Kisstory In The Making

Kiss released their debut album this month in 1974.  Although the album didn’t chart very well or, for the band, make them instant rock icons, ( living off an $85 a week salary while touring in support of this album) )it proved that the band had much more in store than some believed.  A lot of us in the early years of the Kiss Army probably caught the band perform on The Mike Douglas Show shortly after the album’s release in March of 1974 where they performed “Firehouse.” When Casablanca Records threw a release party of Kiss’ debut album, the band did their outrageous stage performance and executives at the label threatened to cancel their contract if they didn’t remove their make up!  Of course the band refused and the rest is Rock And Roll Kiss Story! The album that spawned such classics as “Strutter,” “Nothin’ To Lose,” “Deuce,” “Black Diamond,” only sold about 75,000 copies and didn’t produce a hit single, but in years to come many of this album’s aforementioned songs became staples during their many sold out performances to come. The album was certified Gold selling 500,000 copies by 1977 as Kiss was becoming “The Hottest Band In The Land.” On a side note, both Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley consider this album their favorite.  Hats off to you (not make up) for such an amazing legacy! Here’s Kiss’ performance and Gene Simmons interview on The Mike Douglas Show from 1974…