Published: October 2, 2025
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
From satanic rumors to comics mixed with blood and Gene Simmons’ legendary tongue, these myths helped turn Kiss into one of the most iconic bands in rock.
Few bands in rock history have generated as many myths and urban legends as Kiss. Since the early 1970s, their explosive stage shows, fire breathing theatrics, and unapologetic larger than life image have made them both adored and feared. Along the way, countless stories some true, many exaggerated have surrounded the band, feeding their mystique for over five decades.
Here are the eight most famous myths about Kiss that still live on in rock folklore.
1. Kings in Satan’s Service
Religious groups accused Kiss of being satanic and claimed the band’s name meant “Kings in Satan’s Service.” According to some, the word “King” was synonymous with “demon.” While completely unfounded, this rumor spread widely in the 1970s, cementing Kiss’ reputation as dangerous outsiders.
2. Gene Simmons’ tongue
One of the most persistent myths claims that Gene Simmons’ famously long tongue was the result of a cow-tongue transplant. Simmons has denied it repeatedly, laughing it off as part of the band’s wild mythology.
3. Blood in the comic book ink
When Marvel released the first official Kiss comic in 1977, the legend was born that the band members mixed vials of their own blood into the red ink used for printing. While there’s evidence that blood was indeed drawn and symbolically mixed into a vat of ink, the extent of the story remains one of rock’s most bizarre myths.
4. The solo albums of 1978
In an unprecedented move, each member of Kiss released a solo album on the same day in 1978. Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley reached the Top 30, Paul Stanley climbed into the Top 40, and Peter Criss landed in the Top 50. No other band had ever attempted something so bold at the peak of their popularity.
5. Music from “The Elder” and Lou Reed
Kiss’ 1981 concept album Music from “The Elder” was co-written in part with legendary songwriter Lou Reed. Though the album was a commercial failure, it later gained a cult following among diehard fans and collectors.
6. Gene Simmons’ outrageous lifestyle
Beyond music, Gene Simmons became infamous for his acting stints, controversial statements, and public bragging about his sexual exploits. The myth of “two groupies a day” became attached to his persona, reinforcing his “Demon” character offstage.
7. Casablanca Records was a disco label
At the beginning of their career, Kiss signed with Casablanca Records, a label primarily associated with disco music at the time. The pairing surprised many, but it gave Kiss the platform they needed to launch into superstardom.
8. The Originals box set
In 1976, Kiss released The Originals, a deluxe box set that included the band’s first three albums along with posters and comics. It was one of the earliest examples of a rock band offering a collector’s package, paving the way for countless deluxe editions in the decades to come.
Kiss are more than just a band, they are a cultural phenomenon. Their music, their stage shows, and their personas created an empire, but the myths surrounding them helped shape the legend. True or not, these stories are part of what transformed Kiss into one of the most iconic names in rock history.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
