1972 KISS formation advertisement...

Item # 710239

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December 07, 1972

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Dec. 7, 1972

* Historic KISS rock band formation advertisement
* Paul Stanley hunts for a lead guitarist (Ace Frehley)
* Exceedingly rare item before the group started
* Only one in our current inventory - no more

Page 88 has a small but extremely historic advertisement regarding the formation of the rock band KISS with: "Lead Guitarist Wanted..." with more. (see image)
source: KISS Timeline: On 1. December 1972, Paul Stanley went to the Village Voice and paid for an ad to be printed in the December 7. issue (which reached the stores on Dec. 5.). This was Kiss’ first ad looking for a guitarist. The ad was also printed on December 14th. The ad said: “Lead guitarist wanted with flash and ability. Album out shortly. No time wasters please.”
In December 1972, the trio decided they needed a fourth member to complete the group… a lead guitarist to round out the sound. Paul recalls taking out “an ad in The Village Voice. It said, ‘Hard rock group seeking guitarist with balls and flash,’ except The Village Voice wouldn’t print the word ‘balls.’ If you can believe that.” Ace Frehley answered the ad and auditioned 8. December, and was hired on his second audition 16. December.
wikipedia notes: In early January 1973, the group added lead guitarist Ace Frehley. Frehley impressed the group with his first audition, and was asked back for a second audition. A few weeks after Frehley joined, the classic lineup was solidified as the band to be named Kiss. They also began experimenting with their image, by wearing makeup and various outfits.
I suspect this to be a tremendously rare item because their was really no reason to save it at the time.
The Village Voice was an American counterculture newspaper known for being the country's first alternative newsweekly. It introduced free-form, high-spirited, and passionate journalism into the public discourse - a tradition it maintained throughout its 60+ year history. It is quite common to find great political cartoons, satirical cartoons and articles, thought-provoking editorials, and ads and reviews for both concerts and theater productions - both on and off Broadway. Many iconic writers and musicians credit their appearance in The Village Voice for at least a portion of their success.
Complete with 104 pages, tabloid-size, a little margin wear with tiny tears, mainly on the front page though, one fold at the center crease, generally in very nice condition.

Provenance note: This issue comes from The Village Voice's own archives, part of their in-house collection used to create their digital archive. Rare as such.

Alert: Many issues of The Village Voice contain articles and/or photos which some consider offensive, and are certainly inappropriate for children. Please purchase with discretion.

Category: The 20th Century