Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
KISS was among the distinguished recipients at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony held last evening, as reported by theprp. U.S. President Donald J. Trump personally presented the accolade to the renowned hard rock band, which recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to American cultural heritage through performing arts. Other honorees included actor Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and additional distinguished figures. The band members—frontman and guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss—were formally recognized for their achievements. The late guitarist Ace Frehley was also posthumously honored, with his daughter Monique present to accept the award on his behalf. During the presentation of Simmons’s medallion, Trump remarked on their longstanding friendship, highlighting the personal connection.
The members of the incredible rock band KISS: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley — who now is resting in peace, and his beautiful daughter is here to accept the award. Thank you very much. Thank you for being here.
Renowned for their distinctive face paint and elaborate stage costumes, the group gained prominence in the mid-1970s through their provocative live performances, which incorporated elements such as fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, rocket launches, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. Throughout their history, the band experienced multiple lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons remaining as the core members. The final configuration included Stanley, Simmons, Tommy Thayer on lead guitar and vocals, and Eric Singer on drums and vocals.
The band members adopted personas inspired by comic book characters, with Stanley as the Starchild, Simmons as the Demon, Frehley as the Spaceman or Space Ace, and Criss as the Catman. During the latter half of the 1970s, Kiss achieved significant commercial success in the United States, becoming a cultural phenomenon. However, their popularity waned in the early 1980s, until a resurgence occurred in 1983 when the band began performing without makeup and costumes, initiating the “unmasked” era that persisted until 1996.
The 1983 album “Lick It Up,” which received platinum certification, introduced the band to a new generation of fans, with music videos gaining regular rotation on MTV. In response to the mid-1990s wave of Kiss nostalgia, the original lineup reunited in 1996, resuming their use of makeup and stage costumes. The 1996–1997 reunion tour was notably successful, grossing approximately $143.7 million. In January 2019, Kiss commenced its final global tour, culminating in their last performance in New York City in December 2023, after which the band retired.
