KISS - Detroit Rock City

[@g0019c]

This is from the 70's and this band dressed like this all the time. The big thing was trying to figure out what they look like!! Their concerts are legendary.

[@nwmonk3105]

I actually saw this on television when it air'd. Been a KISS fan ever since.

[@Gutch220]

They're so good that they don't even need to plug in their guitars. 🎸

[@Immortalheart66]

Exactly…… studio track. To clean to be live. Typical practice of the day on tv shows. Can’t fool us…. Still classic!!

[@mattbecham597]

Secret 70's bluetooth wireless.

[@Reardonsteel236]

Could be, but Kiss of one of he first, maybe the first, to use Ken Shaffer's wireless guitar system. That was when he freedom of movement allowed the band to start using hydraulics and such.

[@GlennBoB1969]

seeing this on TV in '76 changed a lot of kids. I was one of them. This "performance" drove me to convince my parents I needed to be a musician, lol. I was 7 years old at the time and I think i got my first drumset when i was 8.

[@johngolden5257]

So many of us as kids in 1976 went to see KISS with makeup. I saw them Christmas ‘76 dressed as The Catman Peter Criss.😺

[@AlexanderCalderon-kd6mh]

The witch is the actress who played the witch in the wizard of oz. The other witch was witchiepoo, from a kids show called h.r. pufnstuf

[@Reardonsteel236]

Trying to hard is fair Maddy, all out was pretty much their motto. This song is a story about a guy driving to a Kiss concert in Detroit, but gets in a head on collision with a truck and does not survive. The album version has the police report describing the accident. Kiss is from NYC, but they had a huge cult following in Detroit before the rest of the country caught on. They had a nationwide fan group called the "Kiss Army" complete with ID cards that often went about their day dressed as their favorite member. Kiss is based of a comic strip created by the band that coincided with the band's album recording and touring. ala characters Star Man, Demon, Space Man, and Cat Man. They would mix a micro trace of the band's actual blood in the ink for the comic books. Churches nationwide would try to keep the band from playing in their cities or selling records. They almost succeeded until the local radio station, and the high school and city officials of Cadillac, Michigan invited the band for a week-long celebration, after which they exploded. Starting in 1973, Kiss was a rock n roll phenomenon that rivaled the Beatles. The difference being that while the Beatles attracted peace n love hippies teenage girls, and the rave of music critics, the Kiss Army consisted of teenage boy angst and young man bravado, with a few groupies thrown in, and the disdain of music critics. Kiss took off the make up in 1984 and fit in just nicely with the glam/hair metal barrage of the 80's with two member replacements and led by pretty boy frontman Paul Stanley. They actually had their biggest hits sans makeup, but their shows and tours with makeup were other worldly. They reunited with their original line up and put the makeup back on in 1995 and pressed on, with their final touring happening as I write this with 40 albums under their belt. Kiss began to record way before they were ready musically, but by 1983 they could hold their own, and by 1990 they were top shelf. Thanks Mads. Peace.

[@Polychrome1201]

KISS was a well-established band with 6 studio albums and 2 live albums before the comic books came out. js

[@Reardonsteel236]

That works, that's fair, but would say that the seed was planted and the character personas were etched out. @@Polychrome1201

[@Reardonsteel236]

@@Polychrome1201 That works, that's fair, but I would say that the seeds for the concept was were planted and the personas were pretty much mapped out.

[@Polychrome1201]

@@Reardonsteel236Any way you slice it, the band was not "based off a comic strip." The comic books were based on the band.

[@Reardonsteel236]

@@Polychrome1201 Yes

[@paulhollstein8650]

50 years later they are still around. They were and are the benchmark other bands try to reach. If not for KISS the modern stage show as we know not exist.

[@richpardey766]

The ultimate rock show , the first concert I ever went to 1977 Madison Square Garden N.Y. 14 years old on a school night , boy how times have changed 👍✌️💜

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

I was at that show (the "additional shows" for the Destroyer tour - a few months before Love Gun was to come out!).)! Also my first show. ...but I was ...um ...a good deal younger! 😛😛🤪 Totally mind-blowing and made me start to figure out a way to acquire a guitar the very next day!! 😛🤘🤘

[@robertserafin-uc3qn]

I had the chance to go there 😢

[@Reardonsteel236]

The only show I saw was 'Crazy Nights', Seattle 87, with anthrax supporting. Paul picked a fake fight with a fan that threw a shoe at him, complete with Gene 'pulling a guitar out of his hands' before he could crown the guy. Hilarious man.

