Dressed to kill, Kiss dominated the US Seventies Rock scene, stomping their way to success with a frenzied mix of glamour, Alice Cooper-style theatrics, vibrant stage shows and that tongue.
Formed in New York in 1972, the band¹s first four albums were released in two years: 'Kiss' and 'Hotter Than Hell' in 1974 and 'Dressed to Kill' in 1975; but it was when 'Alive!' (1975), their double live album, hit the streets that they finally made the big time. With the release of 'Alive!', America bowed down to the new gods of Rock. Like all great bands, Kiss attracted moral outrage and critical hostility, but the success story continued, with their voracious fans (the majority of whom were women) lapping up all that Gene Simmons and co. could provide. The band's popularity lasted until 1977, when the arrival of Punk and Kiss's bizarre decision to release four solo albums seemed to bring about a decline. The ensuing years saw a cast re-shuffle with Frehley and Criss replaced by a variety of newcomers. The new music seemed to lack the Kiss spark - until that golden moment of re-union in 1995, when the original four recreated the electric, quintessential Kiss energy, proving that the best never can be bettered.
Sylvie Simmons has been obsessed with both rock and writing since well before the age of consent. One morning in 1975 she woke up to discover that you could put them together, and got a job as pop writer on a teen magazine. Since then she has spent seven years in the States working on Sounds, Kerrang and Creem, among others, as well as co-hosting a radio show. Sylvie now writes for Mojo, Kerrang, Top and the European edition of Rolling Stone.
KISS Modern Icons is packed to the hilt with facts and essential quotations from the idols and those who knew them, loved them, worked with them, envied them and hated them, Virgin Modern Icons are a major celebration of the heroes of twentieth century culture - the good, the great and the idolized. Titles include: Bob Marley, The Clash, Iggy Pop. The Jam, The Kinks, Kiss, Led Zeppelin and Marc Bolan.
This UK import is 93 pages and is generously filled with over 50 color photos. The book has a cool cover of Gene lovingly licking the strings of his bass axe and is hardcover bound 7.5" x 5.125" with a slick sleeve.
1997 KISS Hardback Book By Modern Icons U.S. Edition but printed in Italy. Hardback is in mint condition. Stock photo.
The Table of Contents is as follows:
Introduction (by Sylvie Simmons)
Kiss and Make Up
Larger Than Life
No Business Like Show Business
Behind The Mask
The Kiss Army
Musical Moments
Rock and Rolling All Nite
The Music
The History
The Cast
The Books