INTRODUCTION BY JOHN 5
GENE SIMMONS DESTROYER ERA BOOTS (1976)
The band first appeared in the Destroyer costumes in around late January 1976, for a session of photos, used for promotion for the upcoming album "Destroyer". These costumes were the prototypes, and in some cases differed a great deal from the finished versions.
The prototype version of Gene's costume, had smaller breastplates, and looked rather wimpy compared to the finished version.
Also seen for the first time was Gene's famous monster boots… these would of course, follow Gene for the main part of the rest of his career. With this outfit the boots were scaly. The prototype version of the boots, had horns on the sides.
KISS on the Empire State Building (1976)
Taken June 24, 1976 by photographer Barry Levine
Barry wanted a photo session of KISS all around New York City. It was arranged that they would have a photo at the observation deck at the Empire State Building, complete with the band holding a poster of King Kong. The photo turned out "okay" in Levine's eyes, but not spectacular as it was a cloudy/hazy day and the view from that high was obscured and it looked too contrived in his own words. The manager of KISS back then, Bill Aucoin, pulled some strings with the building's management, and KISS was allowed to go up one more level to an overhang. It was just enough room for the band, and two bodyguards to hold Barry on their shoulders for the photo. Barry recalled, that Ace and Peter were terrified, which amused Barry since Ace is the Spaceman, yet was afraid of this location. He said the band was in no real danger and that if they had fallen, they would've just fallen down to the observation deck, one floor down, and not off the building itself. The effect though was spectacular, with the monochromatic grey hues in the background, to the band's black and silver costumes in the foreground - a color photo that appears to be black and white. It was so good, that many, to this day, believe it's a green screen effect.
KISS Ultrarare MEXICO Stamps -"album de la fantasia" (1979)
This ultrarare set of Kiss stamps hails from Mexico and was released in 1979 as part of the "Album de la Fantasía". The set features the iconic rock band in vivid colors and measures 1.5 x 2 inches each, featuring "ACE EL ESPECIAL", "PETER EL GATO", "GENE EL DIABOLICO" and "PAUL EL ESTRELLA".
KISS AND MAKEUP
It’s easy to forget, but the same “glitter scene” that birthed Kiss was also responsible for proto-punk glam acts like the New York Dolls and Snyper – the latter of which featured a pre-fame Joey Ramone on vocals. Kiss took those building blocks to the extreme, donning kabuki-inspired makeup that gave each member a unique persona. By the time Kiss took the stage ten days after their first gig, the makeup was in place, and the characters were established: the Star Child, the Demon, the Cat, and the Space Ace.