Bob Ezrin Felt Bad For Paul Stanley While KISS Was Making The Elder

In today's video we are taking a look at an interview that Bob Ezrin gave about recording Music from the Elder with KISS. He talks about what it was like going in for the record, who was on board and who wasn't, and what is thought about the album all these years later.
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Bob Ezrin Felt Bad For Paul Stanley While KISS Was Making The Elder
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#acefrehley #genesimmons #petercriss #paulstanley #kiss #kissband #tommythayer #ericcarr #ericsinger #vinnievincent #brucekulick #markstjohn #stevebrown #bobezrin

[@js92css]

I met Gene and his whole family, including his mother, on christmas eve 1997 at the museum of Natural History. After chatting with him for a breif moment, as i was walking away, i said "btw, i love the elder". He chuckled and shook his head with a smile

[@jjeKKell]

NICE 😁👍

[@bobdavis4848]

I think "Music From The Elder" is excellent. It's not surprising to me that Eric Carr was openminded enough to have enjoyed working on it, since he was openminded enough to have been the drummer for disco group Lightning in 1979.

[@jjeKKell]

LOVE THE ELDER, GREAT ALBUM!

[@timorthelame1]

It's their best,

[@toddlesiak3837]

That's one of their worst, if not their worst album ever! Dynasty is also awful... it's like really bad Disco! The two best Kiss albums are the very first one & Destroyer

[@rsalek]

Under the rose is an awesome song. Great track on the elder.

[@billsouza4457]

I've never listened to it. I saw a couple of video's later on and it looked and sounded pretty embarrassing tbh. I was a huge fan in the 70's but they were over after Dynasty for most original fans by that point in time. They did have a nice comeback in the mid 80's though without the makeup.

[@billsouza4457]

@@toddlesiak3837 Hotter Than Hell. Sound quality aside I think it was the best. The Heaviest record they ever made.

[@LadyNicola]

The Elder is very special to me. My brother gave me his collection, up to Unmasked. This is the one that I bought with my own money. 😊😊😊

[@jonmanau1921]

I think that The Elder is fantastic. I got it right away. There are definitely some really heavy moments and then some classical moments. I love them all.

[@toddlesiak3837]

The Elder is absolutely terrible, but everyone has their own taste.

[@mariek6993]

kiss got kind of a rough deal with the elder because they were really trying to do something legit and it didn't work and now so many bash it because they think they have to. a world without heroes is one of kiss' deepest songs.

[@DMSProduktions]

GR8 song!

[@davehind3193]

I think the Elder is one of their best albums musically. I wish they would have done more with it like a mini movie of how the character goes from a young boy to adulthood facing and defeating life's obstacles along the way

[@MetalSalvation]

There was a comic book for The Elder in one of the KISS Metal Edge special issues.

[@toddlesiak3837]

I think The Elder is quite embarrassing & one of their worst albums ever, but to each their own. I think the two best Kiss albums are their very first one & Destroyer

[@ErikDeMann]

Still vividly remember listening to The Elder for the first time in 1981, where I was, and with whom. It blew my mind back then. It still does.

[@magnusvanttinen7855]

The Elder is an intresting album, I like Paul Stanleys vocals in it, but the coolest song is Dark light

[@toddlesiak3837]

Interesting awful, but that's just my opinion

[@chiefofsinners5272]

YES! Frehley's solo was killer....

[@akagrody]

Dark Light is awesome!!

[@deathstroke5335]

The Elder is a brilliant album, and its always disheartening that Paul and Gene bash it the way they do. Maybe it was the wrong time for an album like that, but it's still brilliantly done and arranged. It's one of my faves!

[@toddlesiak3837]

It's brilliantly awful, & if Paul & Gene could go back in time, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have released it or even made it! Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder was a really bad time for Kiss, but Vinnie Vincent came along & saved them with his crafty songwriting & wicked guitar work on Creatures Of The Night & Lick It Up

[@troytennard2592]

I have always loved The Elder. If the album had gone Platinum then Paul and Gene would have love it as well.

[@MetalSalvation]

Always loved The Elder...not one bad song on it. My only complaint is when Paul starts doing that Elvis-style singing on "I"

[@theBIGstewdio]

you are right, there isn't one bad song on it....there are several.

