Take a brief moment and thank the year 1974 for its existence. Aside from being the year that saw the Ramones and Van Halen play their first gigs, Queen tour North America for the first time, Stevie and Lindsey join Fleetwood Mac, and Rush release their self-titled debut, 1974 introduced the world to the band formerly known as Wicked Lester: KISS. Formed in 1973 by Gene Simmons (vocals/bass/fire/blood) and Paul Stanley (vocals/rhythm guitar/can’t hear you), KISS wasted little time in establishing themselves as the band that would become synonymous with all things controversy, marketing, drama, face paint, pyrotechnics, and even riffs. That’s right. Riffs. Soon joined by Peter Criss (drums/”Beth”/guns) and Ace Frehley (lead guitars/smoking guitars/space riffs), KISS embarked on a journey that, despite countless breakups/reunions, multiple memoirs, a rotating-door lineup, and a parody-level celebrity mythos, has allowed fans worldwide to experience all that is amazing, infuriating, and timeless about rock ’n’ roll.