KISS – Academy of Music, NYC 1973 (1CD)

KISS – “New York Academy Of Music – First Demo Tape 1973”
Academy Of Music, New York Ciy, NY
December 31st, 1973

KISS – 1st demo tape
Electric Lady Studios, New York City, NY
March 13th, 1973
Produced and engineered by Dave Wittman supervised by Eddie Kramer

01 Deuce
02 Strutter
03 Cold Gin
04 Watchin’ You
05 Black Diamond

Academy Of Music, New York Ciy, NY
December 31st, 1973

06 Deuce
07 Cold Gin
08 Nothin’ To Lose
09 Firehouse
10 Let Me Know
11 100,000 Years (rare live version)
12 Black Diamond

13 Goin’ Blind (Howard Stern show)
14 Love Theme From KISS (1995 NYC KISS Konvention tour)
15 Mr. Speed (1995 NYC KISS Konvention tour)
16 Dirty Livin’ (extended version 1979)

Notes:
On March 13, 1973, KISS recorded a low-budget five-song demo tape with producer Eddie Kramer.
In October of 1973, Bill Aucoin, who had witnessed several KISS concerts during the summer months, approached the group to become their personal manager. KISS hired Aucoin, and subsequently inked a recording contract with Casablanca Records on November 1, 1973. KISS was the first act signed to Neil Bogart’s new label.
KISS began recording tracks for their debut LP at Bell Sound Studios in New York City during Autumn of ’73.
On December 31st, KISS performed at the Academy of Music in New York City, opening for Blue Öyster Cult and Iggy Pop, with the hyped New Years Eve gig billed as the band’s official industry premiere. This has gone down in KISStory as the first time Gene would accidentally ignite his hair while breathing fire at the end of “Firehouse!”
“Dirty Livin'” extended version wasn’t very widely known at the time of release, possibly because it was only released in countries like Italy, Germany, France and Mexico.

Soundboard 8.6 The board mix favors only one half of the band to the near exclusion of the others but does level out some as it progresses. In this presentation it certainly allows you to understand the contributions of Ace!  The bonus material is all outstanding. This is worth picking up despite the strange board tape because it is extremely early Kiss and these kinds of tapes are very scarce.