Kiss, formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, became famous for their elaborate face paint, costumes, and theatrical live shows featuring pyrotechnics and dramatic stunts. Each member adopted a unique stage persona: the Starchild, the Demon, the Spaceman, and the Catman. After rising to massive popularity in the late 1970s, Kiss underwent several lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons as the core members. The band famously removed their makeup in the 1980s, sparking a successful new era before bringing the classic look back in the mid-1990s for a highly successful reunion. Kiss retired in 2023 after a final world tour. One of the best-selling and most influential rock bands of all time, Kiss sold over 75 million records, earned more Gold albums than any other American band, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.