- CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
- KISS "Alive!" 1975 (USA)
- OOOHH YEAHHH, I HEARD THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE HERE TO-NIGHT WHO LIKE TO PARTAY AN ROCKANDROOOOLLLLLL, AWLRIGHT LEMME HEAR YAAA!!!!! Yesterday (January 20) marked the 59th birthday of my favorite Rock'n'Roll Clown, KISS frontman Paul "The Starchild" Stanley (who was born under the slightly less cool name Stanley Harvey Eisen.) The notorious comic book supergroup KISS should need no introduction -- they have become an iconic marketing behemoth, perhaps to the point where their musical contributions have been overlooked. During their mid-70's heyday, they were the pinnacle of a sort of "masculine glam rock" pioneered by groups like British bootstompers Slade and The New York Dolls (who were a direct inspiration on KISS's formative years, both groups having been founded at about the same time in the same city.) And no LP better captures the gonzo flash of the band's first era like this breakthrough double live album. In truth, Stanley and his partner Gene "The Demon" Simmons wrote some fine rock tunes, and KISS has always displayed a sly sense of humour that often seems lost on their critics and detractors (the only thing they're serious about is "having a good time, all the time" OOOHHH YEEAAHHHH!!!!)
- Here are video clips of KISS in 1975, performing songs from the Alive! album: "She" featuring guitar wankery from Ace "The Spaceman" Frehley, and the set closing anthem "Black Diamond". The band put on a great show back then, but over the years the spectacle has only become more and more over the top, as this 1996 performance of "Rock 'n' Roll All Nite" shows. Finally, here's a real treat -- a very rare unreleased song featuring Paul called "I Will Never Go To School"!
