Calling Dr. Love (Live 1977 / Wildcard Remaster)

The song "Calling Dr. Love," featured in its live 1977 version on KISS's Alive II album, is a fan favorite with a quirky origin story. Written by bassist Gene Simmons, the song’s title was inspired by a scene from The Three Stooges’ 1934 film Men in Black, where a hospital intercom blares, “Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard.” Simmons, who penned the track at a Holiday Inn in Evansville, Indiana, crafted it as a playful anthem of romantic bravado, with his lead vocals driving the point home. In a 2012 interview with Louder, Paul Stanley recalled the song’s raw energy during the 1977 tour, noting how the band’s live performances at The Forum in Los Angeles captured their peak showmanship. The Alive II version, recorded during those August 26–28 shows, showcases the band’s ability to amplify studio tracks into electrifying live experiences, complete with crowd roars and pyrotechnics.

Interestingly, the Canadian 8-track tape version of "Calling Dr. Love" includes an extended cut, stretching the song by about 55 seconds with a smoothly edited repeat of the guitar solo, a tidbit shared on Wikipedia. Social media posts from fans on KISS’s official X account highlight the song’s enduring appeal, with a 2021 post celebrating its February 13, 1977, single release and asking fans about the B-side ("Take Me"). The song also sparked covers, like the 1994 version by Shandi’s Addiction, featuring Maynard James Keenan and Tom Morello, for the Kiss My Ass tribute album. A curious fan theory from Songfacts even speculated if the lyrics hinted at drug dealers or pimps, though Simmons has always framed it as tongue-in-cheek rock swagger.

KISS began in New York City in 1973, born from the ambition of Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), who were joined by Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, vocals). The band’s early days were gritty, with Stanley and Simmons, then known as Stanley Eisen and Chaim Witz, gigging in local clubs while refining their shock-rock personas. Inspired by theatrical acts like Alice Cooper and the raw energy of New York’s punk scene, they adopted comic-book-style alter egos—Starchild, Demon, Spaceman, and Catman—and paired them with face paint and elaborate costumes. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1974 via Casablanca Records, didn’t initially chart but laid the groundwork for their cult following, especially after their explosive live shows. A 1974 performance on The Mike Douglas Show, where Simmons declared himself “evil incarnate” to a bemused audience, marked their first national TV appearance and set the tone for their provocative image.

The band’s breakthrough came with their 1975 live album Alive!, which captured their high-octane performances and went gold, fueled by the anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite.” By 1977, when "Calling Dr. Love" was recorded for Alive II, KISS was a cultural phenomenon, with a fanbase dubbed the KISS Army and merchandise ranging from comic books to pinball machines. Their official website, KISS Online, serves as a hub for news, merch, and KISS Army membership. Fans can connect on social media via KISS’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where the band regularly shares tour updates and nostalgic posts. Dedicated fan communities thrive on sites like KISSFAQ and KISS Monster, while Facebook groups such as KISS Army and KISS Fanatics offer spaces for Zoo Freaks to swap stories and memorabilia.