Double Platinum Facts:
Produced by KISS and Sean Delaney
Casablanca PR indicated that the purpose of this compilation was to
collect material from KISS albums that had all sold "Double Platinum."
The album's original packaging included a complex embossed silver foil
cover, a "platinum" award (pictured below) and merchandise form.
In 1997 the US got a beautiful foil digipak remaster. The European release
wasn't as nice.
"Strutter '78" was re-recorded for this collection. This song was allegedly
re-recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in early 1978. The song
would be given something of a light disco treatment at the request of Neil Bogart.
Apparently Ace objected to this treatment of the song, but went along with it
in the end. This song was considered to be a big mistake by producer Sean Delaney
as well. Essentually, there were very few changes made to the song other than
it having an additional solo, making the song more similar to the 1973 demo
with softer production than the original KISS album version.
Despite the re-recording of "Strutter", the single didn't see release
as a 12-inch format that was most common for the dance halls.
There have also been allegations that Sean Delaney drummed on the track in place
of Peter Criss. This has never been substantiated.
According to Paul Stanley: "We once re-recorded a song, it was 'Strutter.'
And I thought it sucked.... It was bullshit. There was no reason to do it, it
was pointless because we had no new point of view and no reason to re-cut something
that came out so good the first time" (Jeff Schaller, Late Night Magazine).
"Hard Luck Woman" was slightly altered for this compilation. The drums
on the introduction are removed to place more emphasis on the guitars. Instead
of starting at 0:16 they kick in at 0:31 and the song is shortened.
"Calling Dr. Love" loses nearly half a minute of its duration, notably
the drum break section following the second chorus on the original recording.
The introduction instrumental from "Rock Bottom" is added on to the
beginning of "She." However, the full introduction was not used, with
only the last 52 seconds of the piece being used.
Several other songs would see remixing and mastering and hatchet jobs.
According to Dale Sherman's "Black Diamond," there was "a memorandum at the
time of mixing of Double Platinum in 1978 which shows the list of the masters
sent to England - including the masters for 'Queen For A Day'" That song was
rumored to have been recorded in 1976, without vocals, but had been intended
for use as Ace's vocal debut. It may have indicated that the song would be completed
for the album, though it never did surface.
The band had very little to do with this project apart from providing the one
newly re-recorded track, which they all seem to dislike.
"Double Platinum" would be the first KISS album in a while to not
ship with any RIAA certification, though it would attain both Gold and Platinum
status on
May 16, 1978.