Beth (Wildcard Remaster)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about Beth (Wildcard Remaster) by KISS from their iconic album Destroyer! Originally released in 1976, Beth was a departure from KISS’s hard rock sound, crafted as a tender ballad by drummer Peter Criss, his friend Stan Penridge, and producer Bob Ezrin. The song began as a demo called Beck, written during their time with the band Chelsea, inspired by the constant interruptions from Chelsea guitarist Mike Brand’s wife, Becky. Penridge jotted down Brand’s frustrated responses in a notebook, turning them into lyrics that mocked her nagging. Ezrin transformed this into a heartfelt love song, suggesting the title change to Beth to avoid confusion with guitarist Jeff Beck or misinterpretation as a love song about him. Gene Simmons later claimed Criss had little to do with the writing, sparking tension, with Criss firing back, defending his contribution and drumming skills. The song’s orchestral arrangement, featuring the New York Philharmonic and no KISS instrumentalists, was a bold move, and Ezrin even wore a top hat while playing piano during recording, with Criss in full cat makeup for photos with the orchestra.

Beth became KISS’s biggest hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Gold Record in 1977. Its success was accidental—released as the B-side to Detroit Rock City, DJs flipped the single after listeners, including Rosalie Trombley’s daughter at CKLW in Windsor, demanded it. Trombley’s daughter received a gold record from KISS for her role in pushing the song. Fans initially puzzled by the ballad’s softness embraced it, with manager Bill Aucoin noting it helped bring female fans to shows. Criss struggled to perform it live, as his bandmates didn’t play on the track and Ace Frehley couldn’t handle the acoustic guitar, leading to pre-recorded instrumentals and Criss singing on a drum case. The song’s TV debut on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special featured Criss lip-syncing a shortened version, and its inclusion in KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park showed Paul Stanley strumming while Criss sang. The 2021 Beth (Acoustic Mix) from the Destroyer 45th Deluxe Editions restored the original acoustic guitar, giving it a fresh yet familiar vibe.

KISS formed in New York City in 1973, born from the ashes of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons’s earlier band, Wicked Lester. Frustrated with Wicked Lester’s lack of edge, they recruited drummer Peter Criss through a classified ad and lead guitarist Ace Frehley after auditions, drawn to his raw energy and iconic silver boots. Their shock rock style—face paint, comic-book personas (Starchild, Demon, Spaceman, Catman), and explosive live shows with fire-breathing and pyrotechnics—set them apart. After modest success with their first three albums, 1975’s Alive! catapulted them to fame, saving their label, Casablanca Records, from bankruptcy. Destroyer solidified their status, blending raw power with ambitious production. Despite lineup changes, with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer joining later, Stanley and Simmons remained the constants, retiring the band in 2023 after 50 years.

Stay connected with KISS through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like KISS FAQ or join communities such as the KISS Army Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the band’s legacy.