KISStory: "KISS" Released on this day February 18, 1974

Kiss Mask Webzine
KISS' self-titled debut album is released and hits the stores, 38 years ago, on this day February 18, 1974. The album's cover takes heavily on the Beatles' first album, Meet the Beatles. The sound of the KISS album displays the obvious influences the Beatles had on Kiss, especially Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

The album was certified Gold (500,000 copies sold) on June 8, 1977. The album took just 13 days to record and mix with production responsibilities to Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise. KISS peaked on the Billboard Top 200 at #87 with "Kissin' Time" single peaking at #83 on the Billboard Pop Singles charts. "Kissin' Time" was not the first pressing but rather made on the second pressing in July 1974 at the advice of Casablanca's President, Neil Bogart, who produced the band's third album, Dressed To Kill in 1975.

1. "Strutter" Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons Stanley 3:12
2. "Nothin' to Lose" Simmons Simmons, Peter Criss 3:26 *Released as a single 2/18/74
3. "Firehouse" Stanley Stanley, Simmons 3:18
4. "Cold Gin" Ace Frehley Simmons 4:22
5. "Let Me Know" Stanley Simmons, Stanley 2:59
6. "Kissin' Time" Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe Simmons, Stanley, Criss 3:53 *Released as a single July 1974
7. "Deuce" Simmons Simmons 3:05
8. "Love Theme from KISS" Frehley, Stanley, Simmons, Criss Instrumental 2:24
9. "100,000 Years" Stanley, Simmons Stanley 3:23
10. "Black Diamond" Stanley Criss 5:13

Two singles were released "Nothin' To Lose/Love Theme From Kiss" and "Kissin' Time/Nothin' To Lose"