Gene Simmons says the rock business is dead

Well, from his era, where Kiss had lunchboxes, action figures,comic books, and coffins, and anything else they could exploit, yes. Gene would sell his mother to turn a dime. From.a purely marketing/merchandizing angle, Kiss were very innovative. Shame their music wasn't .Still like their debut LP.

To be fair, Kiss was a live spectacle. It took a dbl live Lp (albeit doctored) to break them, but they really pioneered for better or worse what we now as a modern stadium show, minus the LCD/led screens. Their use of pyrotechnics, lights, and volume made for thrilling theatre youngsters in the late 70s. Although one could argue Cooper did it first and much better.

Kiss and Cooper both captured audiences with a "shock and awe" approach that incorporated gimmicks and visual tricks. Although on first listen maybe not a revelation, but Coopers' band was highly musical with above average musical chops. Kiss was more of a phenomenon, as musical ability was not as advanced. Still, hard not to like "Do u love me", " King of the night time world", etc.