[@glenndertinger9513]

@@richpardey766 I was at the same show too I was 12 years old it was December 16th 1977 Friday night the Love Gun Tour that was my first kiss concert of 38 shows I have seen to date a night I will never forget

[@bobschenkel7921]

Spent my 18th birthday at a KISS/Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band concert, 7/11/76 at the Cape Cod Coliseum. KISS is from NYC. Seger's band got one encore, KISS got three. The song was written as a tribute to a fan that was killed on his way to a KISS show. I later turned into a Dead Head. Hey Now!!!

[@phosphorescentscotsman]

When KISS first began touring, the audiences they had the biggest impact on were in the Midwest. (that's where Detroit is) , and those beer drinking dope-smoking, blue-collar dudes in those towns didn't care about the outfits and makeup. All they knew was the KISS Rocked hard. And that's how they like it out there.

[@robertbrazzell8095]

I think saying “ trying too hard “ for any performer is ridiculous. Is Madonna “ trying too hard “ when she performs? An entertainer is supposed to give everything they have on stage for their paying audience. I definitely prefer KISS over the Who all day long. To each their own though. Their live performances are where you really see them shine . This is a recorded version on a 1976 Halloween special.

[@claudettesmith8328]

I ❤ KISS. If you don't "get it" you don't. 60's 70''s& 80's great time for artistic& musical expression. The guys got together and said" we'll be the band no one has seen before!".

[@troyshilanski380]

Holy smoke! Got this album asna kid. Great job babe , yes holloween was the costume.

[@jameswormington9978]

This is them performing for a TV audience in the 1970's ... they were performing for the cameras and not the live audience. They give 100 % each and every performance. Ultimate pros.

[@glenndertinger9513]

The funny thing is lip syncing back in those days was not a big deal you can clearly hear that there lip syncing because that's a studio version that they're jumping around to😅

[@MaddyReactions]

Oh wow

[@jimalbruzzess2445]

And they kept the tradition going all these years.

[@effychase62]

I first saw KISS in concert back in January 1978 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. The ticket was just $8.00 and I still have the stub.

[@Reardonsteel236]

Nice

[@robbibb2615]

My first concert 1979. Took my grandsons to their first concert KISS 2021! Always a helluva show!

[@mikec6733]

One time, on a Halloween night, the guys in KISS were in a limousine trying to get to their hotel after a show. Traffic was all blocked up. They thought it'd be faster to just get iut and walk, but they were concerned about getting mobbed by fans. Then they realized, hey wait, it's Halloween. So they got out and walked, and nobody bothered them, thinking they were just some guys dressed up in KISS Halloween costumes. 😊😊😊😊

[@bryanforis1839]

Ace freely is one best guitarist in history of guitar player and great live performance

[@PaPaWizdom]

Um...yeah...that's cute....

[@x_trio_3_po333]

Back in the '70's I had a young friend who owned only 2 albums: "Elton John's Greatest Hits", and "KISS ALIVE II". I wasn't a fan of Kiss at the time being more into Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. But I borrowed his Kiss album and came to love the high energy and live performances of their songs. Most especially Detroit Rock City, I Stole Your Love, Beth, and Love Gun. Later, I took him to see his first rock concert which was a KISS concert. We both enjoyed it. We also watched the 1978 TV movie , "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park". Its where Peter Criss sings an unplugged acoustic version of "Beth".

[@garytom1935]

I remember the special in high school, KISS toured til last month, 🤘😆🤘🎸🎸🎸🎤

[@x_trio_3_po333]

As probably mentioned elsewhere, KISS didn't always wear their flashy outfits in the 1970's. Most famously they wore formal business suits and ties on the cover of their 1975 "Dressed To Kill" album while still in full make up.

[@rabooey]

Hahahahah! Criss is ten miles behind the others. I just find that hilarious.🤣

[@UckU7777]

Song is based on the true story of a fan that died in a car accident on his way to KISS concert.

[@bixby9797]

The Kiss Army Lives!

