Other Musicians Playing Their Favorite KISS Songs

Here are the KISS songs that inspired countless musicians to learn how to play an instrument.
Through many, many episodes of Gear Factor, we've heard plenty of musicians talk about the KISS songs that made them want to pick up a guitar, bass or drum sticks and start a band.
See artists from Ghost's Tobias Forge, Megadeth's (formerly) David Ellefson, Alice in Chains' William DuVall and so many more playing classic KISS tracks.
Hear the iconic tunes that inspired countless musicians to learn how to play an instrument in the first place.
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Music: Riffs Two by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
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[@timg185]

It funny how the haters always bash KISS’s musical ability. But pro musicians tell a different story.

[@Guitarplayer724]

Exactly!

[@heathsalter8549]

McDonald's sells billions of cheeseburgers. Doesn't mean its good

[@ThePsychedelicCinema]

@@heathsalter8549But clearly billions think so

[@theshield2207]

@@heathsalter8549most definitely if it has one of your family members fat as shit

[@timg185]

@@heathsalter8549 define good ! As it relates to music.

[@rodbelding9523]

Gene is honestly an extremely underrated bassist. If you listen closely to Kiss songs there is some serious bass grooves going on.

[@brandenlikesbeer]

He's no Paul 😅

[@fallout3rocks889]

Paul wrote a lot of the bass parts im pretty sure

[@joesmith9216]

yeah, he rules in general, he actually gets no respect and it's because, what a shocker, he had to turn kiss into a stupid BRAND, if he had not gotten stupid with the band name they would have been more respected and underground.

[@entelechy2020]

@@fallout3rocks889 Ace wrote and played most of the bass lines on the albums

[@HorsepowerHouse]

​@fallout3rocks889 pretty sure? Why comment?

[@SuperFlyingGlydon74]

Kiss had such badass riffs, so simple yet so effective, easily some of the most satisfying riffs anybody can learn

[@theshield2207]

Thats all music simple and catchy

[@HenritheHorse]

Strange Ways is my favorite!

[@islahdiri8753]

@@HenritheHorse

[@midnight347]

​@@theshield2207all music isn't simple and catchy

[@theshield2207]

@@midnight347 current music is. You dont see any new artists or guitarists out there thats playing a gazilion notes on guitar do we now?…its all simple and catchy its 2023 people have a small attention span

[@justinatest9456]

Gene is a super underrated bass player. Always tasty and stylish, with great tone. He was the Ace Frehley of bass in a way.

[@joedecker3900]

No brainer

[@clarkerots9348]

Duvall pulls out Strange Ways!!!! Total props!!

[@danlorenzo]

I covered that with Rob Dukes!

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

Such a heavy and very overlooked song. And Ace’s solo in that is just amazing. Total classic.

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

Such a heavy and very overlooked song. And Ace’s solo in that is just amazing. Total classic.

[@robdunning64]

Like 'em or not, when KISS came onto the scene in '74/'75, the world changed for almost every 10 year old guitar, bass, or drum player who loved comic book super heroes and hard rock. KISS ARMY 4 evah 🤟😝🎸🥁

[@GypsyDanger514]

I can definitely see that. I wasn’t around until 89, but I can imagine with all the “cookie cutter” bands, kiss was probably a huge culture shock. Pissed off parents and authority figures. The government, churches, schools etc were probably coming at em from all sides.

[@robdunning64]

@@GypsyDanger514 Absolutely! Alice Cooper was the only thing even close. KISS took Alices's theatrics over the top, cranked the Marshalls to ten, and blew the stage up with pyrotechnics. NOBODY had done this yet, their shows were the beginning of what is now considered a normal concert. I know Sabbath and Deep Purple were rockin' as hard, maybe even a little harder, but i was there, i was 10 years old, and KISS was everything i thought a metal band should be, including an irritant to my parents, school, and church 🤟😝🎸🥁

[@johnnytightlips991]

Aces influence on many guitarists cannot be understated

[@cooltheengines]

It’s really cool, listening to all these musicians referencing KISS as an influence. I can totally relate. As a kid I was totally swept away by the whole package as well…the music, the imagery, just everything!

