Gene Simmons (album)

1978 studio album by Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons

Cover by Eraldo Carugati

Studio album by

Gene Simmons

Released| September 18, 1978 (1978-09-18)
Recorded| April–July 1978
Studio|

* The Manor, Oxfordshire
* Cherokee, Hollywood
* Blue Rock, New York City

Genre|

* Hard rock
* pop rock
* glam rock
* rock and roll

Length| 38:58
Label| Casablanca
Producer|

* Gene Simmons
* Sean Delaney

Gene Simmons chronology
|  | Gene Simmons
(1978)  | Asshole
(2004)

|
|

Singles from  Gene Simmons

1. "Radioactive"
Released: 1978

Gene Simmons is the first solo album by Gene Simmons, the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss. It is one of four solo albums released by each member of Kiss, but yet still under the Kiss label, coming out alongside Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, and Paul Stanley. It was released on September 18, 1978. Reaching number 22 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, it was the highest-placing of all the four Kiss solo albums. Mainly a hard rock style album, it also features choirs and string arrangements on some songs, as well as incorporating various musical genres including Beatles-inspired pop, 1970s funk, and rock and roll.[1]

## Album information

[edit]

Although he is the bass player in Kiss, Simmons played mainly electric and acoustic guitars on the album, leaving the bass duties to Neil Jason. The album features guest appearances from well-known musicians, including Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Bob Seger, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Donna Summer, Helen Reddy and Cher. Though an unknown at the time, backing vocalist Katey Sagal would go on to a successful television career.

Simmons re-recorded "See You in Your Dreams" because he reportedly was not happy with the way it was recorded on Rock and Roll Over.[2] Simmons said that he covered "When You Wish Upon a Star" because he related to the song and was a fan of Disney movies. "When I first heard that song I could barely speak English but I knew the words were true. Anybody can have what they want, the world and life can give its rewards to anyone".[3]

The songs "Burning Up with Fever", "Man of 1000 Faces" and "True Confessions" were demoed in August 1975 for the Destroyer album, but rejected by producer Bob Ezrin.[4] They were finally released in 2021 on the bonus disc in the 2CD and Superdeluxe box set versions of Destroyer.[5] "See You Tonite", based on an acoustic Wicked Lester demo from August 1971,[6] was also demoed in 1975, and the demo versions of all four songs are on the Gene Simmons Vault box set, along with a 1976 demo of "Mr. Make Believe"[7]

On the original CD release in 1988 the first two songs are split incorrectly. The introduction that leads into "Radioactive" is split at the 51-second mark while the rest of "Radioactive" and all of "Burning Up with Fever" are played in the second track. However, the track listing of the cover lists the two songs as two separate tracks. The rest of the CD is split correctly.[8] The 1997 remastered edition fixes this mistake with "Radioactive" and "Burning Up with Fever" being split as two separate tracks. The introduction played before "Radioactive" is left in as part of the song.

## Reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal| 3/10[9]
Pitchfork| 5.0/10[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide| [11]
Spin Alternative Record Guide| 3/10[12]
Uncut| [13]

The album reached number 22 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, making it the highest-placing of all the four Kiss solo albums of 1978. It was certified platinum on October 2, 1978, having shipped 1,000,000 copies.[14]

AllMusic gave the album 3 stars out of 5 and called it an "unpredictable yet ultimately enjoyable release."[1]

## Track listing

[edit]

All credits adapted from the original release.[15]

All tracks are written by Gene Simmons, except where noted

Side oneNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Radioactive"| 3:50[a]
2.| "Burning Up with Fever"| 4:19[b]
3.| "See You Tonite"| 2:30
4.| "Tunnel of Love"| 3:49
5.| "True Confessions"| 3:30

Side twoNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

6.| "Living in Sin"| Simmons, Sean Delaney, Howard Marks| 3:50
7.| "Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide"|  | 4:12
8.| "Man of 1000 Faces"|  | 3:16
9.| "Mr. Make Believe"|  | 4:00
10.| "See You in Your Dreams"|  | 2:48
11.| "When You Wish Upon a Star"| Ned Washington, Leigh Harline| 2:44

## Personnel

[edit]

### Gene Simmons

[edit]

* Gene Simmons – vocals, guitar, bass

### Additional personnel

[edit]

