KISS - BETH

Released: August 1976

Charted:  US: #7 

"Beth" is a song by Kiss released on their 1976 album “Destroyer”. The song stands out in the band's repertoire as a departure from their typical hard rock sound, showcasing drummer Peter Criss's emotive vocals and a more melodic, ballad-like style. Produced by Bob Ezrin and co-written with Stan Penridge, the song's heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with listeners, propelling it to become Kiss's biggest commercial hit in the United States. Despite being initially released as the B-side, "Beth" gained significant popularity, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Gold Record certification from the RIAA. Its success was further underscored by winning the 1977 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Song."

"Beck," the precursor to "Beth," originated during Peter Criss's tenure with the band Chelsea, where he collaborated with guitarist Stan Penridge. Inspired by the constant interruptions from guitarist Mike Brand's wife, whose name was Becky, during band practices, Criss and Penridge crafted a humorous song called "Beck." The lyrics humorously addressed Becky's inquiries about when her husband would return home. After the dissolution of Chelsea, Peter Criss and Stan Penridge revisited the song when Criss joined Kiss in 1973. With the guidance of producer Bob Ezrin, they revamped the song, infusing it with a more sentimental tone and altering some of the lyrics. This early composition laid the groundwork for what would later evolve into the heartfelt ballad "Beth" by Kiss.

"Beth" emerged as an unexpected hit for Kiss, garnering more attention than its predecessors, "Shout It Out Loud" and "Flaming Youth." Originally released as the B-side to "Detroit Rock City," the ballad gained traction on radio stations, prompting the record company to promote it further. After about six weeks, the sides of the single were flipped, with "Beth" becoming the A-side. 

Unlike many Kiss tracks, Criss was the sole performer on this song, accompanied by Dick Wagner on acoustic guitar and an orchestra. Wagner, known for his work with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper, contributed to the recording but was not credited on the album. Live performances of "Beth" posed a challenge for Kiss, as they often required an orchestra. In the absence of live orchestration, Criss would perform the song with a recorded backing track.

The song "Beth" has been a point of contention between Peter Criss and Kiss frontman Paul Stanley. Despite being the co-writer and singer of Kiss's biggest hit, Criss's contribution to the song has been disputed by Stanley. According to Stanley, Stan Penridge wrote most of "Beth," with Criss contributing very little. This disagreement is just one aspect of the deeper rift between Criss and Stanley, which was evident when Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Stanley and Gene Simmons opted not to reunite with the original lineup and declined to perform at the ceremony, further highlighting the strained relationship within the band.