Description
Kiss – Love Gun – Tangerine and Aqua Splatter Vinyl Record
By the time Love Gun was released on June 30, 1977, KISS was at the absolute height of their fame. They had gone from a struggling New York bar band to the biggest rock spectacle in the world, thanks to their explosive live shows, face-painted personas, and anthemic, radio-friendly hard rock. This album, their sixth studio release, was not only the last to feature the band’s original lineup on every track but also the one that solidified KISS as rock icons of the 1970s.
More than just another KISS record, Love Gun was a full-throttle, over-the-top rock statement, filled with swagger, sex, and larger-than-life energy. It followed the massively successful Destroyer (1976) and Rock and Roll Over (1976), keeping the arena-ready hooks and bombastic production while cranking up the attitude even further. The album showcased Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons at their most confident, with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss contributing in ways that made it one of KISS’s most balanced and exciting efforts.
Musically, Love Gun continues the raw, riff-heavy hard rock of Rock and Roll Over, but with a sharper, more polished edge. The production is big and punchy, perfectly complementing KISS’s high-energy sound. The album is filled with massive hooks, pounding drums, and blues-based riffs, all wrapped in the band’s signature glam-rock sleaze.
One of the standout elements of Love Gun is how Ace Frehley’s lead guitar work takes center stage. His signature melodic solos and infectious licks elevate many of the songs, giving them a sharpness and urgency that helped define KISS’s sound during their prime years.
Even more significant, Love Gun marks the first time Frehley sang lead vocals on a KISS record with the song Shock Me, a moment that was long overdue given his influence on the band’s musical identity.
Lyrically, Love Gun is pure KISS—an unapologetic celebration of sex, excess, and rock ‘n’ roll bravado. The songs don’t aim for deep introspection; instead, they’re packed with innuendo-laden hooks and high-energy anthems designed to be sung at the top of your lungs.
Love Gun is the ultimate Paul Stanley rock star seduction anthem, with lyrics dripping in double entendres and a guitar riff that instantly commands attention.
Christine Sixteen is one of Gene Simmons’ most controversial tracks, telling the story of an older man infatuated with a teenage girl. While musically catchy, the lyrics are often debated today.
Shock Me was inspired by a real-life incident where Ace Frehley was nearly electrocuted on stage, turning a near-tragedy into one of the album’s most memorable moments.
Tomorrow and Tonight serves as a sequel of sorts to Rock and Roll All Nite, reinforcing KISS’s never-ending party philosophy.
Hooligan gives Peter Criss a chance to shine, with lyrics that feel autobiographical, reflecting his tough, working-class roots.
Plaster Caster is a tribute to the infamous groupie Cynthia Plaster Caster, who made plaster molds of rock stars’ anatomy—a perfect fit for KISS’s over-the-top image.
There’s no pretense of depth in Love Gun—it’s all about having a good time, living fast, and embracing rock stardom to its fullest.
Key Tracks and Highlights
Love Gun – Arguably one of KISS’s greatest songs, with a towering riff, soaring vocals, and an unforgettable chorus. Paul Stanley has often said it’s his favorite song he’s ever written.
Christine Sixteen – A controversial yet undeniably catchy track, driven by Gene Simmons’ signature bass groove and an infectious piano melody.
Shock Me – The standout moment for Ace Frehley, featuring one of his most iconic solos and a confident, laid-back vocal performance.
I Stole Your Love – A hard-hitting album opener that rivals Detroit Rock City in pure rock energy, setting the stage for the album’s no-holds-barred attitude.
Plaster Caster – A sleazy, blues-driven track that encapsulates KISS’s raunchy, playful sense of humor.
Love Gun was an instant success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and quickly going Platinum. The album’s title track became one of KISS’s most enduring live anthems, while songs like Shock Me and Christine Sixteen cemented their place in the band’s classic era.
This was also the first KISS album to come with a fan-oriented collectible, including a cardboard love gun toy, further fueling the band’s growing reputation for brilliant merchandising.
Beyond its sales and impact on KISS’s legacy, Love Gun also marked the beginning of the end for the original lineup. The tensions that had been brewing—especially between Frehley, Criss, and the increasingly dominant Stanley-Simmons duo—would soon lead to fractures within the band. Just a year later, KISS would release their infamous four solo albums, a sign that the unity of the classic lineup was fading fast.
Love Gun stands as the last truly great KISS album from their golden era. While they would go on to release albums like Dynasty (1979) and Unmasked (1980), those records took them in a more pop and disco-oriented direction, losing some of the raw energy that had made them rock gods in the first place.
For fans of classic KISS, Love Gun represents the ultimate expression of their excess, attitude, and arena-rock power. It may not be their most critically acclaimed work, but it captures everything that made KISS one of the most exciting and larger-than-life bands of the ’70s.
From the opening riff of I Stole Your Love to the sleazy swagger of Plaster Caster, Love Gun is a non-stop, high-energy rock and roll fantasy, a reminder of a time when KISS ruled the world and made no apologies for it.
Tangerine/Aqua Splatter Colored Vinyl Version.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
I Stole Your Love
Christine Sixteen
Got Love For Sale
Shock Me
Tomorrow And Tonight
Love Gun
Hooligan
Almost Human
Plaster Caster
Then She Kissed Me
