Iconic Band BURIED Hated Song on the B-Side…DJ Played it Once-Became Biggest Hit!--Professor of Rock

Coming up…the band who taught us how to rock KISS…like many band before them, hated their biggest hit. The ballad “Beth" was allegedly written by drummer Peter Criss. Though Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons don’t believe he actually composed it. The band loathed Beth. They hated it so much they didn’t even show up to record it, so half the band didn’t even play on it, including Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Then they tried to keep it off their album. Ace Frehley was to busy playing poker to care. They buried it on a b-side until a random DJ turned the record around and made Kiss’ biggest hit. The saga behind the People’s Choice for “Favorite Song” in 1977... is NEXT on Professor of Rock.”
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The KISS Army expected their masked heroes to deliver unbridled rock anthems, and OUTRAGEOUS live shows- with smoking guitars, pyrotechnics & levitating drum kits. They wanted to Rock n’ Roll all nite, and party every day. The last thing fans expected from KISS was a tender ballad….
But when AM radio discovered “Beth” as a b-side, KISS’s record label had fueled the fire, and moved quickly, by making the melancholy love song the 4th single from the Destroyer album in ’76. The success of the ballad surprised everyone...becoming the band’s biggest American hit, and paving the way for the long string of power rock ballads that followed.
First of all “Beth” was a reworking of a song titled “Beck.” It was written by KISS original drummer Peter Criss, and Stan Pendridge when the two musicians were in Chelsea- a group based in New York City that sounded more like the Moody Blues than a heavy rock band.
Penridge and Criss wrote “Beck” as a way to razz their Chelsea bandmate Mike Brand, who was constantly being hounded by his overbearing wife named Becky, or “Beck” for short. Beck would frequently call the studio phone, while the band was rehearsing, to check on her husband, and find out when he was coming home. That’s where the opening line for the song came from: “Beth, I hear you calling, but I can’t come home right now.”
Pendridge claims the lyrics mimicked ‘word for word’ the way Brand responded to his wife when she phoned the studio and interrupted the band’s rehearsal. For several days, Pendridge whipped out a small notebook and scribbled down Brand’s replies. He called the notebook his “wizard book,” and carried it with him wherever he went. Whenever Pendridge heard someone say something he thought could be clever for song lyrics, he would jot it down in his wizard book. Peter Criss and Stan Pendridge were friends when they were in Chelsea, but, alas, when Pendridge died in 2000, their relationship was purely contentious- rife with legal and

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the best ballad of power ballad of the rock era?

[@Code.Name.V]

Scorpions - Still Loving You

[@thetitleisours1]

Something to Believe In by Poison and The World i Know by Collective Soul. Hard for me to choose between them

[@Lam_3-22-23]

Babe- Styx Just Between You and Me - April Wine I Never Cry - Alice Cooper

[@Atoms-Raging-cd3vo]

Edie The Cult

[@surlechapeau]

Foreigner- I Want to Know What Love Is(Lou Gramm). runnerup: Faithfully - Journey(Steve Perry).

[@flavellinator]

Beth takes a lot of heat, but I really liked Criss' vocals on it. Nothing wrong with throwing a change-up once in a while when everyone is expecting a fastball....

[@ProfessorofRock]

Exactly. So funny that they tried everything to ruin it. Nothing worked! What your top KISS track Flave?

[@rabby-u]

Good analogy!

[@flavellinator]

@@ProfessorofRock Sure did! Gotta go with I Was Made for Lovin' You

[@billmaher1634]

Peter Criss has a great voice !!!!

[@benamisai-kham5892]

I love the orchestra, I think that opened the doors for the kiss orchestra recordings honestly.

[@lisas3697]

I remember rollerskating couples slow-skate to Beth by Kiss in the 1970s. Nostalgic.

[@T.Dubya311]

December 11 1977, Market Square Arena, Indianapolis Indiana. My very first rock concert. KISS and AC/DC ("The Show Of Shows!") Towards the end of their set, following the songs 'Rock and Roll All Night' then 'Detroit Rock City' the stage went dark. Peter Criss walks with his drum stool to the front of the stage, he sets down under a single spotlight, takes a deep breath and begins to sing 'Beth'... The crowd exploded! I know that most of the band didn't like the song, but the fans loved it.

[@GetYourOmOn]

Market Square Arena. Wow. I grew up (and still live) in Indy and miss that place.

[@T.Dubya311]

@@GetYourOmOn It was a great place to see a show... Back in the '80s I was even on a crew that put a new roof on that building.

[@GetYourOmOn]

​@@T.Dubya311 I remember the new roof going on.

[@Rickholly74]

Thanks for talking about Stan Penridge. I played in Stan's band in the late 80's and most of the things you said I heard directly from Stan. He wrote a number of other songs that KISS recorded on earlier KISS albums like "Baby Driver", "Hooligan" and "Dirty Livin"". Because of his relationship with Peter he listed Criss as co-writer out of both friendship and as a way to get KISS interested in recording his songs. Thanks again..

[@mikelshilling]

Awesome, thanks for the inside info :) I was little back then and Destrpyer was my very 1st ever vinyl :) I even became a guitar player because of Ace but always loved Peter's songs on those early albums.

[@robertwagner9933]

Man all these years never knew this I wish that all this could have been brought out earlier

[@brianstrutter1501]

Problem is Stan found out how much Peter made from Beth and felt Peter screwed him over. It was his song after all

[@CincinnatusPublish]

From what I've read Peter told him he would only present the songs to the band if he got a writing credit. Do you know if Peter at least helped with the lyrics?

