😔 A bitter sweet song for me to hear. It was my wife's favorite song by them. Her name was Beth, she passed away from cancer in 2011. She got to see them one last time the year before. When Beth started to play I helped her stand & held her up so she could see. It was one of many huge hits for Kiss.
My condolences on the loss of your wife. You were able to give her a wonderful memory I'm sure she still holds on to today. And yes, I truly believe that every time you hear this song, she is right there beside you! Peace and Love!
This song was one of their two top 10 hits. Peter Criss, the OG drummer, would come down off the drum platform, the other guys would leave the stage, and Peter would sit center stage on a stool and sing this amazing ballad. A hush would come over the crowd and we would all just listen to his sweet song to his wife. And when he would finish, the crowd would go absolutely crazy. Great pick. Great song. Miss the cat man. KISS army forever! Sending love from sunny So. Cal!
Pete had originally recorded it as Beck and originally offered it to Rod Stewart but he declined it when Pete presented it to Gene he didn't like the title he thought it was a tribute to Jeff Beck so they changed it to Beth at the time Pete was married to his wife Beth????
@@bazzahcarter6767 Paul wrote Hard Luck Woman for Rod who turned it down. Beth was written by Stan Penridge when he and Peter were in the band Chelsea. And yes it was originally called Beck because it was written about the girlfriend of a band member named Becky. Peter's wife was Lydia, not Beth, and has nothing to do with th e song.
Simmons and Stanley pushed Frahley and Criss out of the band so they could hog all the money. Simmons and Stanley are two class A assholes. There's a reason.
I went to a KISS concert in Tulsa Oklahoma right after this song was released. Criss came down and started preforming this song...some drunk ass redneck in the audience threw a beer bottle at Criss...the band got pissed, stopped playing, loaded up and left...not sure if the drunk made it out without a solid ass beating or not!
Actually, this is my favourite Kiss song. Always has been...the piano, strings, Peter Criss raspy voice, the emotion in his voice. Life of a rock and roll individual. Peter Criss was their first drummer and my favourite drummer with Kiss
With all due respect, Criss sang within his limitations. His voice is suitable for a sweet and meloncholy song like this, but the man did not have much range, nor was his voice particualarly powerful. He used his voice well in the few songs he sang, but "amazing voice" is stretching things just a wee bit.
@@SM-McKraken I agree with the amazing voice comment but none of KISS members had an amazing voice. Their voices all fit the music. So do you consider Hard luck woman and black diamond as sweet and melancholy? Peter Chris sang both of those. My comment was that vocally he brought more to the table then Gene and Paul allowed because of their egos, nothing more.
Yes! KISS! So many songs to choose from! Peter Criss was a great singer and drummer, in my opinion. Another ballad that he sang is Hard Luck Woman. Rumor has it that it was written for Rod Stewart, but he turned it down. Just as well, because Peter did an amazing job with it, and it remains a favorite of mine to this day. You should put that up here.
@@stevelmartin27 Edited "Criss had a hand in a demo called “Beck,” but his friend, Stan Penridge, was the main writer of the song." "Sung by Peter Criss, the single was an attempt to follow the success of the hit single "Beth" released earlier in the year by releasing another love song sung by Criss. According to Billboard Magazine, Criss' vocal performance sounds similar to Rod Stewart."
The first ever ballad by a heavy band to ever win an award! Kiss is my favourite band hands down!! Love your reactions to their music. It was the b side of Detroit Rock City. Radio stations flipped it over and voila. 🤟🤟👍👍. Keep rockin you two. The old rocker loves to see the younger generations dig up on the great stuff of years and decades gone by.
Just like Jay, many never realized this was a KISS tune. A beautiful ballad about the choices musicians make. It looks like fun and games from the outside but we all make sacrifices in our careers and there is NO ideal profession. Cherish your time with your loved ones. GOD, family, work and that balance is a constant challenge!! Glad you like the tune!!
Whatever else you can say about Kiss: 1) They can play the HELL out of a ballad. 2) They were absolute GENIUSES at marketing themselves. They made a TON of money, and more power to them for it.
Kiss was an extremely multi talented band. Longtime Kiss Army fan from about 14 years old. I am now 58 years young. I never tire of hearing Kiss and love to see the younger folks react.
Peter Criss and Stan Penridge originally came up with this in a pre-Kiss band they were in called Chelsea. One of the other member's wife was named "Becky" and she used to call incessantly while they were rehearsing wondering when her husband was coming home (thus the "I think I hear you calling" and "Me and the boys will be playing all night") - those are things they would say back and forth to each other and Peter and Stan wrote them down making fun of them. That eventually became the song "Beck" which Peter was humming in a limo while sitting next to Gene one day and he asked about it. Gene suggested he change the name to "Beth". But it was producer Bob Ezrin who took the scraps Peter had, transcribed it to piano and made the arrangement we know today. There are pictures of the day they recorded it in the studio with Ezrin dressed up in a tux and top hat. The other guys in Kiss were making fun of Peter so badly that Ezrin kicked them out of the studio so he could do his vocal.
@@proud2bamerican Its a small world when my hairdresser friend is Ace Frehley’s sister, Cheree! She said he was doing better & thinking about doing another solo album. 😀
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Shout It Out Loud"!! "Beth" was one of their 2 top 10 hits. The band was in the video, but only Peter in the recording studio. On "Beth" it was just drummer Peter Criss: lead vocals; Bob Ezrin: piano and production; Dick Wagner: acoustic guitar; New York Philharmonic: orchestra.
In otherwords, this was a Peter Criss solo and not really KISS. None of the other members are on this track, if I remember right. I just don't love when a BAND has a song that only ONE member had anything to do with. This should have been Criss' solo effort, not a KISS song. IMHO.
Hey guys :) This song was sung by the drummer Peter Criss. The video was from the movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. The reason everyone looked out of place is because they all hated each other at that point. I could go on but great to see this one come up. Now Jay can do God of Thunder Live version ONLY!!! From “96” Have a blessed day 😊
@Robert O'Connell - Good call. That would be a fantastic one for Jordan to do. Even the version from Alive II would be great 👍. But the studio version would leave him cheated.
