Is KISS the greatest rock band of all time??

[KLP68]

KISS is definitely up there with the greatest. Who is the greatest? that is purely subjective to yourself.

[Ratmir]

No. But they are to me

[Potato Salad]

And in regard to AC/DC, fuck yes they are overrated. Looking at message board discussions and YouTube comments, people just wanna get on their knees and blow these guys, it seems. It's ridiculous. Look for AC/DC VS Queen, or AC/DC VS Led Zeppelin, and almost all comments say "AC/DC #1!!!! ALL ELSE SUCKS!!!". It's a fuckin' sacrilege of rock to rate AC/DC more talented than those guys. Bands like KISS can catch flack because they make dumb rock songs, but with AC/DC it's okay because it's AC/DC. How the fuck does that shit work? And I'm sick of all these teens with AC/DC (Or KISS, Queen, Led Zep for that matter which I see all the time) shirts cause they think it makes them cool even though they know only 3 songs.

AC/DC is the most overrated rock band, right up there with U2. I'm sick of seeing a shitload of AC/DC crap at WalMart, all the while knowing how much WalMart dropped the ball on KISS' promotion. I used to be an AC/DC fan, now I find myself not being able to stand them because of annoying fans cumming in their pants everytime they see Brian Johnson gurgling into a microphone and Angus Young doing his 60,000 duck walk. Plus the Bon Scott era is ignored by the media. Which was AC/DC to me.

Do you still agree with this?

[Pete2174]

For me yes. For others, probably not.

[doombies]

Not THE greatest. But ONE of the greatest

[Frehley's Vomit]

On a related note, they've certainly done more than just about any other band to tarnish their legacy in time since this thread was created. There are some that would argue that they've been doing that since at least the early 80s.

[wezze]

For me? Yes!

Objectively speaking? No!

[Kisscandinavia]

They are the greatest band of all time TO ME, and thats all that matters.

That's true.
Kiss was huge in America in the 70's, but LOTS of bands were MUCH more popular here in Europe in the 70's. Kiss was big in Sweden, but nowhere else here.

[Tito]

They are the greatest band of all time TO ME, and thats all that matters.

That's true.
Kiss was huge in America in the 70's, but LOTS of bands were MUCH more popular here in Europe in the 70's. Kiss was big in Sweden, but nowhere else here.

Massive in Norway and Finland in the '80s.

[steve]

Not even close to it, but still lots of fun and the source of many fond memories.

[Kisscandinavia]

They are the greatest band of all time TO ME, and thats all that matters.

That's true.
Kiss was huge in America in the 70's, but LOTS of bands were MUCH more popular here in Europe in the 70's. Kiss was big in Sweden, but nowhere else here.

Massive in Norway and Finland in the '80s.

Sure, but Uriah Heep, Slade, Queen, Sweet... Even Mud and Alvin Stardust were bigger here in the 70's.

[Frehley's Vomit]

Not even close to it, but still lots of fun and the source of many fond memories.

That's my take on it too.

[Tito]

They are the greatest band of all time TO ME, and thats all that matters.

That's true.
Kiss was huge in America in the 70's, but LOTS of bands were MUCH more popular here in Europe in the 70's. Kiss was big in Sweden, but nowhere else here.

Massive in Norway and Finland in the '80s.

Sure, but Uriah Heep, Slade, Queen, Sweet... Even Mud and Alvin Stardust were bigger here in the 70's.

I didn't realize this was about the '70s.

[andreww1962]

IMO, The Beatles are not the best band ever.Bands like KISS, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and AC/DC are the best bands ever. They managed to stay alive and release albums through rough times, some not as great as others, but in the long run, they win. The Beatles were the first band to walk the path that Elvis Presley made, without them KISS and any other Rock band would not exist. THATS what makes them a great band, IMO

Very insightful, bro.


KISS are THE greatest straight up rock band of all time. Hands down.
Aerosmith, Queen, and AC/DC follow suit, but Kiss leads the pack.

