I am so glad to see the Bruce lineups ranked so high! Bruce is my favorite Kiss guitarist. Love Eric Carr too. But.... you have to rank the original band as number 1. It was just magic.
7. Mark & Eric 6. Tommy & Eric (tribute band to themselves) 5. Ace & Eric (pretty good) 4. Vinnie & Eric (I really like Vinnie Vincent) 3 & 2 (tied). Bruce & Eric 1. Ace & Peter (ORIGINAL)
Best: Original lineup Worst: Mark St. John Most interesting : Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr Disappointing but it’s “business”: Current lineup --- Damn good post & channel sir🍻🍻
The best and most musically tight version of Kiss was with Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick. They were well-rehearsed and took the old Kiss catalog to a whole new level. Gene created a tight rhythm section with Eric, and Bruce's leads were a great combination of shred and melody. He know when to let loose and when to use some restraint.
I can't argue with that, I love Bruce, and Eric Singer is a great drummer. There's something about Eric Carr that I thought was awesome. Maybe its just because I saw him so many times in concert, I dunno. Thanks for watching!
I actually completely agree with you on the list. The top two I think we’re interchangeable but yes the magic was undeniable. What you failed to mention though was that sonic boom was also quite a subpar album. I listen to it once and gave it away. The most talented lineup was number two.
well, interestin' topic, Vinnie V. wrote some gr8 tunes with Kiss, so in my opinion the line-up with him should be higher. As a live act one cannot deny the powerhouse Tommy/Eric/Gene/Paul was.But of course I agree with you, the original line-up is nr.1, no question about it, because they created most of the classic songs, the personas, the stage act.
The rawness,guts and balls of the original four is magic and could never be duplicated,,,,hell,,,, this is what got us all into Kiss in the first place. I've been a fan since '77, I was 10 years old, I've seen Kiss live 8 times and the only member I never saw live was Mark St John as he only ever played 3 dates,November 27, 28, and 29,I have seen the Animalize live DVD though. Great video btw and I agree with your selections.
100% Steve. Great commentary. Saw 1 - classic. But for me, 2 live was exceptional. The energy was incredible, the movement on stage & the playing. Wonderful gigs. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I feel like the original lineup in the 70s and the original lineup in the Reunion should be 2 different tiers, cause one is significantly worse than the other lol
As Peter criss said at the end of when kiss ruled the world." Man when we got together and we were really cooking you couldn't touch us you couldn't get near us"......
I agree that the opening of “All for the Love of Rock & Roll” sounds like the opening of “Mr. Speed”, but the opening to “Hell or Hallelujah” sounds nothing like the opening to “I Stole Your Love”. At least that’s my opinion… As far as your list, flip 1 and 2. Maybe I say that because Simmons-Stanley-Carr-Kulick was the lineup I first heard and got into, but I still think they were the best lineup - with the Simmons-Stanley-Frehley-Carr lineup leaving one to wonder what could have been had it held together. Worst? That’s easy. THE AVATARS. By the looks of things, the avatar “lineup” is strictly Simmons-Stanley-Singer-Thayer. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but it almost seems like they’re erasing Criss, Frehley, Carr and Kulick altogether. Not involving St. John (who wasn’t there that long), or especially Vincent (who’d likely file lawsuit #1,000,000 if they DID include his makeup character) is one thing. But leaving out the originals and the two that really got the band through the 80s? Give me a break!
Well it’s subjective so it may just be what I hear. I get you on the lineup, I was into the original from the beginning. You are right about the avatars, they are ignoring the other members who helped them achieve the success the did. Thanks for watching!
Your number 3 is my number 2. I loved when Revenge came out. It was like a total "come back" album for me. Anything with Vinnie gets my total thumbs down and is last on my list. The rest I agree.
Least favorite lineup for me Gene, Paul, Eric S. and Tommy Thayer,second favorite is Gene, Paul,Eric C. and Bruce Kulick(I can't count Vinnie Vincent and Mark St. John because their time in the band was short lived) of course my number one favorite lineup Gene, Paul,Peter and Ace.
00:56 He/Mark actually did a tour with them. Although he almost never played live. At one point Bruce and Mark were on stage for half a show each, and as far as i know he only did 1 full show with them in Poughkeepsie 1984. It's up on RU-vid and Spotify, etc. So listen to it if you haven't already. My guess is that if you have a hard time with Vinnie you're gonna have a real hard time with Mark. I'd put the last lineup last on the list. Thayer is the only Kiss member out of everybody that doesn't have his own style, and i can't go for that. Lastly you forgot two lineups. 2001-2002 Kiss was Eric, Ace, Paul and Gene. And 2003 Kiss was Peter, Tommy, Gene and Paul. They even released Kiss Alive IV together. Nice video. Always fun with a chart.
Well, I know I didn't include either in my list. Singer played like 15 dates with Ace, but I would probably put them right before the Eric Carr/Ace, just because Ace was not at his best during the Elder, and they were all but broken up. As for Criss and Thayer, well I would rate that lower again because it was short lived and Peter wasn't up to his original ability at the time. I dunno. What do you think? Thanks for watching!
