Structurally, "Beth" lacks a solo instead, the mid-octave section repeats the intro along with the chorus in an orchestral interlude. Finally, Criss recorded the vocals at the Record Plant studio. For his part, Ezrin put on a top hat and played the grand piano. Once the orchestra arrived at the studio, Ezrin suggested that all 25 members wear fake tuxedos and that Criss appear in the studio in his trademark makeup so he could take some pictures. According to Criss and Simmons, Frehley did not participate in the recording because he was engaged in playing cards with friends. įor the song's recording, Ezrin brought the New York Philharmonic orchestra and musician Dick Wagner into the A&R studio as a substitute for Frehley. They hate the fact that I was the songwriter of a hit and won the People's Choice". Criss, in his defense, mentioned that Stanley was jealous because "he is the main vocalist of a group in which he did not write the greatest success. In a 2014 interview for Rolling Stone, Paul Stanley agreed with Simmons's assessment that Penridge was the main writer, and he commented that Criss had nothing to do with the composition of "Beth", adding that "if you write one hit, you should be able to write two". Peter might have contributed a line or two of the lyrics, but after listening to Penridge's original demo, it's clear who made the original song". In his autobiography, Simmons recounted that "I have never seen compose a single song. Guitarist Ace Frehley attributed the modification to Ezrin, allegedly to make the name less androgynous. However, Lydia Criss later claimed credit for proposing the change for the same reason, and because the original Becky had a twin sister named Beth. Gene Simmons suggested changing the name to "Beth" because it would be easier to sing and to avoid confusion with Jeff Beck. Composition and recording Įzrin made several arrangements of the song's melody and wrote part of the lyrics. Ezrin's decision was motivated by the fact that the band's other songs were primarily about sex, and he believed that "Beck" was a love song that "everyone would relate to". Simmons and Stanley suggested that he sing it to producer Bob Ezrin, who agreed to record it and assured him that it would be a success. During a limousine ride, Criss sang an uptempo version of "Beck" for Simmons and Stanley, assuming they would not be interested in including a sentimental ballad on the album. Criss assumed the role of vocalist in other songs created by his bandmates however, for Destroyer, Criss set himself the goal of adding one of his own compositions. īy 1975, Kiss had released three studio albums, in which Criss's compositional contributions were minimal the only track on which he appeared credited was the instrumental track "Love Theme from Kiss", written by the four members of the band and included on their self-titled debut. Criss has said he composed the song for his first wife, Lydia. Me and the boys are playin', and we just can't find the sound". According to Criss, she regularly called the group during rehearsals to ask when her husband would come home, and this gave them the idea of composing the first verse of the song: "Beck, I hear you callin', but I can't come home right now. Background ĭuring drummer Peter Criss's time in Chelsea, he and the group's guitarist Stan Penridge decided to write a song that mocked a woman named Becky, the wife of their bandmate, Mike Brand. In 2003, "Beth" ranked #3 in VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads. "Beth" is Kiss's biggest commercial hit in the United States it reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, received a Gold Record certification from the RIAA, and won the 1977 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Song". Casablanca Records released it as a single in August 1976, after it was released as the B-side of " Detroit Rock City".
Producer Bob Ezrin turned it into “Beth” for the album. Criss had a hand in a demo called “Beck”, but his friend, Stan Penridge, was the main writer. Though Criss had gotten credit over the years for writing the song, he was not truly the sole composer. The song features drummer Peter Criss on lead vocals. " Beth" is a song by American rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album Destroyer.
0 kommentar(er)
