KISStory Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gene Klein

Born in Haifa, Israel, Chiam Witz emigrated to the U.S. at the age of nine and had his name changed to Gene Klein (his mother's maiden name). It was later in life he changed it again to Gene Simmons.

Answer: Eric Singer

Singer (real name Eric Mensinger) has recently rejoined Kiss for the "Farewell Tour," wearing Peter Criss' makeup onstage. He also played for former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick in the band ESP.

Answer: Wicked Lester

Gene and Paul first met in WL, Peter later answered an ad for a 'drummer, willing to do anything to make it' in 'Rolling Stone' magazine and Ace responded to an ad in the 'Village Voice' newspaper to complete the lineup.

Answer: Bill Aucoin

Aucoin managed the group from 1974 to 1982. Bogart was the president of Casablanca Records, Kiss's first record label and the first act signed to the label (Bogart's wife, Joyce, was Aucoin's former business partner). Ezrin and Kramer produced most of Kiss's best selling albums (Ezrin produced 'Destroyer' and Kramer produced 'Alive').

Answer: True

'Beth', written by Peter Criss and Stan Penridge, was the B-side of the intended single, 'Detroit Rock City', but radio listeners wanted to hear the ballad more. It eventually became Kiss's first Top 10 single in the US ('Rock And Roll All Nite' had topped at number 12).

Answer: I Was Made For Loving You

The disco-influenced 'I Was Made For Loving You' hit Number One on the charts in the Netherlands in 1979.

Answer: Van Halen

Warner Bros. signed the group a short time later. Simmons also assisted with the careers of Liza Minelli, Cher and ex-Plasmatics lead singer Wendy O. Williams.

Answer: All the members released solo albums simultaneously

Gene had the most help on his album, using such talents as Bob Seger, Janis Ian, Donna Summer, Katie ('Married With Children') Segal and then-girlfriend Cher. Peter's was the furthest from the 'Kiss sound' while Paul's was most closely associated with it. Ace's album had the most success with the single 'New York Groove', which charted in the US Top 20.

Answer: Peter

Initially replaced in the studio by current Paul Shaffer drummer Anton Fig, a more permanent replacement on stage came in the form of Eric Carr. Ace left the group about a year later.

Answer: Pantera

Kravitz performed 'Deuce', the Bosstones recorded 'Detroit Rock City' and Brooks did an almost dead-on cover of 'Hard Luck Woman'. Other participants include Toad The Wet Sprocket, (with a BALLAD version of 'Rock and Roll All Nite'), the Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. and Anthrax.

Answer: Bob Kulick

Bob, Bruce's brother, auditioned, but was beat out by Ace in the initial formation of the group. St. John played on the 'Animalize' album until a nervous disorder called Reiters Syndrome forced him out of the band. Vincent is on the 'Lick It Up' album and was the last member to have his own makeup. Until the 'Reunion' tour, Bruce was Kiss's guitarist longer than Ace.

Answer: Trick Or Treat

In 'Wanted', Gene played a Mideast terrorist opposite Rutger Hauer, 'Runaway' pitted him and his evil robots against Tom Selleck and 'Never' had him in the unusual role of a cross-dressing gang leader. His non-villainous role in 'Trick', was a deejay named Nuke (Tony Fields played the psycho killer). He did, however, costar with Ozzy Osbourne as a televangelist.

Answer: "Kiss You All Over" - Exile

Weezer's ode about a garage singer mentions Ace and Peter by name, Cheap Trick's song has Mom and Dad dancing to Kiss records and Buffett's song contains the memorable line, 'Don't try to describe a Kiss concert if you've never seen one.'

Answer: Freddie Mercury

The lead singer of Queen died the day after revealing he had contracted AIDS.

Answer: 'Lick It Up'

Only two of the original members, Simmons and Stanley, actually appeared on the cover. Both Criss and Frehley were gone and new members Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent stood in.

Answer: The Kiss Army

Despite the lack of hit singles, Kiss and their stage show pyrotechnics have garnered fans who have consistently boosted their album sales from gold to double platinum status.

Answer: Deuce

'God Gave Rock And Roll To You II' from 'Revenge' (and the 'Bill And Ted's Bogus Journey' soundtrack) was first recorded by Argent, 'Then She Kissed Me' off 'Love Gun' was first sung by the Crystals and 'Any Way You Want It' from 'Alive II' was a hit for the Dave Clark Five.

Answer: Phantom Of The Opera

A musical production troupe in Toronto had Stanley in the role of the Phantom for six months during the 'Reunion' tour.

Answer: Blood

Each of the members poured a vial of their own blood into the printer's ink.

Answer: Frehley's Comet

'Ace In The Hole' is the name of Frehley's underground recording studio. The 'Spiders From Mars' was the imaginary band name of Ziggy Stardust (aka David Bowie). Incidentally, Peter Criss is also a front-man for his own group, called Criss.