Kiss

With personnel changes and neglect from a key member of the band, it's amazing ANIMALIZE turned out as well as it did. This record shows Kiss was able to rise above all the groups who copied a style of music that Kiss originated.
After LICK IT UP, "creative differences" pushed lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent out and speed demon Mark St. John in. Without missing a lick, St. John was able to fill Vincent's shoes admirably. Also around this time, Gene Simmons decides to try his hand at acting, starring in such films as "Runaway" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive". Thus, he is listed as Associate Producer but in reality had minimal input. Producer Paul Stanley did a fine job putting his own personal technical stamp on the album. Stanley sings on "I've Had Enough (Into The Fire)," a fast and furious track with motivational lyrics. He also fills in on bass for Simmons on both singles, "Heaven's On Fire" and "Thrills In The Night." Lyrically, Simmon's songs reflect where he was in the 80's with titles like "Burn Bitch Burn" and "Murder In High Heels".

Alive! is Kiss' first live album and is considered their breakthrough, as well as a landmark for live albums. Released on September 10, 1975, the double-disc set contains live versions of selected tracks from their first three studio albums, . The record was recorded from concerts in Detroit, Michigan; Wildwood, New Jersey; Cleveland, Ohio; and Davenport, Iowa.

Dynasty is the seventh studio album by KISS. It was produced by Vini Poncia and released on Casablanca Records on May 23, 1979. The album, and the following tour, were billed as the "Return of KISS" as a band, KISS had not released a studio album since 1977's Love Gun. Instead, KISS released their second live album and each member had recorded eponymous solo albums independently of their bandmates, which were simultaneously released on September 18, 1978.