#hotterthanhell

Oct. 22, 1974: KISS released their Hotter Than Hell record.

commercial

On this day january 19, 1975, 50 years ago, the band performed at the Golden Hall Community in San Diego as special guest for Wishbone Ash for their Hotter than Hell Tour

San Diego, CA

Golden Hall Community Concourse

Promoter: Jim Pagni

Other act: Wishbone Ash, Camel

Reported audience: 3,000

info and pix coutesy: the kiss museum news

- Gene's fire-breathing routine was apparently prevented by the local Fire Department on safety grounds.

- From a local review: "Picture four frizzy-haired Flash Gordons, for example, possessed by demons, wearing Kabuki makeup and now forming a rock 'n' roll band. Thus you have the members of KISS, a New York quartet that performs in white-face wearing black outer-space costumes apparently salvaged from some early science fiction movie. Costumes and choreographed hair-tossing aside, KISS' brand of straight-on, loud, hard rock became a bit monotonous toward the end of a 45-minute set, lacking as it did any variety or change of pace. Number after number built to one crescendo atop another until the eardrums were numb. The one exceptional moment came on a flashy solo by lead guitarist Ace Frehley that evoked thunder-and-lightning images. Advance publicity said one of the group's members spits fire during the act, but the musicians complained that the Fire Department had nixed the idea; perhaps the gimmick would have lent some interest to the noise" (San Diego Union, 1/20/75).