In August 1972 Paul Stanley and his friend Gene Simmons answered a Melody Maker advert from a drummer looking for a band, the ad was placed by Peter Criss. They hit it off but needed a lead guitarist to complete their new band so used the Village Voice to find Ace Frehley, and Kiss was born. Gene Simmons, in his autobiography ‘Sex Money Kiss’ credits Stanley with being the driving force behind Kiss removing their make-up – as he wanted to be seen for who he was, as he is here.