37 years ago today: KISS meets the Phantom of the Park

[cjefferys]

When did "Attack of the Phantoms" hit the theaters? before or after?

Much later actually, I think 1980?

[MIB41]

I remember being blown away by the fact we were seeing KISS on television. People not of this era really have no context as to how rare it was to see a band like KISS on television. This was a very edgy band for the 70's. Wild haired musicians in makeup, one throwing up blood, breathing fire, and making maniacal faces. Add to that no one knew what they looked like without the makeup, these characters WERE the band. There was no behind the scenes shots of them without makeup. It was a true event to see and just about any kid I knew was tuned in to see this wild and crazy looking band in a two hour movie (with commercials). Of course my parents were less than thrilled, which also explains why the movie was so sterilized so the older generation were not completely offended as they looked on with concern. Just seeing KISS was repulsive for most adults, so they had a unique reputation up to that point. It was a great moment seeing these monster/musicians come to life and entertain the entire country for an evening. I'm glad I got the movie when it was released to VHS. I converted it to DVD and that's pretty much what I watch. Attack of the Phantoms is a fun variant since that was the version released in Europe much later. What gives that version it's greatest distinction is the addition of all of the music from the solo records released in the states after the US version was televised. Fun memories.

[ZMOQ]

I remember being blown away by the fact we were seeing KISS on television. People not of this era really have no context as to how rare it was to see a band like KISS on television. This was a very edgy band for the 70's. Wild haired musicians in makeup, one throwing up blood, breathing fire, and making maniacal faces. Add to that no one knew what they looked like without the makeup, these characters WERE the band. There was no behind the scenes shots of them without makeup. It was a true event to see and just about any kid I knew was tuned in to see this wild and crazy looking band in a two hour movie (with commercials). Of course my parents were less than thrilled, which also explains why the movie was so sterilized so the older generation were not completely offended as they looked on with concern. Just seeing KISS was repulsive for most adults, so they had a unique reputation up to that point. It was a great moment seeing these monster/musicians come to life and entertain the entire country for an evening. I'm glad I got the movie when it was released to VHS. I converted it to DVD and that's pretty much what I watch. Attack of the Phantoms is a fun variant since that was the version released in Europe much later. What gives that version it's greatest distinction is the addition of all of the music from the solo records released in the states after the US version was televised. Fun memories.

I know what you mean. My life-changing moment was the Paul Lynde Halloween Special back in October of 1976. I saw Kiss for the first time there, and I was hooked. Especially when Kiss sang "Beth". I had to go run out the next day and buy my first 45 RPM record (Kiss "Beth"). Looking back, I realize now that my parents were very supportive and tolerant. My mother actually bought me some Kiss magazines from the drugstore that she worked at.

I dumped "Kaptain Kool and the Kongs" immediately and Kiss became my first "real" rock group. BTW: Kaptain Kool and the Kongs were a Saturday morning kids TV group on "the Krofft Supershow"

A lot of people now don't realize that in the 70's, most families had only *ONE* TV set in the house. If your parents let you commandeer the TV to see "that Kiss rock group" it was a major concession on their part. Luckily "The Midnight Special" and "Don Kirschner's Rock Concert" was on late at night, and Mom and Dad were already in bed, so I could have the TV all to myself to watch Kiss.

[mego73]

Armageddon is coming to this park tonight.

What is it with KISS and amusement parks? there is this new KISS meets Scooby Doo and that takes place in a KISS amusement park.