Hahahahaha

[andreww1962]

Kiss is the Greatest Rock band in the world if :

A) we disregard all the bands that are better than KISS
B) we do not consider the quality of their musicianship
C) we ignore the fact that they haven't done anything noteworthy in 40 years
D) we ignore the fact that their lead singer cant sing

[That 70s Guy]

no

[LoveGun77]

They're not the best, but they're my favorite.

This is my view on it too...I think it's the best way to put it.

They're not in the same league as Beatles,Stones,Zeppelin etc. Not in talent,songwriting,sales,fame etc. Having said that,they're still my favorite because of their music. At the end of the day,that's the most important aspect of them for me.

[El Millo]

Yep

[acevog75]

The most interesting for sure.

[SaintN'Sinner83]

And in regard to AC/DC, fuck yes they are overrated. Looking at message board discussions and YouTube comments, people just wanna get on their knees and blow these guys, it seems. It's ridiculous. Look for AC/DC VS Queen, or AC/DC VS Led Zeppelin, and almost all comments say "AC/DC #1!!!! ALL ELSE SUCKS!!!". It's a fuckin' sacrilege of rock to rate AC/DC more talented than those guys. Bands like KISS can catch flack because they make dumb rock songs, but with AC/DC it's okay because it's AC/DC. How the fuck does that shit work? And I'm sick of all these teens with AC/DC (Or KISS, Queen, Led Zep for that matter which I see all the time) shirts cause they think it makes them cool even though they know only 3 songs.

AC/DC is the most overrated rock band, right up there with U2. I'm sick of seeing a shitload of AC/DC crap at WalMart, all the while knowing how much WalMart dropped the ball on KISS' promotion. I used to be an AC/DC fan, now I find myself not being able to stand them because of annoying fans cumming in their pants everytime they see Brian Johnson gurgling into a microphone and Angus Young doing his 60,000 duck walk. Plus the Bon Scott era is ignored by the media. Which was AC/DC to me.

Do you still agree with this?

I had to double check I even wrote that. Hot damn. What hyperbole. Embarrassing. Talk about an angsty-teen rant.

I think I was more agitated by their fanbase - which, I do find to still be as obnoxious as I did then. Go to any AC/DC forum and you'll see how their fans still act like they're Yes or Rush in terms of output.

And I still would agree that there's a double standard of giving bands like KISS flack for their simplicity in style/lyric whereas AC/DC gets praise. I also agree with me saying the Bon Scott era is often way too ignored.

But no, overall I don't agree with calling AC/DC overrated. I wrote that when I was in my mid-teens. I'd also never insult Brian (but I would say my complaints about his voice at the time were rooted in some fact) or Angus. They're international treasures.

I think I was annoyed with how ridiculous their fans can be. And I was jealous of how successful Black Ice and Sonic Boom didn't come close.

[Kissologist]

In the eye of the beholder

[PsychoElder]

To me KISS is the greatest rock band of all time.

[Mystogan]

I cant decide whos better KISS or AC/DC.

Oh hey, I wonder what inflammatory 14 year old this is...

[Much Too Soon]

Yes.

[Grand Classic]

On a related note, they've certainly done more than just about any other band to tarnish their legacy in time since this thread was created. There are some that would argue that they've been doing that since at least the early 80s.

Couldn't agree more. Any "greatness" KISS could have had, they totally fucking blew it with some of the worst decisions and ultimately a mission it seems to run the band into the ground.

[ManOf1000Faces]

Some people might argue The Ramones are the greatest rock band of all time.

[cgtrman]

Led Zeppelin > KISS

[THUNDERKISS66]

KISS is one of the greatest Rock and Roll bands in history and
definitely one the most prolific in merchandise.

[Andy Capp]

old Andy said yes‘ yes they are---- he says no other music\artist does to him what KISS does....

[TheSpoiler]

The real big guns are the Rolling Stones IMHO.

