Friday, September 18, 2009

KISStory - SEPTEMBER 18, 1978 - The SOLO ALBUMS

KISS RELEASE 4 SOLO ALBUMS ON THE SAME DAY:
Casablanca Records and KISS did something that was unheard of,
releasing 4 albums from each band-member all on the same day, which had never beenbefore or since. In industry circles, executuves thought Neil Bogart was taking a huge risk in doing so. Four million copies (one of each member) were shipped on the same day. Bogart spent a fortune on promotion from radio, tv, to billboards to print ad- the KISS Solo Albums were everywhere, even renting time on the Times Square Jumbotron and a huge billboard on Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood.
Each album sold in different members with Ace's album selling the most and spawning a top 40 hit at #13 on the Billboard singles chart with "New York Groove." Paul produced his own album which was the most Kiss-like. Gene had a guest list on his record that acted like a guest list to a big Hollywood party and Peter went the furthest away from Kiss music, utilizing his R&B and Jazz influences. Album stats and details follow tv commercial below,


Check out this 1978 tv commercial:


Stats and Album Details:
ACE FREHLEY- Produced by Eddie Kramer & Ace Frehley. Album length- 36:38
Chart Peak Position- U.S.A. #26 (album), #13 (single-"New York Groove").
RIAA (U.S.)Platinum/1,000,000.
PAUL STANLEY- Produced by Paul Stanley. Album length- 35:14
Chart Peak Position- U.S.A. #40 (album), #46 (single- "Hold Me, Touch Me").
RIAA (U.S.)Platinum/1,000,000.
PETER CRISS- Produced by Vini Poncia. Album length- 34:57
Chart Peak Position- U.S.A. #43 (album).
RIAA (U.S.)Platinum/1,000,000.
GENE SIMMONS- Produced by Sean Delaney & Gene Simmons. Album length- 38:58
Chart Peak Position- U.S.A. # 22 (album), #47 (single- "Radioactive").
RIAA (U.S.)Platinum/1,000,000

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