Josh-da-man

Was there a version of "Creatures of the Night" released with Vinnie on tne cover? I did a google image search and some photographs of LPs with Vinnie on the cover showed up. I think they were described as coming from Brazil. Bootlegs? Customs? Some kind of limited release deal?

I use the Vinnie Vincent version of the cover on my MP3s since the Vinnie make-up was never included on any cover.

And, speaking of Vinnie's make-up, what was his character's name? Most places online seem to refer to him as "Ankh Warrior," (or just The Warrior) but when I was in grade school everyone called him "Guitar Wizard."

cultshock

Yeah, for contractual reasons, Ace still did promo work with KISS for this album's release, including the "I Love It Loud" video, and some lip synced TV appearances in Europe. But he did not appear on the album itself at all, the guitar work was mostly Paul, Vinnie and some session guitarists. The album was really a hodgepodge of performances and it has been rather difficult to determine who exactly did what on each song.

The Vinnie Creatures cover is definitely fake, but has sometimes been sold as an official Brazilian "import". It is not.

Why So Blu?

Oops and correction: the bad blood was still with Ace. Vinnie lasted for one record - Lick It Up.

movieking

When I first saw this was bumped, I thought how in the hell did someone not be embarrassed to be a Kiss fan until now? Then I saw the thread was started 15 years ago and it made sense. Definitely some killer songs, but Gene just went way over the top with all of the gimmicks and crap they licensed.

hdnmickey

The cover with Eric and Ace is the only official original cover, but I can tell you that many very good quality bootleg "Vinnie/Ankh Warrior" versions existed back in the day. I distinctly remember the huge Kiss fan I knew growing up having a copy that he purchased at an "import" record store. Couldn't have looked more legit. And this was long before an individual could mock up quality looking printings themselves. He also had a copy of Killers (I didn't), which I believe actually did have official release internationally.

cultshock

Yeah, that one is totally official, and for completists, the European, Australian and Japanese versions of Killers all have slightly different track lists (I have the Japanese CD).

inri222

MANBREASTS

What was the video? It's not available now.

inri222

Jason

There was also a post-makeup cover released with Bruce Kulick.

Hazel Motes

What a bunch of sad, washed up losers.

I always love when Gene brings up all the bands they took out on their first tours because without exception they're all bands that are better and more successful than KISS.

Why So Blu?

Artistic merit aside -- opening up for the band in those days was one of the biggest platforms a band could get. Hell, even when they were on the Pyscho Circus tour - they had Rammstein open up for them in Mexico, etc. That's pretty dope. Do I think it's crass that Gene brings it up all the time? Meh, I'm over it.

Gene also discovered Van Halen - never forget that shit. I'm not even a Van Halen fan. I do remember reading that Dokken was the showcase headliner that night and Van Halen opened up for them and after Gene saw VH he called it a night and did not stay for Dokken.

MANBREASTS

Thank You for posting it!

hdnmickey

I love how Tommy just stands there hoping not to be included in all that,

B5Erik

Ok, Paul is becoming the cranky old man telling everyone to get off his lawn.

And?

They still wrote a ton of great songs and put on some amazing live shows.

slop101

Their songs are shit as are their live shows. Sure, they put on a "spectacle", but I don't give a fuck - I'm at a concert for MUSIC and I want to see some musicians who know how to sing and play their instruments. Kiss is and has always been a clown show of hacks appealing to the least discerning rock fan.

B5Erik

Well, that's one view. Not an accurate one, but it's a view.

Hazel Motes

I'm somewhere in the middle. KISS put out a handful of really good albums in their first 10 years as a band, all of which fall short of being truly great. They haven't released a good album in about 35 years. And in that 35 years they've managed to turn themselves into the biggest punchline in music history. I saw them on New Years Eve 2000 when I was 16 and they were nothing special live. Even then I could recognise that they were basically a nostalgia act. I don't know when they were a great live act, but I assume it was a long time before that. And to top it all off, all 4 original members are fucking scumbags.

And to follow up, all the bands they brought out on the road that Gene brags about, they're all better than KISS. Rush, ACDC, Van Halen, Iron Maiden. At their best they all blow KISS out of the water. Both on record and live.

Hazel Motes

I'm not discrediting Gene for taking any of these bands out or discovering Van Halen, I'm just saying they are all better than KISS.

inri222

Josh-da-man

"Revenge" was good.

d2cheer

Agree 100%.


Agree to that as well. For the shit that passes for fucking music today they are GODS…Their influence on other bands is amazing. All the great rock that came because they inspired so many to play music.

Why So Blu?

I disagree. Their shows along with Rammstein's are the best live shows I've been to, because they entertain as much as they play their music. I'm no snob. I also don't give a fuck about mosh pits or having some drunk person land on me. I paid my hard earned money to watch a show, not get hit.

Why So Blu?

I agree with that. It was their last great album.

d2cheer

Also that video was from 6 fucking years ago. Way to bring up something recent.

Sonic Boom was their last great album. That rocked.