Archive for the 'When KISS Was Cool' Category

When KISS Was Cool - 1979 - The Dynasty Promo Shoot

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on June 23, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - 1979 - The Dynasty Tourbook Shoot

Promotional activity was rampant during the 1979 era of KISS. Some of the shots below ended up in the Dynasty Tourbook of 1979. The band filmed the promo video for ‘Sure Know Something’ on the same day most of these photos were taken. Although musically the band had come back quite a different beast after the release of the solo albums a year before, it was still an exciting time and proved to be KISS’ most popular eras outside of the United States.

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When KISS Was Cool - The Creem Magazine Unmasking (1974)

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JR
on June 16, 2008
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Creem Magazine KISS Unmasking

Back in 1974 it had been reported that KISS were duped into being photographed sans make-up by Rock magazine Creem. The band had been promised a generous spread in the magazine on the proviso that they also allow themselves to be photographed without the make-up. Now as everyone knows, back in KISS’ heyday, no one knew what they looked like as photos without the greasepaint in the 70’s were practically non-existant. Granted that today, there are many photos of the band during the 70’s without the make-up. (Look for a future ‘When KISS Was Cool’ segment on this blog for some mind-blowingly candid off-stage shots!)

The following photos are some of the first to appear of the band without the trademark war-paint. Jaan Uhelski, Creem journalist who was once painted with a collage of each member’s make-up and appeared on-stage with KISS in Detroit circa 1975, says… ” I actually inherited the KISS beat at Creem, because no one else really wanted it. For me, nothing is more compelling than an idea whose time had come. KISS’ had. They first came into my life when their promotion man at Casablanca Records called and asked if we could do a Creem profile - the fake ad we used to have in the magazine based on the Dewar’s Scotch ad. So without any hesitation, Larry Harris brought them to our office, a rather casual suite of offices in suburban Detroit above a movie theater. They walked in without their trademark make-up, looking like four rather normal rock types. Very politely they asked if they could take take over the women’s bathroom to suit up. The transformation was incredible. When they had their make-up on they became towering giants and they took up more psychic space than they did without the make-up on…”

Creem Magazine KISS Unmasking

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When KISS Was Cool - Live At The Omni - December 30, 1977

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JR
on June 9, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - Live At The Omni - December 30, 1977

1977 marked the peak era of KISS. The band were in a heavy routine of releasing a new album every 6 months and then touring relentlessly to promote said album. In 1977 the band released the ‘Love Gun’ album and later in the year their second live album, ‘KISS Alive II’.

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When KISS Was Cool - The Neal Preston KISSmas Card Shoot - Dec, 1976

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JR
on May 30, 2008
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Although his versatility as a photographer extends to many genres, the following is clear: Neal Preston is one of the most prolific and highly respected photographers in the history of Rock N Roll. With a career in photography that started in high school and continues to the present, Neal Preston has made a significant contribution to the pop-culture history of his generation.

Merry KISSmas

In 1976 he photographed KISS for a Creem Magazine cover shoot and Christmas card. Some of these pics have been widely circulated, some haven’t. A very-tanked-up Ace Frehley made this a difficult shoot as he was completely out-of-control, but the rest of the band seem to be having themselves a good time as well…

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When KISS Was Cool - Atlanta Stadium - August 29, 1976

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JR
on May 23, 2008
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My favorite era of KISS was undoubtedly the Destroyer era of 1976. Visually, the band had peaked and never looked better. Musically too, they would never record a better album than Destroyer. Everything about 1976 was just perfect and it is an era that the band would always try to re-capture but fail miserably at. (Psycho Circus anyone?) So for this week’s installment of ‘When KISS Was Cool’ - here are some shots of the band alive and kicking in Atlanta on the Destoyer tour! Enjoy!

When KISS Was Cool - Atlanta Stadium - August 29, 1976

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When KISS Was Cool - In-Store Appearance For Muscular Dystrophy at Peaches Records - August 14, 1976

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on May 14, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - In-Store Appearance For Muscular Dystrophy at Peaches Records - August 14, 1976

Here’s a slab of ultra-rare KISS from the band’s absolute musical peak… the ‘Destroyer’ era. At this point in the band’s career it was practically impossible to see them made-up like this at a record store signing but the band made a successful appearance at the Peaches Record Store for the Muscular Dystrophy charity.

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When KISS Was Cool - Georgia Tech’s Alexander Colliseum - December 1, 1974

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on May 12, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - Georgia Tech's Alexander Colliseum - December 1, 1974

Here’s more classic KISS from 1974. With only two albums under their (studded) belts, the band were performing a blistering set from ‘Hotter Than Hell’ and the debut self-titled ‘KISS’ records!

