The KISS List – 10 Classic Songs

Gene Simmons hooked up with guitarist Paul Stanley for Wicked Lester. They even managed to get a record deal from Epic that went nowhere. But it did provide the two with some money to live on.

During the waning hours of Wicked Lester there was an ad in Rolling Stone’s East Coast edition that read “experienced drummer willing to do anything to make it.” Enter Peter Criscoula (Criss). When guitarist Ace Frehley joined, it was the end of Wicked Lester and the beginning of KISS – lights, costumes, explosions and loud, driving Rock. It served them well. But there was another important element.

KISS’ make-up was Simmons’ idea. And it was perfect. First, it allowed some ordinary looking guys to be Rock stars. Secondly, and nobody thought of this at the time, the make-up hid the inevitable aging (until it became too pronounced).

Here are 10 songs KISS are remembered for:

#10. I Was Made For Lovin’ You

Guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley co-wrote the song with Desmond Child and Vini Poncia. It was a conscious effort on Stanley’s part to prove how easy it was to write and record a hit disco song. The “Motown-influenced” chorus was penned by Stanley and Poncia.

#9. Strutter

It was one of the few KISS songs written by bassist Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. It was featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Guitar Hero 2.  

#8. Cold Gin

The song was written by the band’s lead guitarist Ace Frehley and was released in 1974 on the band’s eponymous debut album. Though never released as a single, it was a concert staple.

#7. Calling Dr. Love

Written by Simmons who also sang lead vocals, the song title was inspired by a bit in the Three Stooges short film “Men In Black,” where Moe, Larry and Curly are doctors in a hospital.

#6. She

Released in 1975 on the band’s third studio album, “Dressed To Kill,” the song was composed by Gene Simmons and Stephen Coronel while Simmons was in a band called Bullfrog Bheer. 

#5. Nothing To Lose

The band’s first single was written by Simmons.

#4. Love Gun

Stanley, who sings lead vocals on the song, has claimed it is one of his favorite KISS songs. “‘Love Gun’ is quintessential KISS and is probably one of the five signature essential KISS songs.”

#3. Shout It Out Loud

Appearing on no less than a dozen KISS live and studio compilations, “Shout It Out Loud” became the band’s second single to break the Top 40, after “Rock And Roll All Nite.”

#2. Rock And Roll All Nite

“Rock and Roll All Nite” became KISS’s signature song and served as the group’s closing concert number.

Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart told the band to compose an anthem, something he felt the band needed. The song itself was inspired by Slade’s “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,”

#1. Detroit Rock City

“I had the basic riff of the song, the ‘Get up, get down’ part,” Stanley recalls, “but I didn’t know what the song was about except it was about Detroit. And then I remembered on the previous tour (where) somebody had gotten hit by a car and killed outside the arena. I remember thinking how weird it is that people’s lives end so quickly. People can be on their way to something that’s really a party and a celebration of being alive and die in the process of doing it. So that became the basis for the lyric.

“Detroit Rock City” did poorly when released as a single but caught on when it was re-released as the B-side of the ballad “Beth.”

Since then, the song was ranked #6 on VH1’s “40 Greatest Metal Songs” and was featured on the album “Heavy Metal – The First 20 Years. “

KISS (Original Line-Up):

Paul Stanley – Vocals/Rythm Guitar

Gene Simmons – Bass/Vocals

Ace Frehley – Lead Guitar

Peter Criss – Drums

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