Eyes
Without A Face The history
and legacy of masked musicians WRITTEN BY Justice Petersen
Nearly any musician will admit that, once they
walk into a recording studio or onto a stage, they are consumed by an alter-ego or heightened identity. The character they maintain in their day-to-day life may be overshadowed by this artistic persona. Yet some artists choose to take this practice a step further donning not just a metaphorical mask, but a physical one. Many popular artists in today’s music scene are iconic for the masks they wear on stage. Rock artists such as Slipknot and Sleep Token have become synonymous with individualistic masks and anonymous qualities that coincide specifically with each band member’s distinct personality. Some artists, such as heavy metal titans Ghost and Gwar, play theatrical characters onstage that further the impact of these masks. However, the concept of the masked musician is not a new one. Of course, masks have always been key props for performance art. Ancient Greek theater performers wore masks and costumes to bring characters to life. In 14th century France, attendees of masquerade balls were encouraged to dance and convey anonymity. Cut to modern day and masked performers — specifically in popular music — are not as rare as one might think. Perhaps the first known example of the modern masked singer is 1950s rockabilly singer Jerry Lott. More popularly known by his stage name, The Phantom, Lott had a relatively 10 | MELODIC MAGAZINE
short-lived career as a recording artist, but his reputation for wearing a mask while performing on stage impacted modern music for many more years to follow. In the 1960s, rock artist Arthur Brown rose to fame, establishing a reputation due to his shocking and flamboyant stage presence and, of course, his habit of donning face paint when he performed. However, in the next decade to follow, there would be another artist that would become an incredible household name, sparking controversy for their face makeup, on-stage personas and pyro-heavy performances. When KISS broke onto the scene, all four members of KISS became known for the face makeup they constantly wore both on and off stage. For years, nobody knew the true identities of KISS. Each band member crafted their own character and coinciding face paint to match their true personalities: Paul Stanley was The Starchild, Gene Simmons was The Demon, Ace Frehley was The Spaceman and Peter Criss was The Cat. (Gene Simmons has famously recalled walking through the crowd of a KISS concert during the 1970s, and not a single fan recognized him sans makeup.) In the 1980s, the concept of anonymous or masked musicians might have dwindled completely had it not been for the formation of heavy metal group Gwar. Known for their controversial (and bloody) live shows and shocking sense of humor, Gwar