They should have used the video of this song from the Paul Lynde Halloween Special from 1976! It shows the Peter Criss aka the Cat Man center stage with the rest of the guys coming into the frame toward the end of the song.
This was the song kids played for their parents. "See? KISS isn't bad! This is a LOVE song!" And it fooled a lot of parents into thinking this very odd-looking band was just a little on the strange side, and not a threat to their children. LOLOL. It's a great song. As others have said, give "Hard Luck Woman" a listen. Great tune. Love the reaction. Peace!
@@michaelasay8587ard luck Woman, I Can't Stop the Rain(Criss solo), Mr. Make Believe (Gene solo), Shandi, A world Without Heroes, I still love you, Reason to live, Forever, Every Time I look At You. They had a few.
If A&J are shocked that this is a KISS song then they'll be even more shocked to know that this was their most popular and highest charting single (at #7) on the U.S. charts. Life isn't always what you expect or set out to achieve!
They Had more top 10 and No1 Hits in Australia than in the USA lol, I had the entire Collection on Albums and gave them to my teenage sweetheart who still has them all today 🙃,, Bring Back The 70s
From Wikipedia: '"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". In 2003, "Beth" ranked #3 in VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads.' Peter Criss (drummer) was the singer on the song. Additionally, 'During recording, Criss was the only band member in the studio, making "Beth" the only Kiss song to have no instrumentals from any member of the band ... Bob Ezrin, the producer, brought in Dick Wagner (guitar and keyboards) and a 25-piece orchestra. 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. For his part, Ezrin put on a top hat and played the grand piano. Finally, Criss recorded the vocals at the Record Plant studio.' - Wikipedia So, literally, this is NOT Kiss at all, but 1 band member making a "single", which was played mainly by Bob Ezrin, Dick Wagner and an orchestra. I believe the video you reacted to is the 2nd recording of the song ... made solely for the music video, syncing the original track to the newly recorded footage. Probably, the only reason this happened at all is because the success of the song required it. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley didn't want "Beth" on the album, because it wasn't a typical Kiss song. Ace Frehley didn't participate in the recording because he was engaged in playing cards with friends. I think that this is why everyone looks so irritated or disengaged.
KISS was my first concert when I was 14 in 1977. My Dad (rip) asked to hear a sample of their music before signing off, and I played him "Beth" lol. BTW Cheap Trick was the opening act!
Hey. I saw Cheap Trick open for Kiss around 1977ish myself. In San Francisco at the Cow Palace Area. Second time seeing Kiss, never heard of Cheap Trick at the time. Was totally blown away by them, a buddy and I sent the next week at school telling people about Cheap Trick. Ha !
@@randybliss6480 Yeah, we laughed about it later in life. I didn't learn until after his passing 366 days ago, that he was the driving force behind the scene, of me becoming a drummer! Thank you Dad!
When this first came out, EVERYONE was shocked!!! Turns out, at the time, this was their biggest hit (if I remember correctly)! Even people that didn't like KISS liked this one!
That's me. I was just a kid, not yet a teenager. Couldn't stand Kiss' sound but I really liked this song and was shocked as a little kid that there was no screeching or yelling, just a beautiful ballad.
Yeah, I was never a big kiss fan because her music was bad more because they thought they needed all that gimmick with the make up……. And then this song came out.😂🎉❤
@@FUBAR1986 I saw them in '75, and at that time, gimmicks were all the rage. They never were the most technical guys but, they loud, they rocked kinda hard, and they were fun.
1977...I was 12 and at 4-H Camp for a week. Every night we'd climb the hill to the pavilion and they'd play music and let us dance. Beth started and a boy a year older than me came and asked me to dance. It was my first slow dance ever! Thanks, Donnie.
I was never a big Kiss fan growing up. But this was my absolute favorite ballad. When it hit the Billboard top 10, that was the first time some of us had ever heard of Kiss. While Kiss had a lot of fans for their rock songs, Beth extended their reach out to people, like me and all my friends, who didn't listen to rock at the time. It was a huge hit.
The irony is one of their other biggest hits (on the charts, at least) was sung by Ace Frehley, - "Back in the New York Groove" - technically one of their 4 "solo" albums, but it could not have been any more solo than Beth was/is
Yes, pay a little more attention...lol "Beth" was not only written by Peter Chris, he sings it; "Beth" was one of the biggest hits KISS ever had. Gene didn't mind "Beth" too much, the song he absolutely hated, and still hates to this day is "I Was Made For Lovin You", Gene can't stand that song; unfortunately for him, it too turned out to be one of their biggest hits ever. You guys should check out "We Are One"
Beth was KISS’s all time biggest hit. This was on the B side of Detroit Rock City (I have the single) I love how they gather around the piano & sing this at the end of their concerts. Great song!
I had the single and played it frequently, as well as the b-side. Every time I've heard "Detroit Rock City" since then, though, it sounded strange to my ears. I've always felt they used a different mix on that song, which they sometimes do.
When I was in middle school in the 70's, there were these guys that came to school with their faces painted like a Kiss member all the time! I rode the bus with them.
This song was one of their biggest hits ever. I'll never forget the radio station my father would turn on while we're eating dinner at the table. It essentially played easy listening music. At times, the music was instrumental. Well, part of the instrumental rotation was the song Beth.
This song was sung by Peter Criss (the drummer) and the cat. This song was huge in the crossover market. They went from Rock stations to Top 40 Pop stations and opened up a whole new fan base who found out who KISS was. Before this song they were viewed as Heavy Metal but everyone heard this song and said wait a minute. I believe this was written by Peter Criss also.
A song from one of the K-tel albums I had as a preteen. Another song from one of those albums by a 70's rocker that you would never guess if you heard it is You And Me by Alice Cooper. Yes, just like this song by Kiss it is a ballad from an unexpected place.
Peter Criss was the singer of this song Beth. This gave time in the concert for Gene, Paul, and Ace to go back stage and get a drink and a little makeup touch up.