[@CincinnatusPublish]

@@brianstrutter1501 That would mean Aucoin or their business managers, Glixman/Marks also had something to do with it. Record companies pay the manager, who takes his cut, and then pays the band and anyone else who wrote the album. I believe the producer is paid directly by the record company.

[@johnrowland1919]

I was really young when I heard Beth. As a huge Kiss fan, I felt like it gave us a little peek into the band's home life. They were larger than life, and it made them seem more human and real. That's why it resonated with me. Personally, I LOVE Peter's voice too. Thanks for another great video Professor!

[@karynstouffer3562]

Yes, yes, yes. The reason I love the song is exactly the reason the rest of the band hates it. The complete 180 from their typical sound. A glimpse of humanity behind the curtain of the show. 👍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He can sing when he means it!

[@jamesmyers2087]

Same here. Same era. Same reasoning.

[@legionkahn]

I'm sure one of the big reason they hated it so much is Gene and Paul are such ego maniacs that someone else getting a lead vocal and getting the spotlight probably drove them crazy. Especially Gene.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Jealousy definitely factored into that.

[@user-jg5ws9gr8n]

You had to say what is so obvious Still you need to be thanked for getting past this bull GREAT SONG !!

[@scottwhite1963]

Paul wrote Beth. He gave it to Peter to sing. I doubt it was jealousy.

[@legionkahn]

@@scottwhite1963 If Paul thought it would be as big as it was he never would have given it away

[@SNOWYSHAWOFFICIAL]

@@scottwhite1963nope, you get it mixed up with Hard luck woman.

[@timothymarshall9631]

I find it hard to believe that Gene would hate anything that made money for KISS. Beth will always hold a special place in my memories from being young and loving the band. When a band stretches their musical boundaries, I think it is awesome. It shows how strong and confident they are in their music

[@doctordetroit4339]

Gene and Paul didn't think their fans would give it a second thought....but you are correct....Gene is a banker in disguise. He would sing Beth himself if it made money.

[@dgrblue4162]

​@@doctordetroit4339I mean Gene Simmons is Jewish, from Israel, and the stereotype is that they are insanely greedy and hate frivolous spending. 😂😂

[@dgrblue4162]

Paul and Gene likely resent having Peter being associated with their biggest hit.

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Gene hated it because he didn’t write it, thus lower money for him personally! Honestly, Peter didn’t really write it, either. It was more Ezrin’s song!!

[@stevestevens9046]

​@@Geezer-yf8hvif it wasn't for Peter Beth would have never been wrote... how can anyone say that Peter wasn't a co writer.. yes they made change's to it but it was his song

[@catsclaw6648]

My 5th grade teacher let us listen to records all day long. It was winter of 1976-77 I brought in my copy of the KISS Destroyer album that I bought with my paper route money. We played the entire album through. But when it was over we had to play Beth again then when the song ended some of the girls said aw that was pretty let's play it again. So I picked up the needle and we listen to it again and again. We must have played about 5 more times because we all loved that song. Willard School South Portland Maine Mrs. Brailly was the coolest teacher I don't think we opened a text book all year, we just listened to records all day. 🤠🎸

[@operavin]

We did this in grade school too! I brought a KISS album and it came back scrawled up with crayon. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@marksguitars5617]

I remember just buying KISS Alive as a teenager in the fall of 1975 and basically wearing out the vinyl listening to it with my friends. About 6 months later when Destroyer was coming out, we heard Beth on an AM radio station while hanging out, we heard the DJ announce the song and heard the piano and strings and we all looked at each other with our eyes practically popping out. We all thought that KISS would go soft but one of my friends at school assured me that the album had heavy songs and he loaned me his 8 track copy of Destroyer, then I went out and got the album and it became one of my favorites of all time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool memory. Thanks for sharing. Where are you from?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

How old were you?

[@marksguitars5617]

NYC@@ProfessorofRock

[@alan22470]

Still listen to both those albums frequently. Awesome memories

[@JMOSSBLB]

Gene & Paul were so close because they were both Jews who had grandparents that were in the Holocaust that they didn't like anyone outside their small circle.To them Kiss was all about them 2 & didn't want anyone else in the bands input.

[@jeffreyhogue5440]

I find it hilarious that the band hated "Beth" more than "I Was Made For Lovin' You!"

[@rubyredtootsies8371]

And Paul Stanley's "dance moves" expose himself for being gay. 😂😂😂😂

[@Fiona2254]

I don’t like Beth. I’m a woman and I think the song is crap. My husband likes it, I will not listen to it if it comes up. I like IWMFLY though I’ve never been a disco fan 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@robb5921]

I Was Made For Loving You was their disco song. 😂

[@errolthomas9426]

That's why I love Rock N Roll All Night way better than Beth and I Was Made For Lovin' You

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding. Ha ha!

[@rainwaterjoseph4634]

At the live show, the band would leave the stage for this song and Peter would come out and sit on a stool and sing this to recorded music. And it was cool.

[@magnusvanttinen7855]

Yes, that is a magic moment. Beth with the original cat is so cool, with that sensitive melodic arrangement contrasted with the raspy cool rock n roll stray cat voice. So sensitive, so heartbreaking. Genius!