[@jean-pierrestraub7530]

Incredible to hear how many musicians decided to pick up a guitar because of KISS. They may have ended in hair metal bands or death metal bands but KISS was the beginning of their careeers.

[@justinthompson1329]

When i read or hear people say " i liked KISS when i was younger, but then i grew up", i hear "i liked kiss, but then i started caring about what other people thought" You dont have to love everything they do or did, but a good song is a good song

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

As soon as ppl say: .. and then I grew up" you know for certain, they didn't.

[@ZEMO74]

I have liked them since 1979 when I was a kid. The look got me interested, then the music hooked me.

[@grantorino2009]

Gonna be over soon. What a 50 year ride. Greatest live band of all time. Gonna miss them when they’re gone.

[@HorsepowerHouse]

Is their music erased when they are no longer performing live? Definitely not…

[@skeletal13]

@@HorsepowerHouseno, but the experience of seeing them live in person will be done. Oh there will always be tribute bands, but it won’t be the same.

[@HorsepowerHouse]

@@skeletal13 tons of the videos available here and via DVD.

[@skeletal13]

@@HorsepowerHouse I get that completely, as I have most of those VHS and DVD releases, but watching a band on a video is no substitute for being part of the actual live experience itself. No comparison.

[@HorsepowerHouse]

@skeletal13 Exactly, you save about $500 to a $1000 vs standing up for 3 hours with a bunch of. Sweaty dudes all around you, while you pay $20 for a beer. I'll stay home and watch it on my 75-inch Samsung 8K TV and killer stereo all day long instead.

[@ukiahsguitarsolos3436]

Kiss influenced so many bands.

[@ВасюкМаусин]

Kiss is awesome. One of that band to whom you can always return and listen again.

[@JamesHenri99]

4:05 God of Thunder was the first riff i ever learned as well and my dad taught it to me too

[@Scottybravo1]

I was 9 yrs old and playing air guitar to the Destroyer album, absolutely loved Detroit, Rock City. Kiss made me want to play guitar and be a rockstar. Years later finally started learning to play, discovered Randy Rhoads who made me want to be a guitarist.Thank you Kiss for the inspiration and all the kickass songs, you are fucking legends

[@robertnoble6600]

KISS is everywhere. It’s an awesome thing. I feel good about myself because I knew as the 13 year old kid (in 1975) that KISS was something special. Thank you Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter.

[@studio-flash]

Any decent band will tell you once they heard Kiss Alive they were hooked.. enough said!!!!!!!

[@thedanrobergeexperience7881]

I knew Kiss, but I was never really a fan… until I saw them live. OMG do they know how to put on a Show!🤟

[@mattgray871]

They certainly do, i was just a casual fan before I saw their final concert in Sydney Australia a few weeks ago, definitely 100% worth it!

[@Dr.Jekyll]

Welcome to the Army!

[@jtjt4827]

same. biloxi in 2021

[@zumbifer]

those videos make me proud to be a Die Hard KISS fan for over 40 years...

[@jessewisner1095]

I loved Satchel saying they will have a next farewell tour. I lost it

[@ace-zq8pm]

🎵 Strange Ways 🎵 twisted days 🎵

[@thisisfrankie]

Love gun has an incredible bass line.

[@studio-flash]

And a guitar solo that hasn’t been bettered by anyone else trying to play it.. Ace is such an underrated player.

[@SmashAtoms]

Black Diamond is one of the best riffs of all time, no debate.

[@HellTownBob]

1000%

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

Paul Stanley knows how to write rythym guitar riffs

[@RageKilla12]

dude im seeing kiss in a few hours at the hollywood bowl

[@user-ky3gm3gq2n]

nobody cares

[@rickybobby7549]

Way to make it all about you

[@joshwmusic6838]

Enjoy dude

[@AarosConcerts]

Have fun dude! I’ll be seeing them again in a few weeks in Knoxville 🤘🏻

[@tonyeckman4822]

@@user-ky3gm3gq2n Except those who do.