My sister and I were huge fans. When we got to see Peter sing this live, it was a life dream. Such great memories attached to this! This video is from KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM (of the park). Music, movies, comic books with their blood in the ink... They did it all!
I wondered if that was from the movie! I can recall a movie I haven't seen since 1981 or so but can't remember the name of the restaurant I ate at last month. Stupid menopause brain.
This won the Peoples' Choice Award for Best song of 1976! This was the B-Side to Detroit Rock City, and DJ's started playing the other side and gave them their biggest-charting hit. And the video clip is from "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park", their made for TV movie. Gene looks on edge because there's a "phantom" stalking and trying to sabotage the band, who received a huge amount of money from the park which cut funding from a disgruntled employee... You just have to see it. 😄
You are correct; it was Peter Criss, the drummer with the cat whiskers who sang that. It is rumored that this song, due to its unexpected popularity, sparked the unspoken tradition of groups putting a rock ballad on their albums in imitation/tribute to Kiss.
Bob Ezrin produced the "Destroyer" album for Kiss that this song came from, and also wrote the beautiful orchestration for this song. He was also a producer on Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and all of Alice Cooper's albums, including his ballad "Only Women Bleed." Very influential producer.
This was the first song I slow danced to in the 8th grade. I loved it so much my daughter's middle name is Beth and my daughter passed it down to my granddaughter. It still makes me a bit emotional hearing Peter Criss singing with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. A true work of art and thanks so much for sharing your first time with us!
My very first rock concert was KISS in Baton Rouge (1977). I was standing at the wall right in front of the stage. During this song, Peter had several red roses that he threw into the audience. He looked straight at me and threw one to me. I caught the stem, but the guy behind me grabbed the flower part and gave it to his girlfriend. I also got 2 guitar picks from Ace Frehley. I gave one to my friend Elizabeth who didn't catch anything. I gave the other pick to my son around 2000 when he was taking guitar lessons from a former Sonny and Cher backup guitarist. Of course, Gene Simmons was extremely flamboyant and was known for his outrageously long tongue. My little 16 year old mind couldn't handle it when he ground his crotch about 3 feet in front of my face while whipping that tongue out. I was actually kind of terrified. The pyrotechnics in their show were amazing. Other than a stolen flower and Gene's shenanigans, it was mindblowingly amazing.
Hey my friend I was there too in 77. We all drove up from New Orleans. I had seen them in 75 at the warehouse or was it 76. I can't remember but 76 they also played the municipal auditorium. It was the destroyer tour and it was awesome!✌️😎🔥
KISS was mine and a cousin's first ever concert. I was 14 and the concert happened to be on her 14th B'day (in Nov. of 1976). It was also when this song had first come out a few months beforehand, so it was a big hit. I remember 'CatMan' sitting on an old travel style trunk with a spotlight on him, while he sang it. The concert was awesome! 🎉😊🎉
This is from kiss meets the phantom, a made for TV movie. Peter Criss the drummer is the singer, One of my all time favorite songs. Thanks for bringing back some great memories! Love y’all!
Peter criss , the drummer is singing this song. Ace Frehley is on lead guitar. Paul Stanley sings and is front man . Gene Simmons is on the bass , also sings lead
I cannot express with words how happy I am that you reacted to this song 🥺 It's my ultimate favourite KISS song and one of the best rock ballads ❤️ Thank you for this
This is like an alternate reality where Barry Manilow is a member of Kiss. (This song by Peter Criss was put on a B-Side album, but it became a surprise hit when radio DJ's started playing it because it was so unexpected from Kiss).
G'day guys..first of all..I love watching your show..it's really cool...I'am a huge KISS fan..Peter Criss "the catman" drummer sings the song..which was a top ten hit IN '76...but if you really want to hear KISS in all there glory, then go and buy KISS Alive and KISS Alive 2..once you hear those two albums..you will be even more a KISS fan..all the best to you both..you guys ROCK!
The mighty axe! I love it! I saw them do this song live in 1979. All four original members before they ever parted ways. It is still one of the best concerts I have ever seen to this day, and I have seen many! They have the best pyrotechnics and stage show ever. It was back in their prime, before they ever removed their make up. I saw them again about four years later. The first concert was the best in my opinion still one of the best bands there’s ever been.
First of all .. love KISS 💋 This song was a jumbo surprise when it was released! We Kiss fans are use to the fire-breathing blood spewing Demon, lightning bolts from Spaceman’s guitar, & Star Child belting out the vocals. Peter Criss singing Beth is fabulous!! 👹😍👽😸
I was (and still am) a huge KISS fan. Member of the Army, I have the comic book, which legend say their blood was added to the ink. I saw them perform this at the Forum - the recordings being used for the KISS ALIVE II album. The best live performance you'll ever see. They definitely give you a great show!!
The thing that made the original KISS lineup such a power group was that all four of them wrote and sang songs. Usually, a band has a single driving force behind it and only one or two vocalists. Each of these guys could have had solo careers in another life. We were lucky to get them all together for a time.
Beth, that no one would guess was KISS, was their biggest hit. It went to #7 on Billboard Hot 100. It came in at #3 on the VH1 25 Greatest Power Ballads. Great song.
This was the first song I slow danced with the girl I liked back at tbe grammar school dance a couple years after this song came out. Haven't seen her in decades but think of her every time I hear it.
*KISS - 'Everytime I look at you' and "I still love you" are two of their most beautiful songs. I hope you guys check them out. If you do, please do the MTV Unplugged versions. It's live and uncut. You will both be like, wait, what?... but in the best way.*
Kiss released four solo albums in 1978, one from each member of the band, and the Gene Simmons album contains one of the sweetest, most perfect pop songs I've ever heard, "See You Tonight". It's not what you'd expect from him at all.
Ace had the best solo album. Peter's was the worst. What I will never understand with Peter is that he had a great voice. The songs that Gene and Paul would write for him had him singing very well. And Beth was awful.
