6. Kiss's Lightening Bolts Were Used To Cross Out A Name (And Have Frequently Been Banned)
Though the Kiss logo may not be as iconic as the painted faces of its members, it's nevertheless one of the most notable typeface-based logos to spring from rock bands in the seventies and eighties, and while its meaning is not particularly deep, its history is incredibly interesting. The logo was designed by former lead guitarist Ace Frehley. Frehley came up with the logo while attempting to write the band's name over Wicked Lester on a poster outside their next venue. Wicked Lester were a short-lived band led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who recorded one album which was subsequently shelved by Epic Records. The two lightening bolt shaped S-letters were an effective way of making sure Wicked Lester was firmly and unequivocally crossed out. Technically, however, the band actually has two logos, as the lightening bolt S-letters bear a striking resemblance to the Nazi SS symbol. In various countries that have banned Nazi iconography such as Germany, Israel, Austria, Poland and Switzerland, these letters are replaced by two backwards-facing Z-letters.
