Description

Book Synopsis
With this beautifully produced book, relive the extraordinary history of the of the hottest band in the land through 50 milestone events.

Formed in New York City in 1973, Kiss became one of the most popular and best-selling bands in rock history with their inventive stage presence and heavy, hook-filled catalog, both ideally suited for packing hockey arenas and football stadiums. This richly illustrated book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to the band on the occasion of their 50th anniversary by curating and examining the 50 most significant milestones. This exquisite volume features:
 
  • Sturdy hardcover format
  • Stunning concert and candid offstage photography, much of it never before published
  • Images of memorabilia, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, ticket stubs, and more
  • Gatefold Kiss timeline

Popoff covers everything down through the decades:


Trade Review
"...gets into the nitty gritty detail that a card-carrying member of the KISS Army can appreciate...what makes Popoff’s writing a bit refreshingly different here is that he seems to give voice to many varied and common opinions of fans about both the high and low points of KISStory." * Houston Press *
"All the important stand out moments are covered here, making this a welcoming engagement for KISS fans to see how one of their own, found in Martin Popoff, offers explanations, and gets critical in his case studies." * Spill Magazine *
"I would be remiss not to discuss how gorgeous this book is....you wanted the best, you got the best. Popoff and Motorbooks combine forces for a fine tribute to the hottest band in the land." * Metal-Rules.com *

Table of Contents
Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Kiss Major
“Rock and Roll All Nite”: Kiss form, in New York City.
“Sweet Pain”: Kiss sign with Casablanca Records.
“Kissin’ Time”: Kiss issue their self-titled debut album.
“See You in Your Dreams”: Kiss appear on ABC’s In Concert.
Recording Kiss
“C’mon and Love Me”: Gene Simmons is interviewed on The Mike Douglas Show.
“Two Timer”: Kiss issue Hotter Than Hell, their second album.
“A Million to One”: Two fans unofficially form the Kiss Army.
“Great Expectations”: Kiss issue Dressed to Kill, their third album.
“Hotter Than Hell”: Kiss issue Alive!, a double live album.
“Baby Driver”: Kiss take over Cadillac, Michigan.
“Strutter”: Alive! goes gold, representing the band’s first RIAA certification.
“Heaven’s on Fire”: Kiss issue Destroyer.
“Creatures of the Night”: Kiss appear on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special.
“Rockin’ in the USA”: Kiss issue Rock and Roll Over.
“A World Without Heroes”: Kiss and Marvel Comics collaborate on a comic book.
“Love’s a Deadly Weapon”: Kiss issue Love Gun.
“Deuce”: Kiss issue Alive II.

Part 2: Kiss Minor
“Got to Choose”: Each member of Kiss issues a solo album.
“Is That You?”: NBC airs a feature film called Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.
Ace for the Win
“I Was Made for Lovin’ You”: Kiss issue Dynasty.
“When Your Walls Come Down”: Kiss’s appearance on the Tomorrow show doesn’t go well.
“Two Sides of the Coin”: Kiss issue Unmasked.
“Fits Like a Glove”: Eric Carr plays his first show with Kiss.
“Dark Light”: Kiss issue a concept album called Music from the Elder.
“I Love It Loud”: Kiss issue Creatures of the Night.

Part 3: MTV, Hair Metal, and Kiss
“Naked City”: Kiss issue Lick It Up, featuring new guitarist Vinnie Vincent.
“Turn on the Night”: Kiss issue Animalize, featuring new guitarist Mark St. John.
From Kiss to Disco: Larry Harris on Casablanca
“Trial by Fire”: Kiss issue Asylum, featuring new guitarist Bruce Kulick.
“While the City Sleeps”: Kiss issue Crazy Nights.
“Firehouse”: Kiss issue Hot in the Shade.
“Comin’ Home”: Longtime Kiss drummer Eric Carr succumbs to cancer.
“Bang Bang You”: Kiss issue Revenge, featuring new drummer Eric Singer.
“Shout It Out Loud”: Kiss issue Alive III.

Part 4: Reunion
“Get All You Can Take”: Kiss execute their first Official Worldwide Kiss Convention.
“Any Way You Want It”: Kiss perform on MTV Unplugged.
“Unholy”: Kiss issue Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions.
“I Still Love You”: The classic-era Kiss lineup issue a reunion album called Psycho Circus.
Bill Aucoin: A Kiss Goodbye from Head Office
“Outta This World”: Kiss perform at Super Bowl XXXIII.
“Cadillac Dreams”: New Line Cinema issue a Kiss-themed feature film called Detroit Rock City.
“You Wanted the Best”: Kiss issue The Box Set.
“Raise Your Glasses”: Kiss issue Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.
“Hooligan”: Peter Criss tours for the last time as part of Kiss.

Part 5: Legacy
“King of the Night Time World”: Kiss are honored at the first VH1 Rock Honors show, held in Las Vegas.
“Black Diamond”: Gene Simmons Family Jewels premiers on A&E.
“Rocket Ride”: Kiss issue Sonic Boom, featuring new guitarist Tommy Thayer.
“Getaway”: Kiss launch their first Kiss Kruise.
Paul Stanley: Reflections on the Kiss Kast
“Almost Human”: Kiss issue Monster, their last album to date.
“All the Way”: Kiss are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“When Lightning Strikes”: Kiss set the record for most gold records by any American band.
“100,000 Years”: Kiss embark on their final tour, entitled the End of the Road World Tour.

Discography
About the Author

Kiss at 50

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Dec 2025.

A Hardback by Martin Popoff

5 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Kiss at 50 by Martin Popoff

    Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
    Publication Date: 02/11/2023
    ISBN13: 9780760381823, 978-0760381823
    ISBN10: 0760381828
    Also in:
    Entertainment Music reviews and criticism Music: styles and genres

    Description

    Book Synopsis
    With this beautifully produced book, relive the extraordinary history of the of the hottest band in the land through 50 milestone events.

