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KISS, the band, is one of the most instantly recognizable rock bands on the planet. Just based on appearance alone, you’d have to have been hidden in a bunker for 40 years not to immediately recognize the Demon, Starchild, Space Ace and Catman as KISS. Their explosive style, both musically and visually, is captured perfectly on the album Destroyer – the smouldering cover art just screams KISS. Perhaps this is why it’s a recent Bestseller and the latest inductee to TheSocietees Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame™. So why is this shirt so hot?
Not many bands could pull off performing in Kabuki style face paint and full stage costumes like larger than life comic book superheroes. But in 1973 the New York City band Kiss did just that and set the world afire at the same time. The band drew their audience in not just with great music and production, but also with great stage performances and showmanship. Hit singles mixed with fire breathing, smoking guitars, levitating drums, and more pyro that you can image, all helped propel the band to the top.
When their fourth studio album, Destroyer, hit the shelves in early 1976, the world was primed for the gods of thunder to rein supreme. The career defining album featured no less than 5 hit singles. Including the band’s biggest commercial success “Beth” which rose all the way to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Helping to secure double platinum status for the album in the US. For the 1976 album Destroyer famed producer Bob Ezrin was brought in to produce. He introduced Kiss to sound effects, choirs, strings, and even reverse drumming all making the album larger than life in the same over the top way the band is perceived.
Even with a bigger sound, Kiss needed an album cover that really captured the essence of the band. In order to achieve this, fantasy artist Ken Kelly was hired to paint the album cover drawing from his own experience of seeing the band live. With this iconic album art the band finally transcended from mere mortals to the superheroes they were destined to be.
Fun fact: Ken Kelly’s original version of the album cover was rejected by the record label as being too violent looking with rubble and flames. These graphic elements were altered along with the costumes in the final version we all know and love.
This fantastic larger than life shirt it taken right from the iconic album art created by Ken Kelly. This crew neck regular fit black t-shirt with a full color vintage style print to the chest makes a bold statement. Anyone who sees you wearing this shirt knows you have Great Expectations when it comes to the God of Thunder and the Rock and Roll Party known as Kiss.
It’s hardly a shock then, that the Kiss Destroyer tee is one of our bestselling t-shirts and worthy of the being the 8th Inductee on The Societees Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame™.
Check out the Destroyer Collection. Kiss Destroyer tee also available for Kids
Read more: Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame™ and Rock Bestsellers
