The Making of the KISS Album Artwork with Dennis Woloch - Chapter 8: Dynasty

[@gregorypegg7402]

The original 8-track art didn't crop out the bottom of Peter or Ace's face. It also shown Paul's white spandex. Obviously different un-retouched artwork was used in one factory or another.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Interesting

[@MondoMiami]

I noticed that, too, back in the day. I don’t think different photos were used. I think it’s just cropped more tightly both vertically and horizontally on the original LP and you can’t see the white spandex or Ace and Peter’s chins. The 8-track art wasn’t cropped as tightly because it wasn’t an exact square.

[@buddyinky]

Great catch

[@jcollins1305]

Love these videos. Dennis is such a great storyteller, and his memory for details is greatly amazing. I believe you said it Claudio, that in those days, you really had to have the knowledge to make these things happen. As a kid, you have no idea how many people it takes to make these albums and photo shoots happen. Keep em coming!

[@angelic_slayer]

I always thought even as a kid that this cover was brilliant. That clarity of the photo because of medium format and the naturalness of the guys by the brilliant simple lighting was timeless and gave us a better look at them than ever before and strangely came probably at the pinnacle in the whole ‘makeup look’. Such brilliant pictures all of them from this session.

[@buddyinky]

Well said

[@jimilove7773]

Dynasty loved everything about it save the part that Peter only played on dirty living but proved he could have done the whole album. Stellar production! Crystal clear and bassy!

[@hollandrocksls]

Fully disagree. Anton fig was incredible. I love Peter but he didn't even play on his solo album at the time.

[@theshadowboxer]

Love! Love! Love! As a fan of the band, learning all of these things about the creative side, amazing. The additional conversation, like Gene's non-makeup facial expressions... Really enjoyable.

[@jimilove7773]

The 4 colors were brilliant! Imagine if the Beatles had come up with that . Brilliant!

[@PaulWildstar]

Fantastic Interview!

[@jonnitm7370]

I'm loving these series. Especially as a graphic designer starting my career in the early 90s and catching the last days of these "old" techniques of working from art to press. One thing I'm missing somewhat is keeping the inserts of artwork on screen a little bit longer when it relates to the discussion. I continuously find myself going back and pausing several times when the art is referenced. And if you find more outtakes and behind the scenes pictures then they add so much to this already great content. Keep it up!

[@federicomazzoncini3542]

Laurie Greenan is credited along Maria Contessa for "costume construction" inside the Alive II gatefold...

[@leswadley6792]

Totally dig these interviews! Dennis seems like a great guy! I bet everyone loved being around him!

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

He is a character. Great story teller

[@leswadley6792]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt When are you posting more?

[@darklight4970]

@@leswadley6792 yes!! Please post more!! Can't wait to see unmasked and the elder!

[@madmichaelmathieu]

The Dynasty poster was my first KISS poster and to this day remains to be my absolute favorite picture. It captures 70"s KISS better than anything. Great interviews. Dennis is cool as fuck!!

[@user-ye9ph5iq5z]

Another great episode, I look forward to these so much. I learn so much not only about KISS but about how involved it was to make album covers. Thanks for doing these 🤟🤟

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Glad you enjoyed it! there are more coming.

[@user-ye9ph5iq5z]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt thanks for responding, so glad to hear you’re doing more. I met Dennis at the NY/NJ KISS convention about 20 years ago and bought some 1st album outtake pictures from him , they are framed and they still hang on my wall to this day. He’s a very interesting gentleman and so are you.

[@berniecasey7592]

Loved Dynasty it brought me to KISS

[@rosradley7366]

Another great interview. Thank you, Claudio and Dennis.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

It's been really fun. Thanks!

[@mattskustomkreations]

31:05. I still have some of my Mars-Staedtler compasses, etc. Koh-i-noor was another good brand of drafting equipment. The machining quality of that German gear is excellent. Weighty- feels good in your hand. Rapidiograph made some very good pens.

[@formas3dx]

Thank you both for making this interview, so interesting in every detail, how fresh it is to get this information decades after buying that LP. Looking fwd to see the unmasked interview !!!. So funny the Gene's brakets thing ! Well...he HAD to do that I guess!! Again thanks Claudio, I already follow you on instagram, great art man, and thank you Dennis for letting this happen!!

[@halljr71]

Claudio-thank you for doing these episodes. Being a life long Kiss fan, this stuff is fascinating and can’t wait for the next one

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Glad you like them!

[@sanderberkvens6270]

Amazing interview! Thanks so much guys.. Thanks Dennis for taking us back in an essential time of Kisstory when they were still mysterious.. makes all this information even more special!

