Chris Stein, guitarist for Blondie, recently shared memories of KISS and disclosed a humorous conspiracy theory he once spread about the legendary rock band. This revelation came through Consequence.
Stein explained the false narrative he created about KISS’s lineup. People actually believed it at the time.
“I used to tell people that KISS was actually four different bands with just one of the original members in each and you could tell because of the makeup, but they just never could play at the same time,” Stein said. “But people believed it, you know.”
Stein also recalled attending one of KISS’s early performances without their signature makeup. He described the unusual scene he witnessed.
“We were at their first gig that they did with no makeup, which was kind of interesting,” he continued. “It wasn’t in a big venue and was in Manhattan somewhere. They had like sparkling football shirts and then there were fan guys there with the makeup and they kind of looked lost.”
Stein’s anecdote offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of KISS, a band that would become synonymous with theatrical rock performances. His conspiracy theory, while humorous, actually touches on a real aspect of the band’s history—their rapid transformation through makeup adoption.
KISS formed in 1973 and played their very first show on January 30, 1973, at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York, without any makeup. However, the band’s iconic look arrived remarkably quickly. Within just ten days of their first performance, KISS had adopted their signature face paint designs, as noted by Loudwire.
The decision to wear makeup came about as KISS sought to differentiate themselves from other acts of their era. Gene Simmons recalled that KISS—consisting of members who were all over 6 feet tall and resembled football players—didn’t fit the androgynous aesthetic of the glitter movement. This movement was prominent in the early 1970s New York music scene, according to Far Out Magazine.
The band developed their distinctive kabuki-inspired makeup designs in their rehearsal loft. They purchased cheap face mirrors and makeup so they could see themselves while applying the designs. By ten days after their first gig, the band had established their iconic personas: Gene Simmons as the Demon, Paul Stanley as the Star Child, Ace Frehley as the Space Ace, and Peter Criss as the Cat.
The makeup remained central to their image for a full decade. Then a dramatic shift occurred. KISS made the bold decision to appear without their makeup on MTV on September 18, 1983, shocking fans worldwide, as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock. Three weeks later, on October 11, 1983, KISS performed their first live show without makeup in Lisbon, Portugal. This marked a significant turning point for the band, whose commercial fortunes had begun to decline.
Despite initial fan resistance to the unmasked era, the change ultimately helped revitalize the band’s commercial success. KISS continued performing without makeup for the next 13 years. They released seven platinum albums during this period. In 1996, the band returned to wearing makeup for a highly successful world tour. They welcomed back original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. The band has since maintained the visual legacy that defined their status as one of rock’s most theatrical acts.
