With those long, wild tongues and creative face makeup, Kiss really helped to define the glam rock era of the 1970s. Their continuous use of black clothing and paint as well as their long dark locks made them seem a foreboding act who just about lit the stage afire with their wild energy and their loud guitar riffs. Interestingly, it was perhaps the look of Kiss, complete with elaborate costumes and outlandish hair-dos, that attracted listeners to the glam rockers. Their theatrical stage performances left audiences memorized, awash in dry ice, colorful lighting techniques and blood spitting. This was the allure of Kiss, the band that truly captured the imaginations of young followers who seemed to just be along for an incredibly wild ride.

The sound of Kiss was dominated by riveting ballads that emphasized the pop metal and arena rock popular during the decade. Their commercial success was built upon this loudness, this creative representation that rock was fantastically glamorous in a big way. Kiss released their self-titled debut in February 1974, and it peaked at the number 87 mark on the U.S. charts. By the time 1975 had rolled around, three more albums had been released and the band was making the rounds through the U.S. It was through their constant touring that Kiss gained the mainstream following they were looking for. It didn't hurt their succes that you really you couldn't miss these unusual rock superstars. They didn't exactly blend in with the crowd.

Kiss especially thrived after the success of Alive!, which climbed into the Top Ten, much thanks to the hit single "Rock 'N' Roll All Nite." Another good album for the band was Destroyer, which seemed fitting for a band that seemed hell-bent on leaving a path of destruction in their wake. "Beth" emerged as the record's top track and was well received as a power ballad of the era. Following these enormous successes, Kiss entered the marketplace, which was inundated with Kiss paraphernalia like comic books, masks, makeup, dolls and board games. Kiss and their wild rockin' antics stayed intact for the years following, spawning several reunion tours in the late 1990s and early 2000s.