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@rawdeal536]

Another great episode really love these videos I'm an artist myself would love to see more videos of you and Dennis rapping about art and kiss love it.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

We might do a show about or favorite album covers.

[@Caveman-ye1dv]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt just curious, will there be any more of these videos with Dennis? These were amazing interviews!! I checked out your website Claudio , and I was awestruck at your artwork!! Thanks for doing these vids!!

[@specs8426]

Superb episode! Thanks!

[@darklight4970]

This series is incredible!!!!!!! Can't wait to see Unmasked and Elder !!!! Ty Mr. Woloch !!ty for your telling these great stories on these album covers! Ty for all your hard work and creativity!!!

[@gerberbernstein7360]

You can tell on the Dynasty cover the faces are different sizes. KISS putting out I was Made... was what killed the tour, as people thought they abandoned their rock fans.

[@jahjah67]

Claudio, really have enjoyed this series and very much appreciate your presentation. Can I ask what video editor you use for your videos? They look great. Thanks and look forward to more videos.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Hey thanks for watching. I used Apple's iMovie up to a certain point. Then I moved on to Adobe Rush, which has more flexibility.

[@jahjah67]

Hey, thanks for getting back with me. I was thinking of getting Final Cut Pro but I’ll look into Adobe. Thanks again

[@uskissvinylreferencepage3388]

About the cover with the white shirts showing, I've only ever seen that cover with a USA first issue from 1979. Also, versions of the 8 track, cassette and some magazine ads show that same cover

[@iainholmes2735]

It's a great album cover. Very classy. When I listen to Sure Know Something, I always think of the whole album/video package: sparkly, disco, classy. Great interview.

[@federicomazzoncini3542]

Great, entertaining episode as usual, by the way. Thank you very much misters!

[@dannobman07]

Was waiting for this one !!

[@SQUADCHILE]

Fantastic episode !

[@thefonzkiss]

They owe so much success to this guy, Bill Aucoin, Neil Bogart and Sean Delaney. KISS suck now because Gene and Paul have deluded themselves into thinking THEY were the guys that came up with all these cool concepts. They didn’t.

[@whataboutrob442]

They have been successful for 45 years, don't be such a douche bag.

[@thefonzkiss]

@@whataboutrob442 The last 25 totally based on the success of 74-80. Let's be real. My comment stands.

[@diegorivas1991]

When you reach the Creatures of the Night album please ask him about the "I can read about Creatures of the Night" book cover from 1979 inspiration myth.

[@denniswoloch5757]

Diego-I was not inspired by that book. I was inspired by a scene in "Snow White".

[@mattskustomkreations]

Dennis does the best Ace impersonation I’ve seen yet.

[@DashChicago]

this is dynamite Claudio, thanks!!!

[@patrickwall9155]

Great great video!

[@thefonzkiss]

4:20 these are from the Sure Know Something video shoot not the Dynasty cover shoot.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

We know. But since there are no outtakes available of the Scavullo photoshoot, that was the next best thing.

[@nickj7980]

great videos! looking forward to Unmasked!

[@PatricioFunes]

Claudio, the typo used for this album is called ARPAD. You can find a sample in DAYLIGHT FONTS e-daylight.jp. There a revival font called La Peruta. The lettering for the titles is Stymie but I can´t remember right now the foundry who made the closer revival.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

wow. thanks for that info.

[@PatricioFunes]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt Thank YOU for this project.

[@TheWorldwidetour]

interesante edición claudio, saludos desde buenos aires.

[@chrisrosati8264]

Great interview! The non working laser curtain came out the next year... but not with KISS! I think It came out in the movie Can't Stop the Music, at the end....same label as Village People, maybe same laser people? I realized this possibility recently!

[@Kopperafiel]

Dennis is a genius. I love the fact that the guy drinks and smokes with no regrets.

[@mattskustomkreations]

I forgot all about LetraSet! It was pretty easy to crack the lettering when transferring. What a pain! That Mecanorma brand was made in The Netherlands.

[@JohnBGood-ry9wj]

I hope the Unmasked video will be coming out soon!!! Hopefully Dennis also discusses working on Peter’s “Out of Control” album and whether or not the idea of putting his “unmasked” face either on the front cover or possibly inside the album ever was considered? Did Peter sign something where he agreed not to show himself without makeup for a certain amount of time? I’ve also heard that Casablanca purposely buried both Peter’s “Out of Control” and “Let me rock you” albums from any promotions as to not take any attention away from “Unmasked” and “Creatures of the Night” and I also have a theory that it was also a form of punishment towards Peter for leaving/getting fired and putting the future of the band in jeopardy.