[@Joseph-bq4xv]

Soo Happy to See you back Beautiful young lady!!😘😎🤘.. This was my very first concert.. With my identical twin brother who just passed November 17th 2023..A memory that I will Never Forget,thank you for the reminder ❤❤❤

[@jimcox3380]

They really started gaining traction in 1975 with the release of their live album, and this very show was what introduced them to everybody who hadn't picked up on them yet. After this show they launched into the stratosphere. You mentioned Cats - this well predated that. Peter Criss did have cat makeup, but it was his own invention. No one else was doing what Kiss was doing in the 70's, so no, it wasn't "normal". Eventually, of course, fans began putting on makeup when going to their shows, for halloween, etc.

[@Mr.Greeeeeen]

I miss the 70s, greatest decade ever. 👊⭐️❤️👍

[@_alifeallmine_]

There’s a Movie of the same name about a bunch of Kids back in that era trying to get to a Kiss Concert. It’s well worth watching, a lotta fun.

[@greglavers]

The Band mate jumping around on the left is Gene Simmons. He used to be a school teacher prior to KISS. He ventured in to movies after KISS and he dated Cher for a time. Now he promotes KISS still in his senior years and last I heard he was married to B movie queen Shannon Tweed. She posed for Playboy. But all in all he remained relevant and successful.

[@glenjunk5100]

Late 70's lol

[@marvinsarracino116]

Great song! KISS has always been amazing! Takes me back to the good old days! Thanks maddie❤

[@woodyheywood8792]

I watched this live (well when it aired on TV) this was is cool!

[@stefanmodigh6312]

This takes me back....... Thanks Maddy ! 👍👍👍💕🇸🇪😎

[@MaddyReactions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tonyjackson229]

Kiss was my 1st concert,way back in the late 70s i think.I’ve seen them live 3 times,and they’re still my favorite live band,with the incredible stage show.Also,had pretty good seats back then,and tickets were only $12,if i remember correctly.Last time i saw them with Aerosmith and tickets were $125.

[@Reardonsteel236]

I only saw then once in 87, Seattle, 'Crazy Nights', supported by Anthrax.

[@stevenmonte7397]

Ha! first favorite song as a kid. Kiss Alive II was the first album I bought. Paul Stanley was my first idol. Kudos to KISS for knowing how to blend music and business to create a brand before most bands thought like that. (saw them front row center once. only $75! ha).

[@tskwerl]

Oh yeah, not only were there kids Halloween KISS costumes back then (the 70's), they have them even today. KISS is your basic hard rock group. They transitioned a bit in the 80's over into hair metal and even alternative in the 90's, but they've usually stuck to their original hard rock sound.

[@jeffmorris6105]

watching them in concert in 1977 was something...the drugs passed around the floor in front of the stage and the marijuana smoke so thick you could barely see the stage even from only 25 foot away, but we had a great time

[@sumonjamal1653]

FYI - the green witch was actually actress Margaret Hamilton, who was famous for playing the 'Wicked Witch' in the 1939 classic movie 'The Wizard of Oz'... She appeared as her famous character for the Paul Lynde Halloween TV special in 1976 w/ Kiss as guests.

[@mattbecham597]

The other was Witchiepoo in HR Puffenstuff

[@daneblack2593]

And the other witches from HR pufnstuf

[@sumonjamal1653]

Kiss emerged from the NYC scene in 1974 and began touring America as an opening band... The problem was that more famous bands couldn't follow them onstage... Kiss appeared in makeup & costumes and put on an energetic live show w/ pyro and bombs, and they made headlining acts look tepid playing after them. In '74, Kiss was the first band on a concert bill w/ Blue Oyster Cult as headliners, and Queen after them... Promoters made Kiss play w/ the house lights on in the venue, but it didn't matter - the crowd went crazy and reportedly kept chanting for Kiss during most of Queen's set and part of Blue Oyster Cult's set. As a result, Kiss were being turned down from tours... Kiss were forced to headline tours by 1975 w/ financial losses because their concerts were expensive to put on... However, Kiss saw thousands of teens in the Midwest coming to their shows and Detroit was one of the first cities that embraced Kiss. They sold out multiple nights at Cobo Hall in Detroit in '75 and that was where their live album 'Alive!' was recorded... That was the record that made Kiss commercially successful going into 1976 and save the band from bankruptcy... Every show on tour was sold out and the money finally started pouring in. 'Detroit Rock City' was Kiss in 1976 thanking their fans for embracing the band and giving them their success that they had worked so hard for... The lyrics were also honoring a Kiss fan who was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina in a car accident on his way to a Kiss concert. Cadillac, Michigan had a high school football team that played Kiss records in their locker room and went on a winning streak in 1975 to the conference co-championship... They invited Kiss to appear at their homecoming parade in October '75 and when the band showed up in costumes and makeup, the entire town greeted them wearing Kiss makeup... It was a surreal moment in rock history.

