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5. Kiss

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We have strong suspicions that our third selection and first American group will likely generate the most polarizing opinions as to whether or not they are Hall worthy. We also suspect that KISS is the most widely known band on this list too.

In the over the top decade of the 70’s they were among the flashiest and you could not turn around without seeing their painted faces everywhere. Opinions on whether this theatrical band should be in the Hall are very strong on both the pro and con. Their fervent supporters will point to their massive record sales, vibrant concerts and thirty years plus of longevity as vital reasons for their cause. Their detractors will point to their lack music’s lack of depth and that they were little more than a gimmick band. Fact is; both camps are right. Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons will never be confused for John Lennon & Paul McCartney or Keith Richards & Mick Jagger but to their millions of fans their music is pure escapism and their definition of what Rock music is all about. And while yes, their kabuki style make up was a gimmick…well, it was one hell of a gimmick!

Kiss

 

The Bullet Points:

 

Previous Rank:

2010: #6

 

Eligible Since:

1999

  

Country of Origin:

U.S.A. (New York City)

  

Why They Will Get In:

They have a rabid fan base pushing for induction.

  

Why They Won’t Get In:

Critically despised, and despite the recent nomination, will Jann Wenner ever let it happen?

  

Nominated in:

2010 Class

  

Essential Albums:

Alive! (1975)

Destroyer (1976)

Love Gun (1977)

Dynasty (1979)

 

Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:

Black Diamond (From KISS, 1974)

Goin’ Blind (From Hotter Than Hell, 1974)

Detroit Rock City (From Destroyer, 1976)

I Stole Your Love (From Love Gun, 1977)

War Machine (From Creatures of the Night, 1982)  

 

 

 

www.kissonline.com

 



Should KISS be in the Hall of Fame?

(You must be registered and logged in to vote!)
Definitely put them in! - 50%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 15.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 28.9%
Last modified on Saturday, 01 June 2013 12:26
Read 2076 times
Published in Rock and Roll
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Comments   

 
+2 #1 jimmy26 -0001-11-29 19:00
Okay. Jann Wenner does not like Gene Simmons. Jann Wenner is the man who came up with the idea for the rock and roll hall of fame and has been the main advocate for such in the hall's history. Will one of the most influential and popular and yes longlasting rock bands ever get into the hall? The magic 8 ball still says yes. Why you ask? has anyone ever heard of the KISS army? Is their a more rabid group of people who will do whatever it takes to get theri idols in? I think not. Wenner will finally cave in and go with the groundswell. it may take another ten years but it will happen. Now a bigger question. Do they deserve it? Well the group most synonymous with KISS in my eyes as far as election worthy would have to be the Sex Pistols. Both are artists that could not play their instruments very well. or at least not at the level of let's say Rush. Both were more hype than substance. The image of both way overshadowed the substance. Both have had long legacies and their influence on other groups is legendary. And you can say that both helped to revolutinize a style of music though most would agree that punk has a bigger musical influence than the hair band heavy metal of the 80's though i do not know it that is entirely true. Did the Sex Pistosl finally get in? of course they did. And what did they do? I would love to see Gene Simmons and the boys do the exact same thing when the DO get elected. Tell the hall to f off and that they really are just a "piss stain" and turn down the election. That would be the coolest thing since makeup!
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+2 #2 Musicologist999 -0001-11-29 19:00
Okay, I confess that I'm not a Kiss fan. BUT, there's no denying this band's influence in the history of Rock. And do NOT diss the global Kiss Army who love them! The quality of their music will always be debated I suppose, but c'mon, these guys DO have some great rockers under their belt, and their kabuki make-up and outrageous costumes and concerts are part of our pop culture. Love 'em or hate 'em, Kiss ARE Rock n Roll. Sure, let 'em in!
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+2 #3 Sean -0001-11-29 19:00
I don't like a lot of their songs, and they weren't innovative, but they were definitely one of the most influential glam rock and hard rock acts, and actually more critically acclaimed than most would think. Influential stage antics as well. I think I'd rather see T. Rex and/or Roxy Music get in first for glam rock and Deep Purple get in first for hard rock, but I admit those are personal preferences.
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-20 #4 Smokestoomuch -0001-11-29 19:00
If the Rock Hall is about music, there's no way these Jews should even be considered. If the Rock Hall is about self-promotion then, fine, let them in. Self-hype seems to go a long way on this list. Compare Kiss's spot on the list with Humble Pie. Kiss covered their talentless act with makeup, pyrotechnics and antics. It's the Jewish formula for success.
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+3 #5 Mike 2012-05-28 23:45
Go to any guitar show and see if you can throw a rock and not hit someone who was inspired by Kiss. Hell even Garth Brooks sights Kiss as a big influence on his musical career. Kiss has gotten a bad rap due to the commercializati on of their brand. I think more people are pissed cause they didn't think of it first. Did they go overboard? Yes. Were they they biggest band in the world for several years in the 1970's? Hell yeah. To not put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have some of the acts that they do have is a joke. The RNR HOF will remain a joke in my mind until they acknowledge bands like Kiss. KISS ARMY FTW!!!!
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+1 #6 Mark Nieuweboer 2012-09-10 11:11
I'm more than not a Kiss fan. They hardly knew to play their instruments, their riffs were utterly generic.
Alas they pioneered the theatrics of hair metal.
So yes, they should enter the HoF in the end.
Alas.
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+2 #7 Floyd General 2012-12-10 21:28
KISS can and do play their instruments very well...KISS music is as good or better than any other rock music out there.....They just added entertainment and a rock and roll show to their concerts. So What!
KISS music is far better than any Pop Rock or Pop music out there.....
KISS influenced numerous others...
KISS in the Hall...
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+1 #8 Johnny D 2013-05-10 09:23
I've never heard anything more ignorant and retarded than
"KISS couldn't play their instruments" or "their songs sucked". People like this have no business deciding whether or not a band is "hall worthy". Opinions are opinions, but numbers never lie. This band has sold a gillion albums, and YES had top 40 hits, and STILL performs today. KISS at one point was the most popular band in the entire world. You don't get that way without music to back up the stage show. More people recognize KISS than the faces on Mt. Rushmore. This band is not only hall worthy, the hall is unworthy of them. They transcended music and became bigger than any band besides the Beatles. They weren't the Beatles, they were Coca-Cola. A brand that was famous worldwide and enjoyed by many after 4 decades. Claiming they're untalented and are just a mere stage act, invalidates any other ignorant and/or statement that follows.

I'm a musician, and the reason I picked up a guitar was because of KISS.
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0 #9 biograph 2013-05-12 03:56
:-x
Let 'em give up and put the Monkees in, then it'll make sense to have KISS. (Hell, John Cougar Mellencamp is in, so why not?)
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