My favorite line up was with Eric Carr and Vinnie. Absolute monster song writing and hard rock. While Vinnie was a c*nt. They turned into the hard rock band they should have been. I don’t care for the make up. I completely agree about the Live problems. Honorary mention: Tommy Thayer’s “Lightning Strikes” was actually pretty cool
To honestly say who the best or worst KISS lineup was needs some context for 1) the best sounding live, 2) the best studio band, and 3) the most appealing lineup for the fans. 1)Does anyone remember the very brief lineup of Gene, Paul, Ace and Eric? To me that was the KISS sound of the 80s albeit I've only heard 'The Oath' from the early 80s show 'Fridays' with that version of the band playing live. Imagine if that band had toured? 2) In the studio KISS did their best work with the Gene, Paul, Eric and Bruce lineup. 3) Bottom-line is the original KISS will always be true KISS fans' favourites.
For me, anything with Peter Criss after 1978 was compromised. The two Erics really brought the energy and groove up. The guitar players (lead) were all good.
I do consider myself a super fan, but your really a die hard, ultra fan if you say crazy nights was good..... A quality that should be mentioned is that with VV, they probably had the most potential to make more music that was groundbreaking for this band. We know it probably would have failed no matter what, but his stuff on Creatures, Lick it Up, and Revenge speaks of this. Moving forward in those 80's, this would have been relevant and helped the band. The original 4 are probably the best due to the atmosphere and spirit The elder was good Either way, and any way, we're all entitled to our opinions and I respect yours, thanks for making the video
Thanks, and I know I'm in the minority for liking Crazy Nights haha...Vinnie did write some great stuff, I agree with yo on that. I think it really comes down to egos, personality, and insecurities. I appreciate your opinion as well. I love being able to talk where we all share opinions. Everyone looks at things a bit differently and when we listen, we can learn from each other. Thank you so much for watching and your input!
Top is AcE , Gene , Paul , Eric all though we never seen a lot like with Peter . Least would be Paul , Gene , mark , Eric due to not Knowing how it turned out .
Well I see these opinionated rankings with things to do with the band (albums, album covers, songs, solo albums, etc etc) and I go meh, who cares. Yet I watched this and imo you nailed it. Exactly my order. You said why and what you felt, backed it up. And importantly you said that despite not the best technical musicians, it just worked. Ppl comparing Ace and Tommy. Ppl hating on Ace for his addictions and hating on Tommy for being a copy. Ultimately it’s the band. Totally agree. Eric and Tommy are polished but there is no feel. It’s a job. Peter and Ace (along with Gene and Paul) had passion and desire to create something amazing and that they did. It showed every night on stage. Incredible. E & T never experienced that and in reality turned up for work with something missing. That was the drive to be successful. Not their fault but it showed. The list is the same as mine. CNs gets panned and I love it despite being a fan from DTK. Great vid. Thank you.
1:03 already there is a mistake… Mark Toured with KISS…together with Bruce, there were Shows when KISS had both of them in the same stage the same show…with both of them playing 50% of the show each… Also I miss the Paul/Gene/EricS/Ace Lineup, I Miss the Paul/Gene/Peter/Tommy Lineup here too… And if we are getting picky, there also would be the 3 different 3 Person lineups, that sometime happened… and also there was the Paul/Gene/Eddie/Ace show
I think with Vinnie they were the heaviest band ever....due of Vinnie problems of actitud we couldn't enjoyed em more......I agree about crazy nites my fav album.
Sorry dude but Ace did not play in Creatures. It was Vinny He was in the original cover but that was because Kiss was afraid that would really hurt them since they already lost Peter. The second version of Creatures had Vinny on the cover
Yeah my bad. Honestly, did not know that Peter was replaced on the Japan and Australia legs, and I haven't been able to find where Peter and Tommy played together. When did that happen? Just curious. Thanks for watching btw!
I disagree 1000% about your assessment of Monster. It was a great “return to form” album recorded on actual tape! It sounds great & the songs are the best they’ve done since Lick It Up.
Technically, Psycho Circus was mostly Paul, Gene, Tommy Thayer, and I believe Kevin Valentine on drums. Ace and Peter only played on a few tracks. Ace has even said he was never told about the sessions for the album. Paul and Gene claim the producer didn't want Ace and Peter there, but we all know those two call the shots.
Best of all to me being born in 1974 peter criss Eric carr best two drummer's ace & Vinnie was my fave two but being old school no one's better than the original
You left out a few line ups , my least favorite lineup minus Mark St John would be the 2003 lineup of Peter and Tommy it was just a weird combo it didn't gel
honestly. im a huge Thayer fan. hes done some great things for KISS, but i understand he wasnt always allowed to be Tommy Thayer. i feel like he had so much potential for the lineup and couldve done so much better if he had a little more creative freedom.
Wow, I did miss Ace and Singer playing together, the Japanese and Australia leg of the farewell tour. I don't see where Peter ever played with Tommy though. When did that happen?