[@PaPaWizdom]

You would never understand unless u grew up in this era. They were the originators of this level of masked mystique. Countless have since copied them, diluting the effect massively. They were seen as surreal super heroes. What they did at that time was totally unique and special. Their fans were crazy about them, and there were many. And no one was putting on a show like they did.

[@talkswithchris2394]

I enjoy Kiss they have some really great songs I want to say thank you for your like my comment on the Stevie Ray Vaughan life without you live. keep on doing what you do. I do enjoy your content

[@MaddyReactions]

Thanks for listening

[@donaldshrader4612]

I remember watching KISS's cartoon back when I was real little. I barely remember it tho.

[@ThatsNotFunnyThatsSick]

Who watched KISS meets the Phantom of the amusement park? I was a 11 year KISS fan until I saw that. My older brother fixed me by taking me to see The Song Remains The Same at the midnight movies. Next weekend I saw Jimi Hendrix Rainbow Bridge.

[@thegorn68]

Wow! That's Margaret Hamilton (1902-1985) at 74 years old who played the Wicked Witch in The Wizard Of Oz (1939). The other witch is Billie Hayes (1924-2021) as her character Witchiepoo from the children's show H.R. Pufnstuf. Paul Lynde who did a lot of crap on T.V. towards the end of his career. LOL!

[@henrycole7015]

This is the 70's, other than Alice Cooper very few were wearing make up as part of their bands identity. Alice was more traditional make up while Kiss had the full face paint. Kiss brought grand theatrics to rock and didn't Unmask until the early 80's. I was a teenager in the late 70's and Kiss was part of the soundtrack of my youth. At every school dance and house party, basically every weekend. Great times, and thanks to the music i can remember some it.

[@ERC641]

Fun fact the lady playing the witch was the same lady who played the wicked witch of the west in the Wizard of Oz

[@capehARTlines]

KISS always puts on the performance. nice job Maddy

[@mwjsbleakwater564]

You have to understand how much this affected kids in that grew up in the 70s. No internet, no nothing. This was scary for parents. This was larger than life, stuff. So you have to put it in context. This was so much more than the music. Musically I understand you prefer The Who or other bands. But this was on another level for children and teenagers back in the day.

[@DerrickCharles5750]

Hey you! Pick a song pick any song. Hell pick a bunch of songs guarantee you will love this band. I got into Imminence back in 2019. violin in metalcore. Here are list of songs that if you didn’t do if you wanted too. Everything go with each of the storylines: The storyline “The Black” 1) Come Hell or Highwater 2) Desolation 3)Heaven Shall Burn 4) Death by a Thousand Cuts 5) Continuum Storyline “Heaven in Hiding” 1)Temptation 2)Heaven in Hiding 3)Ghost 4)Chasing Shadows 5)Alleviate Storyline “Turn the Light On” 1)Paralyzed 2)Infectious 3)Erase If you want just singles try these…… To the Light The Lighthouse The Sickness Mark on my Soul This is Goodbye Saturated Soul

[@CoreyWickramasekera]

Lol 😂 they don't have any cords going to their instruments, this was wayyyy before they had cordless instruments

[@MaddyReactions]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@joealvarez8733]

People still create these costumes for Halloween and such...they were iconic back in the day...

[@MaddyReactions]

So true!!

[@littlewings7665]

Rock and roll all nite and Maddy every day !

[@felixpolnasekjr.9049]

This song is about a fan going to a kiss show and got killed in an accident R.I.P. fellow rocker !

[@williamr3840]

2:52 Am I in a washing machine? What's happening! :0)

[@allengray5748]

NICE? Never seen this take. I seen them on their LOVE GUN Tour and Cheap Trick opened up. I think most shows them were $8. That and Alice Cooper (though not my favorite groups) two best shows to date!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@G-Man5272]

I believe myself, brother and friends saw the same tour ('77) in Montreal at The Forum. BIG SHOW!! Cheap Trick was getting their popularity in stride just prior to their big live album from Japan (Live At Budokan). What amazed me was how good Cheap Trick was! I was not familiar with their material yet, but they set the table with the opening set - and they were LOUD! My ears were already ringing before KISS had a chance to blow the place up! KISS opened the show like it was their encore - with Detriot Rock City! Explosions, fireworks, lighting, hydraulic lifts dropping Paul, Ace and Gene from above the 20' stacks of speakers, and with Peter & his drum-kit rising up in between the others. They put a whole lotta of fun into their act, which was the staple throughout their career - and did I mention they were LOUD too !! Good times. Good memories. Thanks Maddy.

