10 Famous Musicians You Didn’t Know Played In KISS Records

When it comes to KISS, things aren’t always what they seem—especially in the studio. If you think the guys you see on the album cover are the ones playing every instrument, think again. As Gene Simmons revealed in KISS: Behind the Mask (2005):

“A lot of the KISS records, the way things are done is that sometimes the instruments that you think are played by members of the band are not played by the band at all, or the member of the band you think is playing the instrument isn’t.”

Over the years, several talented musicians stepped in behind the scenes to help KISS create their iconic sound. Some were session pros, others would eventually join the band, but none were credited on the albums at the time. Why all the secrecy? According to legendary guitarist Dick Wagner:

“They wanted to make it seem like the group was playing everything, so at that particular point in their career, they didn’t really want to give credits. I’m sure today they’d feel differently. There’s always a feeling of ‘It would be nice if they gave me credit,’ but to say that it made me crazy—no, I had a lot of fun with them. They’re great guys; it was fun to hang out with them.”

Let’s meet 10 of the musicians who helped bring KISS albums to life—quietly, but memorably.

Ghost Players in the Spotlight

1 Dick Wagner – Destroyer (1976), Revenge (1992)
Dick Wagner, best known for working with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper, added guitar magic to four tracks on Destroyer, including “Beth” and “Sweet Pain.” His solo on “Sweet Pain” replaced one recorded by Ace Frehley, who wasn’t happy about it and later returned to play the solo on “Every Time I Look at You” from Revenge.

2 Jimmy Maelen – Love Gun (1977)
Percussionist Jimmy Maelen—who worked with artists like David Bowie and Madonna—brought his signature conga sound to the song “Almost Human,” adding some spicy rhythm to the track.

3 Ray Simpson – Love Gun (1977)
Before becoming the “cop” in the Village People, Ray Simpson sang backup on “Tomorrow and Tonight.” He’d step into the disco spotlight just two years later.

The Kulick Brothers & Friends

4 Bob Kulick – Alive II (1977), Unmasked (1980), Killers (1982)
Bob Kulick auditioned for KISS in 1972 but lost the lead guitar spot to Ace Frehley. However, the band kept him close, bringing him in whenever Frehley was unavailable. Bob didn’t mind the secrecy. He also played lead guitar on Paul Stanley’s solo album and tour. Later, his brother Bruce Kulick would officially join KISS as lead guitarist.

5 Anton Fig – Dynasty (1979), Unmasked (1980)
With Peter Criss injured and on the outs, drummer Anton Fig took over nearly all of Dynasty and all of Unmasked. He recalled the intense sessions: “[Criss] had broken his arm or something like that. It took about 10 days to record all my drum tracks. I was under the gun, but we worked real hard and everything went very smoothly. I got paid $10,000 or $15,000 on Dynasty, and on Unmasked I got $20,000. Not bad for 10 days’ work.”

6 Holly Knight – Unmasked (1980)
Keyboardist Holly Knight, Fig’s bandmate in Spider, ended up playing on Unmasked after a chance meeting with Gene Simmons. She still holds on to the proof, saying, “I still have them!” Knight later co-wrote major hits like “Love Is a Battlefield” and “The Best.”

Fill-Ins With Big Names

7 Allan Schwartzberg – Music From ‘The Elder’ (1981), Animalize (1984), Asylum (1985)
Top studio drummer Allan Schwartzberg filled in on various albums when the band needed a steady hand. On The Elder, he played the track “I” because new drummer Eric Carr couldn’t quite lock in the groove. “Eric just couldn’t play that feel and he was devastated,” Simmons shared.

Guitar Substitutes and Silent Stars

8 Vinnie Vincent – Creatures of the Night (1982)
After Frehley’s quiet departure, Vinnie Vincent stepped in on six songs and co-wrote three. His playing helped shape the album’s heavier sound. He later toured with the band but only stuck around for one more album.

9 Steve Farris – Creatures of the Night (1982)
Before his Mr. Mister days, Steve Farris auditioned for KISS and left a lasting impression—literally. His audition solo ended up on the title track. He clearly remembered, “They said, ‘Will you dye your hair black?’ ‘Sure.’ ‘Can you wear high heels?’ ‘I’ll give it a try.’ For a couple of weeks, I thought I might be the new guitar player.”

10 Mike Porcaro – Creatures of the Night (1982)
On the title track, Toto bassist Mike Porcaro joined Paul Stanley and Eric Carr, with Farris on guitar. None of them were credited—making it a surprise supergroup fans never knew they had heard.