Rock ‘n’ roll bands have always leaned to the extreme side of life. That is why we love them because we can vicariously live through their rambunctious and rebellious tales of grandeur. Although, those tales can sometimes go too far. And one story exemplifying that fact is between the ’70s rock bands, Aerosmith and KISS.
Like many rock bands, Aerosmith and KISS got in a fair share of trouble. Back then, it was the name of the game, a rite of passage, and a stamp of approval. However, there was one instance where both groups took things a little too far. Too far in the sense that their roadies got into a near-fatal knife fight. Hardcore, right? Well, it was this knife fight that solidified the feud the two parties have had for each other for quite some time.
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The Inciting Incident of Aerosmith and KISS’ Clash
In 1976, Aerosmith and KISS were the cream of the crop. Both bands dominated the ’70s rock ‘n’ roll scene and as a consequence of their fame, they played the same shows on several different occasions. Well, prior to 1976, there was seemingly no bad blood between them, maybe a disagreement in taste, but nothing that would result in violence. However, that changed drastically when two of their roadies got into a greaser and soc-type altercation.
In 2012, Steven Tyler sat down with The Cowhead Show and divulged why he had such a deep-seated hatred for KISS. Without a lot of context, Tyler uttered, “I remember when we went out with KISS in ’76 or something” and “One of our roadies got into a knife fight with their guys, so I hated them ever since.”
Again, not a lot is known about the fight, but if Tyler’s short story is the truth, then that is a pretty justifiable reason to despise a group. Regardless of the details, it was this moment that ignited the feud between both rock bands. A feud that entailed Tyler calling KISS a “Comic book rock band [with] spackled faces [and] a couple of hits.”
On the other side of the feud, and regarding their 2003 co-headlining tour, Paul Stanley wrote, “So I have to say that seeing him go on after us, to play to an underwhelmed audience and see people walking out didn’t feel too bad to me,” per Face The Music: Life Exposed.
Needless to say, the feelings are mutual.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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