[Mr Slow]

And in regard to AC/DC, fuck yes they are overrated. Looking at message board discussions and YouTube comments, people just wanna get on their knees and blow these guys, it seems. It's ridiculous. Look for AC/DC VS Queen, or AC/DC VS Led Zeppelin, and almost all comments say "AC/DC #1!!!! ALL ELSE SUCKS!!!". It's a fuckin' sacrilege of rock to rate AC/DC more talented than those guys. Bands like KISS can catch flack because they make dumb rock songs, but with AC/DC it's okay because it's AC/DC. How the fuck does that shit work? And I'm sick of all these teens with AC/DC (Or KISS, Queen, Led Zep for that matter which I see all the time) shirts cause they think it makes them cool even though they know only 3 songs.

AC/DC is the most overrated rock band, right up there with U2. I'm sick of seeing a shitload of AC/DC crap at WalMart, all the while knowing how much WalMart dropped the ball on KISS' promotion. I used to be an AC/DC fan, now I find myself not being able to stand them because of annoying fans cumming in their pants everytime they see Brian Johnson gurgling into a microphone and Angus Young doing his 60,000 duck walk. Plus the Bon Scott era is ignored by the media. Which was AC/DC to me.

Do you still agree with this?

I had to double check I even wrote that. Hot damn. What hyperbole. Embarrassing. Talk about an angsty-teen rant.

I think I was more agitated by their fanbase - which, I do find to still be as obnoxious as I did then. Go to any AC/DC forum and you'll see how their fans still act like they're Yes or Rush in terms of output.

And I still would agree that there's a double standard of giving bands like KISS flack for their simplicity in style/lyric whereas AC/DC gets praise. I also agree with me saying the Bon Scott era is often way too ignored.

But no, overall I don't agree with calling AC/DC overrated. I wrote that when I was in my mid-teens. I'd also never insult Brian (but I would say my complaints about his voice at the time were rooted in some fact) or Angus. They're international treasures.

I think I was annoyed with how ridiculous their fans can be. And I was jealous of how successful Black Ice and Sonic Boom didn't come close.

Interesting take 10 years apart. I’m sure we’ve all changed our views a decade later, which in your case might be almost half your life. But I must say I’m a bit closer to your decade old opinion than your current one. I like AC/DC but the repetitive nature of pretty much all of their music makes me feel they are overrated.

I think they’re a good band, but I don’t think they should be sitting up on the same pedestal as the real big boys. If they only had a KISS type career I think that would be about right. But they dwarf KISS in most areas (album sales, concert attendances etc.) and I don’t really get it.

[AceBishop]

To me they are. That's all that matters.

On a Kiss message forum, that would be the only healthy approach. Signing off with one of my favorite pics of the greatest rock band of all time.

[Nellcote71]

Kiss with the original members in the 70’s was potentially comparable to bands like Aerosmith or ZZ Top - but the G&P+ sidemen versions of Kiss were no where’s near those bands.

And I wouldn’t even think of comparing Kiss to Zep, WHO, Dead, Stones, AC/DC. Original Kiss had the potential to bridge the gap to those great bands but G&P ruined the band with the combination of Gene’s arrogance/ego & Paul’s lack of confidence/need to jump on whatever he felt was popular at the time.

Let’s be honest - G&P were never Rock & Rollers. They had no clue how to read the public or even their own fan base. They really were nerdy guys who stepped in shit and then repeatedly shot themselves in the foot. Ill give them credence & say they were resourceful. They still feed on a legion of kiddies who got hooked on the band early on. Plus they used the backs of A&P to gain popularity again in the 90’s & beyond. They really should build a shrine/statue of Neil, Sean, Bill, Ace & Peter.

I’d say never was there a luckier band than kiss.

[Bruce]

Nobody does it better.

[TheSpoiler]

Let’s be honest - G&P were never Rock & Rollers.