[@MasonUrBuddy]

So great to see so many KISS fans here I always feel like an outlier on this channel for being a big kiss fan. Ace Frehley is amazing

[@corn4722]

I grew outta them years ago but they hold a special place in my heart because they were my first intro into the rock world

[@lrm215]

Strutter was the first song I learned KISS is just great

[@davedavid7061]

Saw KISS an 76 and 77 when I was 15 and 16. Still have my $6 tickets stubs (one untorn)

[@jimilove7773]

All the members of Kiss are very talented singers, players, writers, performers. They are also the only band to have 4 lead singers/instrumentalists other than the Beatles!

[@jasonjuneau2948]

That bass line to 100,000 years is pretty heavy. I found some isolated bass tracks of other songs too. You get a better appreciation for what gene is playing.

[@HDmexsComboCon]

Gene is such a cool guy, he'll tell ya so himself.

[@ducksoff7236]

Who are you again?

[@LOUIS-np6be]

​@@ducksoff7236AGAIN JUST FOR YOU 😂

[@olorb2618]

@@ducksoff7236nice try gene

[@ducksoff7236]

@@olorb2618Wow! My comment when way over your head. I was asking who the original poster was because he is a nobody. Had nothing to do with Gene Simmons. Are you dumb? It really seems like it.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

Kiss inspired untold thousands of people to learn to play music, undeniable fact. you don't have to like them, but their legacy is undeniable.

[@ilyalead4blade897]

Joey Vera - one of the most underrated bassists

[@JDFrehley88]

Amazing mood & tone!

[@thorpenator9148]

Fates is the best prog metal band of all time imo.

[@user-hj8lp8cp6j]

I got into Kiss around 1995, during their reunite. And I still big Kiss fan! And of course the first ever song that I played on guitar was the Kiss song! It was I stole your love.

[@user-qb1sm3rk9r]

I remember KISS from the 70s but never really knew much about the music.. In my 25 years on the internet I've seen absolutely tons of music snobs putting them down. Recently I decided to delve into their stuff and it's much better than I was expecting. Ace Frehley is an amazing guitarist. Blistering tone and one of the best vibrato techniques I've heard. Plus by most accounts he was drunk on stage in the 70s so it makes his playing even more remarkable!

[@LadyFairChildVideo]

i find that most anti kiss snobs (other than the really really talented players) when pressed to play KISS, usually cant play it correctly. they sound like amateurs. me being a musician that can do sweeps and "shred", Honestly it takes some talent to be able to play the KISS songs properly with the intricacies the songs actually have. are they difficult to learn? nah, but it does take some talent.

[@citybillyrecordsPDX]

Fun fact; I have played music since I was 5 years old, but I didn't start caring until I saw KISS in 7th grade. 2009 during the sonic boom tour. My dad and I went and it was a first for both of us since he lost his opportunity during the Dynasty tour (they canceled portland due to fire permit) in 1979 so it was definitely an amazing experience. Even if it wasn't the original lineup it was still fantastic. Tommy Thayer doing Shock Me is what sold me though. That song stuck out and after the show I was talking to my dad about it who explained who Ace and Peter are and how Ace did it originally. He showed me his old kiss records and I absolutely went to town like it was a feeding fucking frenzy. For a whole year or two I was obsessed with KISS and learned their entire catalog between 74 and 80 by playing along to the records. Still to this day that shit triggers something in my brain that just makes me wanna rock. KISS fuckin rules.

[@shahlan68]

Are u from the US?

[@citybillyrecordsPDX]

Yeah

[@tbd-1]

The first song that "cracked" the guitar for me was Calling Dr. Love. Not my favorite Kiss song but it was the first time I could feel the flow of the chord changes as I played and that set off playing an avalanche of songs that I didn't quite get before.

[@jrg770]

8:15 Alex Skolnik mention the song Hotter Than Hell but chooses to play the best riff from the song (and one of their best overall) - 🍻

[@brianheymans9823]

I've been a huge fan of Kiss, since I listened to Kiss Alive, and still listen to them today, saw them back in 82 at Maple Leaf Gardens,with Eric Carr, right upto the Hot in the Shade concert in my Hometown of Hamilton Ontario, which would have been Eric Carr last Performance R.I.P Eric, u put the Heavy sound to Kiss and will always be missed

[@shieldsymusic]

I love KISS bass lines. They are great 👍

[@patton303]

My first concert was KISS in 1979. I was 9. I saw those guys and said that’s what I’m going to do. I started as a hired gun musician at 19 and have never looked back since. Thank you to KISS.

