KISS - Kissology Vol. 1 - 1974-1977 (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Set)

Wow....about time KISS got with it and released some of this footage. I am surprised with all the crappy bootlegs of this stuff floating around, that it didn't happen sooner.

There is really unique and vintage stuff here. The many TV show appearances, I had never seen and enjoyed seeing the younger versions of the band members and their "behaviors" of the time. The concert footage is far superior to any thing I have seen in the past. I have read a few complaints about it's quality, but some of this stuff is 30+ years old and filmed on videotape. Can't complain. There are some very rare items hidden (easter eggs) on the set and the viewer can find those by playing around on the menu screens. The bonus disc is nice, although there are 3 different ones from different vendors.

Anyway...all hail the effort and long live Rock n' Roll

KISSOLOGY is a must for true KISS fans. The oldest clips are the most fun as we get to see KISS as they are in their formative years and making the first TV appearances and some early shows with only one or 2 albums under thier belt.
Yes some songs are repeated many times but hey just skip the 5th viewing of FIREHOUSE if desired.
The booklet is great and in true KISS tradition a replica of a 1975 KISS sticky backstage pass is included -Musical geniuses? Probably not. Innovators?
Nah, they nicked their act from Alice Cooper and The NY Dolls. Marketing and merchandising and taking the SHOW to the next level is how KISS made their mark on ROCK in the 70's. They haven't made a really greay album since Destroyer in 1976 but they are always a good time and a fun show to see.
- Diamond Dave

I wanted to tell you how cool it is. I can finally buy a liscenced version of all the awsome things I've had on bootleg in the past. In fact, I actually wanted to write Gene Simmons a letter in the early ninties and suggest he put something like this out!

What makes this compilation so great is the imperfections! All of the little things that aren't planned. Like not being able to get feedback on cue, microphone stands getting in the way, a botched solo, a bad note, and someone singing off-key. The reality of the humanity of The Greatest Rock And Roll Show On Earth.

Most people know KISS worked thier butts off, right from the beginning. They practiced for their live shows over and over again. Every little move was pre-planned to give maximum appeal to the audiences senses. To generate excitement, or a reaction. So, it's great to see the mistakes. To see how they overcame and adapted to unique situations. Plus, it makes it a lot easier now to picture one of them sitting on a toilet. Just like the rest of us! Now, let's move on to the kind of stuff proffesional journalists would write about.

It is very fascinating to watch KISS go from rough and unpolished, like a Black Diamond,to Gods of Thunder. In the beginning you can see the nervousness, unsuredness, and overall inexperience. Some of the now infamous moves weren't so polished, and looked sort of robotic. They also looked determined, hungry, and destined. The nervousness and silliness of the Mike Douglas Show faded away, by the time they did The Midnight Special. Between those two events was the crux of KISS' destiny. Somewhere in between there KISS sold out Cobo Hall in Detroit. You could see they had come of age on The Midnight Special. They LOOKED like rock stars, they moved smoothly like rock stars, and they played like rock stars. Instead of looking like four guys trying to do something different, hoping other people will like it. They started looking like four guys.

You can easily see the transformation from hooligans to high class. KISS was tough, rude, and obnoxious in the beginning. The Ramones were around about this same time. You could almost say KISS is one of the world's original punk bands. Disc two, the edge is gone. It's all about marketing. Good or bad. There's nothing wrong with a little more money! I think The Budokan stage show was really the "dream come true" stage show for KISS. They finally had the money to do whatever they wanted, and do it their way. This victory would set the stage for the further catapult of KISS on a global level. All of the music is great. But, this set tells a story.

By the time KISS played The Summit in Houston, it was getting very difficult for Ace to even visit his own mom. His car would be mobbed by all the neighborhood kids in the Bronx. There are many sacrifices which come with fame. And distractions. And money. Which should lead us into Volume II.

kiss finally released a dvd box set of archives pecious too me,a die hard kiss fan my whole life,this was the period i enjoyed the most from the band,although there is no kiss, bad kiss ,.too me....I basically bought this for the third time just too get a diiferent bonus disc,yeah all thekissology's so far have 3 different bonus disc's in each volume,i don't care if it's kiss it's special too me,I'm happy.

Turn this up to 11. Great early footage of the original (and best) line up. See Kiss when they really mattered and changed the course of rock music. Watching this reminds you of why you liked Kiss in the first place. These early concerts were where they had something to prove. Home video and the TV appearances are priceless. Travel back in time 30 years ago, and play this loud. Buy this right NOW !