Kix
Kix is an American glam metal band who achieved their highest peak of popularity in the 1980’s. Their biggest hit was “Don’t Close Your Eyes” which peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard at 100 in 1988.
Current Members (Edit)
- Steve Whiteman – Lead Vocals
- Ronnie “10/10″ Younkins – Guitars
- Brian “Damage” Forsythe – Guitars
- Mark Schenker – Bass
- Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant – Drums, Percussion
Albums (Edit)
- Kix (1981)
- Cool Kids (1983)
- Midnite Dynamite (1985)
- Blow My Fuse (1988)
- Hot Wire (1991)
- $how Bu$ine$$ (1995)
- The Essentials (2002)
- Thunderground (2004)
- Rhino Hi-Five (2006)
Live Albums (Edit)
- Live
Intro (Edit)
Kix is an American glam metal band who achieved their highest peak of popularity in the 1980’s. Their biggest hit was “Don’t Close Your Eyes” which peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard at 100 in 1988.
Kix was started by Ronnie Younkins and Donnie Purnell in December of 1977. Ronnie and Donnie started rehearsing with Brian “Damage” Forsythe, who was asked by Ronnie to join the band. Soon after they invited drummer Donnie Spence to join the band.
The guys met Steve Whiteman at a show in Ridgely, West Virginia. They had heard about him, and went to see him play with his old band. During a break in the gig, they played him a cassette of some of their songs. They asked him to join, and a week later Steve moved and joined the band.
The band earned a large local fan base by playing the local club circuit six nights a week for three years straight. After a while, Donnie Spence couldn’t do the drumming duties anymore, so Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant, joined the band.
By late 1979 the classic Kix lineup was complete. It included Steve Whiteman singing, Ronnie Younkins and Brian Forsythe playing guitars, Donnie Purnel playing bass, keyboards, and singing backing vocals, and Jimmy Chalfant playing drums and also singing backing vocals.
In 1980 the band began recording their debut album. The album, Kix, was released in 1981. Kix established a “tongue-in-cheek” style of rock ‘n’ roll with that album and their live performances.
In 1982, guitarist Ronnie Younkins was fired. He was replaced by Brad Divens.
The bands 1983 followup, Cool Kids, showcased a more commercial side of the band. The album featured the title track and the song “Body Talk.” Rumors were circulating that the bands label was pushing for some “steam” on the radio, so Kix responded with the song Body Talk.
History (Edit)
In 1983, Ronnie rejoined Kix. This reunited the classic line-up.
In 1985, the band released the album Midnite Dynamite. The album featured songs such as the title track, Midnite Dynamite and Cold Shower.
The band packed-up and headed west to the Sunset Strip, where other glam metal bands rose to stardom.
In 1988, the bands released Blow My Fuse. Kix finally achieved fame and the album went platinum. The ballad, Don’t Close Your Eyes, was the bands most successful single. The song peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their next album, Hot Wire, was released in 1991. The album sold only 200,000 copies. But it was too late, the grunge movement had already started. While on tour in 1992, Kix released a live album called, Live. This album is also referred to as Contractual Obligation Live. This album was released in 1993.
In 1995, the band released the album, $how Bu$ine$$. The album was a commercial failure, due to the grunge movement.
In late 2003, a new version of Kix was reformed. The band booked some gigs in September of 2004. The line-up consisted of Steve Whiteman singing, Ronnie Younkins and Brian Forsythe playing guitars, Mark Schenker playing bass, and Jimmy Chalfant handling drumming duties.
Update (Edit)
None
January 13th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
One of the Best Live Bands EVER! Come back to Raleigh!
February 4th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
hell yeh guys u fucken rock
July 13th, 2009 at 11:04 am
KIX is fuckin’ awesome. They shud come play in my hometown!!!