[@allengray5748]

@@G-Man5272 Ya I never heard of Cheap Trick either and the speaker cabinets had torn cloth and being sarcastic I shouted " What kind of a Cheap Trick is this?? Then they blew my mind in every way and I bought; In Color and in Black and White! 🕊️☮️

[@G-Man5272]

​@@allengray5748 LOL!!! You rang a bell - yes the torn speaker mesh! I remember there was a large black curtain assembly covering KISS's equipment with CT's amps/speakers set in front of the curtain - which was alot of equipment unto itself, but then when they dropped the curtain to prepare KISS's act - I couldn't believe what I was lookiing at! First, I thought it was 2 huge black backdrops on either side of the drums, then realized they were speakers! We all laughed knowing this was going to be fun, which of course, it was. BOOM! ..LOL!! Good stuff.

[@allengray5748]

@@G-Man5272 If only we had cell phones then! Awesome times!☮️

[@allengray5748]

@@G-Man5272 Montreal?? I'm in Portland, Oregon. ☮️

[@maureenwagg5305]

Peter Criss on drums is the Catman, Gene Simmons is The Demon, Paul Stanley was Starchild and Ace Frehley is the Spaceman and Ace is still producing new music. Check out 10,000 Volts by him. Just released and straight up rock and roll. You aren't used to this type of band. Before KISS music concerts were not this wild. They put on the best show at the time. This song is about a guy who ended up driving too fast while listening to KISS and crashing and being killed in a huge car crash. The song also was a shout out to Detroit where they made it big. I kind of think concerts now are a bit dull depending on the artist. I think that KISS was always rock and roll and never metal. So many live concerts and the earliest one was in black and white from the early 70's. Black Diamond, Cold Gin, Parasite, Deuce, Nothin' to Lose with the Catman on lead vocals as well as Paul and Gene. Early KISS is my fave, some people like the 80's but nothing beats the 70's for KISS.

[@robertprady885]

Kiss were an original band and the makeup is one of a kind

[@chuckvelten5337]

Check out the all-female metalJapanese groups (Nemophilia). Version of this song !

[@alexandresandrobacellar1087]

Olá boa noite estou aqui mais uma vez de madrugada assistindo seus videos, os que você fez com reação com we are the world, Bee Gees etc. Ok.

[@Ronald-k6s]

The Shipmates that I hung out with asked me if I wanted to go see KISS and I said NO! Then they said that The MOTOR CITY MADMAN was opening for them. OK! I liked KISS when they had the Makeup On but this concert was when they Quit wearing it.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

