Episode 66: KISS in the Early 80s: Elder, Creatures, Lick It Up & Animalize

The Rock and Metal Profs: The History and Philosophy of Rock and Metal

The early 1980s was a time of tremendous change and transition for KISS. Just a few years prior, the "Hottest Band in the World" was selling out arenas and their albums shipped platinum. However, by 1981, Peter Criss was out of the band, with Ace Frehley soon to follow. The next few years brought line-up changes, a disastrous concept album (Music from the Elder), a return to rock album that sold poorly (Creatures of the Night), and the momentous decision by the band to finally reveal their true identities to the public. KISS re-imagined and re-branded with their 11th studio album "Lick it Up", and began their ascent to the top once more. Embracing the 80s hard rock bombast, guitar shredders, and all the glam and glitter of the decade, KISS showed they were still the Kings of the Mountain. Court, Matt and Tim discuss the often misunderstood and much maligned "Music from the Elder", the return to form with "Creatures of the NIght", and the brilliance of the first two non-makeup albums, "Lick it Up" and "Animalize."