[@richardmeyersmeyers8123]

Saw kiss in my hometown in 1978? Peter wasn't alone for BETH. He had a lot of tape hiss with him.

[@mooch514]

​@@richardmeyersmeyers8123he sang the song live to the music back ground

[@Josh-rb8ft]

MAGIC!!!😅😅

[@JoeDatorCartoonist]

No AI generated voices. Just a little creative editing and a whole lot of wit and humor. Pure joy.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Love it or hate it, this song will always be one of the best chart song of Kiss.

[@andreaknibbs9328]

Love Peter’s voice and love Black Diamond too

[@ChrisCrossAplsauce]

Hell yeah BD!!

[@GormlyKeep]

Beth is a beautiful song. Our daughter is named after it, and it's so relatable for anyone who's been on the road. Learning about Beck and the other stuff hasn't tarnished it at all

[@brianharris9949]

Beth is a classic rock ballad. Definitely outside the box for Kiss but it showed versatility to me.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I agree.

[@DMSProduktions]

Well at LEAST they got further with it than CHELSEA ever did!

[@t.o.408]

As an 8 year old back in 1977, Beth was my favorite song and I was obsessed by all things 'KISS'. I collected the trading cards, bought the albums, and couldn't get enough of the Phantom of the Park movie. It was a childhood phase, and by 1980 I was pretty much over them. Fast forward to adulthood, though, and what name did my wife and I pick for our daughter? Yup, her name is 'Beth'. It always stuck with me...

[@luvbasses5487]

Exact same for me as what happened with you. In 1977 I was a 10 year old kid - and KISS posters lined my bedroom walls! Oh yes…that huge One Stop Posters wall collage! That and the Aerosmith and Queen ones hung in my room. Fortunately, I shared the room with my older brother who dragged into the house all the rock sounds of the day: Aerosmith, Queen, Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Frampton Comes Alive, Double Vision Foreigner, Dreamboat Annie Heart, Steve Miller…and the list goes on and on. It was such a fertile time for rock music. I didn’t know though that I’d witness its decline and ultimate death though during the late eighties. There seemed to be a bit of a revival during the early nineties..but it didn’t last long. Around 1981 I’m in Jr. High and rock radio is still up and running…and In The Evening would be in heavy rotation…and this caught my young ears more so than the other kids I’d hang with. I was realizing that this band could not be topped and after getting LZ 1&2, it was over for me. It was sealed up. LZ were the best and that was IT. In high school by ‘82 all the kids were trying to convince me that Motley Crue were the next big thing. It didn’t work for me. My mind was steeping in John Paul Jones’s Hammond Organ on Thank You. His bass playing could not be topped either. I didn’t quite know it at the time but what I was listening to was the greatest rock band of all time. The ultimate unit. Led Zeppelin. KISS were duly dismissed for me too, like you, by the dawn of the eighties.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

The only Kiss songs our local A.M. radio station would play were Beth and Hard Luck Woman -- both of them with Criss vocals. I got the LP records to hear the rockers and talk about them with classmates on the playground at school.

[@Tlrhighside209]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... This is the most underrated music channel on KZbin! Meat Loaf - I'd do anything for love, but I wont do that. Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home Heart - Alone

[@ChrisM-tn3hx]

Beth was always my favorite Kiss song. Funny. I had no idea how interesting the history of the song was. Thanks for this one. I remember when this single came out. Man, I feel old right now lol.

[@kraigpeterson3667]

As much as I love KISS I actually enjoy their songs where they step away from the norm. I also love "Back in the New York Groove" by Ace Frehley. Music hits everyone differently. Rock on Brother!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@joe2097]

Beth and New York groove are the only 2 KISS songs on my playlist

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love New York Groove.

[@kraigpeterson3667]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 me too! I love listening to music and my kids learn that the old stuff is way better than today’s crap.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@kraigpeterson3667 That’s the truth!

[@chrisoakley5830]

Not only is Beth the biggest hit for Kiss, I think it extended their career at a time that it might have ended. Today the album Destroyer is revered as an absolute classic and rightfully so, but at the time of its release the album wasn't doing to well, as you said Beth was the fourth single from Destroyer, the others had little success, Beth saved the album. If not for the success of Beth, Kiss may very well have been a one hit wonder with their big hit album , Alive!

[@CincinnatusPublish]

You're right. They were running the risk of being a one hit wonder with Alive! Destroyer was about to tank until Beth became a hit.

[@mooch514]

Kiss in 75 to 80 were phenoms.

[@belle.m]

Nah, if Beth wasn’t on Destroyer, it was still a great album. And Dynasty had ‘I was made for loving you’, didn’t chart as high, but the song they are most known for outside of KISS fans. Also, ‘Shandi’ off of Unmasked charted higher in some places.

[@mooch514]

Ended? Kiss in 76 was huge. 77 78 79 they were the biggest band in the world

[@chrisoakley5830]

@@mooch514 Yes, you're right about Kiss being very popular in those years, but at the time the Destroyer album was not popular at all, until Beth became a huge hit. Three singles were released before Beth and they did little to nothing on the charts. Beth saved the album from stalling. There were even some original Kiss fans who abandoned the band when Destroyer was released because they felt it was to big a departure from the group's hard rock roots, those fans never returned. The success of Beth also led to Paul writing Hard Luck Woman for the RNR OVER album because they wanted to be sure and have another hit single, so he wrote another ballad. It worked to, because Hard Luck Woman was a top 20 hit. I'm not saying that Kiss whole career hinged on the success of Beth, but it was a huge part of it, at a crucial time when the band needed to keep their momentum going after their big success with ALIVE !