Did you know this song?? It's sad that you did this "for TV" version, which cuts out the dual/harmony guitar solo! This was the 1970s. The use of Detroit (as the birthpoint of all "underground" Rock music. : The Stooges (Godfathers of what became Punk Rock); MC 5: progenitors of: Metal and Punk and the use of volume, noise and the openly political and social commentary, which began in the 1960s!; Alice Cooper: who: formed in AZ., became the band they were (and were based) in: L.A., but, Vincent/"Alice" himself (his family) had roots in Detroit and the band, really, found THEIR home, THEIR fans (people who liked and understood them) IN Detroit! They would not have become the success they were without their live shows in (and the following they developed in) Detroit! Detroit is core to almost all of the music you know, but you don't know it! -The "story in the song" could, really, take place, essentially, anywhere. ...It's about a young musician going to a gig (or, also, potentially: a fan, just going to a show on the weekend 🤷), getting stoned & drunk, before driving and having a head-on collision with a large truck (unspecified, but: likely an 18-wheeler 🤷🤷). It is told in first person perspective, in the time leading up to the final moments/event. On the album, Bob Ezrin (the Producer/Engineer), added "theatre" to the album by using: the sounds of a car engine, car radio playing, etc., at the opening of the song (with which the album, itself [Destroyer] opens) -i.e.: prior to the music coming in- and ended with: crash noises, over the end of the music and sèguéing into the next song ["King Of The Nighttime World"]. It was designed to "be different" ...most artists were NOT a) employing first-person perspective, in their writing b) dealing with dark/nihilistic subject matter or attitudes (although some were and had been, of course. But KISS -with this album, particularly- became a much more "mainstream" band and presence (although: in all honesty, they got nearly NO radio play at that time. Disco and Soft Rock ruled the airwaves and guys dressed in "Super-Hero costumes," wearing stylized "kabuki" make-up were WAY too left field for: suburban America as well as corporate America! ...but: their kids loved it and, certainly, those relegated to being outsiders loved it, too. In comparison to what YOU know, they may "seem"/"feel" like "pop-rock," TO YOU!!! but NOT at the time!!!! (in fact KISS didn't begin writing for/playing to a "pop" audience until the 1980s -and, in effect, when Gene (indirectly) "left" the band [he never did, officially, but: he was concentrating on trying to break into Hollywood and "be an actor" in that time-period!] and KISS, really, became Paul's. ...as well as: at that time, the other 2 original members were forced-out/ostracized (Ace, certainly, due to his burgeoning drug issues -which were exacerbated by his treatment by Paul & Gene!)- They began employing more outside song-writers [Vini Poncia (a long-time partner of Paul's), eventually: Desmond Child (who became a "writer for the industry" in the pop-rock schlock world of the '80s -particularly: mid.-to-late....-)...etc.] and playing more stuff that would likely hookba newer, younger audience, who were, then, being raised on: MTV and some amalgamated crap which became "pop-metal" at the end of the '80s....). KISS, in the 1970s ??? were very popular, but: NOT in "the public eye!." They were seen as kind-of "weird" and, even, "dangerous!" Yep! ...but they had and developed a dedicated fan-base (which, absolutely, included ME and the friends I hung with!) and used that to build an empire. ...also: using theatrics in their stage show, which were "bigger," more bombastic, and tied into the core elements of their live show. No. They were hardly "the only band" in the '70s to do THAT! (I *NEVER* said OR implied THAT!!), but: they did it in a larger, more concerted, more over-the-top way ...and if you APPRECIATED/LIKED "theatrics," you were, more-than-likely hooked! (by them)! Bob Ezrin was the guy who helped Alice Cooper become what they were, in the studio ...and as I said: Alice Cooper had, deep, Detroit ties. Ezrin's next project was: KISS (beginning with "the album in question": DESTROYER!) -after which: he would go and help save Roger Waters' bacon, by holding together the fraying ends of what was once: Pink Floyd, to complete what became: The Wall (even though core member: Richard Wright [the keyboardist] had, already, LEFT the band!!!!! ...and Gilmour and Waters. basically, weren't talking to one-another and wouldn't even be in the studio at the same time!!)! ...so: Ezrin's like of: "theatrical" and "soundscape" elements MAY (possibly) had some influence on the use of "Detroit," as well🤷🤷 ...but I'm pretty confident that: the song was, actually, written prior to Ezrin's, even, being hired 🤷🤷 (Although, I don't know, outright. 🤷🤷 -Sorry.). KISS in the '70s were barn-stompers. They had attitude. They had a semblance of "threat." They were loved by young outsiders and they had a powerful FOLLOWING. ...everything that came AFTERWARD, has NO bearing! -So: understand this! 🤘🤘🔥

[@williamreiser3118]

I was 14 beautiful when this was recorded. I was in to kiss since they first started

[@donaldshrader4612]

I believe this song was dedicated to a fan traveling to Detroit to see KISS. But got in a car wreck. Passed on. Why you hear the car screeching in the video. I'm in Michigan. Detroit had rock stars, motown musicians, rappers. DETROIT, ROCK CITY. MOTOR CITY, MOTOWN.

[@williamreiser3118]

This is kiss, nobody else was doing that back then. Or no , the biggest thing was trying to figure out what they looked like without the kabuki , make up

[@randylantz7951]

This was from the Paul Lynde Halloween special '76 i believe.

[@Kevin-vk6tg]

Detroit rock city is actually about a teenager late for a kiss concert in Charlotte north carolina

[@kenbrohere]

Peter Criss not even pretending to pretend.

[@rimisark]

70's, baby! \m/

[@quixote6942]

This Song was about an actual Accident that happened to a a fan on the way to a Concert. You might enjoy "Love Gun", "Beth" (a Ballad), or "God of Thunder" .