    Formed in New York City in 1973, Kiss became one of the most popular and best-selling bands in rock history with their inventive stage presence and heavy, hook-filled catalog, both ideally suited for packing hockey arenas and football stadiums. This richly illustrated book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to the band on the occasion of their 50th anniversary by curating and examining the 50 most significant milestones. This exquisite volume features:
     
    • Sturdy hardcover format
    • Stunning concert and candid offstage photography, much of it never before published
    • Images of memorabilia, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, ticket stubs, and more
    • Gatefold Kiss timeline

    Popoff covers everything down through the decades:


    Trade Review
    "...gets into the nitty gritty detail that a card-carrying member of the KISS Army can appreciate...what makes Popoff’s writing a bit refreshingly different here is that he seems to give voice to many varied and common opinions of fans about both the high and low points of KISStory." * Houston Press *
    "All the important stand out moments are covered here, making this a welcoming engagement for KISS fans to see how one of their own, found in Martin Popoff, offers explanations, and gets critical in his case studies." * Spill Magazine *
    "I would be remiss not to discuss how gorgeous this book is....you wanted the best, you got the best. Popoff and Motorbooks combine forces for a fine tribute to the hottest band in the land." * Metal-Rules.com *

    Table of Contents
    Contents

    Introduction

    Part 1: Kiss Major
    “Rock and Roll All Nite”: Kiss form, in New York City.
    “Sweet Pain”: Kiss sign with Casablanca Records.
    “Kissin’ Time”: Kiss issue their self-titled debut album.
    “See You in Your Dreams”: Kiss appear on ABC’s In Concert.
    Recording Kiss
    “C’mon and Love Me”: Gene Simmons is interviewed on The Mike Douglas Show.
    “Two Timer”: Kiss issue Hotter Than Hell, their second album.
    “A Million to One”: Two fans unofficially form the Kiss Army.
    “Great Expectations”: Kiss issue Dressed to Kill, their third album.
    “Hotter Than Hell”: Kiss issue Alive!, a double live album.
    “Baby Driver”: Kiss take over Cadillac, Michigan.
    “Strutter”: Alive! goes gold, representing the band’s first RIAA certification.
    “Heaven’s on Fire”: Kiss issue Destroyer.
    “Creatures of the Night”: Kiss appear on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special.
    “Rockin’ in the USA”: Kiss issue Rock and Roll Over.
    “A World Without Heroes”: Kiss and Marvel Comics collaborate on a comic book.
    “Love’s a Deadly Weapon”: Kiss issue Love Gun.
    “Deuce”: Kiss issue Alive II.

    Part 2: Kiss Minor
    “Got to Choose”: Each member of Kiss issues a solo album.
    “Is That You?”: NBC airs a feature film called Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park.
    Ace for the Win
    “I Was Made for Lovin’ You”: Kiss issue Dynasty.
    “When Your Walls Come Down”: Kiss’s appearance on the Tomorrow show doesn’t go well.
    “Two Sides of the Coin”: Kiss issue Unmasked.
    “Fits Like a Glove”: Eric Carr plays his first show with Kiss.
    “Dark Light”: Kiss issue a concept album called Music from the Elder.
    “I Love It Loud”: Kiss issue Creatures of the Night.

    Part 3: MTV, Hair Metal, and Kiss
    “Naked City”: Kiss issue Lick It Up, featuring new guitarist Vinnie Vincent.
    “Turn on the Night”: Kiss issue Animalize, featuring new guitarist Mark St. John.
    From Kiss to Disco: Larry Harris on Casablanca
    “Trial by Fire”: Kiss issue Asylum, featuring new guitarist Bruce Kulick.
    “While the City Sleeps”: Kiss issue Crazy Nights.
    “Firehouse”: Kiss issue Hot in the Shade.
    “Comin’ Home”: Longtime Kiss drummer Eric Carr succumbs to cancer.
    “Bang Bang You”: Kiss issue Revenge, featuring new drummer Eric Singer.
    “Shout It Out Loud”: Kiss issue Alive III.

    Part 4: Reunion
    “Get All You Can Take”: Kiss execute their first Official Worldwide Kiss Convention.
    “Any Way You Want It”: Kiss perform on MTV Unplugged.
    “Unholy”: Kiss issue Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions.
    “I Still Love You”: The classic-era Kiss lineup issue a reunion album called Psycho Circus.
    Bill Aucoin: A Kiss Goodbye from Head Office
    “Outta This World”: Kiss perform at Super Bowl XXXIII.
    “Cadillac Dreams”: New Line Cinema issue a Kiss-themed feature film called Detroit Rock City.
    “You Wanted the Best”: Kiss issue The Box Set.
    “Raise Your Glasses”: Kiss issue Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.
    “Hooligan”: Peter Criss tours for the last time as part of Kiss.

    Part 5: Legacy
    “King of the Night Time World”: Kiss are honored at the first VH1 Rock Honors show, held in Las Vegas.
    “Black Diamond”: Gene Simmons Family Jewels premiers on A&E.
    “Rocket Ride”: Kiss issue Sonic Boom, featuring new guitarist Tommy Thayer.
    “Getaway”: Kiss launch their first Kiss Kruise.
    Paul Stanley: Reflections on the Kiss Kast
    “Almost Human”: Kiss issue Monster, their last album to date.
    “All the Way”: Kiss are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
    “When Lightning Strikes”: Kiss set the record for most gold records by any American band.
    “100,000 Years”: Kiss embark on their final tour, entitled the End of the Road World Tour.

    Discography
    About the Author

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