This song almost didn't make it on the album because the rest of the band thought it didn't fit. But their manager Bill Aucoin insisted. Aside from Peter Criss singing, none of the others band members participated on it. Instead, producer Bob Ezrin commissioned the New York Philharmonic orchestra, Ezrin on grand piano, to perform it. They released it as the B-side single to "Detroit Rock City" and sent them out to the radio stations, figuring Detroit Rock City would be the hit. But the radio DJs opted more to play "Beth" instead because of its radio-friendliness. The song reached #7 in the US charts and boosted sales for their album "Destroyer".
My favorite KISS song.....I got this song as a 45 record for this song...later my brother flipped it over to the other side and became one of their #1 fans (can't remember what the song was but I was not a fan of their other music at the time)...age 66 now and don't mind it at all..lol Love your channel, from 🇨🇦!!
Yes, "Beth" is a good ballad. And realistically, it really helped put KISS in the mainstream spotlight. And I admittedly say that, as someone who has been a diehard (ie: my favorite band of all) KISS fan since October 1976. That being said...If you haven't already reacted to it...Give a listen to the studio LP version of "I Still Love You", from the album Creatures Of The Night. IMHO, it surpasses "Beth", even though "Beth" reached #7 on the American Billboard Top 40. And "I Still Love You" wasn't even released as a single. It seems that every "music reactor" always listens to the version of "I Still Love You" that was performed on MTV's Unplugged show. And it's a fantastic version. Really shows off how good Paul Stanley's voice USED to be... when he was only 43-44. But I have always preferred the original album version from 1982.
![Kiss Symphony: Alive IV - Beth (Act Two) [HD]](/img/1.gif)
😔 A bitter sweet song for me to hear. It was my wife's favorite song by them. Her name was Beth, she passed away from cancer in 2011. She got to see them one last time the year before. When Beth started to play I helped her stand & held her up so she could see. It was one of many huge hits for Kiss.
Fierce, so sorry...but that was a great sister.
❤❤❤
Peace be with you
I understand your pain.
My condolences on the loss of your wife. You were able to give her a wonderful memory I'm sure she still holds on to today. And yes, I truly believe that every time you hear this song, she is right there beside you! Peace and Love!
This song was one of their two top 10 hits. Peter Criss, the OG drummer, would come down off the drum platform, the other guys would leave the stage, and Peter would sit center stage on a stool and sing this amazing ballad. A hush would come over the crowd and we would all just listen to his sweet song to his wife. And when he would finish, the crowd would go absolutely crazy. Great pick. Great song. Miss the cat man. KISS army forever! Sending love from sunny So. Cal!
Pete had originally recorded it as Beck and originally offered it to Rod Stewart but he declined it when Pete presented it to Gene he didn't like the title he thought it was a tribute to Jeff Beck so they changed it to Beth at the time Pete was married to his wife Beth????
It wasn't about his wife. It was about the wife of a member of his previous band who would call him all the time asking when he was coming home.
@@bazzahcarter6767 Paul wrote Hard Luck Woman for Rod who turned it down. Beth was written by Stan Penridge when he and Peter were in the band Chelsea. And yes it was originally called Beck because it was written about the girlfriend of a band member named Becky. Peter's wife was Lydia, not Beth, and has nothing to do with th e song.
Simmons and Stanley pushed Frahley and Criss out of the band so they could hog all the money. Simmons and Stanley are two class A assholes. There's a reason.
I went to a KISS concert in Tulsa Oklahoma right after this song was released. Criss came down and started preforming this song...some drunk ass redneck in the audience threw a beer bottle at Criss...the band got pissed, stopped playing, loaded up and left...not sure if the drunk made it out without a solid ass beating or not!
Oh my! Finally my favorite Kiss song! Peter Criss also sings Hard Luck Women for Kiss, a great song also!
And Black Diamond!!!!!! Catman
And, Strange Ways, Nothing to, and Baby Driver
Actually, this is my favourite Kiss song. Always has been...the piano, strings, Peter Criss raspy voice, the emotion in his voice. Life of a rock and roll individual. Peter Criss was their first drummer and my favourite drummer with Kiss
It's my favorite too. I don't know what is second. 😊
Beth was Kiss's highest charting song. It reached #7 on billboards hot 100 in 1977.
Peter Criss ( aka The Cat Man )has such an amazing voice. Kiss should have used him more often.
I agree what a lovely voice he has… the drum playing was Ok but would rather hear more of his vocals! The cat man! He was singing to his wife Beth!
Could never happen with the size of Gene and Paul's ego.
Definitely. He had that raspy vocal. Very nice...
With all due respect, Criss sang within his limitations. His voice is suitable for a sweet and meloncholy song like this, but the man did not have much range, nor was his voice particualarly powerful. He used his voice well in the few songs he sang, but "amazing voice" is stretching things just a wee bit.
@@SM-McKraken I agree with the amazing voice comment but none of KISS members had an amazing voice. Their voices all fit the music. So do you consider Hard luck woman and black diamond as sweet and melancholy? Peter Chris sang both of those. My comment was that vocally he brought more to the table then Gene and Paul allowed because of their egos, nothing more.
Beth is such a gorgeous ballad! Totally unexpected from Kiss, but great. Peter Criss' voice is perfect in it! ❤
Vocals by the drummer Peter Criss (the Cat). Believe it or not, this is their highest charting single.
This was sung by the drummer Peter Criss. The video is from their 1978 movie KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park.
"Beth" won the People's Choice Award in 1977 for Best Song!
Yes! KISS! So many songs to choose from! Peter Criss was a great singer and drummer, in my opinion. Another ballad that he sang is Hard Luck Woman. Rumor has it that it was written for Rod Stewart, but he turned it down. Just as well, because Peter did an amazing job with it, and it remains a favorite of mine to this day. You should put that up here.
I love Hard Luck Woman!
@@stevelmartin27 no, Peter did
@@stevelmartin27 Edited "Criss had a hand in a demo called “Beck,” but his friend, Stan Penridge, was the main writer of the song."
"Sung by Peter Criss, the single was an attempt to follow the success of the hit single "Beth" released earlier in the year by releasing another love song sung by Criss. According to Billboard Magazine, Criss' vocal performance sounds similar to Rod Stewart."
