I know this was posted under "This Day In Music",but I'm not sure if a lot of people see it or not so I will post it here again.
Today, September 18Th, marks the 29Th Anniversary of the rock band, KISS' Unmasking for the first time on MTV in 1983. Band members (at the time), co-founder and Bassist Gene Simmons, co-founder and Guitarist Paul Stanley, Drummer Eric Carr and Lead Guitarist Vinnie Vincent all appeared for the first time without the band's trademark make-up which they wore since 1973 when the band started with original founding members, Lead Guitarist Ace Frehley and Drummer Peter Criss who had left the group prior to the band's unmasking, Criss in 1980 and Frehley in 1982. Both Simmons and Stanley told how much good it felt to go out in public for the first time without the band's make-up and it wasn't going to change how the band was going to perform and record. The Unmasking was actually a marketing ploy by the band and record company at the time to boost the band's popularity since the last few albums had sold poorly (Unmasked, Music from The Elder and Creatures of the Night) and to help to sell concert tickets again. The band was promoting their 1983 album, "Lick It Up" which was also their first video without the make-up. KISS kept the make-up off until early 1990 when band members Simmons and Stanley donned the make-up for a music video from their album "Hot In The Shade" called "Rise To It", rumors spread of a Reunion Tour but the band dined it starting it was the basis for a music video and nothing more. KISS reunited with Criss and Frehley in 1996 in full make-up and a tour dubbed the "Alive/Worldwide Tour" which they played 192 shows from the US and Canada and all around the World. Currently the band still wears the make-up with new members, Eric Singer on Drums in Peter Criss' Catman persona while former Black & Blue Lead Guitarist and KISS' former Road Manager, Tommy Thayer wears Ace Frehley's Spaceman make-up. Criss, Frehley and a lot of die hard fans have been vocal about their disdain for Thayer and Singer in the former members' make-up, but Simmons & Stanley still continue touring and making music with Thayer and Singer despite the protests. They are currently touring the US with Motley Crue on their Summer tour simply titled "The Tour" followed by the release of a new album titled "Monster" on October 9Th which a full World Tour will follow the release of "Monster".