The Way It Should Be: Future Album Releases
By: Bob Rodrick

This essay will more than likely not be an angry one, like the first one I wrote in regards to KISS merchandise. This will be about something that I feel will satisfy KISS fans, years after the band disappears.

Some artists will live forever. Some artists will continue to be a part of the music industry years after their initial impact was felt, be it due to their influence, or just the lengthy body of work that they've left behind. It's been nearly 50 years since Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studios to record a 45 single for his mother's birthday. It's been over 20 years since his death. His record company, RCA, releases something from him every year: best of albums, rarities albums, box sets, etc. They all sell... fanatically! It's been nearly 40 years since The Beatles first came onto the music scene and revolutionized the entire industry with their artistic approach to music and recording technology. Their "Anthology" series in 1995 & 1996 has sold more than 12 million copies in the United States alone, and there is talk of releasing more unearthed Beatles recordings well into the 21st century. The Greatful Dead has been out of the public eye for almost 5 years. This band has more live albums than any other rock band in history, due to the fact that they allowed their fans to tape their concerts. It is safe to assume that because of this there will be numerous Greatful Dead live releases in the future. And needless to say, when The Rolling Stones FINALLY pack up their guitars, they too will give the world a great deal of unreleased material. Is KISS one of these acts that will live forever? You betcha!

Gene Simmons will milk the KISS machine to death for years after the band decides to split, and let's face it folks, KISS is basically in the twilight of their career. That doesn't mean that there won't be endless possibilities for money making projects. There certainly will be, and personally, I believe that Gene has planned out these projects already. He and Paul Stanley have always stated that KISS will live on forever. To me, and I'm sure to a lot of fans, the way to make KISS live forever is not through toys, it's not through comic books, and it's not through cartoons. It's through their music that KISS will continue. That what it all boils down to, and I've said it before. KISS is first and foremost a rock and roll band that have given us great music all throughout their career. And what a career it's been: nearly 30 years and over 30 albums worth of music. This already has the mind working. With that much music, there are so many possibilities for compilation albums to be released well into the next century. The band has to plan it out, wisely. It would be best not to throw albums out to the public all at once, and certainly not in half-assed quality.

About 2 years ago, I wrote an essay on what I think the ultimate KISS box set should be. I've received countless letters with people saying that they loved what I came up with. But you want to know something? Don't love it anymore! I've changed my mind. The way I planned out the KISS box set is no longer the way I want it to be. I've come to the realization that KISS has, perhaps TOO MUCH material in their vaults and not all of it is going to fit onto even six discs! There were 18 songs recorded for the "Psycho Circus" album, and we've only heard 11 of them. I didn't even consider them for the box set. I have to now. I've also come across titles of other unreleased recordings that I didn't throw on to my ideal KISS box set. So with that, I came up with some other ideas, other albums that can be released to make room for the real KISS box set when it comes out. Here is what I planned and again, GENE AND PAUL, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PAY ATTENTION!

1. THE ENTIRE "WICKED LESTER" Album. The original album contained nine songs. In recent years, other songs, some alternate versions of the songs on the album, have been discovered. Gene and Paul have mentioned that SOME of the Wicked Lester album will be featured on the box set. Well, that would be a mistake. Fans want the ENTIRE album, in better quality than it's already available in. The unfortunate thing is that if the entire album winds up on the box set, it would just take away from other things that should be there. So, the best thing to do is to just release the album separately, with all of the alternate tracks. It may be a problem to include the original cover art, due to the fact that it was used for an album by a group called The Laughing Dogs in 1979, but that should be easy to fix. There are lots of pictures of Wicked Lester. Use the one that's in the KISStory book, with the band sitting around as the album cover. Use other archived photos inside the booklet. Have Gene and Paul write some liner notes, talking about the history of the band. This album is long overdue. It deserves to have its time in the spotlight, as an official album, not something that's going to be represented on a box set with only 3 or 4 songs.

