Kiss Band Member Power Rankings

Only 10 people have ever known what it’s like to be a member of Kiss, and only two have held that role throughout the band’s five decade-plus history.

When ranking the influence of each member on the band’s career, it’s important to note that we’re not judging talent; you have to assume that anybody who reached this level had plenty of that to spare. Equally important are chemistry and timing, and as they say in How I Met Your Mother, “Timing is a bitch.”

You will not be surprised to find Kiss mainstays Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons at the very top of this list, which takes into account length of service as well as contributions to the band’s 20 studio albums, with a particular emphasis on songwriting credits.

10. Mark St. John
(1984: Animalize album)

Kiss’ lead guitarist spot became a revolving door in the early ’80s, with founding member Ace Frehley departing in 1982 and his replacement Vinnie Vincent getting fired just two years later. It quickly became clear to Paul Stanley that their next recruit, Mark St. John wouldn’t last even that long. “The guy could never play the same thing twice, because he was just puking notes,” Stanley told Guitar World. “There was no structure to it.” Mitch Weissman and St. John’s soon-to-be replacement Bruce Kulick were brought in for additional unaccredited guitar work on 1984’s Animalize. When St. John developed a (possibly stress-related) arthritis condition, Kulick was brought in for the band’s next tour. St. John eventually joined the band for a few shows, but it was clear to both sides that this was not a match. “The situation was a East meets West type of thing,” St. John later told Kiss Asylum. “We didn’t hate each other, but they solved things ‘their way or hit the highway.'”

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Ace Frehley with Trixter November 16th in Iowa

For Immediate Release:
ACE FREHLEY CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT

WHO: ACE FREHLEY with Special Guest TRIXTER

WHEN: Saturday, November 16, 2024 – 7:30PM CT

WHERE: Val-Air Ballroom | West Des Moines, IA

You wanted the Best? You got the Best! For the first time in 13 years, Ace Frehley is coming back to Des Moines. Don’t miss seeing this Rock N Roll Hall of Famer and original lead guitarist for KISS at the Val Air Ballroom. He’ll be performing KISS classics & solo hits that you know and love. ACE is celebrating over 50 years of touring and bringing TRIXTER along for this Rocket Ride.
On Sale: Friday, October 25 – 10AM CT
Tickets available online at: AXS.COM
Get ready to Rock N Roll All Nite with ACE FREHLEY & TRIXTER on Saturday, November 16 at the Val-Air Ballroom in Des Moines.
Steve Hedrick
Carr Productions, Inc.
(c) 402-405-2124