KISS released Destroyer 45 years ago Monday
"Destroyer", the album that made KISS into big stars, was released 45 years ago Monday.
KISS released their first three albums, Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed To Kill, in quick succession over 13 months time in 1974-1975. In hindsight, it sounds like it based on the quality of production. On their fourth album, Destroyer, that changed. Producer Bob Ezrin helped the band find a more polished sound and a higher level of success.
At a chance 1975 meeting at a Toronto television studio, Ezrin asked Kiss frontman Paul Stanley if he was happy with the sound of the band's first three albums. "He said, 'Yeah, why?'" Ezrin told Rolling Stone. "And I said, 'Well, you know, if at any point you decide you're not, I would love to work with you guys.'
On March 15, 1976, Destroyer was released. “Beth” was the most successful single from the album, but “Detroit Rock City”, “Shout It Out Loud”, “God of Thunder”, “Do You Love Me?” and “King of the Nighttime World” are other highlights. “God of Thunder” is one of Gene Simmons’ signature songs, but it was written by Paul Stanley and a demo was recorded with Stanley on lead vocal.
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What’s your favorite track from Destroyer? Tell me in the comments. I’ll drop a video hint for mine.