What a crock. Did they not drink/drug/party enough for your approval? Do you really subscribe to the "real rock and rollers behave like X" line of thinking?

"They were never rock and rollers" is juvenile, Nell.

[SaintN'Sinner83]

Interesting take 10 years apart. I’m sure we’ve all changed our views a decade later, which in your case might be almost half your life. But I must say I’m a bit closer to your decade old opinion than your current one. I like AC/DC but the repetitive nature of pretty much all of their music makes me feel they are overrated.

I think they’re a good band, but I don’t think they should be sitting up on the same pedestal as the real big boys. If they only had a KISS type career I think that would be about right. But they dwarf KISS in most areas (album sales, concert attendances etc.) and I don’t really get it.

My post 10 years ago came from a place of envy, more than anything.

[Rockandrolloverman]

As a disclaimer, let me say that I understand that there are alot of great rock groups with much better muscianship than KISS, and are alot more widely respected. And believe me, I like alot of different artists.

Putting aside musicianship and the fact that other bands write "better music", putting aside the Beatles, because they can't factor into this, as far as what rock and roll is supposed to be, and KISS are very straight up about it, do you think that KISS is the greatest rock group of all time?? Remember, separating musicianship and overindulgence from what we're talking about, and taking away any factors such as the Beatles, the metal movement, the grunge movement, the 80s hair metal shit, etc, do you think KISS is the greatest straight up rock group of all time??


Personally, I do.

Make fun of me, call me crazy, but it's a combination of everything- the makeup, the legend, the straight up dinosaur rock, everything comes together in a way that pleases me in a way no other band has or does.



Thoughts??

Overall, considering all aspects of the band, I would say they are the greatest in my opinion


but then again I’m a diehard fan and have been for 40 years

What they lacked in songwriting talent they made up for in ambition and willingness to go above and beyond in the aesthetics and live spectacular presentation

[Grand Classic]

And in regard to AC/DC, fuck yes they are overrated. Looking at message board discussions and YouTube comments, people just wanna get on their knees and blow these guys, it seems. It's ridiculous. Look for AC/DC VS Queen, or AC/DC VS Led Zeppelin, and almost all comments say "AC/DC #1!!!! ALL ELSE SUCKS!!!". It's a fuckin' sacrilege of rock to rate AC/DC more talented than those guys. Bands like KISS can catch flack because they make dumb rock songs, but with AC/DC it's okay because it's AC/DC. How the fuck does that shit work? And I'm sick of all these teens with AC/DC (Or KISS, Queen, Led Zep for that matter which I see all the time) shirts cause they think it makes them cool even though they know only 3 songs.

AC/DC is the most overrated rock band, right up there with U2. I'm sick of seeing a shitload of AC/DC crap at WalMart, all the while knowing how much WalMart dropped the ball on KISS' promotion. I used to be an AC/DC fan, now I find myself not being able to stand them because of annoying fans cumming in their pants everytime they see Brian Johnson gurgling into a microphone and Angus Young doing his 60,000 duck walk. Plus the Bon Scott era is ignored by the media. Which was AC/DC to me.

Do you still agree with this?

I had to double check I even wrote that. Hot damn. What hyperbole. Embarrassing. Talk about an angsty-teen rant.

I think I was more agitated by their fanbase - which, I do find to still be as obnoxious as I did then. Go to any AC/DC forum and you'll see how their fans still act like they're Yes or Rush in terms of output.

And I still would agree that there's a double standard of giving bands like KISS flack for their simplicity in style/lyric whereas AC/DC gets praise. I also agree with me saying the Bon Scott era is often way too ignored.

But no, overall I don't agree with calling AC/DC overrated. I wrote that when I was in my mid-teens. I'd also never insult Brian (but I would say my complaints about his voice at the time were rooted in some fact) or Angus. They're international treasures.

I think I was annoyed with how ridiculous their fans can be. And I was jealous of how successful Black Ice and Sonic Boom didn't come close.

