On This Date: Kiss Come “Alive” For the 1st Time

It’s hard to believe that, in spite of the enormous Midwestern cult following they had established, the “hottest band in the world” couldn’t garner sales for it’s first 3 studio albums. So, with the potential of financial ruin looming over the band and it’s label, they decided to take a new approach. On September 10, 1975 the band released it’s legendary first ‘live” album featuring songs from the first 3 studio records. “KISS ALIVE!” was recorded during a string of Midwest shows between June 21st and July 23rd 1975. “ALIVE” is a fan favorite and features some of the bands most loved early material including 100,000 Years, Cold Gin, Deuce and Hotter Than Hell, just to name a few. The record would be the source of controversy in later years for it’s “live”, “not live” production with producer Eddie Kramer having admitted to “fixing” parts of the performances, particularly guitars, because as he puts it “the Kiss live show made it difficult to get a perfect live performance. Some former members have claimed, former drummer Peter Criss in particular, that the only actual “live” tracks on the album are his drum and vocal tracks.