@@stevelmartin27 Paul wrote it and sings it live these days, but Peter sang the original studio version.
Hard luck woman was an great song
The first ever ballad by a heavy band to ever win an award! Kiss is my favourite band hands down!!
Love your reactions to their music. It was the b side of Detroit Rock City. Radio stations flipped it over and voila. 🤟🤟👍👍. Keep rockin you two. The old rocker loves to see the younger generations dig up on the great stuff of years and decades gone by.
Just like Jay, many never realized this was a KISS tune. A beautiful ballad about the choices musicians make. It looks like fun and games from the outside but we all make sacrifices in our careers and there is NO ideal profession. Cherish your time with your loved ones. GOD, family, work and that balance is a constant challenge!! Glad you like the tune!!
Former Kiss Army member…Kiss wasn’t just a band in the 70’s they were everywhere! Lunchboxes, movies, cartoons it was insane.
I am a former one as well!!! Because, no Peter or Ace, done!!!! Catman and Ace were the real heart and soul of the original lineup, period!!!!!
I still have my Kiss Rock Army member card, pin and cards that came with it
Whatever else you can say about Kiss:
1) They can play the HELL out of a ballad.
2) They were absolute GENIUSES at marketing themselves.
They made a TON of money, and more power to them for it.
Kiss was an extremely multi talented band. Longtime Kiss Army fan from about 14 years old. I am now 58 years young. I never tire of hearing Kiss and love to see the younger folks react.
Peter Criss and Stan Penridge originally came up with this in a pre-Kiss band they were in called Chelsea. One of the other member's wife was named "Becky" and she used to call incessantly while they were rehearsing wondering when her husband was coming home (thus the "I think I hear you calling" and "Me and the boys will be playing all night") - those are things they would say back and forth to each other and Peter and Stan wrote them down making fun of them. That eventually became the song "Beck" which Peter was humming in a limo while sitting next to Gene one day and he asked about it. Gene suggested he change the name to "Beth". But it was producer Bob Ezrin who took the scraps Peter had, transcribed it to piano and made the arrangement we know today. There are pictures of the day they recorded it in the studio with Ezrin dressed up in a tux and top hat. The other guys in Kiss were making fun of Peter so badly that Ezrin kicked them out of the studio so he could do his vocal.
Love this story .. Saw KISS twice in 1977, had all their albums!
BETH was a breath of fresh air!! TY for the comment!!
So let's rock and roll all night and party every day
@@proud2bamerican I still have the confetti that blew all over the Fabulous Forum during Rock n Roll All Night 🤣🤣 🎉🎉
@@debramoore7513 Yes KISS has given me a lifetime of entertainment KISS fan forever
@@proud2bamerican Its a small world when my hairdresser friend is Ace Frehley’s sister, Cheree! She said he was doing better & thinking about doing another solo album. 😀
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Shout It Out Loud"!! "Beth" was one of their 2 top 10 hits. The band was in the video, but only Peter in the recording studio.
On "Beth" it was just drummer Peter Criss: lead vocals; Bob Ezrin: piano and production;
Dick Wagner: acoustic guitar; New York Philharmonic: orchestra.
Love Dick Wagner and Steven Hunter on Rock and Roll Animal! Great shout out!
Forever is their other Top 10 hit and it was co written by Michael Bolton.
In otherwords, this was a Peter Criss solo and not really KISS. None of the other members are on this track, if I remember right. I just don't love when a BAND has a song that only ONE member had anything to do with. This should have been Criss' solo effort, not a KISS song. IMHO.
Just stop 🤦♂️
@@SM-McKraken the other band members thought it sucked and wanted no part of recording it .
You weren't wrong! Peter Criss sang this one and his voice and this song is amazing ❤
Hey guys :) This song was sung by the drummer Peter Criss. The video was from the movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. The reason everyone looked out of place is because they all hated each other at that point. I could go on but great to see this one come up. Now Jay can do God of Thunder Live version ONLY!!! From “96” Have a blessed day 😊
I remember watching that on TV as a kid!
@Robert O'Connell - Good call. That would be a fantastic one for Jordan to do. Even the version from Alive II would be great 👍. But the studio version would leave him cheated.
They should have used the video of this song from the Paul Lynde Halloween Special from 1976! It shows the Peter Criss aka the Cat Man center stage with the rest of the guys coming into the frame toward the end of the song.
I had that vision tape of the movie, I sold it to someone in Singapore, I kick myself for that now...
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. lol
Brings back memories of slow dance in high school. Back when things were great.
This was the song kids played for their parents. "See? KISS isn't bad! This is a LOVE song!" And it fooled a lot of parents into thinking this very odd-looking band was just a little on the strange side, and not a threat to their children. LOLOL. It's a great song. As others have said, give "Hard Luck Woman" a listen. Great tune. Love the reaction. Peace!
I think the thing I've always loved about this song is how different it was from all the rest of their songs. The vocals are so good. Love it!
Yea they should have done much more slower songs....that's sad.
@@michaelasay8587ard luck Woman, I Can't Stop the Rain(Criss solo), Mr. Make Believe (Gene solo), Shandi, A world Without Heroes, I still love you, Reason to live, Forever, Every Time I look At You. They had a few.
@@Faltor895I was going to add Hard Luck Woman!
If A&J are shocked that this is a KISS song then they'll be even more shocked to know that this was their most popular and highest charting single (at #7) on the U.S. charts. Life isn't always what you expect or set out to achieve!
They Had more top 10 and No1 Hits in Australia than in the USA lol, I had the entire Collection on Albums and gave them to my teenage sweetheart who still has them all today 🙃,, Bring Back The 70s
Peter Kriss was so underrated yet his vocals are what brought Kiss two of the very best songs. Hard Luck Woman is also a favorite song.
Hard Luck Woman!
Also, Black Diamond!!!!!! The original album!!!!!! Catman
From Wikipedia:
'"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". In 2003, "Beth" ranked #3 in VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads.'
Peter Criss (drummer) was the singer on the song.