Interesting take 10 years apart. I’m sure we’ve all changed our views a decade later, which in your case might be almost half your life. But I must say I’m a bit closer to your decade old opinion than your current one. I like AC/DC but the repetitive nature of pretty much all of their music makes me feel they are overrated.

I think they’re a good band, but I don’t think they should be sitting up on the same pedestal as the real big boys. If they only had a KISS type career I think that would be about right. But they dwarf KISS in most areas (album sales, concert attendances etc.) and I don’t really get it.

They actually hear the fans and obey. They don't think about writing a disco song, because it's so easy to write and get a hit from that - which resulted in a fan exodus.

KISS isn't Queen and their trend chasing came off as phony and calculated. Sure there is always that fan that digs KISS' bandwagon attempts that were usually too late, but KISS would have been better off with a more consistent discography like AC/DC and many other top rock bands that didn't really stray too far from their classic sound.

[Mr Slow]

And in regard to AC/DC, fuck yes they are overrated. Looking at message board discussions and YouTube comments, people just wanna get on their knees and blow these guys, it seems. It's ridiculous. Look for AC/DC VS Queen, or AC/DC VS Led Zeppelin, and almost all comments say "AC/DC #1!!!! ALL ELSE SUCKS!!!". It's a fuckin' sacrilege of rock to rate AC/DC more talented than those guys. Bands like KISS can catch flack because they make dumb rock songs, but with AC/DC it's okay because it's AC/DC. How the fuck does that shit work? And I'm sick of all these teens with AC/DC (Or KISS, Queen, Led Zep for that matter which I see all the time) shirts cause they think it makes them cool even though they know only 3 songs.

AC/DC is the most overrated rock band, right up there with U2. I'm sick of seeing a shitload of AC/DC crap at WalMart, all the while knowing how much WalMart dropped the ball on KISS' promotion. I used to be an AC/DC fan, now I find myself not being able to stand them because of annoying fans cumming in their pants everytime they see Brian Johnson gurgling into a microphone and Angus Young doing his 60,000 duck walk. Plus the Bon Scott era is ignored by the media. Which was AC/DC to me.

Do you still agree with this?

I had to double check I even wrote that. Hot damn. What hyperbole. Embarrassing. Talk about an angsty-teen rant.

I think I was more agitated by their fanbase - which, I do find to still be as obnoxious as I did then. Go to any AC/DC forum and you'll see how their fans still act like they're Yes or Rush in terms of output.

And I still would agree that there's a double standard of giving bands like KISS flack for their simplicity in style/lyric whereas AC/DC gets praise. I also agree with me saying the Bon Scott era is often way too ignored.

But no, overall I don't agree with calling AC/DC overrated. I wrote that when I was in my mid-teens. I'd also never insult Brian (but I would say my complaints about his voice at the time were rooted in some fact) or Angus. They're international treasures.

I think I was annoyed with how ridiculous their fans can be. And I was jealous of how successful Black Ice and Sonic Boom didn't come close.

Interesting take 10 years apart. I’m sure we’ve all changed our views a decade later, which in your case might be almost half your life. But I must say I’m a bit closer to your decade old opinion than your current one. I like AC/DC but the repetitive nature of pretty much all of their music makes me feel they are overrated.

I think they’re a good band, but I don’t think they should be sitting up on the same pedestal as the real big boys. If they only had a KISS type career I think that would be about right. But they dwarf KISS in most areas (album sales, concert attendances etc.) and I don’t really get it.

They actually hear the fans and obey. They don't think about writing a disco song, because it's so easy to write and get a hit from that - which resulted in a fan exodus.

KISS isn't Queen and their trend chasing came off as phony and calculated. Sure there is always that fan that digs KISS' bandwagon attempts that were usually too late, but KISS would have been better off with a more consistent discography like AC/DC and many other top rock bands that didn't really stray too far from their classic sound.