[@mochs3869]

What I remember reading in one of the books on Kiss I have is that Paul and Gene WERE there during Peter's vocal session, but Ezrin kicked them out of the studio because they kept making fun of the song and Peter.

[@leeturiano4419]

Beat me to it- I read that as well!

[@mochs3869]

@@leeturiano4419 I found this online, but as it's Peter saying it, I'd guess it was in his book where I first saw it: "The biggest single Kiss ever had: a ballad with a string section and drummer Peter Criss on vocals. Criss said, “The day we recorded it, [producer] Bob Ezrin had everybody in tuxedos, the New York Philharmonic. When we went to the Record Plant to do the vocals, Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] were in the control room. I’ll never forget it, they were looking at me like it was one big fucking joke. And I couldn’t get into it and Bob knew it and threw them out. They left, I did it in five takes, and it was beautiful.”

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That makes sense!

[@jamesramirez8685]

My older rebellious cousin had all their albums and she was even a member of the KISS army when we were kids. Great memories

[@terrydizzydude4087]

I was a high school senior in Detroit in 1976/77. 'Beth' may have been their biggest commercial success but 'Rock and Roll All Night' is the song that got everyone amped up.

[@99percentirish64]

I'm so glad I was able to see KISS in Madison, WI in 1997. I still remember Peter Criss playing Beth.

[@robertwall1419]

The first time that I heard “Beth” was on The KISS Christmas Special on TV.I had been a Huge KISS fan for years up till then , so I was pretty shocked that they would be having a Christmas Special on TV! So when they showed Criss sitting at a piano by himself surrounded by Christmas decorations, I had no clue what to expect.The song completely BLEW ME AWAY‼️It’s been 1 of my most favorite songs of all time‼️And I still crank out the volume and sing along with it every single time‼️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@paulwilson8672]

One of the best slow dance song when I was in elementary. Really brings back memories of 6th grade camp.

[@magnusvanttinen7855]

Beth is a real rock n roll ballad with a big bleeding heart and sung by the hardest man in Kiss, the Cat man Peter Criss. Can never understand why that song is hated, because it make it even harder when the hardest band shows up a sensitive song like Beth! Destroyer album is one of the best KISS album, we all grower up with that album, and when Beth song came as a contrast, it was like when a stray wild cat comes to you and purr. Love it! Great arrangement and vocal on Beth! Genius

[@AI_Surfer]

I remember I was a Freshman in high school in 1976, and KISS was by far the most popular band among seemingly everyone. Every girl in school was wearing KISS t-shirts every day. Then 'Beth' comes out, and almost overnight KISS was as un-cool as it got. It was like no one wanted anything to do with KISS. All the girls who had been wearing KISS t-shirts replaced them with 'Frampton Comes Alive', and that was the last of KISS during my remaining high school years. I personally liked 'Beth', as I'm sure did most of us did, we just couldn't admit to it back then.

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

Nah they were right. It’s a turd of a song

[@buckster2575]

Dude kiss was still huge for a couple more years.i find it hard to believe that chicks loved that song.

[@fortunatoofamontillado1059]

it was a top ten hit@@buckster2575

[@Sal-gh1se]

Weird.

[@daledelatte9607]

What an absolutely awesome ballad Beth was! Peter and Ace were the heart and soul of KISS. It's why they spent 20 years performing the original songs after their departure

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

Perhaps the best rock power ballad of all time!

[@televinv8062]

It's better than 'Time of your Life' 👍

[@WWTormentor]

My parents bought a house in the fall of 1980. While cleaning the garage prior to moving in, I found a cassette take of “destroyer” in the garage. I took it and held on to it. A few months later, I heard the song Beth on the radio. I went grabbed the take and started to play it from start to end and I became a huge kiss fan.

[@myk4bz]

A "take"? Was it a TAPE?

[@duaneperkins8329]

Didn't realize it was quite as popular as it was. It was my favorite Kiss song though. I think it's probably my favorite power ballad (Mother from Blackfoot).

[@CincinnatusPublish]

It's not a power ballad. A power ballad has a big chorus like Take Me Away (Togethr As One).

[@televinv8062]

Peter and Ace were awesome Kiss band members. Hard Luck Woman? Black Diamond? Shock Me? Ace's guitar playing? Pete's drumming? More.. Are you kidding me? Monstrous 👍🤟

[@dand3975]

Don't forget a Rocket Ride...... by Ace.

[@cowboyupdrummer]

I can’t believe when you started talking about its influence….we BOTH said the song “Home sweet home” at the same time. lol Back in the mid 70’s it was hard to find your favorite rock acts on TV. besides the Midnight Special (show) or Rock Concert (if your local channel carried it…which ours didn’t) So it was a big deal when KISS performed on TV for the first time on the Paul Lynne Halloween special…..all because Beth was such a huge hit. As to who wrote the song? I had no idea it came from a previous band’s song. (Beck) That’s new to me…thanks for that bit of trivia. I saw kiss in concert several times over the years. First time was 1979.

[@markbaker5167]

1979..same for me! My first concert was The Eagles and the second one was Kiss. Wow what a difference but I loved both. But Kiss's showmanship was absolutely incredible!