[@hokiedoo]

I never really cared for Kiss back in the day but I did like this song 😊

[@jdbroders64]

Yeah, I was not a Kiss fanboy either but they did have a few gems this being one of them.

[@mistrgames7286]

KISS❤❤❤

[@victorbradshaw7359]

Picked a great song with sad origin it's about true events where a fan was headed to their concert and crashed thus it's about fans dying

[@MaddyReactions]

Wait, what?!? Wow 😵‍💫

[@victorbradshaw7359]

@@MaddyReactions learn something new everyday detroit was really booming then it was late 70s and they had alot of rock clubs that's why it's detroit rock city

[@Roddy1965]

Cameraman: "What? This thing can rotate?"

[@MaddyReactions]

😂

[@mikeemerson8816]

you watched something from a halloween special from 1976.. the song is about a fan from Detroit getting killed going to or leaving one of there concerts and its a true story.

[@williamkidney6031]

When these guy started, it was clear to them what they wanted to do, and going on stage dressed like anybody else didn't appeal to them, they wanted to be different and really stand out. They kept people guessing as to what they looked like until 1983 when they took the makeup off. But years later they put it back on

[@TheMikeman1971]

The movie was fire too ! Detroit Rock City 1999 ‧ Comedy/Musical !

[@marvinpetty8848]

This was based on a true story, a guy was going. To a kiss concert n he died from a head on collision

[@samuelgirard1407]

They were influenced by Alice Cooper & the New York Dolls who both wore makeup. Kiss came after & they got fame in not only Detroit but all over Michigan & Ohio all over the Midwest before they got popular in NY where they were from. They got popular by touring &,yes, it was "Shock Rock" back in those days the way Alice Cooper had done it. Makeup, costumes, explosions, fireworks, name in lights etc. That was just the 70's in the era of big arena concerts.

[@NebulizerChi]

Thought Queen did more with much the same riff on "Tie Your Mother Down" released during the same year. Worth checking out on here: Paul Lynde's greatest hits from Hollywood Squares ---pure enduring comedy gold...

[@justitia257]

Fantastic Kiss

[@DemonCatSpaceStar]

I know other people have probably commented on this but this is in the 70s not late 80s early 90s 1976! Kiss formed in 1973 and they didn’t allow their faces to be photographed without make up until 10 years later.

[@markallen2984]

I was a big KISS fan in the 70s…my friends and I would dress up as the band for Halloween we even did a mime act at our Jr. High School talent show (complete with flashpots). And although I was really into them’ you are 💯 correct when you observe that The Who is a much better band. Detroit had a reputation as a city that embraced hard rock as a genre. Music was very “regional” back then…..back before KISS became a big act, they would be an opening act for bigger bands in L.A. Chicago or New York but they were a headlining act in Detroit

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

CATS was, obviously, based-on KISS. [T. S. Eliot was a huge fan. 🤪😛]

[@MaddyReactions]

Really???

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

@@MaddyReactions No. I was joking. But KISS and their costuming existed WELL-before the CATS musical! They are a product of the 1970s. CATS, the musical, didn't exist until 🤷🤷 1980 or '81, '82 🤷🤷 (something like that.).

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

@@MaddyReactions I WAS kidding, here ... Generally I DO NOT do that! I left an (extensive 🤷) comment which explains more about who KISS were and the impact that they began to have around this time (circa 1975-1976). PLEASE do read! 💜 🤘🤘

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

@@MaddyReactions ...uhm, also: I felt the humour would be clearer, as T.S. Eliot died WELL-before, either: KISS existed OR CATS was created (based-upon his works)! ...Because of the timeline: It IS a likely circumstance that: some of the young theatre people, who helped create CATS (and the costuming or make-up, certainly!) had SEEN KISS ...or were, even, fans 🤷 (I don't state this as any sort of certainty, only a clear possibility.👍👍) ...Great art appropriates from the past and from what the artist(s) experiences (experience) around them. 🤷 👍👍

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Maybe it’s a tribute to the great Detroit bands like the MC5 and the Stooges that preceded them. Kiss are from NYC

[@blgeiger71]

Actually, this song was written about a fan who was killed in a car accident on his way to see the band play live in Detroit and that city and this song has been close to the heart of the KISS Army ever since...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@blgeiger71 thanks good to know.

[@curiousman1672]

The song is about going out on a Saturday night and witnessing a deadly car crash.

