User:The Elfoid/KISS personas

Rock band Kiss is known for their character-driven make-up. Since the band's forming in 1973, the make-up was a public appearance staple until 1983 when the band removed their make-up for concerts. In 1996, when the classic line-up reunited, the make-up returned and has remained on KISS band members' faces ever since. Wicked Lester, the band which became Kiss, had the band members wearing make-up but the face paint was much less defined with no specific persona attached. The 'characters' invented by the costumes are portrayed in the Kiss action figure line, and in items like the Kiss comic series. In these, the characters shown on the make-up are treated as real.

There have been four main 'characters' portrayed by the band. These were used by the founding members and later used for the 1996 reunion when the band began wearing makeup again: the Demon (1973-1983, 1996-present), the Starchild (1973-1983, 1996-present), the Spaceman (1973-1982, 1996-present) and the Cat (1973-1980, 1996-present). The others are the Ankh Warrior (1982-1983), the Hawk (1980) and the Fox (1980-1983). When unmasked from 1983-1996, the band took on no unusual personae and acted as themselves.

The Demon - Gene Simmons (1973-1983, 1996-present)
Through the band's entire career, Gene Simmons has portrayed the role of "The Demon". Onstage Simmons waves his large tongue at the audience, spitting blood and breathing fire. His costume includes demonic wings and is the darkest of the band's. Lots of aggressive looking spikes and silver studs also adorn his costume.

The Starchild - Paul Stanley (1973-1983, 1996-present)
The other member of Kiss to have been with the band for their entire career, Stanley portrays the Starchild. Stanley's persona is like a Don Juan-esque lover, combining effeminate aspects of his costume elements of extreme masculinity, rather than mere androgyny.

The Spaceman (1973-1983, 1996-present)
Ace Frehley (1973-1982, 1996-2002) Ace Frehley, frequently nick-named the "Space Ace" took on the role of a space traveller. Later, when the persona was fully developed, it would be revealed Ace came from a planet called Jendel. He left Kiss in 1981, though was still officially in the band throughout 1982. In 1996 when the band reunited, he brought back his original makeup.

Tommy Thayer (2002-present) After Frehley left for the second time in 2002, Tommy Thayer replaced him. Unlike previous exits from Kiss band members, a new persona was not created (to help keep the reunion appearance up). Thayer has portrayed the Spaceman image ever since.

The Cat (1973-1980, 1996-present)
Peter Criss (1973-1980, 1996-2001, 2002-2004) Criss wore the persona of the cat. He had very little involvement of the band from late 1978 to 1980 though still an official member of the band. Upon his later returns to the band, he retained this persona.

Eric Singer (2001-2002, 2004-present) After the 1996 reunion broke down with Peter Criss leaving (reportedly due to a poor salary) in 2001, former Kiss drummer Eric Singer took his place. He retained the image of "the Cat" because of contractual requirements for the rest of the tour (which ended in 2002) requiring all four original 'characters' in the band on tour. After Criss returned for a few shows in early 2004, Singer returned again.

Vinnie Vincent: The Ankh Warrior (1982-1983)
Vincent was brought in as a session musician sometime in 1981 when Frehley ceased active working with the band. However Ace was officially still in the band and his persona was used for promotions with Ace appearing in photos until sometime in 1982. His guise as an Ankh Warrior from Egypt was not worn for long, because Kiss stopped wearing make up in 1983.

Eric Carr: The Hawk (1980)
When Criss became the first member of Kiss to leave the band since their founding, the rush to replace his persona meant that Eric Carr briefly took on the role of "the Hawk". However this was only used for a few press photos, and no concerts at all featured him dressed as this.

Eric Carr: The Fox (1980-1983)
The Fox was the final replacement image chosen for Eric Carr to use after the experiment with him as "the Hawk"