My first introduction to KISS came through a CREEM magazine article entitled “I dreamed I was Onstage with KISS in my Maidenform Bra” by Jaan Uhelszki. I was mesmerized by the pictures. Who the hell were these guys. Months later I found and bought my first KISS album, “Dressed to Kill”. It was their third album. I had not heard their music until that point. I loved the album. The lyrics were what every teenage boy was thinking about – sex.

Fast forward and now I knew that KISS had released two albums before Dressed to Kill. They were KISS and Hotter Than Hell. I bought them of course. So why is KISS’s first album this month’s Album of the Month? It was recorded in 1973 and released in February 1974, I didn’t get it until 1975.

When my buddy Dennis and I started our first band (see Life as a Band Member series), one of the first songs I learned and played in front of strangers was Strutter. Strutter is off the album KISS. We played it during a Battle of the Bands competition in which we came in third place out of three bands competing. Looking back now, it was a simple enough song and we played it well as a band. Thinking to those days and that Battle of the Bands brings back fond memories of best friends Dennis, Bill O., Bill L., and Howard. We had so much fun hanging out and practicing.

KISS has many more songs on it (half the album) that continue to be played live (or did until their retirement in 2023). Deuce, Cold Gin, Firehouse, 100,000 Years and Black Diamond all are staples in KISS’s live set.

For bringing back those memories of the Music Center, Battle of the Bands and my time spent with Dennis, Bill O., Bill L., and Howard I chose KISS by KISS as this month’s Album of the Month.