[@toddlesiak3837]

I don't get how anyone can actually like this hideously bad album, but to each their own. Elder ranks up there with Dynasty(awful Disco) as two of the worst Kiss albums ever! The two best Kiss albums are their very first one & Destroyer

[@MetalSalvation]

@@toddlesiak3837 Dynasty is a great album...it's not disco either, only one song has elements of disco. It's a bit more mature/commercial than previous albums but that doesn't make the songs bad.

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@MetalSalvationDynasty was heavily influenced by Disco... "I was made for loving you" is more Disco than rock, & was a very popular song because it went with the current musical trend. Ace & Peter absolutely hated that album & didn't even want to play on it! I'm glad you like it, but I think it's really bad

[@RockandrollNegro]

@@toddlesiak3837 I didn't like _Dynasty_ as a kid, but as an adult, I actually appreciate it for what it is. I think most fans hated it because it was the first significant departure (not counting the solo albums) that the band took. Ace's solo album sold the best, because it was the only one that sounded like a Kiss record. _Dynasty_ comes along and it sounds like Paul's solo album- ballads and disco. Then here comes _Music From The Elder_ and I think about half the Kiss Army defected at that point. For whatever reason, _Dynasty_ is the clear delineation between old Kiss and new Kiss.

[@souflikar6702]

Love Under the Rose. Epic chorus

[@TheMack]

Totally agree! Majestic and powerful stuff!

[@MusicStudent1]

That album had a crazy backmasked section in the middle of “Mr. Blackwell”. Definitely a studio effect. Ezrin probably doesn’t even remember it. It was Gene and Paul in a spooky voice saying “…they are we, the dead, are living…”. They said some other stuff but I never could make it out. Nobody ever mentions it.

[@jimilove7773]

Elder loved it from the day it came out!

[@toddlesiak3837]

It's absolutely awful & might be their worst album ever! Dynasty is also awful... it's like really bad Disco! The two best Kiss albums are their very first & Destroyer

[@justinhall8066]

I remember as a kid I was obsessed with Dynasty and Unmasked but then I brought the Elder when it was released and thought WTF is this….i love the Elder today ❤

[@DMSProduktions]

It grows on you! (Like a wart!)

[@REMBRANTTUBE]

I ❤The Elder!!!! 🎸⭐️🎤

[@toddlesiak3837]

It's actually so hideous! Lol. IMO, Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder should all be used as kindle

[@XavierRodríguez-v4g]

I just love The Elder, no matter what.

[@gsstrings339]

Paul Stanley is a very sensitive man, hmm you think!!!!

[@pauljonesesquire]

If Odyssey is the track he's talking about I think its a brilliant song and Paul sounds great on it, not typical Kiss but why not try something different? It works and the album holds up remarkably well.

[@toddlesiak3837]

The Elder is arguably their worst album ever, & I'm not sure what it "holds up to," but to each their own. Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder was a really bad period for Kiss!

[@pauljonesesquire]

@@toddlesiak3837 Well, it holds up pretty well to 40+ years of playing for me, though at the time it had some stiff competition, Rush moving pictures, Van Halen fair warning and Black Sabbath mob rules all came out in 81' and lest we forget Alice Cooper special forces and Frank Zappa you are what you is, not a bad year for releases and that's just a hand full. And yes I think Dynasty and Unmasked are brilliant albums, come on man what's not to like with Dirty living and torpedo Girl haha! Classic.

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@pauljonesesquire81' was a great year for music! You also had Iron Maiden Killers, The Rolling Stones Tattoo You, Journey Escape, Foreigner 4, Styx Paradise Theatre, & The Police Ghost In The Machine. I will take a hard pass on Dynasty, Unmasked, & Music for "The Elder" thoughThey did redeem themselves on Creatures Of The Night & Lick it up, with the help of Vinnie Vincent👍

[@H3XGroup]

Kiss were actually before their time when they started out and repeated that again with thus album. Look what happened 30 years later with all the lord of the rings fantasy films and books etc. so underrated

[@trance9158]

Excellent clip

[@chiefofsinners5272]

My favorite Kiss album.

[@toddlesiak3837]

You have really strange taste, cause the Elder is absolutely awful, but to each their own. The two best Kiss albums are their debut & Destroyer

[@chiefofsinners5272]

@@toddlesiak3837 It delivered on the mythological angle that was part of the whole image from comic to Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park.

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@chiefofsinners5272Okay, but IMO, the songs were quite terrible

[@chiefofsinners5272]

@@toddlesiak3837 I get it. It was certainly wasn't what'd been expected from Kiss. ;-)

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@chiefofsinners5272Ditto

[@romandacilv9260]

I love Music from the Elder. It would have been better had it been mixed together with Creatures of the Night as then the story line would have made more sense.

