Christine Sixteen (Wildcard Remaster)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about Christine Sixteen (Wildcard Remaster) from KISS's 1977 album Love Gun, spinning now on THE ZOO! Written and sung by bassist Gene Simmons, this track stirred controversy with its lyrics about an older man’s infatuation with a 16-year-old girl named Christine, leading some radio stations, like WABC in New York and WKBW in Buffalo, to restrict airplay to after 7 PM. The song’s title was originally Paul Stanley’s idea, but Simmons snatched it up first, crafting a tune that hit number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 22 in Canada. Producer Eddie Kramer played the piano, despite Simmons often being credited, with Simmons humorously coaching Kramer to “play like a neanderthal.” Interestingly, Eddie and Alex Van Halen played on the demo, and Simmons insisted Ace Frehley replicate Eddie’s solo note-for-note, a detail shared in KISS’s 2017 X post and Guitar World interviews.

Another juicy tidbit: the demo for Christine Sixteen was recorded in April 1977, with Gene Simmons financing and producing Van Halen’s first demo tape, as noted in a 2023 fan post on X. The song’s riff later caught the ear of Tone Lōc, who sampled it in his 1989 hit Funky Cold Medina. Covers abound, with Gin Blossoms tackling it for the 1994 tribute album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved and punk band The Nuns giving it a spin in 2003. The Love Gun album, certified platinum, included a cardboard “Love Gun” and a merchandise order form, adding to its collectible allure for fans, as mentioned in a 2020 fan blog. However, the song’s lyrics have aged poorly for some, with music writer Geoff Barton noting in 2014 that it “dated badly” in the deluxe edition’s remaster.

Now, let’s rewind to how KISS got their start. Formed in New York City in 1973, the band—Gene Simmons (bass, vocals), Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals), and Peter Criss (drums, vocals)—emerged from the ashes of Wicked Lester, a band Simmons and Stanley felt lacked edge. Inspired by the theatricality of Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, they crafted a larger-than-life image with kabuki-style makeup, outrageous costumes, and pyrotechnic-fueled live shows. Their self-titled debut in 1974 didn’t initially chart high, but relentless touring built a cult following. The 1975 live album Alive! was their breakthrough, capturing their explosive performances and propelling them to stardom. By Love Gun, KISS was America’s most popular band, per a 1977 Gallup poll, outshining Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.

Connect with KISS and their vibrant fanbase online! Visit their official website at kissonline.com for tour dates, merch, and news. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks like their 2024 KISSTORY post celebrating Christine Sixteen. Fans can dive into communities like the KISS Army Official Fan Club on Facebook or explore fan sites such as KISSFAQ for deep dives into band history, discography, and trivia. Zoo Freaks, keep rocking with THE ZOO and join the KISS Army for more high-voltage vibes!