Check out these amazing pics after the jump!

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When KISS Was Cool - Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom - June 22, 1974

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on May 2, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom - June 22, 1974

Continuing on in our When KISS Was Cool series, here’s some KISS goodness from 1974. Live in Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom, June 1974!

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When KISS Was Cool - Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom - July 18, 1974

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on April 27, 2008
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When KISS Was Cool - Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom - July 18, 1974

Continuing on with our look at classic-era KISS, here’s the band in 1974 getting ready for a gig at Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom.

Stay tuned for weekly updates for what is proving to be a popular section here at Dogmatic… When KISS Was Cool! (and Peter Criss could actually play the drums!)

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When KISS Was Cool: 1974

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JR
on April 24, 2008
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KISS 1974

Having been a KISS fan since the mid-seventies (not so much these days, I can assure you) - there was a time when indeed, these guys were the hottest band in the world. Having said that, I have a ton of (really) rare images from the band’s hey day that I’d like to share with all. (Especially all who emailed me re the Hotter Than Hell Norman Seeff shoot that was posted several days ago.) So periodically, I’ll post some classic KISS photography from the early days. Here’s a bunch of rare ones from 1974 when the band was indeed a lean, mean fighting machine and not the bloated, glorified tribute-act farce they are now(!)

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When KISS Was Cool: Hotter Than Hell - Norman Seeff

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JR
on April 21, 2008
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KISS - Hotter Than Hell - Norman Seeff
pic: Gene Simmons (when he was cool!) in an outtake photo from the Norman Seeff Hotter Than Hell sessions 1974

Photographer Norman Seeff designed KISS’ second album cover (Hotter Than Hell) with startling visuals to complement the bands’ powerful sound. Seeff, with art director John Van Hamersveld, took his cue from the band’s kabuki-style makeup and incorporated hints of Japanese culture into the cover. The result: a striking hybrid foursome that jumps off the printed surface and magnifies KISS’ unique look.

Now 30 years later, Norman Seeff is selling some absolutely mind-blowing photos from the Hotter Than Hell photo sessions. The vast majority of these photos have never been seen before. Visitors to Norman’s website can purchase a wide selection of photos from the many, many bands that Norman has shot throughout the years.

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KISS Sideshow Figures

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JR
on April 8, 2006
in Music, Toys and When KISS Was Cool
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I used to be a huge fan of KISS back in the day and all the way up until their massively successful Reunion Tour of 1996-1997. Although, I wouldn’t consider myself a fan these days as the band has become an absolute joke and completely ruined by greed and ridiculous merchandise opportunities that are nothing short of farcical. We won’t even begin to mention the KISS Store they were set to launch here in Melbourne, Australia. Doomed from the outset, the supposed store never even launched. The band these days is nothing but a glorified tribute/nostalgia act - I mean, dressing up your road manager in Ace Frehley make-up and costume is downright ludicrous. These schmucks think they can pull that one off but the fans are leaving them in droves.

But from the quagmire that is modern day KISS, I must admit getting a little bit excited about these new collector figures that are about to be released. The KISS band members have been meticulously recreated by Sideshow’s artistic team. Sculptor Pablo Viggiano, working with clothing fabricators Greg Mowry and Gidget Earle, has created the definitive 1:4 scale reproduction of each band member. Sideshow’s Premium Format sculptures stand approximately 18 inches tall, and utilize a variety of components, including polystone, metal, and fabrics to achieve an astonishing likeness.

Sideshow’s Creative Director, Tom Gilliland, anticipates limited editions for each Premium Format KISS figure, with an MSRP of $249.99. The KISS line will begin shipping with ‘The Spaceman’ figure in fourth quarter, 2006. A new figure will be shipped every other month thereafter, until all four band members have regrouped in your collection. Sideshow is the premier source for highly collectible figures, statues, busts, framed art, prop replicas and figure-study maquettes. Sideshow products are available online at: www.sideshowcollectibles.com, as well as through specialty shops, comic book stores, and via collectible web sites worldwide.

Love Gun For Sale

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JR
on February 7, 2006
in Geek, Music and When KISS Was Cool
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KISS Love Gun - Ken Kelly Auction
The original KISS Love Gun oil-painting by acclaimed fantasy artist Ken Kelly

There is currently an amazing ebay auction underway featuring the original painting of KISS’ 1977 classic opus ‘Love Gun’. The painting was done by acclaimed fantasy artist Ken Kelly who was also the artist responsible for the Kiss breakthrough album 1976’s ‘Destroyer’. The painting was owned by KISS bassist Gene Simmons and was sold at the 2000 Butterfield’s Auction. The painting’s starting bid begins at a staggering $77,000.

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