Casablanca Records held a party at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles to celebrate the West Coast release of KISS (February 18) and to introduce the record company to the press and other record industry executives. In keeping with the Casablanca theme, the party included palm trees and a Humphrey Bogart lookalike. KISS performed their usual loud and bombastic stage show, which turned Warner Bros. Records (Casablanca's record distributor) against the group.

Soon after the show, Warner Bros. Records contacted Neil Bogart and threatened to end their deal with Casablanca if KISS didn't remove their makeup. With manager Bill Aucoin's backing, KISS refused. Shortly after the release of KISS, Warner Bros. released Casablanca from their contract.

KISS sold approximately 75,000 copies after its initial release, without the presence of a hit single.

The Band

PETER CRISS - Drums / Vocals
PAUL STANLEY - Guitar / Vocals
GENE SIMONS - Bass / Vocals
ACE FREHLEY - Guitar

Album Notes

• Additional personnel:
  Bruce Foster (piano); Bobby (handclaps)

• Recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York, New York in October 1973.

• "Kissin' Time", recorded as a promo for WSHE radio station in
  Ft. Lauderdale, FL, reaches a dismal # 83 in the singles chart.

Charts & RIAA Certifications

• Peeks at #87 on the US album charts

• Certified Gold - 06/08/77

Track Listing

1. Strutter (Simmons/ Stanley)

2. Nothin' To Lose (Simmons)

3. Firehouse (Stanley)

4. Cold Gin (Frehley)

5. Let Me Know (Stanley)

6. Kissin' Time (Mann/ Lowe)

7. Deuce (Simmons)

8. Love Theme From KISS (Stanley/ Simmons/ Criss/ Frehley)

9. 100,000 Years (Simmons/ Stanley)

10. Black Diamond (Stanley)