[@Appleblade]

KISS... 4 guys, all of them sing lead on various songs, all of their voices stylish and memorable (well, Ace not so much, but there is a style there).

[@PotatoeJoe69]

Most people only know a small handful of songs, but throughout their 50 year career, their music has changed with each era. Their first stuff is very 70's, their early 80's stuff is very heavy metal, their mid-late 80's is very "glam metal" and fit in with the other popular "hair bands" of the time, etc.

[@CamRebires]

Duvall making himself laugh cracked me up 😂

[@TheMafrand]

that Gene interview is the most akward ever

[@stephengurr8365]

KISS Forever

[@DedieGnomes]

I think is pretty safe to say that some of the greatest musicians in metal have KISS as a big influence and admiration, I just want to point out that Chuck Schuldiner and Dimmebag Darrel were one of those guys and both metal gods on their instrument. 🤘

[@backlash7232]

My favorite KISS song is Shandi!

[@marty_the_party]

😂

[@budgetguitaristcom]

When I was a kid, Ace was the guy who made me want to play guitar. KISS Destroyer was my first rock album and it changed everything. Image being 11 in 1976, Barry Manilow is on the radio so that's what I knew... and then I heard Detroit Rock City. Everything changed. I may have outgrown some of their music, but I will always love that band. Also, Strutter is still a great track, and Gene was a criminally underrated rock bass player. His bass lines always had a groove going.

[@metaleroPorras95]

La forma de tocar de kiss es impresionante tiene una gran cantidad de riiffs poderosos de los mejores de hard rock y heavy metal de todos los tiempos.🎸

[@GL-ls1eo]

I really like the bass line in Hard Luck Woman

[@koilvondailey8030]

Ghost covering Strutter would be awesome.

[@tonyvaccarelli7950]

great video

[@troywilkinson160]

Well said Tobias. You’ve been playing to music for as long as you can remember. I’m glad you’re more compositional in your soloing too - Ghost carries Kiss’ luggage.

[@JDFrehley88]

I was hoping any of these amazing bass players would do 100,000 years line

[@casonpunk96]

KISS ruled the world. Simple.

[@rogercarpenter862]

Love the FOGHAT T-shirt David E.

[@charge416]

I looked at the thumbnail with my glasses off and I thought Dave Ellefson was Necrobutcher from Mayhem

[@ericvallandingham5113]

joeye I love you playing on armord saint One of the 1st cds I had.

[@justinatest9456]

Your favourite band's favourite band. Although it's been so long now you might need to add another favourite band in there or something. But this was definitely true in the 90s.

[@zAvAvAz]

i am love kiss!!!!!!!

[@robertruiz5417]

Because of KISS many of us in our 50s picked up instruments in our Teen years

[@professorpsoop]

Gene Simmons' bass licks are tasty as hell! He does NOT suck

[@mayfieldgage]

1:20 the best bass lick in all of KISS is let me know

[@graeme1744]

I think as a Guitar player starting out you think, I might be able to play that and then it pulls you in.

[@dougtull4594]

Their riffs are pretty simple, but that's part of the magic. They are memorable and punchy, and they immediately resonate.

[@danlorenzo]

Yep. I agree. Patriarchs In Black with Johnny Kelly from Type O Negative on drums just released Rock Bottom cover. Also did I Stole Your Love.

[@DB-kl9bp]

They're not really that simple. Depends on the song. I've had a guitar for years and I still can't play so many of them.

[@dougtull4594]

Most KISS songs are pretty straight ahead, and don't have a lot time changes or odd chords. Sure, there are a few that are a bit more difficult, but most of their songs are easy to learn.

[@stevew6910]

I was 5 when I first heard Kiss, I was never the same after that, I put my Elvis records away and never looked back,

[@davy1972]

I never put it it together that Ace was play Chuck Berry. Makes total sense now, hearing it.

[@souflikar6702]

Love them or hate them, KISS influenced a shi* load of musicians.

