Peter Criss had
a car accident in1978 that injured him, thus he only played drums on Dirty
Livin'. Anton Fig was brought in to fit the bill on the rest of the tracks.
Of course, this wasn't announced at the time as KISS was still a perfect family
in the fans' eyes and the band wanted to keep it that way.
Anton Fig later went on to record with Frehley's Comet and became the regular
drummer on Late Night with David Letterman.
In the original album, a huge poster was included of the four KISS members.
The cover of the Dynasty album is actually a collage of photos taken from
the photo session, and not a group shot as it appears.
'2,000 Man' was originally performed by The Rolling Stones on their
'Their Satanic Majesty's Request' album in 1967.
KISS' manager, Howard Marks, co-wrote Charisma with Gene.
Giorgio Moroder was originally scheduled to produce Dynasty. Moroder would
later go on to fame as producer of the music in Flashdance as well as with
Donna Summer.
Paul plays bass and performs the guitar solo in 'Sure Know Something.' Paul
also plays bass in 'I Was Made For Lovin' You.'
Ace plays all the instrument except the drums on '2,000 Man,' 'Hard Times'
and 'Save Your Love.' Anton Fig handles the drums for these songs.
Richie Fontana plays drums on I Was Made For Lovin' You. € Escape From Hell
was the subtitle of Dynasty's Japanese release.
Dynasty was the last high-charting album by KISS for several years at #9 on
Billboard's charts.
Rumor has it that Paul wrote 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' as a joke to prove
how easy it was to write a disco song.
I Was Made For Lovin' You was KISS' first songwriting collaboration with Desmond
Child, who would show up later on 'Animalize,' 'Asylum,' 'Crazy Nights,' 'Smashes,
Thrashes & Hits,' and 'Hot In The Shade.'
A third KISS/Marvel comic was supposed to be released in 1979 but was shelved
after KISS found out Marvel wanted ownership of the KISS characters' copyrights.
Kiss in their new "Dynasty" costumes.
The Dynasty tour was the first to have Gene soar up to the rafters after his
solo to perform 'God of Thunder.' This was done again on the reunion tour.
Paul, still struggling to come up with an antic for his 'character,' like
the other three members, had originally wanted a laser to appear to shoot
out of his eye during the show but found out he could be permanently blinded
if he tried it.
The band was planning to open an amusement park called KISS World at this
time. KISS World would be all KISS, all the time, with KISS themed games,
rides and memorabilia, but the cost turned out to be too great. To bad, that
would have been a blast!
A fateful appearance on Halloween 1979 on The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder
saw an interview turn into mayhem when Peter and Ace overtook the proceedings
from the usual conversation leaders, Paul and Gene. Ace was noticably wasted,
but was very funny.
Ace in his 'Dynasty' cosume.
The Dynasty tour actually lost money due to poor ticket sales and an extravagant
stage show (EACH concert cost nearly $1 million!).
During a December 1979 show in Shreveport, Louisiana, Peter quit drumming
in the middle of a show and KISS was forced to end the show early. The band
was infuriated by Peter's actions. After the Dynasty tour was over, Peter
announced his plans to the group that he was leaving. His last performance
with KISS was on December 16, 1979.
1979-1984 would be the hardest years of KISS's career as their popularity
plummets and they lose a total of 4 members.
Peter Criss released two solo album
in the early 80's soon after leaving Kiss.