[@awesomex7979]

It would have made perfect sense if the producer left the songs in the order they had been intended.

[@johnbothof6450]

Was 17 when this came out! Blown away by the Oath song. Thought the whole record would be like that. The I was like what the hell. I like it now but was disappointed back then. When creatures of the night came out Kiss was redeemed!

[@gogoyubari366]

Love The Elder!

[@mickmrowan]

'The Elder' is a masterpiece imo. A stand alone Queen-esque concept rock musical with a Matrix type narrative. Its Kiss's 'Seventh Son' in a way.

[@H3XGroup]

Gene and Paul are Prima Donna’s and a pain in the arse!! Give me the bad boys Ace and Peter any day. At least they’re fun!!!

[@renatamalvern670]

I tend to agree with you !!!!

[@STARCOOL-r8j]

So cool

[@RichMorti]

Thank you!

[@Ohionortheast]

Kiss is my favorite band since I was 8..the one thing I wish they would have done differently is to stick with there sound instead always changing style the disco,pop whatever the elder is we’re terrible mistakes even thought I admit I like dynasty and unmasked

[@HOTRAILProductions]

Whay month did they chop their hair off?

[@bonequich666]

hello where is the giant kiss walking thur the city from?

[@crystalhorton3816]

Modern day Delilah Video

[@brettski2532]

🎸Eddie Trunk IMO is the Best Rock N’ Roll interviewer!!! 40 years +

[@taergehtsiram]

I might compliment the album now. But that's the problem. I'm 61. When I heard it initially I was 19. So was everyone else. And heavy metal was happening in a big way. It was a mistake for them to do it. Or maybe it would have worked at another time in their career. I don't know.

[@MetalSalvation]

I was 13 when I first heard it and loved it, also it had Metal elements - it was dark, fantasy-based, epic... not 100% Metal album by any means but definitely has more Metal elements than a lot of other KISS records. "The Oath" is totally Heavy Metal to me. Many Metal bands have covered that song too for that reason.

[@toddlesiak3837]

I think The Elder would be awful no matter what year it was released! Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder was the low point in Kiss' career until Vinnie Vincent came along & saved them with his crafty songwriting & wicked guitar work on Creatures Of The Night & Lick It Up

[@lonnysimmons1889]

I thought the best tune was A World Without Heroes

[@JeffTullock-yx1hd]

“The Elder” is my favorite album ever. Not a bad song on it. Super heavy Kiss. Mid evil KISS.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Had it not flopped, they'd all love it too today instead of trashing it and it'd been the greatest live show ever. Oh, the things that could've been...

[@toddlesiak3837]

It's probably their worst & most embarrassing album, but to each their own. IMO, their debut & Destroyer are their two best albums

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@LarryFleetwood8675That album was so bad that all it could do was flop! I think if Gene & Paul could go back in time, they would've never released or even made "Dynasty" "Unmasked" or "The Elder," which was the low point for the band. I don't blame Ace & Peter for hating these crappy albums!

[@TimothyWarner-q7s]

Understand that but at least Eddie is honest about things

[@Alzrad]

Elder is KISS at their best!!!

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

Mr Blackwell um what was that

[@davelemire2246]

The Elder needs a re-visit with a remixed version that it deserves. Outstanding songs but the overall concept story feels rushed. Then when it was released with a out of order track listing, it felt completely disrespected.

[@tonywaldon2596]

I think the elder was a bad ass allbum i loved it mr black well wadd egg❤😂🎉

[@alibobsmarland9572]

I felt bad for buying it.😊 A

[@toddlesiak3837]

It was so bad that it was like setting your money on fire! Lol

[@nbdysfool3]

I don’t know what it is, but I just cannot stand Eddie Trunk!

[@Elpadre16]

Yeah he is annoying

[@charliec5653]

He's a big gasbag

[@grayspeaks6822]

He is bad for asking his guests a question, then interjecting what he thinks might be the guests reply before they even get a chance to speak. I think he just likes hearing the sound of his own voice tbh.

[@charliec5653]

​@@grayspeaks6822 he does indeed.

[@MichaelSimmons.]

I agree. But I know why.

[@holysmoke8439]

He should have felt bad for his production reputation

[@pauldunlea3669]

All 3 Of Ezrins albums were contraversial to say the least. Eddie Kramer was the best Kiss Producer by far and away

[@charliec5653]

Absolutely. The demos that he did for KISS in '73 are far better than what ultimately ended up on their debut album.