[@johnnichols3113]

​@@markbaker5167 My first was Pink Floyd in the mid 80s and my second was the Beastie Boys not long after. 😂

[@jmccoy32441]

It's a shame when great bands break up, but more so when there is hatred involved. I saw Kiss when I was way too young, but the impact they had was huge. I have always been a Kiss fan even when it wasn't cool. I will enjoy their music for the rest of my life for sure.

[@randytessman6750]

Saw them twice(79,89) and was like a different band the show and feel were so different. Now I truly loved both concerts but they were nothing like Judas Priest or AC/DC which I saw many times, their shows changed but the feel was the same every show.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When did you see them?

[@jmccoy32441]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 it had to be like in 1977, I was in 5th grade maybe, so just started listening to real rock music. It was in Hampton Rhodes VA went with my sisters and cousins who were all older than me. I believe Mott the Hoople opened for them. My mind was blown that night for sure. hahahaha

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@jmccoy32441 It is glam rock, so Mott the Hoople is fitting!

[@ThePsychomikey]

Beth was my introduction to KISS, and ultimately, Rock music. A 10 year old who only listened to music his parents did up until then..I had no older siblings or friends..Beth showed up on a radio station my parents listened to..loved the song, bought the 45. After hearing Beth a few hundred times, flipped over the record and heard Detroit Rock City...bought Destroyer days later and have been a KISS fan since.

[@mercedogre]

I remember watching the MTV Unplugged with KISS, the current line-up they had at the time, and amazed when the other two originals, Freely and Criss, showed up. Two songs into their performance, I suddenly realized that Beth might be back on the table to perform since Peter was there and the band hadnt played it for over 15 years. I was elated when Peter began singing the classic. Highlight of the show!!

[@justincase2271]

His name is Frehley, not Freely. Frehley is pronounced like Fray-lay.

[@DickDawsonTheShills]

I remember as a kid seeing a KISS record and thought wow they must be hard rocking. I was so ready to be blown away. Then the song ladies room came on and I was left wondering if the dude had put on the wrong record. HAHAHA

[@bonitasmith8880]

I remember when this came out, I begged for money and ran and bought the 45, played Beth over and over AND OVER LOL I cried everytime I listened to it. Still love it !

[@WeDemandFreedom]

My cousin Beth, from Detroit, was a huge Kiss fan dating back to before Kiss Alive. When Kiss Alive came out, she was the one who got me interested in the band. We would talk about and listen to Kiss whenever we were together. When Destroyer came out, I had become a huge fan. I bought every back album, I had a Kiss shirt and even a Kiss belt buckle. But my cousin just about fell off the edge of the Earth when she heard Beth. She said it was as if Peter Criss was singing directly to her. We are both still big fans to this day, and will have those great memories from our teen years. Thanks to the members of the band, all of them, for some great memories.

[@CincinnatusPublish]

What did she think of the album as whole along with RARO ad Love Gun? I knew fans back then who were there from the beginning and they hated everything after Alive! The first three albums were old KISS and the three after Alive! were called new KISS, and they didn't like the sound.

[@WeDemandFreedom]

She was all about Kiss. We were teenagers, and it was all good. I knew some people like you're describing, and they were music people. Beth and I were rock n roll. We liked it all. Still do, too.

[@gregwasserman2635]

I was quite young when this came out but I heard this song a bit too much because my older sister had a friend named Beth. She was quite a looker so I didn't mind hearing the song. I liked "God of Thunder" more, but if my sister's friend was around, well, "Beth" it was! What can I say, I was a young kid!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Short for Elizabeth?

[@gregwasserman2635]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980, I think so.

[@travismiles5885]

Shandi is my favorite KISS tune. I think a lot of people forget about it or don't even know it.

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

I was born in 1975, should have been in high school in 75 honestly 😂 my favorite band of all time, will never forget the day, my cousin put the alive album on when i was 7 iin 1982, and from the 1st song, deuce, i was hooked, still to this day, my favorite song to play on guitar is, deuce, but my all time favorite version of Beth is, when they did it on, unplugged, that was an awesome moment 🤘🤘

[@stratman1021]

I still remember hearing Beth for the first time and it was off the radio before hearing any other track off Destroyer. Late '76 and I just started the 7th grade when me and my mom were driving to "I don't remember" hearing Beth on KGRT AM 500 here in S. NM. My older brother was into Kiss so we knew what they sounded like. After the song ended and the dj says Kiss and my mom was just as floored as I was. She said it before I could. "That was Kiss?!!"

[@karmab4391]

Kiss Alive II was the first album I ever owned. A requested Christmas present from an older sibling, I remember my mother being horrified by Gene Simmons' picture on the cover. I loved Beth and always will.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

There was a rumor that Gene Simmons got a cow tongue implanted into his mouth to look more like the Demon.

[@tnrodgers]

Most artists have crossover music hoping something catches. KISS was too beholden to hard guitar rock to accept the real victory of Beth as a power ballad. Pride goes before the fall. One of my favorites songs though. Thanks Adam.

[@MK-dy8wm]

Ah, the memories. Playing at the time you had Disco on one side or Hard Rockin' the other, but the Rock Ballad got the girls to cozy up close to you with the love fuzzies dripping from their eyes needing kisses to dry them... The band lived up to their name. Thanks guys. ❤

[@dmaynardabu]

This is my favorite KISS song. I love Peter. He was my favorite band member. So getting to hear his vocals in this was amazing!!!! I love his raspy voice.