I also think it’s a different set of fans. Maybe because of their musical familiarity, AC/DC can attract that casual following where people will buy an album and see a show but aren’t what you might call a diehard fan. With KISS you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Of course there are objections to the rule but KISS don’t have the casual fans that AC/DC have. It feels like a high percentage are obsessive types. KISS are the Star Wars of rock.

[Nellcote71]

Let’s be honest - G&P were never Rock & Rollers.

What a crock. Did they not drink/drug/party enough for your approval? Do you really subscribe to the "real rock and rollers behave like X" line of thinking?

"They were never rock and rollers" is juvenile, Nell.

They are total dorks, c’mon man.
I totally stand by that comment - they r as un r’n’r as you get.

It’s one of the things that made Kiss so different then other bands (being the 2 frontmen were teetotaling straights)

[KISS#1]

KISS, one of the greatest bands of all-time!

[steve]

Kiss with the original members in the 70’s was potentially comparable to bands like Aerosmith or ZZ Top - but the G&P+ sidemen versions of Kiss were no where’s near those bands.

Except Aerosmith's first six albums, and those of AC/DC, Rush, Queen, Blue Oyster Cult and Van Halen are all more consistent from front to back, and more highly regarded, than anything KISS recorded with the original members that you and so many others insist on fawning over.

Even at the peak of their popularity, KISS were more concerned with churning out new product to keep the show on the road than putting in the time and effort to produce quality material that deserved to be remembered by anyone outside the die hard fan base.

[aceeg]

No Van Halen was!

[GACatmandu]

The original band with Peter, Ace, Gene, and Paul is for sure. Paul and Gene ruined it when they started just replacing members willy nilly if the band broke up when Peter left in 1980 KISS would be considered one of the true great band of all time. That's my opinion.

[sneed78]

[Grand Classic]

Kiss with the original members in the 70’s was potentially comparable to bands like Aerosmith or ZZ Top - but the G&P+ sidemen versions of Kiss were no where’s near those bands.

Except Aerosmith's first six albums, and those of AC/DC, Rush, Queen, Blue Oyster Cult and Van Halen are all more consistent from front to back, and more highly regarded, than anything KISS recorded with the original members that you and so many others insist on fawning over.

Even at the peak of their popularity, KISS were more concerned with churning out new product to keep the show on the road than putting in the time and effort to produce quality material that deserved to be remembered by anyone outside the die hard fan base.

Exactly. KISS weren't even remotely the greatest band of all time even if you just talk about the 70's.

[jconnors]

KISS is definitely up there with the greatest.

For sure.

[Ack Attack]

NO!!!!!!!!!

[curryleaf]

Kiss is my favourite rock band of all time, but they are not the greatest rock band of all time.

The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who or Led Zeppelin would take that title.

[Nellcote71]

Kiss with the original members in the 70’s was potentially comparable to bands like Aerosmith or ZZ Top - but the G&P+ sidemen versions of Kiss were no where’s near those bands.

Except Aerosmith's first six albums, and those of AC/DC, Rush, Queen, Blue Oyster Cult and Van Halen are all more consistent from front to back, and more highly regarded, than anything KISS recorded with the original members that you and so many others insist on fawning over.

Even at the peak of their popularity, KISS were more concerned with churning out new product to keep the show on the road than putting in the time and effort to produce quality material that deserved to be remembered by anyone outside the die hard fan base.

Everyone back in the day were churning out product & staying on the road. it was typical of the era and how you built your fan base up. Duh...

Kiss, HTH, DTK, Alive!, Love Gun, Ace 78 are all stone cold classics. Kiss rocked just as hard as those you mentioned.
I love Aerosmith. But I could argue Kiss & HTH buried Aerosmith’s first two albums. (Aerosmith recorded just two classics with Toys & Rocks) Kiss’ output in the 70’s was fantastic.

You’re an anomaly that prefers Kiss lite. Which is your entitled opinion, but it’s not the norm...