Being a KISS fan in the '70s

I was and still am. I recall listening to KISS records in homeroom in 1977.

 

My top 100 all-time favorite albums list says it all:

 

For me, it's the first one. It's still their best record.

 

I caught "Deuce" on "Ozzy's Boneyard" on the way home tonight. Ridiculously simple, but effective tune. The lyrics make no sense, the tune is 4/4 to floor, and everything else, but it's still a great tune.

 

I was in grade school and Jr. high during the KISS peak years. In 2nd grade a friend came in with a KISS Destroyer t-shirt on and I was like wow, what is that all about. He said his older brother was a fan and so was he. Then the following year I had a new neighbor move in next door and he was my age and a huge KISS fan. That's when I became a fan too. Probably around 1977. My first KISS album purchase was Alive II. Over the years Love Gun has always been my favorite album by them.

 

I remember it. I was 8. Never thought beyond it being a magic gun that made people love you.

Listening to some of their lyrics now, I'm surprised my parents let me listen to them. Glad they did, though.

 

Can't say I got the message back then, either.

 

Alive!, S/T and Destroyer (in that order).

 

I was always kind of partial to Creatures of the Night. I just loved Eric Carr's powerful drumming throughout.

Definitely one of the heaviest albums they ever did.

 

Hmmm....

Think you took a wrong turn somewhere...

 

Oh, yes ... there's that. I need it.

 

Alive! would be the easy answer. Or the self titled debut.

 

For now, I've ordered Japanese mini-LP SHM-CD pressings of ...

ROCK ' N ROLL OVER
and
ACE FREHLEY ('78 debut solo album)

Next, I'm looking at ALIVE! and LOVE GUN. For now.

I used to have these records back in the '70s ... I need 'em back in my life now, I think.

Thanks to all for your input and suggestions!

 

and absolutely one of the greatest concert openers of all time.

 

I am with you.........

 

And is there a better opening line than "Get up, and get your grandma outta here!"?

 

Ace was on That Metal Show and had the self-titled No.1, then Destroyer, Love Gun, Dynasty , Unmasked , Dressed To Kill, Rock n Roll Over, Hotter Than Hell and The Elder. Eddie asked him why RNRO was so low and he joking said he didn't remember recording it. Love Ace, his order not so much.......

 

I saw them on their first UK tour and became a fan.

 

I'd stick with the singles: "Rock and Roll All Nite" live version, 45 versions of "Calling Dr. Love" and "Detroit Rock City" etc.

 

I've got those! I've still got all my Kiss 45s and they're all mint, too. I forgot I had them. I've got a ton of their original '70s singles. Yessir! I'm gonna play 'em.

 

Of course I end up buying two. Of course.

 

Easy. Alive!
Studio album? Kiss (1974).

 

This and Destroyer are essential.

 

"Detroit Rock City" is in my opinion one of the greatest songs in the Kiss catalog, but the 7" version is one of the most dreadful edit jobs I've ever heard.

 

I wasn't a fan, but my best friend was so I got dragged to some concerts and experienced all the Kiss craze. He even did the makeup, I remember him donning it for at least 3 consecutive Halloweens. '76-'78.
When those 4 solo albums came out in the summer of 1978, he was so stressed because he couldn't afford to buy 4 new LPs at once. A lot of money for a 15 year old in those days.