bands like Incredible Hog, Hackensack, Atomic Rooster, Ancient Grease, Fuzzy Duck, etc well before Kiss made their 1st record. If you were an aspiring 13 or 14 year old guitarist between 1975-80, then maybe you might have been influenced by Kiss. I knew many kids at that time who thought of Kiss as a joke too. I would have to say that a very small percentage of notable metal bands from the 70's and 80's found their passion through listening to Kiss. But I suppose groups like Motley Crew, Poison, Skid Row, and many other poser metal bands from the 80's and 90's might have been.
Without Kiss I think we would have done just fine, and we may have been spared of all the terrible poser hair bands during the 80's and 90's. That's who Kiss influenced, and who really cares about that garbage anyway?

Answer 3

This question would be better put to any touring musicians out there. I have lost track of how many great acts have said that they grew up listening to Kiss and got into the biz because of the inspiration they provided. That being said, to me, they lost their luster after all the solo albums came out. If you can ever find Gene Simmons' solo album, GET IT! He does some amazing things on that disc with a wide variety (Helen Reddy included) of talent contributing. If they get inducted into any Hall of Fame, it should be on Wall Street for the marketing success they've had.

Answer 4

I defy anyone to name one band, other than the Beatles, who have been more influential to music than KISS.

Music : They wrote 3-chord songs with GREAT hooks that were easy to play. Fans could pump their fists at the shows, and then went home to learn how to play the songs. If you are a fan of a band with any 30-something members currently on their roster, odds are you can thank KISS for them picking up their instruments in the first place. Not to mention the sheer number of KISS covers, tribute albums, and tribute bands that are around. Can anyone hold a candle to that? Other than the Beatles, probably not.

People can knock their musical talent all they want. Guess what? Nobody will remember the Beatles for being great musicians; they will be remembered for being great songwriters. In other words, you don't always need to play like you have 12 fingers to be in a successful band.

Marketing : Nobody was more well-marketed than KISS. Gene Simmons took four average players and made them the biggest band in the world (at one point, anyway).

Stageshow : they didn't invent it, but they damn sure perfected it.

Fanbase : NO BAND has more loyal fans than KISS. I don't see James Blunt's fans tattooing his face on their body. KISS fans do that on the daily. FACT.

So, in essence, they influenced not only the music side of the business, but nearly EVERY ASPECT of it. THAT, my friend, is influence.

The R&RHOF is a joke. Jann Wenner can blow me. KISS sold 100 million records, changed rock music forever, and their music has stood the test of time. If that's not hall of fame worthy, then I don't know what is.

Answer 5

I wouldn't call KISS musical masters by any stretch of the imagination. Their songs are catchy and the whole makeup thing is hilarious. Plus, like that other guy said, you can't ignore their following and impact on the scene.

Personally, they are ok.

Answer 6

if it wasnt for Kiss most the music i listen to wouldnt exist but to be honest i honestly cant stand Kiss never have and never will just cant get into em but should they be in the hall of fame hell yea for sure their 1 of the biggest if not the biggest influences in music history

Answer 7

Well, I like any rock band but Kiss is the last of `em.
Anyway, they made cool rock songs that I still enjoy right now. I like thier dressing style. It's so cool. But they can't compare with the Black Metal kings called DIMMU BORGIR!!! XD

Answer 8

They are not so great to me. I think that people were drawn to them for their whole theatrical aspect while they performed live on stage. They had the makeup, the outfits, and Gene would spit out blood, but that was mainly it. Their music was simple, and sounded too much like bubble gum rock(well, at least to me). Well, it is glam metal so what can you expect?? Ha!

Answer 9

Yes and anybody who thinks they lack musical talent
Here You Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3-1trQFC4o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgsoJrzplUI
Sorry about the sound quality, but a crap band would be lost trying to keep up with the time changes in Detroit Rock City

Answer 10

i like Kiss. a lot of people dont like them because of the music is so simple, theres nothing really too emotional or deep in their music. but they put on a good show, theyre fun to see, they have catchy songs, nothing is too overdone. not my favorite band but i like em.