30 Amazing Photos of a Young Gene Simmons in the 1970s and 1980s

Gene Simmons, the co-founder, bassist, and co-lead vocalist of KISS, was one of the most recognizable rock stars of the 1970s and 1980s thanks to his theatrical persona “The Demon.”

The 1970s saw Simmons and KISS rise from a New York club band to one of the biggest acts in the world. As the “Demon,” Simmons was a key part of the band’s visually stunning and theatrical live shows. He would spit “blood” (a mixture of yogurt, food coloring, and maple syrup) and breathe fire, captivating audiences and solidifying the band’s reputation as a theatrical force.

In addition to his stage presence, Simmons was a primary songwriter for the band. He contributed to classic albums like Destroyer (1976), which featured the hit ballad “Beth” and his own anthem, “God of Thunder.”

A major milestone of this decade was the release of four simultaneous solo albums by each band member in 1978. Simmons’ solo album, titled Gene Simmons, was the highest-charting of the four, reaching #22 on the Billboard 200. It featured a diverse sound, incorporating elements of pop, funk, and rock, and included guest appearances from artists like Joe Perry, Bob Seger, and Cher.

The 1980s were a period of change and turbulence for KISS. The decade began with the band’s popularity fading and mounting tensions among the original members. This led to the departure of drummer Peter Criss and later guitarist Ace Frehley.

In 1983, in a bold move to reinvent the band and regain mainstream success, KISS publicly shed their iconic makeup for the first time on MTV. This “unmasking” marked a new era for the band and helped them achieve renewed commercial success with albums like Lick It Up (1983) and Animalize (1984).

Throughout the 1980s, while still a central part of KISS, Simmons began to pursue other interests. He shifted his focus to acting, appearing in films like Runaway (1984) and Trick or Treat (1986). He also began producing other artists and laid the groundwork for his future as a savvy businessman, expanding the KISS merchandising empire and other ventures.