1978 was a challenging year for Kiss. By this time, they were global stars, a phenomenon loved and also hated by many a project that truly shook the entire planet. The egos of each band member were at their peak, causing internal issues that would eventually lead to the separation of the original lineup comprising Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
Each member, after the release of ‘Love Gun,’ realized they could compose great songs independently, without the help of their bandmates. This further inflated their egos. Kiss‘ then-managers, Bill Aucoin and Sean Delainey, had a million-dollar idea: release a solo album for each band member. This move would somehow set them in competition, and due to their popularity, the albums would likely become massive successes.
Gene Simmons, at that time, was starting to connect with major musicians, movie actors, and Hollywood personalities. He used this to his advantage in recording his 1978 solo album, “Gene Simmons.”
What can we hear?
Contrary to the ruggedness its cover reflects, we hear a side of Gene Simmons more inclined toward his 1960s influences, such as The Beatles. He used rock as a base but softened it with love-themed lyrics and symphonic arrangements in tracks like “See You Tonite.” Notably, female backing vocals were recorded by none other than Donna Summer in the tracks “Burning Up With Fever” and ‘Tunnel Of Love,” adding a touch of soul to the album. Another track with a similar vibe is “True Confessions,” creating a ’70s bar atmosphere, characteristic of that era.
We hear soft rock that immediately transmits Gene Simmons’ essence, with a voice that can be as sweet as it is gritty, an interpretation that stays in line with “The Demon” character. He narrates the duality of his person, sometimes suggestive as in “Living In Sin” and other times sentimental, like in “When You Wish Upon A Star.” The latter, the famous Disney-penned track for the film Pinocchio, takes us back to Gene’s childhood a young boy from Israel with limited resources, barely speaking English. In this song, we can even hear “The Demon” struggling not to break down in tears halfway through, making the album more intimate and personal.
We can hear Cher’s voice in the bridge of “Living In Sin,” though not singing, just simulating a phone call. By this time, Gene was dating her and wanted to capture this situation in the album, adding significant history or, as fans say, “Kisstory.”
Celebrity Guitar Collaborations
We hear excellent riffs from Joe Perry of Aerosmith in “Radioactive” and “Tunnel Of Love,” two of the best songs on the album, resonating with his characteristic blues influences. We also hear Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick on the rhythm and solos in “See You In Your Dreams.” Originally recorded for Kiss’ 1976 album “Rock N’ Roll Over,” this version was re-recorded as Gene Simmons didn’t like the original production. In this version, we can also hear some backup vocals by Michael Des Barres, a famous actor of that time who appeared in the series “MacGyver.”
Additionally, we can hear Jeff Baxter of The Doobie Brothers on guitar in tracks like “Burning Up With Fever,” “See You Tonite,” and “Mr. Make Belive.” Consequently, the guitar work throughout the album has varied styles. Our favorites are the acoustic tracks, such as the latter, a ballad that feels innocent and joyful.
The album exhibits great arrangement work, particularly in the choir sections, which is something not extensively explored in previous Kiss records. Moreover, the bass also stands out, with “The Demon’s” ambiance being felt in tracks like “Tunnel Of Love.” However, not all bass was recorded by Gene; various sources mention his focus was more on the electric and acoustic guitars.
Two Sides of Gene Simmons
We like this album because it reveals many aspects of Gene Simmons that were previously unknown a character who is wild but also sentimental, rock-focused yet open to experimenting with various genres. This trait is likely something he picked up from Bob Ezrin when he recorded the iconic Kiss album “Destroyer.” It also reveals the peak of fame Gene Simmons was experiencing, from his friendships to his relationship with Cher at that time.
The closing track “When You Wish Upon A Star” is nostalgic and inspiring, reminding us that we can all achieve our dreams; we just need to ask the stars.
What is your opinion regarding the quality of the “Gene Simmons” album? Do you believe it stands out as a genuinely excellent album, or was it primarily crafted for Kiss fans? Please share your thoughts!