[@timothyryan7234]

Hi Professor, Rock was wondering if maybe sometime you can elaborate on kisses song forever which is another great song. Love your show. Love everything you do. It’s awesome I enjoy the interviews. Thank you so much.

[@footy2rock]

The Professor has already made a video of Forever kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2PVd4utequfaq8si=x4YJ-7SOgPIIKmNi

[@galebailey5583]

Not mentioned was the Kiss version of Beth (with Eric Carr singing the lead vocal, released on their album Smashes, Thrashes and Hits). According to Peter Criss, he was extremely pissed off when he heard Carr’s version, which added more fuel to the fire. It’s miraculous and astonishing that after years of toxic feuding with Simmons and Stanley, Criss agreed to come back in a “mini reunion” on stage on MTV’s show Unplugged, which directly led to the Kiss Reunion Tour of 1996-97. Since then everything has fallen apart again, as though the reunion never happened. I’m happy that I finally got to see them live with costumes and makeup because of this, though.

[@james---b]

not true! there is an interview here on yotube where peter says eric called him and was very apologetic to peter saying he didn'y want to sing beth, gene and paul were putting pressure on him to song it, and said he told eric, it's ok just do what you gotta do. peter wasn't mad at all.

[@1twistedcpl6575]

LMAO...THIS brings back a real memory! I was 11 in the fall of 76, and weening off my parents 50's and 60's oldies but goldies music to 70s harder rock, aerosmith, Zepplin, LynSkyn...and my then fav...kiss. But I was "too young" to go to rock concerts, except Mom did take me to see Elvis, when I was 12, the following spring lol. She's from Germany and worked here in NC branch of a German company. Two young engineers came over from Germany as "interns" to work, Helmut and Erhard. Erhard was only 18 at the time. I wanted to go see KISS so bad but my parents said no way, I was too young etc etc. I was heart broke lol. Erhard came up with a plan. He asked my parents if I could go with him to the state fair...on the back of his Harley. They agreed! And we did. The same weekend KISS was playing in Raleigh! And of course it was all for the concert. So my first ever concert was KISS! Erhard defied my parents, actually lied to them, unbeknownst to them ofc, and at risk to himself. I have been forever grateful. An 18 yrs old young man making an 11yr olds biy dream come true. That weekend was the true beginning of a life long friendship. He's 65 and retired now, and I still consider him the "big brother" I never had. This past August he and his gf of 20 yrs had a wican wedding. They never married due to his job, always out of town, even out of country. Of course I attended the "wedding." It was an all day all night party! Lots of food booze and music of all genres. I requested the DJ to play a dedication to Erhard and Judy. I thought it was appropriate and they would both "get it" when they heard it was from me. (Judy had heard the Kiss story years before) That song request I made..."Beth." I got two great big hugs! Here's to good music, good friends and great memories! 🍺!

[@billchief397]

That is neat! What a great life friend 🧡

[@Randy.E.R]

Damn, this takes me back to simpler times. I wasn’t much of a KISS fan, but my little sister sure loved them and played the Destroyer album over and over until she wore out the needle on her record player. I can’t explain why, but my sister’s two favorite artists were KISS and Cher. Talk about an odd combination. The walls of her bedroom were covered in KISS posters, and she had a Cher scrap book-she even learned to play the song Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves on the piano. I can’t figure out her taste in music, but it doesn’t matter. Life was simpler then. We didn’t have iPhones, the internet, and social media. We just had music and imagination.

[@randytessman6750]

BETH

[@justincase2271]

Criss, not Chris. Christ.

[@brentcox7772]

Such a fun band! Saw them in ‘76!! Awesome!🤘🔥

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Brent!

[@bradbaird6526]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks

[@MyName-pl7zn]

what an amazing story behind this fantastic song even if it is kind of tragic I remember vividly my first time hearing Beth. being from the Detroit area my good friend bought the Detroit Rock City 45 immediately when it was released after listening to it over and over playing air guitars we flipped it over and couldn't believe what we heard. He wanted to stop it I immediately loved it. After a couple of listens we both loved it. Even though it was soft it was definitely a great departure. Kiss was everywhere during those days, posters, Halloween costumes, action figures and definitely radio. But in my mind Beth deserves to be their biggest hit. Great episode professor!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks My Name!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I bet KISS was THE Halloween costume back then.

[@danielc1978]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yep, at the age of 7 back in 1978, I went as Peter Criss: old school style, my brother doing the makeup for me....IMG_0321.JPG

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Bob Ezrin's work on Destroyer gave Kiss a level of credibility and quality they would never have achieved. Destroyer for me is among the best albums of all time. I like Kiss' 70's albums, but none are in the same stratosphere as Destroyer. Too bad they couldn't strike gold again with Ezrin on the later efforts.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The album cover - iconic!

[@ollieox9181]

I've heard Beth for almost 50 years now. It still holds up. A lot of songs you hear, the first time, are catchy and fun and soulful or whatever. But after the second listen, you're sick of it. On third listen, you never want to hear it again. But Beth is that rarity that still sounds good after decades. It might have been written by Beethoven or Mozart, were they still alive. Peter's raspy vocals, the strings, and iconic piano riff just never get old. Figure Gene and Paul resented its success simply because they didn't write it.

[@marywest8249]

Love this song! I think there are a lot of ballads from rock ‘n’ roll bands that are truly underrated!

