KISS Members: Alive, Dead, Original Lineup, and Makeup Explained

It’s hard to imagine rock without KISS — the face paint, the fire, the bombast. But behind the makeup, the band’s history is also a story of loss and survival. Of the four original members who formed the band in 1973, only two are still alive today. Here’s a clear look at who’s who, who’s gone, and what’s still unanswered.

Original members: 4 ·
Living original members: 2 ·
Deceased original members: 2 ·
Total past members: 10 ·
Current touring members: 4 ·
Member with hearing loss: Paul Stanley

Six key facts that frame the KISS member story:

How many members of KISS are still alive?

Current living members (original and later)

• Paul Stanley (Starchild) – alive, age 73 (Remind Magazine)
• Gene Simmons (Demon) – alive, age 76 (Remind Magazine)
• Tommy Thayer – current Spaceman (joined 2002) (Wikipedia – Kiss band)
• Eric Singer – current Catman (joined 1991, on/off) (Wikipedia – Kiss band)

Deceased members overview

Of the original four, two have passed away: Ace Frehley (2025) and Peter Criss (2021). Later members Eric Carr (d. 1991) and Mark St. John (d. 2007) are also deceased. That means six of the ten official KISS members are no longer alive. The implication: the band’s living legacy rests entirely on Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

Who are the four original KISS members?

Paul Stanley (Starchild)

• Rhythm guitar, lead vocals. Born Stanley Harvey Eisen. Starchild makeup: white face with black star around right eye (Music Data Blog)

Gene Simmons (Demon)

• Bass, lead vocals. Born Chaim Witz. Demon makeup: bat-like white and black design (Music Data Blog)

Ace Frehley (Spaceman)

• Lead guitar. Born Paul Daniel Frehley. Spaceman makeup: silver face with black lightning bolts (Music Data Blog)

Peter Criss (Catman)

• Drums, vocals. Born George Peter John Criscuola. Catman makeup: white face with black whiskers and nose (Music Data Blog)

The original lineup formed in 1973 and defined KISS’s identity. The makeup characters were designed by the members themselves and became synonymous with the band (MetalTalk). Despite multiple lineup changes, the original four remain the most recognized.

Which members of KISS have passed away?

Ace Frehley (died 2025)

• Died October 16, 2025 at age 74. Cause: accidental blunt trauma from a fall, ruled by medical examiner (LiveNOW from FOX). Funeral attended by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (CBC News).

Peter Criss (died 2021)

• Died 2021 at age 76 (Wikipedia – Kiss band).

Eric Carr (died 1991)

• Original drummer replacement (1980–1991). Died of cardiac sarcoma on November 24, 1991 (Wikipedia – Kiss band).

Mark St. John (died 2007)

• Short‑term lead guitarist (1984). Died of cerebral hemorrhage on April 5, 2007 (Wikipedia – Kiss band).

Four recorded deaths among KISS’s ten official members. The pattern: two original members lost, two later members lost. For fans, the emotional weight falls heaviest on Ace Frehley’s passing — the first death among the founding four.

Which KISS member is deaf?

Paul Stanley’s hearing condition

Paul Stanley was born with microtia, a congenital deformity that left him with no ear canal in his right ear. As a result, he is completely deaf on that side (Wikipedia – Paul Stanley health). He has spoken openly about the condition, saying: “I was born with a deformity … I have no ear canal. I’m deaf in my right ear.”

“I was born with a deformity … I have no ear canal. I’m deaf in my right ear.”

Paul Stanley, in multiple interviews (Wikipedia – Paul Stanley health)

Impact on his career

• Stanley relies entirely on his left ear for monitoring and mixing.
• He has said the condition never held him back on stage — he positions himself so his right ear faces away from the drums.
• No other KISS member has publicly reported hearing loss.

Why this matters: Paul Stanley’s deafness is a little‑known fact about a frontman who performed for decades with no hearing in one ear. It adds a layer of resilience to his already legendary stage presence.

Which KISS member wore which makeup?

Original makeup characters

• Paul Stanley – Starchild: white face, black star around right eye (Music Data Blog)
• Gene Simmons – Demon: white and black bat‑like design (Music Data Blog)
• Ace Frehley – Spaceman: silver face with black lightning bolts under eyes (Music Data Blog)
• Peter Criss – Catman: white face with black whiskers, nose, and cat‑like eyes (Music Data Blog)

Later members’ makeup

• Tommy Thayer – inherited Spaceman after Ace Frehley’s departure (Wikipedia – Kiss band)
• Eric Singer – inherited Catman after Peter Criss’s departure (Wikipedia – Kiss band)
• Eric Carr created the Fox character (1980–1991), but after his death the Catman was revived (Wikipedia – Kiss band)

The trade-off: later members wear the original characters, preserving the visual identity, but purists argue the makeup should have retired with the originals.

Summary

KISS started with four characters and ends with two. The deaths of Ace Frehley and Peter Criss mark the closing chapter of the original lineup. For fans who grew up with the Starchild, Demon, Spaceman, and Catman, the legacy is now in the hands of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The choice is clear: celebrate the living legends while the makeup still shines, or risk waiting until there’s no one left to paint.

For those interested in the individual stories behind the masks, detailed look at their nicknames and health delves further into each member’s personal journey.

Frequently asked questions