The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations for 2009 have just been announced, and as Rolling Stone puts it, this year is "one of the most diverse ever," with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Kiss and Genesis leading the pack, as well as the Stooges, Donna Summer, ABBA, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, the Chantels, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff. Artists eligible for the nod had to have released their first single no later than 1984 - as the eligibility for recognition must be 25 years after their debut release. While it's the first time the Kiss rockers have received their name on the ballot, for others it's become an annual ritual. As it marks the first time for the face painted screamers, fans are relieved to finally see their favorite up for bid.

"There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bonds in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but not Kiss," Gene Simmons said earlier this year. "I believe we have more gold records in America than any other group, but it's OK." Though the group has been eligible since 1999, it is the first year that their tunes will be decided by the 500 voters getting ballots whether they deserve the honor and placement as a Hall of Famer. Each year the 12 nominees are given up to a vote by music and industry professionals; in January the five groups with the most votes will be announced followed by a ceremony on March 15th at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. If you want to see how they manage this New Year, catch Kiss tickets online today.

When Kiss emerged in the 1970s, they gave rebellious teens a style aesthetic first, and a sound second. The group, plastered in white and black makeup via a theatrical cue from Alice Cooper, came together with bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons at the helm and rhythm guitarist/ vocalist Paul Stanley. The two formerly of New York hard rock group Wicked Lester commissioned drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley to complete the group and just two weeks after their first stage performance Kiss signed with Neil Bogart's Casablanca label.

It wasn't until the live release Alive! from 1975 that the group saw commercial breakthrough - following three studio albums, the live set brought the magic of their stage performances to audiences at home as the album shot to the Top Ten and "Rock 'N" Roll All Nite" hit the 12th. Destroyer followed up as the first platinum album for the group and the Top Ten single "Beth." Eventually America took part in the full blown Kiss mayhem - with masks, their own TV movie, comic books, games and more - that allowed them to see success even when they all simultaneously released solo albums in 1978.

Eventually Criss left and was replaced by Eric Carr, followed by Ace Frehley who was replaced by Vinnie Vincent - though subsequent albums with new members relatively failed, when 1983's Lick it Up appeared sans makeup, the group shot to mainstream fame again. Internally the group never stayed the same until the 1996 international reunion tour that saw the original group come together to perform their classics as well as Top Ten hits from other acts. Though they have remained in turmoil since, Kiss opened Alive 35's Canadian tour in July 2009 to sold out crowds.

This article is sponsored by StubHub. StubHub.com is a leader in the business of selling Kiss tickets, as well as sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets.

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