40 years ago today (September 18th, 1978), the four founding members of KISS — Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss — made history by simultaneously releasing their respective solo albums.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are using the big anniversary to announce a limited-edition vinyl reissue.
KISS: The Solo Albums – 40th Anniversary Collection, will be in 180-gram vinyl, with discs for each artist pressed in a different color.
Gene Simmons – Red: His disc includes a remake of “See You in Your Dreams” (initially found on KISS’s 1976 benchmark album, Rock and Roll Over) and a cover of the 1940 Disney classic from Pinocchio, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” There are guest appearances by Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Bob Seger, Cher, Donna Summer and Katey Sagal.
Paul Stanley – Purple: Features his single “Hold Me, Touch Me,” which reached the Top 50.
Ace Frehley – Blue: Serves up his Top 15 smash “New York Groove” — which many fans don’t realize was a cover of a single by Hello, a British glam band. Future Letterman band members Will Lee and Anton Fig are among the guest musicians.
Peter Criss – Green: Along with songs he wrote for his pre-KISS band Lips, it features a cover of the ’60s classic “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” which KISS performed during their Dynasty tour.
The box set will go on sale October 19th.
