[2023-10-10] Kiss "Kiss At 50" hardcover by Martin Popoff (Motorbooks)

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2023 12:12 pm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760381828/?tag=imwan-20

Description
With this beautifully produced book, relive the extraordinary history of the of the hottest band in the land through 50 milestone events.

Formed in New York City in 1973, Kiss became one of the most popular and best-selling bands in rock history with their inventive stage presence and heavy, hook-filled catalog, both ideally suited for packing hockey arenas and football stadiums. This richly illustrated book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to the band on the occasion of their 50th anniversary by curating and examining the 50 most significant milestones. This exquisite volume features:

• Sturdy hardcover format
• Stunning concert and candid offstage photography, much of it never before published
• Images of memorabilia, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, ticket stubs, and more
• Gatefold Kiss timeline

Popoff covers everything down through the decades:

• The band’s formation on the New York club scene
• Their fortuitous signing to the Casablanca label
• Infamous TV appearances, including Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
• The formation of the famous Kiss Army fan club
• Mega tours undertaken in support of the LPs
• Interband conflicts and personnel changes
• The band’s 1980s “unmasking”
• Innovative marketing such as comic books and the Kiss Convention
• And, of course, each of the landmark studio LPs

The result is an epic tribute to one of the most influential and admired bands in rock history—in a milestone year.

alantig · 20 Sep 2006

This looks interesting, and I'll pick it up, but looking at the preview pages shown on AmazWAN, I have some doubts about Popoff's analysis here (and I usually think he's pretty good). The pages they show for the solo albums, when he talks about there being nothing that sounds like a band, or nothing for fans to sink their teeth into. But to say "not one of the records felt like the work of a guy with something to say"? Did he even listen to Ace's album? Ace made a definitive statement with his, and there are more than a few people who feel that it was a move that backfired on Gene and Paul.

Simon · **Joined:** 26 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 59410

alantig wrote:

This looks interesting, and I'll pick it up, but looking at the preview pages shown on AmazWAN, I have some doubts about Popoff's analysis here (and I usually think he's pretty good). The pages they show for the solo albums, when he talks about there being nothing that sounds like a band, or nothing for fans to sink their teeth into. But to say "not one of the records felt like the work of a guy with something to say"? Did he even listen to Ace's album? Ace made a definitive statement with his, and there are more than a few people who feel that it was a move that backfired on Gene and Paul.

I agree with this - Ace's album was the best of the lot.

[2023-10-10] Kiss "Kiss At 50" hardcover by Martin Popoff (Motorbooks)

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