A band is eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after its first album.

KISS debuted in 1974, which means Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Co. should have been inducted in 1999 with no questions asked. It wasn't until 2009 that Kiss was even nominated.

Instead, KISS continues to be the odd band out. It's a fact that continues to question to legitimacy of the Rock Hall in Cleveland.

Sorry to highlight a few bands that are already inducted, but it must be noted that if the likes of ABBA (is ABBA even a rock band?), the Bee Gees, Aerosmith, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Genesis and Van Halen are in, KISS surely deserves a spot right next to them.

So what's the deal? It's laughable to think KISS isn't Rock Hall worthy because the band's history, popularity and stats don't lie. Consider:

- According to Wikipiedia.com, KISS has been awarded 24 gold albums, the most of any rock band in history.

- The band has sold over 40 millions albums in the United States. Worldwide, it's more than 100 million.

- KISS was voted No. 1 on Hit Parader' "Top 100 live bands."

Maybe KISS isn't in because the band promotes itself too much. Maybe there is too much KISS merchandise on the market. Maybe voters can't forget the campy KISS Army promotion from the 1970s or the comic books, action figures, posters, T-shirts ... you name it.

Whatever the reason, the Rock Hall continues to be and will remain a shell of what it truly should be until one of the greatest rock bands in history is enshrined.

Love KISS or hate it, there is no denying the bands place in history, and that's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

- Mark Podolski