Gene Simmons says the rock business is dead

Kiss had to compensate for their pitiful musical content with all those distractions.

There's something of a progression from Screaming Jay Hawkins to Arthur Brown to Genesis, Bowie and Alice Cooper. Not sure who or what predated Screaming Jay, if anyone, in the use of props. Arthur, of course, set his headpiece on fire, which was nifty.

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.

Genius?
Hahahahagagahahahahaha. 
Bet he had to tell someone that.  

Kiss sucked. They still suck. They will always suck. 

Suck or not suck. They are still in the Rock and roll hall of fame.