1. Kiss
Ah, Kiss—those face-painted rock stars who set the world on fire with their over-the-top performances and glittery outfits. While their theatrical stage presence and pyrotechnics earned them a massive following, they also sparked a lot of eye rolls. The flashy outfits, the ridiculous amount of hype surrounding their image, and the constant self-promotion turned off plenty of classic rock fans. Critics often pointed out that the band’s emphasis on spectacle seemed to overshadow their musical talent, and let’s not forget the infamous “Kiss Army” that some people found more cult-like than fan base. Despite selling millions of albums, the band became the epitome of style over substance in some people’s eyes.
But to be fair, they certainly knew how to market themselves. Kiss’s success wasn’t about pushing boundaries musically—it was about creating a brand. With their antics and larger-than-life personalities, they gained a massive following. However, for those who preferred music to marketing, Kiss just wasn’t the real deal. They were more about the glitter than the grit, and that turned many off. It’s that unapologetic commercialism that makes them a classic example of a love-it-or-hate-it band.