The Story of KISS: Masters in the Business of Rock

The Story of KISS: Masters in the Business of Rock

Author: Dave Anthony June 15, 2026 Duration: 50:44

From the streets of New York came four young men — including one born to Holocaust survivors — obsessed from their earliest days with becoming the biggest band in the world. Behind greasepaint and fire, they transformed themselves into larger-than-life characters, igniting the imaginations of millions of youths. With thunderous riffs, explosive stage shows, and relentless ambition, KISS became one of the most influential and commercially successful bands in rock history, selling over 100 million albums worldwide. In this episode you’ll learn:

·       The background of the KISS member from Israel 

·       How a founding member overcame disfigurement and deafness as a child

·       The calculated strategy behind donning the make-up 

·       How KISS saved itself and its record company with a bold roll of the dice

·       The business model that propelled KISS to financial success 

·       KISS' shocking move to reinvent itself in the 1980s for a new emerging music genre 


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  4. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on KISS, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

Guest Bio
Our guest Martin Popoff also appeared on our AC/DC episode.  He *has written extensively about KISS — including his first book, KISS at 50 Years. And his most recent work KISS '76, which carries the subtitle The Greatest Year of Rock’s Most Dynamic Band.

Martin has written more record reviews than anyone in the history of music journalism across all genres. In addition, he has penned approximately 135 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, prog, punk, and record collecting, and has contributed liner notes for releases featured on various music documentaries.


GARAGE TO STADIUMS Music History Podcast digs into the gritty, human stories behind the meteoric rises of rock's most iconic figures. Host Dave Anthony guides each episode, but the real depth comes from his guests-authors who have penned definitive biographies or filmmakers who have crafted intimate documentaries about these artists. Together, they unpack the pivotal moments, the forgotten early songs, and the sheer luck or stubborn determination that propelled bands from humble, often chaotic beginnings to selling out the world's largest venues. This isn't just a timeline of hits; it's a conversation about the struggle, the creative bursts, and the industry machinery that defines a journey from obscurity to legend. You'll hear the music that shaped them, the anecdotes that reveal their character, and a clear-eyed look at the price of fame. For anyone who believes the best rock and roll stories are found off the stage and in the van, the dive bar, and the rehearsal space, this podcast offers a compelling, detailed archive. Tune in for a masterclass in music history that feels less like a lecture and more like a backstage pass to the turning points that changed culture.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

GARAGE TO STADIUMS Music History Podcast
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