Kiss is reportedly planning to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their 1975 commercial breakthrough, “Alive!,” with an expanded version of the double live album.
The record helped the band break into the mainstream after years of building a reputation for their live performances, despite struggling to sell studio albums.
In a recent interview on former Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French’s podcast, original “Alive!” producer Eddie Kramer revealed he spent over a month and a half working on the new collection.
“It’s a project I spent 46 days mixing,” Kramer said. “It’s called ‘Kiss Alive! 50,’ celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first ‘Alive!’ album, which was mixed at Electric Lady in 1975, 50 years ago. Fortunately, they found all the tapes. It was incredible.”
The original album, which the band has admitted was enhanced with studio overdubs, was recorded at four different shows in May, June, and July of 1975. The band also recorded some daytime rehearsals, a decision that Kramer says was crucial.
“I mixed every single show that contributed to the final album, plus all the rehearsals that Gene [Simmons] and Paul [Stanley] insisted on recording in the afternoon,” Kramer continued. “We captured some fantastic performances. What you hear is that these guys were serious about getting this record out and making it sound fantastic. I mixed the final album in Dolby Atmos, so it’s a beautiful package coming out, I think, late fall.”
Release plans for the “Kiss Alive! 50” box set have not been confirmed.