40 Years Ago: KISS Plays First Show

On January 30th, 1973 less than 10 people witnessed the first live performances by Kiss at the Popcorn Club, in Queens, NY. According to Gene Simmons the band got paid $50 to play two sets.

As you can see in this photograph from that era, the band’s trademark facepaint and costumes were still in the working phase. Since those humble beginnings, of course, Kiss rose in relatively quick fashion to the top of the music industry. By the end of the decade they were arguably the biggest rock band in the world, and to date the group has released 20 studio albums and pioneered the merchandising of rock music.

 

(credit: ultimateclassicrock.com)