God Gave Rock and Roll to You II

The Zoo Crew is spinning the righteous tune "God Gave Rock and Roll to You II" by KISS, featured on the soundtrack for Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey: Music From the Motion Picture. This track, released as a single on August 22, 1991, is a reimagined cover of the 1973 song by Argent, with modified lyrics that prompted the band to tweak the title to "II." The song’s climactic placement in the film, where Bill and Ted perform it at a battle of the bands to unite the world, is amplified by a shredding 40-second guitar solo by Steve Vai, which appears in the movie but not the single version. Vai’s solo was later included on his album The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1 as "Final Solo." Posts on X from accounts like @KISSopolis highlight the song’s significance, noting that its music video, shot in July 1991 in a Los Angeles aircraft hangar, marked the final appearance of drummer Eric Carr with KISS before his passing later that year. Carr, despite being too ill to play drums, contributed backing vocals, harmonizing with Paul Stanley during the a cappella break, singing, “…to everyone, he gave his song to be sung.”

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s production, helmed by Bob Ezrin, who reunited with KISS for the first time since their 1981 album Music from ‘The Elder’. Ezrin’s work on this track was so well-received that he went on to produce KISS’s 1992 album Revenge, which includes a version of the song. According to Paul Stanley in the 2021 A&E program Biography: KISStory, Carr “begged” to appear in the video, wearing a wig due to hair loss from chemotherapy, and delivered a stellar performance despite his condition. The song became a global hit, reaching the Top Ten in the UK and Germany and number 21 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Fans on Reddit have praised covers of the song, with one user noting a performer’s “guitar stank face” and enthusiasm, reflecting its enduring appeal among Zoo Freaks and beyond.

KISS began in New York City in 1973, formed by Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Gene Simmons (vocals, bass), who were joined by Ace Frehley (lead guitar) and Peter Criss (drums). The band’s origins trace back to Stanley and Simmons’s earlier project, Wicked Lester, which disbanded after failing to secure a record deal. Determined to create a larger-than-life rock experience, they recruited Frehley and Criss, adopting their iconic makeup and theatrical personas. Inspired by the glam rock scene and a desire to stand out, KISS blended hard rock with elaborate live performances featuring fire-breathing, blood-spitting, and pyrotechnics. Their self-titled debut album in 1974 and the follow-up, Hotter Than Hell, built a cult following, but it was their 1975 live album Alive! that catapulted them to stardom, capturing the raw energy of their concerts. Stanley and Simmons’s vision was to merge music with spectacle, creating a brand that transcended rock and became a cultural phenomenon.

Today, KISS remains active, with their official website at kissonline.com, where fans can find tour dates, merch, and news. Their social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share updates and engage with their global fanbase. Zoo Freaks can also connect with fellow KISS devotees through fan-driven platforms like the KISS Army Official Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community for sharing memorabilia and concert experiences. Another fan site, KISSMONSTER, offers detailed song stories and band history, while KISSFAQ provides an unofficial but comprehensive archive of KISS trivia and concert logs. These platforms keep the spirit of KISS alive, perfect for the Zoo Crew’s listeners to dive deeper into the band’s legacy.