THE CHRONOLOGY
This timeline was initially based extensively on Alex Carranza's original KISS ARMY FAQ chronology, many other sources have been referenced with additional and later facts including Dale Sherman's book, Black Diamond, and many other archival news sites, magazines, interviews, etc.
J U M P S T A T I O N
1963 · 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 · 1970 · 1971 · 1972 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979 · 1980 · 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002
1970
Early - The Chelsea album is released and does nothing. Chris Aridas leaves the band.
January - Chelsea place an add in the VIllage Voice for a guitarist to replace Aridas. Stan Penridge responds.
January - Stan Penridge auditions for Chelsea, without Peter Criss present, who quits the band as a result of not being involved in the decision to invite Stan to join the band. The other members soon persuade Peter to rethink this decision.
January - The first Chelsea gig with Stan, playing a Young Republicans socialite cruise around Manhatten. Oddly, Peter missed the boat!
January 31st - Peter marries Lydia Di Leonardo, whom he'd been dating since 1966. Best man at the wedding is New York Doll Jerry Nolan who'd been friends with Peter Criss for quite a while...
Peter & Lydia at their wedding (1970)
July 17 - Ace Frehley roadies for the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Randall's Hall, at Randall's Island in New York, on their last NY appearance before the death of Hendix later that year. Ace basically sneaks back stage and sets up Mitch's drums for him. Stylin'!
Unknown - Gene records "Stanley The Parrot" and "Leeta" at Richcraft Recording in Brooklyn. Both songs show the future Demon to be in bluegrass folk mode...
Unknown - Invited to Stephen Coronel's house, who is putting a band together, Paul meets Gene...
Unknown - An argumentative Ace get's his cheeks broken in a fight with a disgruntled bar owner who refused to pay a drunken Ace for a gig.
Late - Gene, Paul, and Stephen form a band, Rainbow, who start performing gigs.