* Neil Jason – bass
* Elliot Randall – guitars
* Allan Schwartzberg – drums
* Sean Delaney – percussion, backing vocals
* Ron Frangipane – symphonic arrangements and conductor of Members of the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras
* Gordon Grody, Diva Gray, Kate Sagal, Franny Eisenberg, Carolyn Ray – backing vocals
* Eric Troyer – piano and vocals on "Radioactive" & "Living in Sin"
* Steve Lacey – guitars on "Radioactive"
* John Shane Howell – classical guitar, segue between "Radioactive" & "Burning Up with Fever"
* Richard Gerstein – piano on "True Confessions" & "Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide"
* Joe Perry – guitars on "Radioactive" & "Tunnel of Love"
* Bob Seger – backing vocals on "Radioactive" & "Living in Sin"
* Rick Nielsen – guitars on "See You in Your Dreams"
* Helen Reddy – background vocals on "True Confessions"
* Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – guitars on "Burning Up with Fever", "See You Tonite", "Tunnel of Love" & "Mr. Make Believe"
* Donna Summer – background vocals on "Burning Up with Fever," & "Tunnel of Love"
* Janis Ian – backing vocals on the "Prelude to Radioactive"
* Cher – spoken word phone call on "Living in Sin"
* Mitch Weissman & Joe Pecorino (Beatlemania) – backing vocals on "Mr. Make Believe", "See You Tonite" & "Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide"
* Michael Des Barres – background vocals on "See You in Your Dreams"
* Richie Ranno – guitars on "Tunnel of Love"
* The Citrus College Singers – chorus on "True Confessions" & "Always Near You / Nowhere to Hide"

### Production

[edit]

* Gene Simmons – co–producer
* Sean Delaney – co–producer
* George Marino – mastering
* Eraldo Carugati – album cover

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (1978-1979)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[16] | 32
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[17] | 21
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[18] | 24
US Billboard 200[19] | 22

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[20] | Gold  | 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[21] | Platinum  | 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

### Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ Only says 46 seconds on some CDs when playing them in CD players.
2. ^ Says 7:23 in length on some CDs when playing them on CD players.

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Prato, Greg. "Gene Simmons / Kiss - Gene Simmons review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
2. ^ Gene Simmons, by Gene Simmons
3. ^ "Gene Simmons Album - When You Wish Upon A Star". KissFAQ.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
4. ^ Linnaeus, Carl (2014). Kiss - den osminkade sanningen. ISBN 9789187301896.
5. ^ "Review: KISS Destroyer 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition". November 16, 2021.
6. ^ "Kiss Related Recordings; WICKED LESTER - Paul Stanley Reel August 7, 1971". www.kiss-related-recordings.nl. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
7. ^ "Kiss Related Recordings; GENE SIMMONS 1966 - 2016 the Vault 11 CD Boxset 2018(chronological order)".
8. ^ "Gene Simmons - Kiss: Gene Simmons". Discogs. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
9. ^ Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 164\. ISBN 978-1894959025.
10. ^ Josephes, Jason (June 26, 2003). "Kiss - Gene Simmons". Archived from the original on June 26, 2003. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
11. ^ "Kiss: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
12. ^ Cohen, Jason (1995). "Kiss". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 212\. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
13. ^ Kulkarni, Neil (December 1997). "Made up for it". Uncut. No. 7\. p. 100.
14. ^ "RIAA Gold & Platinum Database: Gene Simmons". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
15. ^ Kiss (1978). Gene Simmons (LP Sleeve). Los Angeles, California: Casablanca Records. NBLP 7120.
16. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 19\. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
17. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0088a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
18. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
19. ^ "Gene Simmons Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
20. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Gene Simmons – Kiss". Music Canada.
21. ^ "American album certifications – Gene Simmons – Kiss - Gene Simmons". Recording Industry Association of America.

## External links

[edit]

* Gene Simmons at Discogs (list of releases)
* KISSONLINE.COM Discography- Gene Simmons, Accessed on July 28, 2008.

* v
* t
* e

Gene Simmons

* Gene Simmons
* Brent Woods
* Zach Throne
* Brian Tichy

* Philip Schouse
* Ryan Cook
* Jeremy Asbrock
* Christopher Williams
* Brent Fitz

Solo albums|

* Gene Simmons
* Asshole

Box sets|

* Gene Simmons Vault

Related articles|

* Kiss
* Axe Bass
* Wicked Lester
* Rock School
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels
* My Dad the Rock Star
* Mr. Romance
* Jumpin' Gene Simmons
* Shannon Tweed
* Nick Simmons
* Sophie Simmons

* v
* t
* e

Kiss

* Paul Stanley
* Gene Simmons
* Peter Criss
* Ace Frehley
* Eric Carr
* Vinnie Vincent
* Mark St. John
* Bruce Kulick
* Eric Singer
* Tommy Thayer

