Warning, contains spoilers!

Raina (Ray) MacLaren- Student teacher at a public high school in Spanish Harlem, who attended Cornell University with a double major in General Science and Music. She plays organ, synthesizer and bass. While in college she had her first band, but due to her parents expectations keeps her music interests in rock and roll secret. This double life leads to tragedy and a series of bad circumstances that force Ray to choose between her parents and her own happiness as a musician.

Liz (Sunshine) Pierson- Hippie and one time member of the Commune, in upstate New York. Her fellow band members from Mother Nature’s Mystery Machine decided to come to the city to spread their musical message of peace and love. Liz works as a fashion model to earn money for the commune, and eventually she joins Ray and Karen’s band, Sweet Revenge. She and Lydia Crisscuola were college classmates.

Trish Malloy-Guitarist in the band Ragamuffin Raisin, she works as a waitress in a club called the Pussycat’s Playroom. She quits the band and joins Sweet Revenge as a founding member. Liz and Trish end up sharing an apartment together at first and eventually invite Karen to live with them.

Karen Valentine- Guitarist and catholic school student, who is only 16 when she first meets Ray and joins Sweet Revenge.

Toni Jamerson-lead singer of Ragamuffin Raisen, and sometimes member of Sweet Revenge in the later years. She and Ray maintain their friendship after the band’s breakup.

Love interests and other friends:

Marcia Greenburg- One time girlfriend of Stanley Eisen. They met at the JCC where Tree was performing, and pursued a clandestine relationship with Ray and Gene acting as chaperones.

Casey-Stanley’s first serious girlfriend, who has eyes for Matt. Their relationship doesn’t last for very long.

Shirl and Steph Harrison-these two sisters work at the Pussycat Gentleman’s club as exotic dancers. Both are in Gene and Brooke’s circle of friends and hangers on. While Shirl dated Brooke, Steph was also a casual girlfriend of Stanley after Marcia and his first experience with an older, more experienced woman.

Ragamuffin Raisen- Ray’s first post college band with Toni and Trish. Their sound would resemble early Jefferson Airplane and the Runaways.

Mother Nature’s Mystery Machine-Liz’ band, with Grass Sprout, Bear Child, Dayflower. Their music is similar in style to Jefferson Airplane and the Searchers.

The Androids-a band that Stanley tries out for as rhythm guitarist, and ropes Ray into subbing on organ during a show at the Triple Cat club. Vivian is its lead member. Their sound is similar to the New York Dolls and other Glam rockers.

The teachers:

Gloria Steinmetz-Ray’s mentor at the high school, and general science teacher. She is childhood friends with Gene Klein.

Mark Rodgers-English teacher at Ray’s high school, and part time teacher at the same school where Gene taught in Spanish Harlem

Mr. Fisher-the senior staff physics and chemistry teacher whom shares class space with Ray.

Harold-one of Ray’s teacher friends, who attended Cornell a year ahead of her, and one of Ray’s ardent suitors. He is Mark Roger’s best friend. Rather then get a teaching deferment to stay out of Vietnam, he enlisted as a professional, and died in action in 1970.

Ray’s Family:

Principle MacLaren-principle at the middle school where Gene teaches.

Mrs. MacLaren-faithful wife and mother of Ray, she understands the nature of Ray’s affection for Gene, but ultimately sides with her husband.

Jason (Jay) MacLaren-Ray’s brother, who is a lieutenant in the Army, having graduated Law School, and enrolled in the army through a reserves program.

Sean MacLaren-Ray’s cousin who was drafted into the Marines as a foot soldier, and who died in action in the same platoon as Harold.

Gene Klein- He met Ray while shopping for comic books, but in reality first saw her when having lunch with Gloria, a childhood friend. When asking Gloria about Ray, Gloria secretly pushed Gene to Ray, knowing their common interests.

Stanley Eisen- Ray first met Stanley when he and Matt Rael were borrowing equipment from Gene’s band. Enamored with Ray’s musical abilities, he and Gene couldn’t stand each other at first, but become reluctant band mates in Wicked Lester.

Peter Crisscuola-His wife Lydia met Ray while Ray was performing at a club as a fill in for the Androids with Stanley. Peter’s brother was attracted to Ray, and Chelsea was performing before the Andriods at the Triple Cat club in the Village. Ray’s musical talent struck him, and Ray joins his extended circle of friends, unbeknownst to Gene and Stan.

Steve Coronell-Mutual friend of Gene and Stan, who was leery about Ray jamming with his and Gene’s band (Cathedral and Bullfrog Bheer) at first. His girlfriend wasn’t too impressed with Ray’s progressive ideas regarding women in music, and has a secret crush on Stanley. He helps provide a sort of haven for the budding relationship between Stan and his first girlfriend Marcia Greenburg.

Brooke Ostrander-Friend of Gene’s who plays keyboards, and who joins Wicked Lester with the others.

Ron Leejack-alternative guitarist who fills in and joins the band as lead guitarist in the place of Steve.

Toni Zarella-Friend mutual to Steve, who joins as a drummer and ends up in a one time relationship with Gloria.

Paul Daniel (Ace) Frehley-Guitarist and member of Magic People and Milemmo, whose band was playing in the club that Gene frequented with the girls Shirl and Steph. Knows of Trish and Ragamuffin through reputation. Trish rumors that she and Ace attended the same high school, but this isn’t known for sure.

Disclaimer: KISS, Gene Simmon and Paul Stanley are actual persons. This is a work of FICTION, and is not meant to harm or demean. It is a fictional account of what things might have been like for a personal friend of Gene and a friend of Stan getting to know KISS in their formative years. Dr. Raina (Marcy) MacLaren, Karen Valentez, Trisha Malloy and Liz of Sweet Revenge are property of the author, Trynia Merin.