2. KISS, LIVE AT THE DAISY, 1973. Here's another recording that Gene and Paul have been teasing fans about. This live show from KISS's club days is set to be put on the box set, again, with only a handful of songs. Mistake number two. There are lots of bootleg recordings of KISS from those early days, but there is NOTHING in great, album quality. If this Daisy recording is as good as Gene and Paul claim it to be, then this should be another separately released album. Take the tapes into a studio and clean them up, and for God's sake, don't add anything to it!! Let it stand as it is, but highly remastered. This is also screaming for extensive liner notes and photos, and there are photos of KISS playing the Daisy in the band's collection. This would be a great addition to the KISS discography.

3. 1983-1995: THE UNMASKED ANTHOLOGY. This is something I'd really like to have: a double disc set of the best material from "Lick it Up" through "Carnival of Souls." There is also the chance of releasing a couple of unheard songs for this album that would not diminish the track listing on the box set, such as "Do You Wanna Touch Me Now," and "Are You Always This Hot." Here is my view of the track listing for this anthology:

Lick it Up * All Hell's Breakin' Loose * Fits Like a Glove * Young and Wasted * Heaven's on Fire * Under the Gun * Thrills in the Night * Tears Are Falling * Who Wants to Be Lonely * Uh! All Night * Crazy Crazy Nights * Reason to Live * No No No * Turn on the Night * Are You Always This Hot (unreleased) * Let's Put the X in Sex (remixed version) * Rise To It (radio remix) * Hide Your Heart * Forever (remixed version) * Little Caesar (give Eric Carr his respect!) * God Gave Rock 'n Roll to You (original Q Sound version) * Do You Wanna Touch Me Now (unreleased) * Unholy * I Just Wanna * Domino * Everytime I Look at You * I Love it Loud (live version) * Hate * Master and Slave * Childhood's End * Jungle

Are you salivating yet?!! Wait, there's more!

4. LIVE IN THE SHADE, 1990. One of the biggest complaints I've heard from KISS fans about "Alive III" is that it should have been done with Eric Carr. Paul Stanley is on record as saying that KISS did some live recording during the "Hot in the Shade" tour. That tour was real special. The band looked and sounded great, and the fans were rabid. It was the biggest tour during the unmasked years. What better way to recollect on it then release a live recording of it. Perhaps 15 tracks on one CD. The biggest draw that this album could have is the inclusion of a live Eric Carr drum solo. This would be a big seller.

5. ESSENTIAL KISS: THE REAL BEST OF. KISS has yet to release a truly satisfying best of album. The closest we have is the EUROPEAN version of "Greatest KISS," which includes 20 songs, some of them ("Goin' Blind," "Plaster Caster") really not as well known as the obvious songs. I think a double disc best of set should accompany the box set on the day of release. If the box is going to include all of the rarities, then here is a supplement that includes the real versions. However, aren't you all sick of "Cold Gin," "Calling Dr. Love," "I Was Made for Lovin' You" and "Deuce?" I sure am! Leave those songs off! They're all on "Double Platinum," and "Greatest KISS." There is no way that you can not have "Rock and Roll All Nite," "Beth," or "Detroit Rock City" on this album, so like it or not, they have to be on there, but include the "ALIVE" version of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Also, put some live staples on there, such as "I Stole Your Love," "Watchin' You," "Parasite," and "Nothin' to Lose," that have never been on a KISS best of, as well as songs like "Shandi," "A World Without Heroes," and "War Machine. Include only the essential hits from the unmasked era, especially if the above anthology is ever released.

Those are just five albums that are possible. Those are five albums that I will buy myself. Of course, this means that I have to go back and retrack the box set!! But, honestly, there shouldn't be that much of a differnce. There are more "Revenge," "Carnival of Souls," and "Psycho Circus" tracks that are still in the vault that I've never mentioned. Those should be substituted for the Daisy and Wicked Lester tracks.

On this note, I leave you all the opportunity to write me your thoughts on what I have to say. I have a lot more on my mind in regards to KISS. My next essay, will probably be a brief one on why the band is neglecting their hometown of New York City. That should be a nice angry one for you all! Be looking for it! Thanks for reading!

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