KISS "The Casablanca Singles:'74-'82" boxset details revealed

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KISS: More 'The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982' Details Revealed - Oct. 27, 2012
Rock legends KISS were the first signing to the late Neil Bogart's then-newly formed Casablanca label after he saw and recognized their talent and showmanship at their spectacular performance at a showcase concert at New York City's Le Tang's Ballet Studio in 1973, offering them a contract on the spot. Now, KISS celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2013 having broken box office records set by THE BEATLES and ELVIS PRESLEY, more than 28 U.S. gold albums, the most gold records for any American rock band, 40 million sales in the U.S. and a total exceeding 100 million worldwide.

In their early years, KISS released a total of 29 singles on seven-inch 45 RPM records for the Casablanca label. These were available for sale to the public, used for commercial radio airplay and to promote album sales. Many of these singles had entirely different mixes, edits and material that didn't appear on their vinyl albums. Now for the first time, these musical snapshots of KISS' formative years, which have never been available in a commemorative singles edition, entitled "The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982", on Mercury/Casablanca/UMe, will be available in December in two box set configurations:

* 29 Seven-Inch Vinyl
* 29 CDs (available through all retail)

In typical KISS fashion, these are no ordinary boxes. The sets are housed in a beautiful die cut shadow box with a limited edition etched silver metal plate and ribbon pull magnetic closure custom KISS 45s box with 26 collectible picture sleeves from original single releases around the world, including Japan, Germany, Holland, Spain and Britain. The vinyl collection also features singles from all four solo albums in purple, blue, red and green vinyl with a mask picture sleeve representing each individual member as originally released in the U.K. Both sets include a booklet which tracks the genesis and chart history of each single represented in the package.

"The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982" covers KISS' remarkable eight-year stay on Bogart's label, from their very first, "Nothin' to Lose" b/w "Love Theme from KISS", from their self-titled debut to their very first charted 45, "Kissin' Time". The band's subsequent string of hits included "Dressed to Kill"'s live version of "Rock and Roll All Nite" (#12 on Billboard's Hot 100), "Destroyer"'s "Shout It Out Loud" (#31) and the Top 10 ballad "Beth", "Rock And Roll Over"'s "Hard Luck Woman" (#15) and "Calling Dr. Love" (#16), "Love Gun"'s "Christeen Sixteen" (#25), Ace Frehley's solo hit, "New York Groove" (#13) and "Dynasty"'s "I Was Made for Lovin' You" (#11).

"Even I haven't heard some of this stuff, but this is all part of our master plan to celebrate KISS at this milestone in our careers," says Gene Simmons. "This box set represents us at the very beginning of our career, and documents the band's early success and subsequent growth."

Adds Paul Stanley: "This collection is meant for the true KISS aficionado. The packaging really captures the development of both our music and image at a very crucial period in the band's history."

The special set comes out a month after the release of "Monster", their 20th studio album. Showing the band at the top of its game, "Monster" embodies all that is KISS and the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, return stronger than ever with their new album to continue the legacy of the spectacular larger-than-life extravaganza, known as, KISS.

For more information, go this location.

kisssinglesnew.jpg
 

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"This is all part of our master plan to celebrate KISS at this milestone in our careers," says Gene Simmons.



Loosely translated: We won't stop until we've bled every cent we can get out of KISS merchandising.. CHA-CHING!!





The special set comes out a month after the release of "Monster", their 20th studio album.

Loosely translated: Just in time for Christmas. CHA-CHING.


Let me guess....the box is gonna be as big as a mail truck, right?




Man, this is getting embarrasing.

It's (the merchandising) always been a beating I've taken for being a KISS fan. Comes with the territory.

I've always just kinda chuckled at the crazy things KISS has put on the market. But this is really starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth. It smacks of greed.

Has anyone besides me noticed that, as KISS' original core of fans have gotten older, the merchandise has gotten bigger and more expensive?

Could that be because we're more financially secure, and can afford more expensive things?

Nah.....it's just a coincidence. Right?

This has ticked me off. I think I'm gonna take a break from KISS for a while.
 
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Khor1255

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Dynasty pissed me off. This is just Kiss being Kiss. Besides, if the single versions really do have significant differences (hopefully not just shorter edits) it would be cool to hear them.

I just heard Rock and Roll all Night at a Halloween party last night and it was the only song that genuinely got my toes tapping. I guess you can never really retire from The Army.
 

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The Stones released a singles set a couple of years ago which is very much like the Kiss set. I bought that set & know I plan on getting the CD version of the Kiss set which is $145 dollars. If for some reason I can't afford it then I'll do with out. I'm a fan of Kiss and it doesn't bother me what they do with merchandising. They're releasing a set of Dolls from their first album & as much as I would like them I do not think they are worth the money so I'm not getting them. They recently came out with a set of Pez dispensers for $14.99 & I thought they looked cool so I bought them. If it makes their fans happy & if the fans are willing to shell out money who cares. Look at how many people are spending tons of Money on Marvel or DC comic merchandise. I'm also A fan of Alice Cooper & a few years ago he released an incredible box set which I really wanted but I didn't want to pay $270 dollars for it so I didn't but fans did buy out the limited number of copies(on November 6th a smaller version which includes a book & 4 cd's is being released for $65 so I will probably get that).
 

Mr. Bob Dobolina

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I wouldn't mind hearing this set, seeing as it includes rare mixes, promo versions, etc. The price tag is a bit on the steep side. It would be great if they could release it as an inexpensive 3 disc set. I'd buy that in a minute.
 

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I wouldn't mind hearing this set, seeing as it includes rare mixes, promo versions, etc. The price tag is a bit on the steep side. It would be great if they could release it as an inexpensive 3 disc set. I'd buy that in a minute.

You never know if they will in the future. Supposedly, that Alice Cooper Box set was going to be a once in a lifetime thing & once it was gone it was gone & now all of a sudden the 4 discs are being released as a set which is all I really wanted so 66 bucks is more reasonable than 269 bucks in that case for what I want. As I said previously, I plan on getting it especially after how much I enjoyed the Stones Singles box set from the 70's thru 2000's but it's understandable to rather have a 3 disc set with all of the tunes. For the record as much as I love that Stones set it was kind of a pain to sit there & put 72 individual cd's into my computer:D I really believe Kiss copied this idea from the Stones. I am looking forward to seeing the picture sleeves for the Kiss set as well as hearing them
 

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I kind of understand being aggravated with the constant assault of off the wall KISS merchandising. However, other than the PRICE, this box set is AWESOME. Using different covers released in different countries that have become impossible to get over the years.

As for being angered by it being released by Christmas... Do you think they should wait until January? LOLOLOL
 

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As for being angered by it being released by Christmas... Do you think they should wait until January? LOLOLOL


Oh, I'm not angry about them releasing it in time for Christmas. That's Market Strategy 101.

And we all know how they're just barely getting by. Waiting until January would probably force them to declare bankruptcy.


Besides, come January, they're gonna box this KISS box set and their gigantic KISS book, throw in a couple of KISS guitar picks and a baggie with some KISS confetti.

For around 600 bucks.
 

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