10 Greatest Shock Rock Acts
3. KISS
By the 1970's, shock rock had been around for a while, with titans coming from the world of punk rock and heavy metal. KISS were the ones who took up the mantle as shock rock flagbearers by turning their show into a full-fledged circus.
With each band member sporting black and white kabuki-style makeup, KISS set out to put together the ultimate live band, with theatrics galore. These shows involved bassist Gene Simmons breathing fire and spitting blood, drummer Peter Criss levitating off the stage, and guitarist Ace Frehley playing guitars that would shoot rockets. The power of these shows were so spectacular that the band's first major success came with the release of the live album Alive!
The band's music also was a shock to the system, with tracks that were hard hitting while still being extremely accessible. Through tracks like "Detroit Rock City" and "Love Gun," the band knew how to knock out a true hard rock banger. As the band plays on, remaining original members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons never fail to ignite their audience into a frenzy through the power of rock and roll. May their brand of hard rock forever echo through the hallowed halls of KISStory.