[@DB-kl9bp]

It's hard rock. It's an extremely well written hard rock song, excellent right from day one. And if you had listened to the lyrics, you'd know what the song is about. And they're much better than the Who.

[@mooch514]

No one knew who they were under the make up. Like kiss or not. Kiss remains one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time

[@SIR-DanielHunter]

I remember watching this.. Younger people have no idea how big kiss was ..

[@bebettertryharder5338]

Detroit Rock city... recommend the comedy movie about the journey to see KISS. Good stuff

[@dexterjankaren]

Yeah they were trying a bit too hard here, they were lip syncing too, but they really bring it live. One of the best live acts ever.

[@donaldendean4188]

Saw them at Cobo Hall Detroit 77 the photo on the album cover is from the concert ,

[@thecoolestdad]

First of all this was a tv special from the 70s. Probably around 1976 or 1977. They lip synced to their studio version of the song and for time constraints, the guitar solo was completely cut out of this tv version. The members of KISS put together the band that they never saw in concert themselves back in the late 60s, early 70s. many bands back then were simply standing on the stage, playing their instruments and singing. No movements, no show, no theatrics, no nothing, just the songs only. So Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons conceived the band and show that they never saw. Gene was heavy duty into comics and a larger than life idea. His character is based on comic book characters he grew up with. Gene is highly intelligent. He speaks 4-6 languages fluently. He was school teacher before getting into the music scene. Their personas in the costumes and makeup are larger than life characters for the stage. They are not a joke band, and their earlier songs from their first three albums and the KISS Alive album are classics and will stand up against any other band's material. Unfortunately several albums later, they did write some cheesy songs that weren't that good. But every band does the same thing. They all fall into writing slumps for a while. One of their best albums later in the 80s was Creatures Of The Night. KISS shouldn't be dismissed as just another band trying too hard, as you put it. They certainly are not. There is also no comparison between KISS and The Who. They are like night and day to each other. I love the Who. I saw them in concert in 1980. Great band. But they cannot be compared to the Who. I know you didn't compare them to the Who, you just mentioned that you felt like you like the Who better than KISS. I get that. But did deeper into KISS. Get a copy of KISS Alive and listen to it in its' entirety. Yes Detroit Rock City is somewhat of an anthem song. The story in the song itself, is fictitious. The guy driving the car crashes and dies. I think the city of Detroit was used in the song because it sounded good. I am not certain of that. I can't remember the back story of why Detroit was used in the song. Bottom line: dig deeper into KISS and their songs. Are you also aware that they removed the makeup in the 80s and was in a sense, an entirely different KISS during that era. But then they went back to the makeup and costumes and continued in that format until the retirement earlier this year of 2024. I saw KISS in concert many times. I even met them all at a records and tape store in Atlanta that is closed down now, but was called Peaches Records and Tapes. I was there for a promo tour they did and I met them all and shook hands with them and got all of their autographs on a Peaches flyer. KISS are icons and can't nobody touch them, especially with the original four members of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.

[@MaddyReactions]

Ohhh nice info!

[@thecoolestdad]

@@MaddyReactions Thanks. Obviously KISS was my favorite band back in the day. There's probably more I can share with you, but it's not coming to mind right now.

[@Sammylu-greenbeatsred]

Lots of music out of Detroit! Some of the most famous pop groups were from Motown Recording in Detroit, founded by Barry Gordy. Grand Funk Railroad came out of Flint Michigan just over 1 hour away from Detroit. Kiss was out of New York though.

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooh!!!

[@tomthomas2646]

It's called Glam Shock Rock.....

[@miked2445]

This my gameday song. One Pride.

[@markupperhouse]

You should read the lyrics and some background of the song. Not a big Kiss fan but this one is on my playlist. Greetings from Finland.

[@joebarrera9741]

SOME PEOPLE LOVE THE BEATLES..I DO TOO..BUT TO ME KISS 💋 IS THE BEST BAND EVER hail ACE AND PETER MOST LOVED GUYS EVER

[@quixote6942]

This is the Classic KISS look, since 1972. When the Drummer and Lead Guitarist were replaced, they tried different Styles (like the Drummer becoming a Fox and the guitarist had an Ankh symbol), but they changed them back to the original "Spaceman and Cat". they also actively avoided being photographed in public without their makeup until the Early 80's. YES< the Audience was filled with people wearing the KISS Makeup... And Quite a few of the Ladies would Flash their Boobs.