[@c.d.scalemodels9198]

Hey Claudio, Chris here……. I’m subbed 2 your channel & I LOVE ALL of these KISS videos with Dennis. I’m curious as 2 know how close is the next video interview for Unmasked to be on your channel?????? I’m very excited & can’t wait ……. Thanks much!!!!!

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

As soon as I get a gap between work commissions. I've been super busy and I do these on my spare time.

[@c.d.scalemodels9198]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt Hey Claudio, thanks so very much.........these videos U create are great, especially for KISS fans.......well done buddy.........thanks again!!!!!!

[@INTOTHEPIT]

So cool!

[@Erich_U]

Really hope chapter 9 is coming soon

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Yes. Soon.

[@TroyCorreia]

Are you planning on putting out the Unmasked one and any others after that?

[@flrpitflrp1965]

I thought I had heard they might call the album Asylum that’s why they took the straight jacket shot. And that’s why the Asylum cover looks kinda like Dynasty. Who knows

[@whataboutrob442]

Cool channel. Just subbed

[@terrytheman3317]

Regarding the straight jacket idea... Not only did Nugent do the straight jacket... But Alice Cooper also did it the year before with From The Inside

[@reubensane5539]

Then I think Van Halen went there for something too 😁

[@tobyjenner2924]

Call me shit head, lol classic

[@denniswoloch5757]

On second thought, the poster shot may have been one of the white spandex pictures and not the straightjacket shot. Maybe.

[@thefonzkiss]

No, it’s the exact straightjacket shot.

[@JohnBGood-ry9wj]

Hey Claudio, when are you going to put up the Unmasked segment???

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

As soon as I can. I've been super busy working on multiple commissions.

[@JohnBGood-ry9wj]

@@ClaudioBergaminArt understandable….thanks!!!

[@Steambull1]

It used to be one of the most common "facts" spread about the Dynasty cover, that the members were photographed separately and then edited into a group shot. It must've come from the Paul part of it, and perhaps the "Sure Know Something" music video shoot had been confused with the album cover sessions. Anyway, I've always thought the Dynasty cover was okay, but it's just underwhelming after the masterpieces that were the solo album covers. Also, definitely never thought that it was anything special in terms of photography.

[@ca3317]

What was the point of straight jackets In the first place? What were they going for? I don't get it.

[@Kopperafiel]

I met Ace and he was a dick. I bought a ticket for $200 for a meet and greet. He kept saying, " I don't know why people aren't buying the $500 tickets for me to sign their guitars. Do you know how much they'll be worth?" I just looked at him and said, "Why the Fuck would I ruin my guitar". Needless to say we aren't friends.

[@rikkofitall8243]

This would have been a perfect occasion to ask why Peter’s green makeup here is uneven, not symmetrical…..and why it wasn’t retouched !

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

No need to ask that. Peter Makeup is not uneven. He is simply raising his eye brow.

[@jumbyrocks]

I always thought the thing Gene is doing with his bottom lip was imitating King Kong. Go look at the original old King Kong. It always made sense to me.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Some people say he was imitating the classic Wolfman from the Lon Chaney movies.

[@whitecloud_94]

17:34 😅😅😅

[@ericbrewer2409]

I always thought Gene looked like he was imitating Lon Chaney Jr as the Wolfman.

[@MrAdamJoel]

Great observation

[@federicomazzoncini3542]

Same here. Wouldn’t rule it out, anyway...

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

Yeah. That is a good point. However, it is well known that he became a bit conscious of his teeth around this era.

[@ericbrewer2409]

Gene has always made half his bottom lip whiter to give the appearance of a thinner bottom lip.

[@coldcoffeebear7459]

I wonder what kind of cigars Mr.Woloch smokes.

[@denniswoloch5757]

Those are "Black and Mild" cigarillos with a wood tip. Pipe tobacco in a cigar. They smell nice.

[@terrytheman3317]

When is the next episode?

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

I am editing it now.

[@terrytheman3317]

Where's Unmasked??

[@johnnyreno7200]

Claudio looks like Peter Tork of The Monkees with black hair

[@JamesK-i9e]

Claudio looks a lot like Ace Frehley

[@kenmonteiro67]

I wish he has asked why the hell they touched up Peters lips for the cover.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

he´s making a face. No one retouched the lips

[@thefonzkiss]

And no, he had the braces in 1980, not 1979. Probably after seeing how messed up his bottom teeth looked on this cover. He definitely didn’t have braces here.

[@whataboutrob442]

People in that '70s Kiss page are a bunch of cry babies.

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

what 70s KISS page_

[@terrytheman3317]

Claudio's looking A LOT like Ace nowadays....

[@ClaudioBergaminArt]

it´s an optical illusion. I really look like Mr Potato Head