Additionally,
'During recording, Criss was the only band member in the studio, making "Beth" the only Kiss song to have no instrumentals from any member of the band ...
Bob Ezrin, the producer, brought in Dick Wagner (guitar and keyboards) and a 25-piece orchestra. 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. For his part, Ezrin put on a top hat and played the grand piano. Finally, Criss recorded the vocals at the Record Plant studio.' - Wikipedia
So, literally, this is NOT Kiss at all, but 1 band member making a "single", which was played mainly by Bob Ezrin, Dick Wagner and an orchestra. I believe the video you reacted to is the 2nd recording of the song ... made solely for the music video, syncing the original track to the newly recorded footage. Probably, the only reason this happened at all is because the success of the song required it.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley didn't want "Beth" on the album, because it wasn't a typical Kiss song. Ace Frehley didn't participate in the recording because he was engaged in playing cards with friends. I think that this is why everyone looks so irritated or disengaged.
Sung by the drummer, Peter Criss. I saw him perform this acapella on the first reunion tour.
Yes!! As a big Kiss fan who grew up with Kiss this is one of favorites!!! And was always a popular “slow-skate” song at the skating rink.
Yes indeed
Yes!
KISS was my first concert when I was 14 in 1977. My Dad (rip) asked to hear a sample of their music before signing off, and I played him "Beth" lol. BTW Cheap Trick was the opening act!
Did he ever discover how you mislead him? (Good job btw!)
That is fantastic! I'm curious too, did he find out about Knights In Satan's Service? 😂😂😂 ah the 70s, they were hilarious.
Haha
Hey. I saw Cheap Trick open for Kiss around 1977ish myself. In San Francisco at the Cow Palace Area. Second time seeing Kiss, never heard of Cheap Trick at the time. Was totally blown away by them, a buddy and I sent the next week at school telling people about Cheap Trick. Ha !
@@randybliss6480 Yeah, we laughed about it later in life. I didn't learn until after his passing 366 days ago, that he was the driving force behind the scene, of me becoming a drummer! Thank you Dad!
This always brings tears to my eyes and I don’t know why!! Just the power of beautiful music ❤
This song is something special! It’s both musically and lyrically genius. It’s just so sweet.
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra did a great job on this song.
When this first came out, EVERYONE was shocked!!! Turns out, at the time, this was their biggest hit (if I remember correctly)! Even people that didn't like KISS liked this one!
That's me. I was just a kid, not yet a teenager. Couldn't stand Kiss' sound but I really liked this song and was shocked as a little kid that there was no screeching or yelling, just a beautiful ballad.
Yeah, I was never a big kiss fan because her music was bad more because they thought they needed all that gimmick with the make up……. And then this song came out.😂🎉❤
@@FUBAR1986 I saw them in '75, and at that time, gimmicks were all the rage. They never were the most technical guys but, they loud, they rocked kinda hard, and they were fun.
My Favorite Kiss song done live, every time I here it live it give me chills, so you guys should listen live once. Man I love this song
Yes the Drummer Peter the catman
The live version is iconic!
This song was HUGE. Constant airplay and the sweetness of the song was enough to convince my mom to let me have Kiss Alive II.
1977...I was 12 and at 4-H Camp for a week. Every night we'd climb the hill to the pavilion and they'd play music and let us dance. Beth started and a boy a year older than me came and asked me to dance. It was my first slow dance ever! Thanks, Donnie.
I was never a big Kiss fan growing up. But this was my absolute favorite ballad. When it hit the Billboard top 10, that was the first time some of us had ever heard of Kiss. While Kiss had a lot of fans for their rock songs, Beth extended their reach out to people, like me and all my friends, who didn't listen to rock at the time. It was a huge hit.
This is why Kiss Called Australia their new home 🤣
Peter Criss was my favorite singer in the band. He kills it on Black Diamond and Nothing to Lose. I love his scratchy voice!
He is also great on Hammer Smashed Face.
Do you know what Nothing to lose is about????? Anal sex it's in his Autobiography???????
@@adriantrusca1245 😆
@@adriantrusca1245 I'll definitely check that one out. Thank you!
Sung by their original drummer, Peter Criss, KISS’ signature ballad, “Beth,” is still the band’s highest-charting US single (it peaked at No.7)
The irony is one of their other biggest hits (on the charts, at least) was sung by Ace Frehley, - "Back in the New York Groove" - technically one of their 4 "solo" albums, but it could not have been any more solo than Beth was/is
@@cicadajet that's just it...New York Groove was Ace's solo hit.
It was NOT a KISS release.
Yes, pay a little more attention...lol "Beth" was not only written by Peter Chris, he sings it; "Beth" was one of the biggest hits KISS ever had. Gene didn't mind "Beth" too much, the song he absolutely hated, and still hates to this day is "I Was Made For Lovin You", Gene can't stand that song; unfortunately for him, it too turned out to be one of their biggest hits ever. You guys should check out "We Are One"
How could anyone not love this song. It is one that aways hits the soul just right.
This was KISS's biggest hit on the charts. My Fav. KISS song, along with Hard Luck Woman.
Great song. The best version is from MTV Unplugged. Also the drummer is the lead vocals on this song.
By far, the unplugged version is the absolute best version of this song.
Love watching it! Peter just looks so happy🙂
Beth was KISS’s all time biggest hit. This was on the B side of Detroit Rock City (I have the single) I love how they gather around the piano & sing this at the end of their concerts. Great song!
yep, still have mine as well, it's almost played out completely....wore that 45 out.
Detroit Rock City is another they should do. Especially with the correct version (with the car crash effects @ the end)
Nevermind. they've already done it...
I had the single and played it frequently, as well as the b-side. Every time I've heard "Detroit Rock City" since then, though, it sounded strange to my ears. I've always felt they used a different mix on that song, which they sometimes do.
My two favorite KISS songs by far!
When I was in middle school in the 70's, there were these guys that came to school with their faces painted like a Kiss member all the time! I rode the bus with them.
Its their biggest hit ever. Saved the band literally.
