Gene Simmons, the legendary musician known for being the bassist of the iconic rock band KISS, recently shared a fascinating anecdote about the band’s early days. In a candid interview with The New York Post, Simmons revealed that when they shot the album cover for ‘Dressed to Kill’ in 1975, nobody seemed to notice them. The band members, including Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss, were dressed in their trademark black-and-white makeup and flamboyant hairstyles on a street corner in New York City.
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Despite their eye-catching attire, Simmons recalled, “There we are on a street corner, and the people who are walking by are going on about their day, not even looking at us twice.” Photographer Bob Gruen, who captured the iconic album cover, mentioned that KISS was relatively unknown at the time, which may explain why they went unnoticed. He added, “And in New York City, you have to be more than weird to get attention. So we were standing on the corner, and basically, nobody stopped to talk to us or look at them or anything like that.”
One interesting detail Simmons shared was that there were no tailors or stylists present during the photoshoot. Being unprepared, Simmons had to borrow their manager’s suit, which was too small for him. He humorously remarked, “He was a much smaller man… So I put on his suit and nothing fits. If you look at the album cover, the sleeves were short, and the pants didn’t go all the way down.” To add to the unconventional look, Simmons ended up wearing clogs borrowed from his bandmate Ace Frehley.
The ‘Dressed to Kill’ album, released 50 years ago on March 19, 2025, marked a significant milestone in KISS’s career. The album featured hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Rock Bottom,” “She,” and “C’mon and Love Me.” Despite its simplicity and repetition, Rolling Stone praised KISS for producing successful rock music with the album. The anniversary of ‘Dressed to Kill’ serves as a nostalgic reminder of the band’s enduring influence on the music industry.
In a surprising turn of events, the street corner in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighbourhood where the album cover was shot has now become part of a walking audio tour dedicated to KISS’s history. Fans can explore various locations linked to the band, including Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, where ‘Dressed to Kill’ was recorded years ago. This initiative offers fans a unique opportunity to delve into the band’s past and experience the essence of their iconic music.
As Gene Simmons reminisces about the unassuming beginnings of KISS and the overlooked album cover shoot, it serves as a reminder of the band’s journey to becoming one of the most iconic rock bands in history. Despite the lack of initial recognition, KISS managed to carve out a niche for themselves in the music industry and leave a lasting impact on generations of music lovers. The story behind the ‘Dressed to Kill’ album cover captures a moment frozen in time, reflecting the band’s determination, creativity, and unmistakable style.
In conclusion, Gene Simmons’s revelation about the unnoticed album cover shoot sheds light on the early struggles and triumphs of KISS as they embarked on their musical journey. The significance of ‘Dressed to Kill’ reaching its 50th anniversary underscores the band’s enduring legacy and the timeless appeal of their music. As fans continue to celebrate KISS’s contributions to rock music, the humble beginnings depicted in Simmons’s recount serve as a testament to the band’s resilience and passion for creating music that transcends boundaries.