KISS

Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.

MAP041: KISS the band.png

What childhood cassette collection didn’t include caroling Muppets, sing-songing Smurfs, and blood vomiting demons in platform boots? To some, the hard rock antics of KISS were the demonstrative height of late 70s depravity. But to a particular 5 year old, they were the cartoon-infused origin of his own theatrics. So join actor Jason Dugre as he Rock and Rolls all night (or at least to a manageable hour) with a Spaceman, a Cat and… another…Spaceman… maybe (?)

You can watch today’s guest JASON DUGRE in GILMORE GIRLS (season 4 episode 12: “A Family Matter), GILMORE GIRLS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE (episode 3: “Summer”) and the independent feature film SAINT BERNARD available for rent and purchase on AMAZON PRIME. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @thejfog.

POP NOTES

  • The original line-up of KISS first played together at the Popcorn Club in Queens New York on January 30th 1973.

  • The band’s founding members, THE DEMON (Gene Simmons) and THE STARCHILD (Paul Stanely) had previously played together in the band WICKED LESTER.

  • The founding duo enlisted former LIPPS drummer THE CATMAN (Peter Criss) off an ad he had placed in an issue of ROLLING STONE. The trio played a few gigs together in fall of 1972.

  • Guitarist THE SPACEMAN (Ace Frehley) was the final member to join the band at the start of 1973. He is also credited as the artist behind their original (and controversial) band logo.

  • KISS made their television debut performing three songs on a March 29th 1974 episode of Don Kirshner’s IN COCERT. The episode also featured a performance by MELISSA MANCHESTER, most famous for “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud.”

  • The band’s power ballad “Beth” was originally released as a B-Side to July 26th, 1976 single for “Detroit Rock City. Rosalie Trombley, music director for Canadian radio station CKLW, noticed her daughter’s devotion to it and put the song into heavy rotation. ”Beth” was then re-issued to greater success with “Detroit Rock City” now its b-side.

  • KISS performed on the October 29th 1976 PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL, appearing alongside Margaret Hamilton, Florence Henderson, Billy Barty and the Osmonds.

  • Following an appearance in issue 12 of HOWARD THE DUCK (May 1977) Marvel Comics released A MARVEL COMICS SUPER SPECIAL!: KISS (September 1977) which, legend claims, was printed with the band’s own blood.

  • On October 28th 1978 NBC aired the Hanna Barbara live-action production KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK. The film famously featured voice actor Michael Bell (GI JOE) dubbing over the CATMAN’s dialogue and full scenes of the SPACEMAN being performed by his stunt double, Alan Oliney (THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR).

  • KISS would once again visit an amusement park with SCOOBY DOO! AND KISS: ROCK AND ROLL MYSTERY (2015) which features their sole performance of “Don’t Touch My Ascot.”

Tune back on Friday when Jason spikes some emotional volleyballs with GOOSE FROM TOP GUN.

This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser.    It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.

MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.

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Try to understand the present while living in the past with Tim’s weekly podcast 20TH CENTURY POP! at www.nahpods.com/20popcast

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