Complete List Of KISS Solo Albums And Discography

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This Complete List Of KISS Solo Albums And Songs presents the four coordinated KISS solo studio albums released by the band’s original members in 1978. The four original members of KISS all released solo albums on the same day while keeping the band together. The albums were issued as individual side projects but marketed as part of the larger KISS world. Of course, upon release, everyone began to argue which was the best of the four. While that is subjective, only one of the albums spawned a major hit single, which turned out to be Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove.” Below is a listing of all four albums with in-depth credits provided for each one.

KISS 1978 SOLO ALBUMS

Peter Criss (1978)

Released September 18, 1978

Peter Criss marks the solo debut of Peter Criss. Released on September 18, 1978, this album was part of a collective endeavor in which each original KISS member released a solo album on the same day, including Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley. The album was produced primarily by Vini Poncia, who would later produce Dynasty (1979) and Unmasked (1980) for KISS.

The album features several tracks such as “I’m Gonna Love You,” “Don’t You Let Me Down,” “That’s the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes,” and “Hooked on Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which had roots in material written during Criss’s pre-KISS period with Stan Penridge. Additionally, Criss covered “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” a track that was a No. 1 U.S. hit for Bobby Lewis in the summer of 1961 and later performed by KISS during their 1979 tour.

Peter Criss handled the lead vocals throughout the album and played drums on tracks 1 through 5 and track 9. Allan Schwartzberg played drums on tracks 6, 7, and 10, while Criss also provided percussion on track 8. The album featured a host of other musicians including Bill Bodine and Neil Jason on bass; Art Munson, Stan Penridge, Elliott Randall, John Tropea, Brendan Harkin, and Steve Lukather on guitars; and Bill Cuomo and Richard Gerstein on keyboards. Lukather delivered guitar solos on “That’s the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes” and “Hooked on Rock ‘n’ Roll.” A rich array of backing vocals was contributed by performers including the Faragher siblings, Maxine Dixon, Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman, Vini Poncia, Annie Sutton, and Gordon Grody. Tom Saviano arranged the horns, Michael Carnahan provided the saxophone solo on “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” and Lenny Castro contributed additional percussion.

The album was recorded during the spring of 1978, with sessions at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and Electric Lady Studios in New York, along with additional studio work. Eraldo Carugati created the album’s distinctive cover painting. Upon its release, Peter Criss reached number 59 in Australia, number 52 in Canada, number 40 in Japan, and number 43 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album was certified Gold in Canada and Gold and Platinum in the United States.

CD Track Listings:

“I’m Gonna Love You” – 3:18
“You Matter to Me” – 3:15
“Tossin’ and Turnin'” – 4:01
“Don’t You Let Me Down” – 3:38
“That’s the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes” – 2:59
“Easy Thing” – 3:53
“Rock Me, Baby” – 2:50
“Kiss the Girl Goodbye” – 2:46
“Hooked on Rock ‘n’ Roll” – 3:37
“I Can’t Stop the Rain” – 4:25

Ace Frehley (1978)

Released September 18, 1978

Ace Frehley was the debut solo album by Ace Frehley, released on September 18, 1978, by Casablanca Records. The album included the hit single “New York Groove,” a cover of a song written by Russ Ballard and first recorded by Hello in 1975. Frehley’s version reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the biggest hit single generated by the four 1978 KISS solo albums. The album itself reached number 26 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold and Platinum in the United States.

Ace Frehley took on multiple roles, performing lead and backing vocals, playing lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars, as well as guitar synthesizer and bass. The album also featured Anton Fig on drums and percussion, Will Lee on bass for “Ozone,” “I’m in Need of Love,” and “Wiped-Out,” and Carl Tallarico on drums for “Fractured Mirror.” Vocal support came from David Lasley and Susan Collins on “Speedin’ Back to My Baby,” “What’s on Your Mind?” and “New York Groove,” with Larry Kelly providing backing vocals for “Rip It Out.” The album’s unique sounds were further enhanced by Bill “Bear” Scheniman’s bell on “Fractured Mirror” and Bobby McAdams’s power-mouth talk-box effect on “New York Groove.” Producers Eddie Kramer and Ace Frehley helmed the production.

