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 All news should be considered an unconfirmed report unless verified, and all information published at KISS Asylum is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves. All information is confirmed where possible, and all publication is governed by common sense.
KISS Alive! & Well - 30 Years of Glory From: myspace.com/ballseydog AKA The album that saved our Asses The flash pots, flames and grease paint are hitting the stage... The year was 1975, September 10 to be exact. Much was happening around this time, Vietnam was coming to a bloody halt: Nixon exclaimed, "I'm not a crook". While all this was going on the counter-culture was in an uproar trying desperately to enforce social and political justice. Lets not forget those lovable flower children that wanted everyone to join them for some peace and love and a good toak at a Dead show. Meanwhile something totally different was going on in New York City: Four guys were about to change the way people thought about music forever! KISS Alive was the rock n' roll shoot heard round the world. I guess you could call it a wake up call to those musicians who were on stage jamming their brains out while really in need of a shower and a lesson in stage presence. KISS may not be the greatest thing to happen to music but in this humble authors opinion they are the greatest American rock act to grace a concert stage. KISS is the unapologetic in your face tribute to American rock music of the 1950's. KISS is the only band that had the balls to say lets put out a live double slab LP with all our greatest hits! There was one huge problem: they had none! Radio hated them with a passion, gee I guess KISS knew something nobody else did: and that was, who needs radio? We're going to do it the old fashion way and play our music live for the masses and let the people decide. The result was an overwhelming vote of OH YEAH!!! KISS was brought to their explosive success by the fans who just forced radio to play KISS tunes. Fans know this day well, the day a kid from Terre Haute Indiana named Bill Starkey called up WVTS and said, you better play KISS or I will have thousands of people surrounding your building! The KISS ARMY was started in 1975 just as ALIVE was about to explode on American culture- Bill and his Army of friends were also responsible for the first mass produced KISS shirts. So, I guess this proves who the real marketing geniuses are... The fans! The Rock n' Roll hall of fame refuses to this day to admit KISS, which is OK with me because KISS isn't about critics who think they know what's best for you- KISS is without question the middle finger pointed straight at them! What the hell do they know these are the same people who spit at Led Zeppelin when they came on the scene, oh need I not forget to mention another Birmingham quartet named Black Sabbath who stands in good company with KISS still waiting in line for acceptance! BOO-HOOO. KISS with the release of Alive said" we are here for those of you who could care less about what anyone thinks of you! Look at us we look like four knuckleheads who were kicked out of mime class because we wanted to be different and we could never learn to keep our mouth shut"! On the issue of musicianship, KISS took it back to basics in terms of songs in an era that was starting to get swallowed in its own mushroom cloud of confusion, KISS just wanted to remind you of what Chuck Berry, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis wanted you to do... Have a good time and forget about your problems for a while KISS just did it a lot louder a little raunchier and with magnified American spirit. KISS, are the Beatles of the 1970's. Are their songs as well written as the "Fab Four"? HELL NO! GENE SIMMONS himself would slap me upside the head if I said Yes! One thing that will always keep KISS close to the Beatles is the fact that they are different from any other rock act to come before or after them. KISS is the American Beatles, while Aerosmith and Grand Funk Railroad boast the slogan. KISS have sold well over 100 Million records have broken attendance records held by the Beatles and lets not forget the stuff with a capitol $. " Well, we try to get ourselves involved in every aspect of American culture. And this is just another way to do that!" PAUL STANLEY speaking about the new KISS slot machine, September 2005. Any music act today and it doesn't matter if you play small clubs or huge arenas, should all thank them because without them records would not sell as well if Alive! Was never released. There are those who want to give the credit to Frampton Comes Alive but the truth is that pressing was a direct result of KISS ALIVE! KISS were the first music act to be certified by the RIAA in 1976. If you are one of those fans who is a little squeamish using the Beatles and KISS in the same sentence I'll be sensitive to that and call them the kings of cock rock! Either way, it's still adds up to one thing, the greatest American band that the world has ever scene. Any band who can claim what KISS boast in terms of album sales, fan devotion merchandising and concert ticket sales and not be a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame should wear it like a badge of honor. Like Black Sabbath KISS have never truly been endorsed by the mainstream music press. The most prominent that comes to mind would be Rolling Stone. You know you've made an impact on culture when preachers and every politically correct organization want to burn your records! At least you know you're in good company. Why should you be so offended when Mr. Simmons claims to have romanced over 4,600 ladies? Isn't that what a "Rock Star" should do? I mean KISS isn't "Leave It To Beaver". I wonder if Gene bedded June? The real reason why religious groups hate KISS is simply because they figured out a way to make more money. And when you buy KISS there is no deception what so ever, only a good time to be had for all- KISS released 14 discs between 1974 & 1979 this included the 4 solo LP's that were all on the street on the same day I don't believe that pace has ever been duplicated since. Dynasty marked the end of an era that celebrated too much of everything so again like the Beatles in leaving a mark with their departure in 1970 signaling the end of the 1960's KISS did the same in 1980 with PETER CRISS leaving the band in May of that year. Has KISS continued on? Yes but after that KISS was a completely different band. There is only one KISS that deserves to be called the "Hottest Band in the world" and you can put cat makeup and Space man make up on any one but you can't replace Gene, Paul, Peter & Ace. To the four of you I say thanks for introducing me to the wonderful world of music. |
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