[@REMBRANTTUBE]

KISS IS The Best!! 🎸⚡️🎸

[@catturd2]

graham 🥺

[@deustaitan]

12:20 I love that***** I love that****** mama can you wait mama can you wait

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

5:00 Tell me there’s not a feel of Rick Derringer’s “Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo” in this solo. I don’t know which one was released first, but they sound similar.

[@ryanmac8829]

9:17 Kenny is the business. Love Type O. Always will.

[@DoctrineOfMayhem]

I know it's always objective...screw that, KISS is the GREATEST band on earth!!!

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

Notice how nearly everyone of these guys say a different KISS song really influenced them. Shows you that KISS was far more than just a crazy, live theatrical group that played music as an afterthought.

[@Eddiesuckiel-eq8rf]

Gene Simmons plays bass, Nikki Sixx plays air bass

[@LongLiveRockAnRoll]

Other musicians: *Play KISS riffs* Gene: That'll be 1000 dollars, thanks

[@erenn6476]

Ace definitely had signature bends in his solos

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

they called them dinosaur bends

[@thepracticingguitarist]

That PRS acoustic needs to be tuned.

[@Makai77]

I wonder if Athenar wore his face covering while chatting with Gene?

[@railander]

4:10 dude looks like a young Uli Jon Roth

[@alexislefebvre4570]

What is the first song that Duvall plays ? Can’t remember the title

[@sarahwolfe1154]

Stranges Ways

[@Robil63]

A Gene Simmons Whoom is just as powerful and engaging as an Entwistle fiddledididdy

[@ricstormwolf]

KENNY HICKEY!! 🤘🤘🤘🎸🎸🖤💚🖤💚

[@jackshittle]

They didn't include that one guy who said he never really wanted to learn Gene's bass lines but instead wanted to know how to flick/stick out his tongue 670 times during one song.

[@pseudosystematic]

Kenny Hickey is my frkin hero

[@legitvideos88]

Kiss tonight at the Hollywood bowl babaayy!

[@professorpsoop]

Wasn't it great? 🎉

[@legitvideos88]

@@professorpsoop yah solid. Great fire work show at the end too. Farewell kiss!

[@DMSProduktions]

WHY were so many of these so called 'pros' playing out of TUNE guitars/basses?

[@yeahsure8323]

Let’s get this straight only the actual guitar players not Paul were and what made the music rock

[@Country-Revival-Collective]

I love Beth, not only because my girlfriend's name is Beth but also because its a good song

[@CURTEAR67]

I play guitar... but on occasion I play bass (recording) ect... one day I as I was playing bass, I realized that, I was trying to play like Gene Simmons!? ...all this time... all these decades... I was trying to be Gene!?

[@WetLettuce-kc2qm]

4:21 That tone is abysmal. It sounds like me on my plywood Kay through a Mr twang 5 watt amp circa 1979.

[@NJTransit1985]

The one guy was saying “Lick it Up” but what he was playing was “Heavens on Fire.”

[@burntvirtue]

He played them both

[@nickcastrellon909]

Gene is one my Mt Rushmore of rock bassists. He made being the bassist look cool. McCartney influenced him, but I didn't become a fan of McCartney until after I became a fan of Kiss. Strange circle.

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

He's the most famous bass player in the world for a reason.

[@michaellazor5667]

Dave. The vast majority of the Kiss bass lines were played by either Paul, or Ace on the original Kiss albums. Sorry to disappoint you but look it up.

[@burntvirtue]

No they weren't. Some were, but absolutely not "the vast majority".

[@hippopaulimus3514]

You’re not disappointing anyone, why don’t YOU “look it up” before you embarrass yourself further

[@victor1963]

Gene is a great bass player, song writer & singer. Just ask him !!

[@GregoryAlanBaileygamereviews]

the steven seagal of rock and roll

[@rabarebra]

Kiss' prime time were 1974 to 1977. Pay attention to what songs these pro musicians prefer.

[@wwltd3036]

Nasty ain't complicated.

[@leddygee1896]

From 1974 to 1978 Kiss Could do no wrong. Then Die Nasty came out. That’s when they jumped The shark, and I grew up. Now they are a parody Of themselves, and it’s HILARIOUS!!🤪

[@Sal-gh1se]

So you also ditched The Stones, Queen, Zeppelin, all those bands that put out a disco song. Wow.