[@mikecruzado5775]

Kiss was my first band as a kid In a time when disco ruled I was 10 years old when I got to go to my first concert KISS It was my ultimate life goal at 10 To see them in person and feel the roar of the music live etched kiss in my heart forever as did a lot of kids my age We dressed up with make up and wanted to be those Rock gods I’m getting teary just reliving the memories of a time gone bye Thank you gene Paul ace n Peter VIVA LE KISS

[@b5maddog]

Not only did the band hate the song…they hated the singer and songwriter 😢

[@darcagis5744]

Used to be the #1 KISS fan back in the day that they were the real band. I saw the pic of them with Ezrin in the studio in your video. They looked so different, so powerful. I could feel a little twinge of what drew me to them as a kid. Their "final" show might have been a few days ago, but the final KISS concert really ended a long time ago. Half-KISS just didn't cut it for me. I was at the Tiger Stadium Reunion show in '96. That's how I'll remember them.

[@Rogersrecycling]

I was never a kiss fan never cared about Them at all until I was called to work their show in Indianapolis. I built the stage. I deflated the giant Kiss dudes And they gave out the most awesome Local crew shirt that i've ever had. It was the experience of a lifetime 11 hrs load in and out. 190 hanging points for lighting sound and automation. IATSE union riggers are nothing short of amazing. They work in a zero error environment I saw Gene Simmons in full gear and makeup ride into the vip area on the back of a golf cart. They rocked the house.

[@JDCUSA]

It’s unbelievable that Chaim & Stanley hated Peter Criss’ “Beth” which is truly a masterpiece while Chaim & Stanley had no issues with some of the other garbage that they agreed to include on many of their other albums.

[@magneto7930]

I'm sure they didn't complain about how much money they made because of that song.

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

What's your problem? As a Hard Rocker you would have hated "Beth" too. I still don't accept it as a KISS song.

[@canadiannecktie9965]

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley , dont give a crap about fans they're all about the money!!!

[@MultiPetercool]

The first time I heard Beth, it was on a mellow rock station that played stuff like James Taylor and God knows what else. I was shocked to find out that it was Kiss

[@gossinger]

Adam, I love your channel and appreciate all the time and effort you consistently put in. If I ever get the chance, I would love to meet you. Starting at 6:30 you can see Ace 'saluting' Bob Ezrin with right middle finger, during the photo shoot. Ace being Ace, wanted to work when he wanted to and was not keen on Bob's coaching style. There are a few photos out there from this time that has better angles. Nice job my friend! P.S. best year for their music and outfits.

[@BigWillyDawg]

Wow! Great observation gossinger!!

[@alandent7231]

Fleetwood Mac made a fortune writing songs about the things that were effecting their lives. KISS ROCKS !

[@ericwilliams1031]

Destroyer was the first KISS album I got when I was 6 back in 1977 (from the record club...10 albums for a penny). That album was a sonic rollercoaster to my young ears. I still remember hearing "Beth" for the first time. It was so dramatically different from "Detroit Rock City" and "God Of Thunder". I couldn't believe those drastically different songs were on the same album....by the same band....that looked like monsters lol (remember I was 6)😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Those were the days!

[@hbofbyu1]

Younger generations don't understand how enigmatic KISS was for us as little kids. We were told that no one had ever seen them without their makeup, no one knew their real names, who they really were, did they worship the devil? How could devil worshippers sing a love ballad?

[@doctordetroit4339]

Destroyer was one of my first two Albums too....shout it out loud!!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

You couldn’t really tell it was KISS, right?

[@1BobsYourUncle]

Sniff sniff….I smell BS…..6 years old…..hahahahaha

[@wyldvigilante]

Never like to see anyone hate on what makes them famous.

[@mooch514]

Very well done sir. Kiss like them or not, kiss remains one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time...and yes. Beth was the 1st rock power ballad. I agree with you!

[@josephcooter5763]

When I was a kid their faces were everywhere. You would go to a record store and all of thier albums where front and center, with each solo album prominantly on display. I honestly thought Gene Simmons was SCARY.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He really was. Good call.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They were THE costume band.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Beth is a great song. The 1st time I was able to play a kiss song in my mother's home. Was when I played this song for my mother and I explained how his wife was the reason for for this song. I tricked my mom and played Kiss for her. She couldn't believe that Knights In Satan's Service played such a beautiful non devil inducing song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@ProfessorofRock Hey ProRo,🤓 you should read my last comment. It's not a story that I share with just anyone!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Haha, no kidding!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hey Silly Lilly, 😜yes it's true. I miss her so much. How's your family doing this holiday season?

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

@@ProfessorofRock Hey ProRo, 🤓you didn't read my true story that I cut it nearly in half to share with you Brother! 😀 Please read it and comment on it. Thank you

[@cannedmusic]

thanks for this, thanks Peter

[@user-pw3qm9yb4x]

I remember when Kiss came out and it wasn’t long before I saw a lot of kids wearing their Kiss boots it was so funny watching them walk around in their Kiss boots 👍

[@mattstickle2725]

Love your channel brother. Little bit of a correction. Peter Criss had lead vocals on albums previous to Destroyer. He sang a lead vocal on the choruses of Nothin to Lose on the first album, and had a lead vocal line or two on the first album Kissin Time. Then on the album Hotter than Hell, he had complete lead vocals on 2 songs: Mainline and Strange Ways. Keep up the great work!

[@monicabattreal6668]

Before I read the info I knew it was Beth. They are still one of my favorite bands.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Are you a fan?