[@mightyminx6653]

we will just say i disagree

[@ThornbushTilemaker]

Revenge was controversial?

[@mightyminx6653]

@@ThornbushTilemakerim just asking . why do you feel that way

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@charliec5653And their debut album & Destroyer are their two best albums

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

Music From "The Elder" is proof that ALL FOUR MEMBERS of KISS did drugs...

[@DAHENDO23]

As a fan who went through their heyday with them and to suffer through the inexplicable dynasty, unmasked,and the elder. It was awful, just write rock n roll songs us fans wanted it, not disco or a lame concept album. Then they did crazy nights and hot in the shade 🤮🤮🤮 In the 80's.

[@jamie.777]

3:45 paul is sucking in his gut

[@renatamalvern670]

I thought I was the only one who thought that, glad you could see it too. !!!

[@jeffmoore6603]

There’s no doubt that KISS produced some great Rock Music. But, these guy’s seem to be so toxic and dis functional. I’m amazed they actually lasted as long as they did.

[@avolite719]

5:07 - The audience looking back at these idiots. LoL.

[@parabot2]

I feel bad for the fans that paid to see kiss lip sync

[@thomasdonohue1833]

That was a TV show kiss appeared on in Italy or somewhere like that

[@MT-or7lv]

Lame.

[@planktonau]

It is completely obvious that Ace Frehley had ‘checked out’ of the band before The Elder. I’m an Ace Frehley fan and his work on this album was HORRIBLE!! Listen to the solos on the two Ace Frehley songs. Truly terrible.

[@toddlesiak3837]

Both Ace & Peter were checking out at the right time because Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder were all awful Kiss albums & the absolute low point for the band! Ace was not only messed up on booze, but he also hated these albums & didn't even want to play on them. Paul & Gene were very lucky that Vinnie Vincent came along with his crafty songwriting & wicked guitar work on Creatures Of The Night & Lick It Up, otherwise, who really knows how much lower Kiss might've gone, & if they could've ever dug themselves out of the huge hole they put themselves in with those 3 embarrassing albums!

[@LarrySmithart]

Kiss has sukd for several years now

[@2728muzikmann]

bla bla bla

[@spencerscott7386]

So have you.

[@robertnoble6600]

Jack Douglas is a better producer than Erzin.

[@frankcarter7146]

Music From the Elder is my second favorite KISS album after Destroyer. Annoys the HELL out of me when the ridiculous purists whine about it.

[@dhenderson1810]

KISS themselves hate it.

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@dhenderson1810Because they fully realize they made 3 horrible consecutive albums with Dynasty, Unmasked, & The Elder! And ppl wonder why Ace & Peter wanted to get the hell out

[@toddlesiak3837]

Wow! The Elder is a horrible album & is actually embarrassing, but to each their own. I'll agree with you about Destroyer, which is my 2nd favorite Kiss album next to their debut

[@naturalbornscorpio929]

I barfed in my mouth the 1st time I listened to The Elder. I remember after saving up money to buy the album going to my favorite record store a few weeks after ots release only to find it in the bargij bin for 1/3 the price I was expecting to pay. I remember not even liking the cover which should've been my first clue. My childhood super heto rockstar group "KISS" turned gay imo

[@jontaylor4511]

not really a fan but i never warmed to it, they should have shelved it. no idea how they got strings and the whole works, cocaine must have been involved - just indulgence and artifice.

[@ThornbushTilemaker]

You didn't think they turned gay with Dynasty and Unmasked?

[@naturalbornscorpio929]

@@ThornbushTilemaker Only Paul

[@christophermurphy7113]

Better that than in someone else's mouth.

[@naturalbornscorpio929]

@@christophermurphy7113 It was a figure of speech Hey kid run along n' go play your video games or go play with your Paul Stanley blow up doll just do us all a favor and stay out of adult conversations.

[@collectivismkills]

Maybe I’m crazy, but not only is Elder my favorite Kiss record, but one of my top three favorite albums of all time. I think it’s beautiful:

[@toddlesiak3837]

You're not crazy, you just have horrible taste in music! Lol! IMO, the two best Kiss albums are their debut & Destroyer, but to each their own. I'm glad you enjoy The Elder so much, but just make sure to never play it loud enough for me to hear it ever again:)

[@collectivismkills]

@@toddlesiak3837Fair enough.