This song was one of their biggest hits ever. I'll never forget the radio station my father would turn on while we're eating dinner at the table. It essentially played easy listening music. At times, the music was instrumental. Well, part of the instrumental rotation was the song Beth.
The KISS love song…. Such a classic.
This song shocked a lot of people when it first came out, including myself......It's a CLASSIC! Shows you the diversity of KISS.
This was a classic 70's song along with Angie from the Stones. :)
Another great ballad from KISS is "Hard Luck Woman". Great song!
The Garth Brooks cover? 🤣
He actually did a pretty good job with the song! @@perrdawg-py8my1cl7l
This song was sung by Peter Criss (the drummer) and the cat. This song was huge in the crossover market. They went from Rock stations to Top 40 Pop stations and opened up a whole new fan base who found out who KISS was. Before this song they were viewed as Heavy Metal but everyone heard this song and said wait a minute. I believe this was written by Peter Criss also.
I love this song it reminds me of my older sister Great memories. ✌️ ❤
A song from one of the K-tel albums I had as a preteen. Another song from one of those albums by a 70's rocker that you would never guess if you heard it is You And Me by Alice Cooper. Yes, just like this song by Kiss it is a ballad from an unexpected place.
Also "I Never Cry" and "Only Women Bleed" by Alice Cooper.
Another thing you wouldn't believe is that Beth was their biggest hit song.
I can not name another song of theirs.
Peter Criss was the singer of this song Beth. This gave time in the concert for Gene, Paul, and Ace to go back stage and get a drink and a little makeup touch up.
My sister and I were huge fans. When we got to see Peter sing this live, it was a life dream. Such great memories attached to this! This video is from KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM (of the park). Music, movies, comic books with their blood in the ink... They did it all!
I had that Marvel Super Special in 1977 and I read it to death. I have no idea what happened to it.
KISS Meets the Phantom…one of the best cheesy movies ever! I still have it in VHS
I wondered if that was from the movie! I can recall a movie I haven't seen since 1981 or so but can't remember the name of the restaurant I ate at last month. Stupid menopause brain.
Oh my gosh I love this song so much thanks for those who suggested this and thank you both for playing it. 💕
I have never been a Kiss fan, but I do like this song.
PC...have you listened to them live? Yr nuttttts
PC 💯 Never been a KISS fan, here either. This is the only KISS song I can almost make it all the way through. Almost.
Ditto. This is a really good song. Would've been great to take the face paint off for this one video.
@@michaelasay8587 We are allowed to not be KISS fans. And when you are not a fan, you don't pay to see a band live.
@@impishsongster333 Ditto.
Peter Criss on vocals for this one is just amazing …… I love this song to play and sing it too …. Amazing !! Love it
His ability to levitate himself and his drums on stage is awesome and mesmerizing also.
This won the Peoples' Choice Award for Best song of 1976! This was the B-Side to Detroit Rock City, and DJ's started playing the other side and gave them their biggest-charting hit.
And the video clip is from "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park", their made for TV movie. Gene looks on edge because there's a "phantom" stalking and trying to sabotage the band, who received a huge amount of money from the park which cut funding from a disgruntled employee...
You just have to see it. 😄
The movie was atrociously bad! They were high through the filming of it!
@@tiffanytosh1569 Not Gene or Paul, obviously, but the other two were either drunk or high at that time regardless.
@@salbro5985 sorry, I forgot that Gene and Paul don’t do any hard core stuff.
@@tiffanytosh1569 They don't do *any* stuff, although Gene loves his junk food. 😄
It was quite a shock when it first came out too, but it was huge. It played constantly on the radio.
You are correct; it was Peter Criss, the drummer with the cat whiskers who sang that. It is rumored that this song, due to its unexpected popularity, sparked the unspoken tradition of groups putting a rock ballad on their albums in imitation/tribute to Kiss.
Bob Ezrin produced the "Destroyer" album for Kiss that this song came from, and also wrote the beautiful orchestration for this song. He was also a producer on Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and all of Alice Cooper's albums, including his ballad "Only Women Bleed." Very influential producer.
You just made my day!!! Oh man I love this song!
This was the first song I slow danced to in the 8th grade. I loved it so much my daughter's middle name is Beth and my daughter passed it down to my granddaughter. It still makes me a bit emotional hearing Peter Criss singing with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. A true work of art and thanks so much for sharing your first time with us!
My wife wouldn’t go for Beth. But, my daughter’s middle name is Elizabeth. Close enough for me.
We must be near the same age
My very first rock concert was KISS in Baton Rouge (1977). I was standing at the wall right in front of the stage. During this song, Peter had several red roses that he threw into the audience. He looked straight at me and threw one to me. I caught the stem, but the guy behind me grabbed the flower part and gave it to his girlfriend. I also got 2 guitar picks from Ace Frehley. I gave one to my friend Elizabeth who didn't catch anything. I gave the other pick to my son around 2000 when he was taking guitar lessons from a former Sonny and Cher backup guitarist. Of course, Gene Simmons was extremely flamboyant and was known for his outrageously long tongue. My little 16 year old mind couldn't handle it when he ground his crotch about 3 feet in front of my face while whipping that tongue out. I was actually kind of terrified. The pyrotechnics in their show were amazing. Other than a stolen flower and Gene's shenanigans, it was mindblowingly amazing.
Ahhh! My very 1st rock concert was KISS in 1977 also only in Madison Square Garden!
Baton Rouge here!! hi neighbor!! 🥰⚜💙
@@TaraWilson1010 Hi!
Right in the front,I can’t hear but it was great
Hey my friend I was there too in 77. We all drove up from New Orleans. I had seen them in 75 at the warehouse or was it 76. I can't remember but 76 they also played the municipal auditorium. It was the destroyer tour and it was awesome!✌️😎🔥
There biggest hits even today!!! And yes the drummer peter criss ”the real” catman
I've seen them in concert about 6 times. Their final tour is running, you really need to see them in person, what a show they put on
KISS was mine and a cousin's first ever concert. I was 14 and the concert happened to be on her 14th B'day (in Nov. of 1976). It was also when this song had first come out a few months beforehand, so it was a big hit. I remember 'CatMan' sitting on an old travel style trunk with a spotlight on him, while he sang it. The concert was awesome! 🎉😊🎉
This is from kiss meets the phantom, a made for TV movie. Peter Criss the drummer is the singer, One of my all time favorite songs. Thanks for bringing back some great memories! Love y’all!
