PSYCHO CIRCUS

HOTTER THAN HELL. That’s how it felt as we sweated out this issue’s cover story. What started as a seemingly surefire invitation to talk with the Kiss camp about the 45th anniversary edition of Destroyer became an increasingly tenuous proposition as the weeks before deadline dwindled down to days and we had yet to conduct a single interview. Things dragged on so long that one of our writers, Richard Bienstock, had to drop out due to other commitments. His footwork was not in vain, however, as we passed his assignment over to James Volpe Rotondi, who carried on through hell and high water before delivering the last of the goods — an interview with the Spaceman himself, Ace Frehley — shortly before the issue closed.

If by chance you’re not familiar with Destroyer, you may wonder why we worked so hard to create this issue of Guitar Player. If so, I encourage you to read this month’s story — but moreover, I heartily suggest you start by listening to Destroyer itself, the 1976 album on which Kiss found their groove as a studio act. For years prior to then, the group had honed its stagecraft into a circus show of music and theatrical daredeviltry delivered in high-camp style. At the time that Kiss entered the Record Plant in New York City to create Destroyer in the early weeks of 1976, they were enjoying a commercial high, courtesy of their 1975 concert album, Alive! (some call it Kiss Alive!, as do Kiss themselves — although they would, wouldn’t they?). Over the subsequent weeks, the group became a savvy studio act, thanks to the boot-campstyle indoctrinations of the producer they chose to helm Destroyer: Bob Ezrin. Fresh from his work with Alice Cooper, and still a few years from his celebrated production on Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Ezrin whipped Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter into shape, helping them create the album that defined them for the ages.

I’d like to extend my thanks to the Kiss camp and especially to Todd Nakamine at Funhouse Entertainment for his assistance with this issue’s cover story. I also salute Mr. Rotondi for his perseverance, journalistic excellence and unflagging good humor in the face of a crushing deadline. What more can I say? I hope you enjoy the issue.

But before I go, I would be remiss if I didn’t note that, as the calendar turns another year, so does Guitar Player celebrate another birthday — number 55. Thank you sincerely for your continued support over these many years, and best wishes and good health to you in the coming one.