July 19th, 2009 at 2:26 am
I live in Hagerstown (KIX’s hometown) and have seen them a dozen times…they never ever disappoint! A side from Aerosmith, they are my favorite band. They are touring this fall- check them out! Will be here in Htown on Sept. 11th at Hager Hall =)
May 1st, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Kix is by far the Best Live Rock Show that you will see! They may not have been as big as some of the other groups from that era but…trust me…they blow everyone else off the freakin stage! Not even close and I know that even most of those bands will agree!
July 21st, 2010 at 8:02 am
These guys looked very cool. Especially the guitarists. In the words of Steel Panther guitarist Satchel “it’s impossible to look this cool and not rock!”
August 12th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Mmmm hmmmm! Love me some Cold Blood!
September 12th, 2010 at 10:21 am
they kick ass! Love them!
Marketing Strategy Sydney
September 19th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Love Kix!! Saw them twice and they kicked ass!
September 26th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Best band ever! FUcking love them!
October 2nd, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Kix has the best songs and video?s
Marketing Strategy Sydney
October 10th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Kix had one song that would always grind on my nerves. so glad i haven’t heard it for so long and hope to never hear it again
October 17th, 2010 at 2:55 am
Can’t remember the day but it must have been in 1989. Kix played an open air festival and it rained hard all day long. It was one of the best days of my life
October 24th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I wish they would comeout with new music they are so great. I have the box CD set ..and it’s is great!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:15 am
My parents loved Kix and I have to admit, so do I. Remarkable
November 7th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I feel silly but good. Used to sing along to the first album with a hairbrush for a microfone
November 13th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Kix is by far, in my opinion, the GRATEST rock-nroll band of all time!!! I LOVE ‘EM
November 20th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
i love Kix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Whoever wrote Kix’s songs, was a real party animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 6th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Kix is fuckin’ awesome. They shud come play in my hometown!!!
December 12th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Kix was the best!!!!!
December 19th, 2010 at 3:55 am
best band in the world.
December 26th, 2010 at 1:25 am
you rock guys love you keep rockin, hey rocknrollrecords have you seen them live? If not, it may be the best ever show you’ve ever seen!
January 1st, 2011 at 7:01 pm
What a HOT band x
January 9th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Back in the day, I used to have Kix in HUGE letters on my school pencil case done in the fattest sharpie I could find <3
January 16th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
I’m collecting any old ticket stubs. If you have any you wanna sell, drop me a line at erasmus@mailinator.com
January 23rd, 2011 at 4:12 pm
u guys r sooooooooooo awesome
January 30th, 2011 at 12:39 am
AWESOME band one of the BEST EVER!!!!!
February 1st, 2011 at 9:15 pm
KIX still rocks! Of course they are now known as Funny Money, and still bring down the house every time I have seen them, (and its been a lot!)The new lead guitar “Dean Cramer” is awesome “and easy on the eyes” lol….
February 7th, 2011 at 4:27 am
The first album of Kix is the best, but his music is fucking good!!!!!!!!!!
February 13th, 2011 at 4:33 am
Whoever wrote Kix’s songs, was a real party animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 14th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Don’t Close Your Eyes is one of the greatest power ballads ever. Respect.
February 21st, 2011 at 7:54 am
Who in the right mind could care less about Kix?
February 27th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Who in the right mind could care less about Kix?
March 9th, 2011 at 1:00 am
Kix rules!!
April 1st, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Love Kix!! Saw them twice and they kicked ass!
April 8th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
I remember doing a paper run to save enough money to buy my first guitar and it’s all because of Kix. Thank you for guiding me to my calling
April 16th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
i am a big fan your songs are great i still listen to up to this day
April 24th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Kix kick ass!!!!!!!!! (L)
Marketing Strategy Sydney
April 29th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Fucking love Kix x
May 8th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Talk about memories, I caught a live show back in the day and the goosebumps are real today as they were then!
May 14th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Love Kix <3
December 10th, 2011 at 12:06 am
Where can I find some KIX T Shirts?
December 12th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Would love to see some video from univ. of MD in ‘92
Such good times! Lookin foward to seein my friend’s band The Factory and Kix in Dec. in Baltimore!