I love how Amber is swaying and really into the song while Rob looks to be in disbelief that this is KISS.
This was their TOP rated song of ALL their music!!!!
Peter criss , the drummer is singing this song. Ace Frehley is on lead guitar. Paul Stanley sings and is front man . Gene Simmons is on the bass , also sings lead
I always thought that this song was one of their best because it showed the range of things they can do
I cannot express with words how happy I am that you reacted to this song 🥺 It's my ultimate favourite KISS song and one of the best rock ballads ❤️ Thank you for this
That was A huge hit. Lol Peter Criss was the OG drummer
This is like an alternate reality where Barry Manilow is a member of Kiss. (This song by Peter Criss was put on a B-Side album, but it became a surprise hit when radio DJ's started playing it because it was so unexpected from Kiss).
G'day guys..first of all..I love watching your show..it's really cool...I'am a huge KISS fan..Peter Criss "the catman" drummer sings the song..which was a top ten hit IN '76...but if you really want to hear KISS in all there glory, then go and buy KISS Alive and KISS Alive 2..once you hear those two albums..you will be even more a KISS fan..all the best to you both..you guys ROCK!
The mighty axe! I love it! I saw them do this song live in 1979. All four original members before they ever parted ways. It is still one of the best concerts I have ever seen to this day, and I have seen many! They have the best pyrotechnics and stage show ever. It was back in their prime, before they ever removed their make up. I saw them again about four years later. The first concert was the best in my opinion still one of the best bands there’s ever been.
First of all .. love KISS 💋 This song was a jumbo surprise when it was released! We Kiss fans are use to the fire-breathing blood spewing Demon, lightning bolts from Spaceman’s guitar, & Star Child belting out the vocals. Peter Criss singing Beth is fabulous!! 👹😍👽😸
I was (and still am) a huge KISS fan. Member of the Army, I have the comic book, which legend say their blood was added to the ink. I saw them perform this at the Forum - the recordings being used for the KISS ALIVE II album. The best live performance you'll ever see. They definitely give you a great show!!
Some of us are old enough to remember when this song released and listened ALL THE TIME on the radio. But, I am not old!
The thing that made the original KISS lineup such a power group was that all four of them wrote and sang songs. Usually, a band has a single driving force behind it and only one or two vocalists. Each of these guys could have had solo careers in another life. We were lucky to get them all together for a time.
Peter did not write songs. At the very most, he assisted with the arrangements on songs that other people wrote. But yes, he could sing.
Beth, that no one would guess was KISS, was their biggest hit. It went to #7 on Billboard Hot 100. It came in at #3 on the VH1 25 Greatest Power Ballads. Great song.
I am not a big KISS fan but Beth is my favorite..
This was the first song I slow danced with the girl I liked back at tbe grammar school dance a couple years after this song came out.
Haven't seen her in decades but think of her every time I hear it.
Simply a great song both musically and lyrically. Their are no questions of what this song is about.
*KISS - 'Everytime I look at you' and "I still love you" are two of their most beautiful songs. I hope you guys check them out. If you do, please do the MTV Unplugged versions. It's live and uncut. You will both be like, wait, what?... but in the best way.*
I absolutely love this song. No, it doesn’t have a traditional Kiss feel, but it really speaks to me.
Kiss released four solo albums in 1978, one from each member of the band, and the Gene Simmons album contains one of the sweetest, most perfect pop songs I've ever heard, "See You Tonight". It's not what you'd expect from him at all.
Those albums were also released as picture disks!
Ace had the best solo album. Peter's was the worst. What I will never understand with Peter is that he had a great voice. The songs that Gene and Paul would write for him had him singing very well. And Beth was awful.
@@dragonan5674 yes they were!👍
I had all 4 LPs.
And my copy of Gene's was a picture disc.
Peter Criss did an absolute wonderful job on this song. One of my favs by KISS
This is the best Kiss song ever. Thank you.
Love this one, one of KISS best.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written and My Favorite Kiss song.
This song almost didn't make it on the album because the rest of the band thought it didn't fit. But their manager Bill Aucoin insisted. Aside from Peter Criss singing, none of the others band members participated on it. Instead, producer Bob Ezrin commissioned the New York Philharmonic orchestra, Ezrin on grand piano, to perform it. They released it as the B-side single to "Detroit Rock City" and sent them out to the radio stations, figuring Detroit Rock City would be the hit. But the radio DJs opted more to play "Beth" instead because of its radio-friendliness. The song reached #7 in the US charts and boosted sales for their album "Destroyer".
My favorite KISS song.....I got this song as a 45 record for this song...later my brother flipped it over to the other side and became one of their #1 fans (can't remember what the song was but I was not a fan of their other music at the time)...age 66 now and don't mind it at all..lol
Love your channel, from 🇨🇦!!
My nephew used to love this song and I took him to a Kiss concert when he was about 8. Great show
Yes, "Beth" is a good ballad. And realistically, it really helped put KISS in the mainstream spotlight.
And I admittedly say that, as someone who has been a diehard (ie: my favorite band of all) KISS fan since October 1976.
That being said...If you haven't already reacted to it...Give a listen to the studio LP version of "I Still Love You", from the album Creatures Of The Night.
IMHO, it surpasses "Beth", even though "Beth" reached #7 on the American Billboard Top 40.
And "I Still Love You" wasn't even released as a single.
It seems that every "music reactor" always listens to the version of "I Still Love You" that was performed on MTV's Unplugged show.
And it's a fantastic version. Really shows off how good Paul Stanley's voice USED to be... when he was only 43-44.
But I have always preferred the original album version from 1982.
If you want a great KISS ballad, check out "I Still Love You" from their MTV Unplugged special.
Arguably Paul Stanley's finest vocal performance!