KISS Logo PNG
The musicians wanted the KISS logo to be provocative, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be. It feels like a current passing through the body, touching every nerve cell. The same sensations are evoked by the stage images of the rock band and its outrageous music.
KISS: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1973 |
| Founder: | Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss |
| Headquarters: | New York City, U.S. |
| Website: | kissonline.com |
Meaning and History
The KISS logo is unique and precise. It’s a high voltage piercing the body, brain, and nerves. It’s rough due to the realism of the songs. It sparkles because of the brightness of the colors. It’s piercing because it reminds of an electric current discharge. In other words, the sign is timeless because it’s beyond reason: it’s a bundle of energy. It’s an element.
The KISS emblem is one of the most scandalous and recognizable. It appeared in the autumn of 1973 and was first depicted on a concert poster in New York. Guitarist Ace Frehley, who sketched the emblem on several announcements with a marker, is considered the creator of the idea. Then, the drawing was refined by vocalist Paul Stanley, who had an art education.
What is Kiss?
KISS is an American cult rock band known for its bold shows. Its members apply frightening makeup to their faces, dress in provocative glam-rock-style stage costumes, and use pyrotechnics during performances. The group began its rise to fame in 1973 when Ace Frehley joined Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. The band released many successful albums, including “Love Gun,” “Rock and Roll Over,” and “Destroyer.”
Using a permanent marker and a ruler, Paul tried to align the lines. He did it by eye, so the “S” letters turned out to be uneven. They still differ slightly from each other because the rock band wasn’t striving for perfection.
KISS: Interesting Facts
KISS, a famous rock band known for their wild shows, face paint, and catchy tunes, started making music together in 1973. They quickly became famous for their songs and put on a big show every time they played.
- The Band Starts: In New York City in 1973, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss formed KISS. They wore makeup and took on special personas: The Starchild, The Demon, The Spaceman (or Space Ace), and The Catman.
- Why the Makeup? They wore makeup to be different and make a strong image for the band. Each member’s look and character were their ideas, making them seem like super-cool, larger-than-life rock stars.
- First Album: Their first album came out in 1974, but their live album “Alive!” in 1975 made them famous, thanks to the hit song “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
- KISS Army: The band’s fans, called the KISS Army, started as a local fan effort in Indiana but grew huge, showing how devoted their fans are.
- Selling Stuff: KISS was good at selling all kinds of stuff with their names and faces on it, like toys, comics, and even a KISS coffin! They were one of the first bands to do this.
- KISS in Comics: In 1977, they even had their comic book, and they mixed their blood into the ink as a stunt to get people talking.
- Big Sales: KISS has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and earned more gold than any other American rock band.
- Saying Goodbye?: They said they would stop touring in 2000 but continued to play and make music. In 2019, they started what they say is their last tour, called “End of the Road.”
- Rock Hall of Fame: There was some drama about their exclusion from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they finally got inducted in 2014.
KISS is known for mixing rock music with a big show, making them unforgettable. With their style, marketing smarts, and songs, they’ve left a big mark on rock music, with fans of all ages rocking out.
Font and Colors
The current emblem is very similar to Stanley’s original version. It features the group’s name: uppercase “K” and “I” without serifs and two “S” in the shape of lightning bolts. Some saw this as a direct reference to the Nazi symbol of the Schutzstaffel organization. It went so far that German authorities vetoed the controversial logo and confiscated all KISS albums.
In the late 1980s, the team members had to redesign the drawing. Thus, a version with angular “SS” similar to an unfolded “ZZ” appeared. It was used in all countries where fascist symbols were banned. Later, Ace Frehley confessed that he meant no harm – he just liked the lightning bolt. And the seeming resemblance to the Schutzstaffel symbol was just a coincidence.
The color palette deserves special attention. Originally, the inscription was red-yellow with a smooth gradient. The letters are outlined by three lines: one yellow and two black. But there are also simple black-and-white versions of the logo.
KISS color codes
| Canary Yellow | Hex color: | #fff200 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 255 242 0 | |
| CMYK: | 0 5 100 0 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 3955 C |
| Neon Red | Hex color: | #ff1f1c |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 255 31 28 | |
| CMYK: | 0 88 89 0 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Bright Red C |
| Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
| CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |
