KISS Live PopCorn Club

photo source: Anything KISS

Former Location –
On January 30, 1973, KISS performed at the Popcorn Club, which later became The Coventry in Queens, New York. Members of the band for their first ever gig were Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss on drums.

KISS’s signature look of makeup and leather were still being developed. Gene Simmons has said that they were still testing their look but had the goal of putting together a band unlike any other.

To get the gig, Simmons cold called the club, and tried to convince them to hire the band after their first manager quit. He must have been convincing.

As the band became more famous, their live performances became more and more intense by featuring fire breathing, levitating drum kits, blood-spitting, shooting rockets, and fireworks.

Besides KISS, other bands to perform here included: The New York Dolls, The Ramones, Blondie and Sam & Dave.

Kiss Discography

1974 – Kiss
1974 – Hotter Than Hell
1975 – Dressed to Kill
1976 – Destroyer
1976 – Rock and Roll Over
1977 – Love Gun
1979 – Dynasty
1980 – Unmasked
1981 – Music from “The Elder”
1982 – Creatures of the Night
1983 – Lick It Up
1984 – Animalize
1985 – Asylum
1987 – Crazy Nights
1989 – Hot in the Shade
1992 – Revenge
1997 – Carnival of Souls
1998 – Psycho Circus
2009 – Sonic Boom
2012 – Monster

Popcorn Club
47-03 Queens Blvd.
Queens, NY 11104

Popcorn Club