CD Track Listings:

“Rip It Out” – 3:39
“Speedin’ Back to My Baby” – 3:35
“Snow Blind” – 3:54
“Ozone” – 4:41
“What’s on Your Mind?” – 3:26
“New York Groove” – 3:01
“I’m in Need of Love” – 4:36
“Wiped-Out” – 4:08
“Fractured Mirror” – 5:25

Paul Stanley (1978)

Released September 18, 1978

Paul Stanley is the debut solo album by Paul Stanley, released on September 18, 1978. It was one of four solo albums released by the original members of KISS on the same day through Casablanca Records. Unlike the albums by Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, and Gene Simmons, which each included a cover song, Paul Stanley featured only original material. The album reached number 40 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified Gold and Platinum in the United States.

Paul Stanley provided lead and backing vocals for the album and also played rhythm guitar, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, and EBow. Supporting musicians included Bob Kulick on lead and acoustic guitar, Steve Buslowe on bass for the first five tracks, Eric Nelson on bass for the remaining songs, and drummers Richie Fontana, Carmine Appice, and Craig Krampf on different tracks.

Additional backing vocals were provided by Diana Grasselli, Miriam Naomi Valle, Maria Vidal, and Peppy Castro, with Doug Katsaros performing piano, Omni string ensemble, and backing vocals on “Hold Me, Touch Me (Think of Me When We’re Apart).” Steve Lacey was featured on electric guitar for “Love in Chains.” Stanley produced the album, with Jeff Glixman co-producing “Take Me Away (Together as One),” “It’s Alright,” “Love in Chains,” and “Goodbye.” Mike Stone handled the final mix.

CD Track Listings:

“Tonight You Belong to Me” – 4:39
“Move On” – 3:07
“Ain’t Quite Right” – 3:34
“Wouldn’t You Like to Know Me?” – 3:16
“Take Me Away (Together as One)” – 5:26
“It’s Alright” – 3:31
“Hold Me, Touch Me (Think of Me When We’re Apart)” – 3:40
“Love in Chains” – 3:34
“Goodbye” – 4:09

Gene Simmons (1978)

Released September 18, 1978

Gene Simmons, the eponymous debut solo album from KISS’s bassist and co-vocalist, was released on September 18, 1978. It emerged alongside the solo efforts of his bandmates Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, and Paul Stanley. The album peaked at number 22 on the U.S. Billboard 200, the highest chart position reached by any of the four 1978 KISS solo albums. The record stands out not only for its chart success but also for its eclectic musical mix, blending traditional hard rock with orchestral elements like choirs and strings and exploring styles ranging from Beatles-esque pop to ’70s funk and rock.

Gene Simmons features Gene Simmons on vocals, guitar, and bass. The album also includes Neil Jason on bass, Elliott Randall on guitars, Allan Schwartzberg on drums, and Sean Delaney handling percussion and backing vocals. Ron Frangipane contributed the symphonic arrangements and conducted members of the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras. The backing vocals were provided by a diverse group including Gordon Grody, Diva Gray, Kate Sagal, Franny Eisenberg, and Carolyn Ray. Eric Troyer played piano and sang on “Radioactive” and “Living in Sin,” while Steve Lacey handled guitar on “Radioactive.” John Shane Howell added classical guitar and crafted the segue between “Radioactive” and “Burning Up with Fever.” Piano contributions on “True Confessions” and “Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide” were made by Richard Gerstein.

The album boasts high-profile guest appearances, with Joe Perry playing guitar on “Radioactive” and “Tunnel of Love” and Bob Seger providing backing vocals for “Radioactive” and “Living in Sin.” Rick Nielsen was featured on guitar for “See You in Your Dreams,” and Helen Reddy contributed background vocals on “True Confessions.” Jeff “Skunk” Baxter played guitars on several tracks including “Burning Up with Fever,” “See You Tonite,” “Tunnel of Love,” and “Mr. Make Believe,” while Donna Summer added background vocals. Additional vocal contributions came from Janis Ian, Cher, Mitch Weissman, Joe Pecorino, and Michael Des Barres, while Richie Ranno played guitar on “Tunnel of Love.” The Citrus College Singers performed on “True Confessions” and “Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide.”

Gene Simmons co-produced the album alongside Sean Delaney. George Marino was responsible for mastering, and Eraldo Carugati created the album cover painting. Upon its release, the album charted in several countries, reaching number 32 in Australia, number 21 in Canada, number 24 in Japan, and peaking at number 22 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album was certified Gold in Canada and Gold and Platinum in the United States.