Just After Valentine’s Day A Band Releases Their First KISS

February 18, 1974, KISS released their self-titled, debut studio album. The Album had songs left over written by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons from an earlier band Wicked Lester.

 The entire process of recording and mixing took three weeks, while co-producer Richie Wise stated it took just 13 days.  KISS sold approximately 75,000 copies after its initial release without a hit single, according to the band's Wikipedia page..

Near the end of 1973 they officially became the first act signed to  Neil Bogart’s new label, Casablanca Records. Casablanca was most associated with Disco artists of the mid to late 1970s. KISS released 3 studio albums with no impact on the record-buying public. It wasn't until the label was on the verge of bankruptcy that the band found success with LIVE albums.

The album was recorded in New York the band's home roots. October of 1973. The release of the album was February 18th, 1973.  They began their first album tour a few weeks later, they made their first national TV appearance on ABC's In Concert (aired March 29, 1974), performing "Nothin to Lose", "Firehouse", and "Black Diamond", followed by a performance of "Firehouse" on The Mike Douglas Show, per Wikipedia.

According to the KISS concert database, the first appearance in Detroit Rock City was on April 7th at the Michigan Palace. The set list for the band's first performance can be found HERE. The band played 9 songs on the first album including, Duce, Strutter, Firehouse, Cold Gin, and more.

Detroit Radio station WABX was the host of the evening as Aerosmith was the headliner with special guest Mojo Boogie Band in front of a sold-out crowd of approximately 5000 people with ticket prices of $3-$4 each.

.From KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 2003. The album's cover showed the group reminiscent of the Beatles. Three of the four band members applied their own makeup for the album cover photo. Ace Frehley, wanting to impress the other members, dyed his hair with silver hairspray, which easily came out with shampoo

Some of Your Favorite Classic Rock Bands Have a Pinball Game

Pinball came out in the 1930s and right from the beginning it was labeled as trouble. Pinball was at one time, from the 1940s till 1976,s banned as illegal gambling. Arcades were all the rage in the 70s. Around here they were in every roller rink like Motor City Roller rink, to arcades like Walkers Pinball Palace and the Van Dyke Butterfly Sports center. 

My love for pinball started very young as my neighbor across the street had a game in his garage. The bells and lights drew me to the game and I was hooked. In 1976 Pinball got a big boost from the band, "The Who." Not only that but a hit song to go with it. Pinball Wizard, gave way to a pinball game based on the movie with Roger Daltrey and Elton John. The pinball game was Captain Fantastic by an American pinball company, Bally Manufacturing.

In later years, Pinball games have had their ups and downs, but like rock and roll, have never died! Many bands and artists have been immortalized forever with their own pinball game machines. Rock guitar god, "Slash," even helped to design a new Guns and Roses pinball game. The list is getting long on rock and roll-themed pins.

More Rock and roll-themed pinballs are being planned. Cheap Trick would be one of the pinball games I would like to see in the future.

Some of Your Favorite Classic Rock Bands Have a Pinball Game. Here is a list of my personal favorites.

Great fun game with an awesome playlist of AC/DC songs to keep you rocking for hours

17,000 KISS pinball games were made of the original game. Later in 2015, Stern made an updated version. If you have one of the original games hold on to it as it's going up in price now that the band is allegedly on their final tour.

With an MSRP when new: $8,999.00  Aerosmith keeps fans entertained with drum sounds, toys in the attic multi-ball, and a soundtrack of classic Aerosmith.  

Remember first playing this at the Van Dyke Sports Center in Warren, MI. Loved the old-style bells and it is a bit slow by today's standards. The artwork is so interesting with secret drawings hidden throughout the game.

This Nugent pinball I own myself. Location now is in my office at WCSX. I couldn't afford the KISS pinball and came across this game which only 2,437 were made. Thought it might be a good investment. Plus you can't beat the Motorcity Madman.