KISS (1974)

Casablanca/Warner Bros. NB-9001 (USA, 2/8/1974 w/o "Kissin' Time")
Casablanca/Warner Bros. NB-9001 (USA, 7/1974 w/ "Kissin' Time")
Casablanca NBLP-7001 (USA, 9/1974)

First Issue: (1974 only)
A1. Strutter (3:10) - Simmons/Stanley | LYRICS

(USA 7/74, did not chart)

A2. Nothin' To Lose (3:26) - Simmons | LYRICS

(USA 2/74, did not chart)

A3. Firehouse (3:18) - Stanley | LYRICS
A4. Cold Gin (4:21) - Frehley | LYRICS
A5. Let Me Know (2:58) - Stanley | LYRICS
B1. Deuce (3:05) - Simmons | LYRICS
B2. Love Theme From Kiss (2:24) - Simmons/Stanley/Frehley/Criss | LYRICS
B3. 100,000 Years (3:22) - Simmons/Stanley | LYRICS
B4. Black Diamond (5:11) - Stanley | LYRICS

Subsequent Issues (including some NB-9001 issues):
A1. Strutter (3:10) - Simmons/Stanley

(USA 7/74, did not chart)

A2. Nothin' To Lose (3:26) - Simmons

(USA 2/74, did not chart)

A3. Firehouse (3:18) - Stanley
A4. Cold Gin (4:21) - Frehley
A5. Let Me Know (2:58) - Stanley
B1. Kissin' Time (3:52) - Mann/Lowe | LYRICS

(USA #83, 5/74)

B2. Deuce (3:05) - Simmons
B3. Love Theme From Kiss (2:24) - Simmons/Stanley/Frehley/Criss
B4. 100,000 Years (3:22) - Simmons/Stanley
B5. Black Diamond (5:11) - Stanley

Produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise. Recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City, NY; October-December, 1973. Engineered and mixed by Warren Dewey at Bell Sound Studios. Art direction/design by Lockart. Photography by Joel Brodsky. "Firehouse" fire engine driven by the magnificent Eddie Solon, Marc Labow, and Richie Wise. "Kissin' Time" recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City, NY; April 1974. Recordings were 16 tracks. Versions of the original Warner NB-9001 pressing do exist with "Kissin' Time" included, though it is not always listed on the label or cover. It was added to the vinyl with a sticker on the cover sometimes proclaiming the song's inclusion. Some copies with the sticker/label listing do not include the song on the vinyl. The 10 track "KISS" album started appearing during the summer of 1974, though the band had not wanted "Kissin' Time" added to the LP.

Nothin' To Lose - Bruce Foster on piano, Bobby on hand-claps

USA Chart Peak (USA): #87 (6/8/74) with 22 weeks on charts. Other countries: CAN #46 (1976); JAP #84 (1977); NZD #48 (1976)

USA: "Kiss" was certified Gold by the RIAA on 6/8/1977. It has never been recertified, but has sold over 217,000 since the SoundScan era commenced in 1991.

Since the majority of these songs formed the core of KISS' original catalog it should not be surprising that all of them have been performed live. "Black Diamond," "Strutter," "Firehouse," and "Deuce" were all performed at KISS' first ever gig, on January 30, 1973. By June "100,000 Years" and "Acrobat" (which included the section that later became known as "Love Theme from KISS") had been added to the set. "Nothin' To Lose," "Let Me Know," and "Cold Gin" were some of the final additions. And of course, "Kissin' Time" which saw a few performances in May/June 1974 and again, albeit briefly, in 2006.

"KISS" Radio Commercial (2/74)
Paul & Gene CHED-630 Radio IDs (2/74)

White Label Promo Cover & Album
White Label Promo Center-ring closeup: Side 1 | Side 2
NB-9001 Center-rings, no "Kissin' Time"
NB-9001 Center-rings, with "Kissin' Time"
NB-9001 Song's Cover Sticker

Blue Label Reissue | apanese Victor issue w/ Obi
UK EMI Issue (1975) | Pye Red Vinyl Reissue (1977) | UK 1984 reissue | Mexican Gamma Blue Label

NB-9001 NB-90001-60001-1A Bell Sound / NB-9001 NB-90001-60002-1Ax Bell Sound »»» No KT on vinyl.