CHAPTER 67 - W.O.W.
(1984)
“WOW” Album Notes:
Produced
by Gene Simmons. Engineered by Frank Filipetti. 2nd Engineer: Tom Roberts. Assistant
Engineers: Billy Miranda, Tom Brick, and Moira Marquis. Recoded and mixed at
Right Track Studios,
That comment would indicate
that the bassist was one Edward Van Halen. However,
Eddie’s involvement with the project never materialized and he had simply been
mentioned as a possible guest player during the early stages of the project. It
should be noted that the “W.O.W.” album was Gene’s first released extra-KISS
production role. He would set the precedent of controlling who played on the
recording and use material from his own catalog of songs when he felt that the
band’s material didn’t measure up.
67.01. I Love Sex (And Rock And Roll)
Written
by Gene Simmons, Wes Beech, Rod Swenson, TC Tolliver, and Richard Stotts. Wes Beech had been the rhythm
guitarist with The Plasmatics and would remain with
Wendy until her “Fuck ‘N Roll” fan club EP in 1985. Rod Swenson was Wendy’s
manager and partner, and responsible for much of the image which Wendy pursued
during her musical career. Richard Stotts was the Plasmatic’s lead guitarist and TC Tolliver was the drummer.
Richard would not play on Wendy’s solo album with Michael Ray being used
instead.
67.02. It’s My Life
This Stanley/Simmons
composition would be a KISS demo over-dubbed with Wendy’s vocals. This song
would be issued as a single from the album, with picture sleeve, backed with
“Priestess.” It would be available in both 7” and 12” formats. A video would
also be made, though neither would help the album’s success since the record
label Wendy was signed to was having problems. A
promotional 12” single would be released backed with “I Love Sex (And Rock ‘N
Roll” and “Thief In The Night.” For collectors, a
picture disc version of the full album was released in the
67.03. Priestess
Written
by Wes Beech, Rod Swenson, Chris Romanelli, and
Richard Stotts. Chris Romanelli
had replaced Jean Beauvoir as the Plasmatic’s
bassist, but would not play on Wendy’s album.
67.04. Thief In The Night
Written
by Gene Simmons and Mitch Weissman.
While Gene would donate this song for Wendy to record, he would later bring it
back to KISS to record for the “Crazy Nights” album in 1987. There would be
very minor arrangement differences between the Wendy and KISS versions of this
song. However, Wendy’s chorus would be longer: “Like a thief in the night / She breaks into his heart / Like a thief in the night /
Alright, alright / Like a thief in the night / She never leaves her mark / Like
a thief in the night / Alright.”
67.05. Opus in Cm7
Written by Rod Swenson and Chris Romanelli,
this track would feature piano played by Gene’s song-writing partner Mitch Weissman.
67.06. Ready To Rock
Written
by Rod Swenson, Chris Romanelli, and Richard Stotts. Paul Stanley is credited on
guitar on this track. According to Gene, he had simply asked Paul to
participate on the track and he agreed.
67.07. Bump And Grind
Gene would persuade Ace to
spend an hour recording the guitar solo for this song which was written by Wes
Beech, Rod Swenson, Chris Romanelli, TC Tolliver, and
Richard Stotts. Strangely, Ace acquiesced to Gene’s
request and provided a stellar 30 second signature piece. This song would also
be re-released on Wendy’s “Fuck ‘N Roll” fan club EP in 1985, though without
Ace’s solo, since the recording was recorded live on
67.08. Legends Never Die
Originally written by Micki Free, Adam Mitchell and Gene, this song was tried out
by KISS during the “Creatures Of The Night” album
sessions, though Paul was not particularly keen on the song. Gene would later
suggest that he took the incomplete KISS instrumental track and added Wendy’s
vocals to the song (he has also contradicted this stating that the song was
written specifically for Wendy).
It would seem logical to assume
that if Gene was willing to do that with one “Creatures” era track then he
would certainly not hesitate on using another, and the sonic signature of
Eric’s drums seem to point that direction. Regardless, Eric Carr is credited on
drums on the “WOW” recording even though he never went actively participated in
the recording of the album. However, on the recording Micki
Free is credited on acoustic guitars indicating that Gene may simply have used
a Free/Simmons/Carr demo instrumental of the track.
67.09. Ain’t None Of
Your Business
Written by Gene Simmons,
Eric Carr, and Vinnie Vincent, this song has nothing to do with the track with
the same title that KISS had demoed in 1976 with Peter Criss on lead vocals.
With lyrics like “I’ll do as I like / I’ll do as I please / Don’t
ask me why” the song’s subject matter makes it more of a twin of “It’s My
Life.” This song would also be re-released on Wendy’s “Fuck ‘N Roll” fan club
EP in 1985.