[@monicabattreal6668]

Yes

[@monicabattreal6668]

Since middle school in the mid 70’s

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I saw KISS Sonic Temple 2023 Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH, USA End Of The Road Tour. 5/27/23. "Beth" was the first encore.

[@markallen2984]

Paul always looked down on Peter (maybe with valid reasons) and he was resentful that Peter had the biggest hit for the band. Paul and Gene often talked about how they wanted KISS to be a "modern-day Beatles":where everybody sang and wrote but Paul turned out to be rather ungrateful, petty and resentful when someone else got credit for their biggest hit and drawing an enormous new crossover audience to the band. I'm a little tired of Beth myself, but I have always hated Paul's disco song. Like it or not "Beth" gave KISS a kind of mainstream acceptance and success they never would have achieved otherwise.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's a big can of worms you've opened! Ha ha. Thanks Mark.

[@tobeysampson6580]

Glad ya did this song. It did lead the way for all the hair bands that followed love ballads. 🍺🍺

[@ProfessorofRock]

You're exactly right.

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

KISStory is one helluva topic to dive into...what a mess, and I say that as a fan of 45 years...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. What's your favorite era?

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

​@@ProfessorofRock Original line up until they released "Music From 'The Elder'"x and I got back into them when they released "Crazy Nights"..."Dynasty" was ny first album I ever owned, and Ace's tracks on that album are some of their best stuff, especially "Save Your Love"...

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a rollercoaster.

[@dwells37]

I've always loved the song Beth. One song that reminds me of Beth is I'm In You by Peter Frampton.

[@ProfessorofRock]

His biggest hit. Many don't realize that.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I can see that.

[@dwells37]

@@ProfessorofRock I would have thought Baby, I Love Your Way or Do You Feel Like We Do!

[@DDKaraokeOutlaw]

I have the "I'm In You" album. I like "(I'm a) Road Runner" going into "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)."

[@davidbykowski9678]

I remember on the Destroyer tour Criss came out from the kit sat on a step and sang the song alone onstage. Kinda a cool moment in the concert. Gave everyone else a bit of a break.

[@JayTor2112]

The only one who needed to be there to record it was Peter, nobody else is on the song, lol.

[@andrewharper1609]

I got to see Kiss live at Wembley Arena in London on the Psycho Circus tour supported by Buckcherry. It was one of the best gigs I've been to and they didn't even bring the circus acts they had toured the US with. Of course they played Beth during the set. It was their first UK number one if I remember rightly.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome! How many concerts have you seen?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When was it?

[@MIB316]

Beth was never a chart single in the UK. The first KISS chart single over here was I was Made For Loving You in 1979 (no 50) and they only had two top 10 hits here - Crazy, Crazy Nights (1987) and God Gave Rock & Roll To You II (1992), both reaching No 4. 😉🤓

[@jamesanthony5257]

How many young people ask: What is a B-side?

[@bobbakerbaker6181]

Gene Simmons singing If You Wish Upon A Star is the most mellowed I heard any of them

[@rhphotocdn]

High School Dance, Slow Dancing with someone I wanted to date at the time.... Fun Times!! Good Memories!

[@thetitleisours1]

Like Alice Cooper, they got it that it was theater, and not just the music, that was part of the image.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right.

[@deltatango5765]

For that reason I never liked Kiss. Mediocre musicians who can't even sing. Theater is what made them.

[@nedhorner]

@@deltatango5765 Then you look at Meatloaf who could do both...

[@deltatango5765]

@@nedhorner I liked Meatloaf. I saw him live in a very small venue in Boston and he was great.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s the real “glam” of glam rock.

[@reloadnorth7722]

The biggest disappointment and downfall of KISS was Paul and Genes malignant narcissism.

[@ronaldpauze9260]

I agree man, Because of Gene and Paul's greed , Kiss became a toy company. Their focus was more on ripping their fan's off by selling dolls, trinkets , and stickers . After destroyer I was done with them

[@HappyMachorino-bd8no]

Not surprisingly they all four were victims of fame. Paul wrote, fame brought demons to all of us.

[@reloadnorth7722]

@@HappyMachorino-bd8noInteresting, thanks for sharing that

[@jeffmosier3145]

I would love to say it's a Jewish thing but I won't.

[@Agben35]

yes, but that narcissism is probably what drove them to the success they had too.

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

Everyone wants to take credit after the fact... give the naysayers a double barrelled middle finger salute!

[@TheFertileOne]

I thought Peter Frampton sang this song…. Who knew I love a KISS song!

[@vindivergilio3482]

Love Beth or hate it......KISS was. Is, and will always be the greatest band in the World!!

[@OZARKMOON1960]

Just reading one of Stanley's books (the other is in the 'to read' stack) and the hassles between the band members (many due to substance abuse by Ace and Peter) it is amazing they ever got anything recorded or rehearsals for tours done.

[@brandonpuckrin7514]

My Favourite song of theirs is Heavens on Fire. Glad I saw them Live in 2018

[@321ssteeeeeve]

It is the contrast from 95% of the original lineup’s tunes which actually provided the alluring attention to Beth, a necessary silent backdrop element. Same goes for Rock Bottom, a beautiful intro by Ace and Stan

[@JenniferandMark2014]

Love Beth. It was one of the first songs that gave me chills. I was just a little kid when I first heard it played on my parent’s stereo. 💛Jenn

[@LDiamondz]

Great video! 👍