Studio albums|

* Kiss
* Hotter than Hell
* Dressed to Kill
* Destroyer
* Rock and Roll Over
* Love Gun
* Dynasty
* Unmasked
* Music from "The Elder"
* Creatures of the Night
* Lick It Up
* Animalize
* Asylum
* Crazy Nights
* Hot in the Shade
* Revenge
* Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions
* Psycho Circus
* Sonic Boom
* Monster

1978 solo albums|

* Ace Frehley
* Gene Simmons
* Paul Stanley
* Peter Criss

Live albums|

* Alive!
* Alive II
* Alive III
* Kiss Unplugged
* You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!!
* Kiss Symphony: Alive IV
* Kiss Instant Live
* Alive! The Millennium Concert
* Kiss Alive 35
* Kiss Sonic Boom Over Europe
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Compilations|

* Double Platinum
* Killers
* Chikara
* Smashes, Thrashes & Hits
* Greatest Kiss
* The Very Best of Kiss
* The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 2: The Millennium Collection
* Gold
* The Best of Kiss, Volume 3: The Millennium Collection
* Jigoku-Retsuden
* Kiss 40

Box sets|

* The Originals
* The Box Set
* Kiss Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums
* Kiss Alive! 1975–2000
* Ikons

Video albums|

* Animalize Live Uncensored
* Exposed
* Crazy Nights
* X-treme Close-Up
* Kiss Konfidential
* Kiss My Ass: The Video
* Kiss Unplugged
* Psycho Circus 3-D Video
* The Second Coming
* Kiss Symphony: The DVD
* Rock the Nation Live!
* Kissology Volume One: 1974–1977
* Kissology Volume Two: 1978–1991
* Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000
* Kiss Rocks Vegas

Tribute albums|

* Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation
* Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved
* A Tribute to the Creatures of the Night
* Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss
* Spin the Bottle: An All-Star Tribute to Kiss
* Gods of Thunder: A Norwegian Tribute to Kiss
* Lick It Up – A Millennium Tribute to Kiss
* Kiss My Ankh

Concert tours|

* Club Tour
* Kiss Tour
* Hotter than Hell Tour
* Dressed to Kill Tour
* Alive! Tour
* Destroyer Tour
* Rock & Roll Over Tour
* Love Gun Tour
* Alive II Tour
* Dynasty Tour
* Unmasked Tour
* Creatures of the Night Tour
* Lick It Up World Tour
* Animalize World Tour
* Asylum Tour
* Crazy Nights World Tour
* Hot in the Shade Tour
* Revenge Tour
* Kiss My Ass Tour
* Alive/Worldwide Tour
* Psycho Circus World Tour
* The Farewell Tour
* Alive 35 World Tour
* Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour
* The Hottest Show on Earth Tour
* The Tour
* Monster World Tour
* Kiss 40th Anniversary World Tour
* Freedom to Rock Tour
* Kissworld Tour
* End of the Road World Tour

Films|

* Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park
* Detroit Rock City
* Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery

Merchandising|

* Action figures
* Comics
* Kiss: Psycho Circus
* Pinball
* Pinball video game
* Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child
* Kiss Kasket
* Kiss by Monster Mini-Golf
* Los Angeles Kiss
* Bibliography

Related|

| Management|

* Bill Aucoin
* Doc McGhee

|

Songwriters|

* Bryan Adams
* Jean Beauvoir
* Michael Bolton
* Desmond Child
* Karl Cochran
* Stephen Coronel
* Sean Delaney
* Kim Fowley
* Bob Halligan Jr.
* Mikel Japp
* Holly Knight
* Bob Kulick
* Gerard McMahon
* Adam Mitchell
* Tony Powers
* Lou Reed
* Kane Roberts
* Jaime St. James
* Davitt Sigerson
* Ken Tamplin
* Bruce Turgon
* Jim Vallance
* Diane Warren

Articles|

* Discography
* Band members
* Songs
* Awards
* Kiss Army
* Operation Payback
* "Road to Europe"
* Rock School
* Gene Simmons Family Jewels
* The Elder

Bands|

* Black 'n Blue
* Black Sabbath
* Chelsea
* Eric Singer Project
* Frehley's Comet
* Grand Funk Railroad
* Mini Kiss
* Union
* Vinnie Vincent Invasion
* White Tiger
* Wicked Lester

Albums|

* Anomaly
* Asshole
* Cat #1
* Gene Simmons Vault
* Let Me Rock You
* Live to Win
* One for All
* Out of Control
* The Original Wicked Lester Sessions
* Origins Vol. 1
* Origins Vol. 2
* Rockology
* Space Invader
* Spaceman
* Trouble Walkin'
* Unfinished Business

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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