10 Best American Classic Rock Bands Of All Time
6. KISS
From the beginning of rock and roll, there had always been a certain element of shock in the presentation. From the first time Little Richard's scream grabbed you to the unholy gyrations of Elvis Presley, rock seemed to rely on some form of theatricality. Though many tried to stun audiences, KISS was the band that broke every rule and dominated the live stage.
After seeing Alice Cooper, four kids from New York decided to create a group that would shock every parent who ever saw them. The songs may have been great on their own, but they were made legendary once combined with the band's aesthetic, as they incorporated makeup, bombs, fire, and even blood into their live performance. When most bands were standing fairly still onstage, KISS were rabid animals who put every ounce of their being into their hard rock hymns.
The live energy was so undeniable that their first live album Alive! truly broke them into the mainstream. Though the live shows were always phenomenal, the backing behind it was always of the highest caliber, with Ace Frehley's guitar offset by the maniacal vocals of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. You may think you have a great live show, but any eye-catching theatrics in rock music live in the shadow of what KISS built.