Nearly five decades after it electrified thousands of fans, one of the most celebrated concerts in the history of Kiss is finally receiving an official live album release.
The band has announced Kiss Destroys Anaheim ’76, a newly mixed live recording of its legendary August 20, 1976 performance at Anaheim Stadium in California. The concert, which has long circulated among collectors as one of the most sought-after bootlegs in the band’s catalog, has been restored from the original multi-track recordings by renowned producer Eddie Kramer.
A Historic Night On The Destroyer Tour
The Anaheim Stadium concert took place during Kiss’ iconic Destroyer Tour, widely regarded as one of the band’s defining eras. Performing before nearly 43,000 fans, the group delivered an explosive set filled with pyrotechnics, theatrical stage effects, and many of the songs that helped establish them as arena rock superstars.
The show also featured an impressive supporting lineup, with performances from Montrose, Bob Seger, and Ted Nugent before Kiss took the stage.
Mixed From The Original Master Tapes
Unlike the bootleg versions that fans have traded for decades, the upcoming album has been mixed directly from the original multi-track recordings.
Producer Eddie Kramer, who also worked on Kiss’ breakthrough live album Alive!, returned to the tapes to create what is expected to be the definitive version of the performance. The release offers significantly improved audio quality while preserving the energy that made the concert legendary among fans.
Peter Criss Called It His Favorite Kiss Show
Former drummer Peter Criss has long described the Anaheim performance as his favorite Kiss concert.
Reflecting on the night in a past interview, Criss recalled the overwhelming atmosphere as the band approached the stage, saying the roar of the crowd and the excitement before the opening explosions made it an unforgettable experience that still stood above every other Kiss performance in his memory.
Classic Setlist
The double album captures many of the band’s biggest songs from the mid-1970s, including:
- Detroit Rock City
- King of the Night Time World
- Strutter
- Hotter Than Hell
- Cold Gin
- Shout It Out Loud
- Do You Love Me
- God of Thunder
The recording also includes signature moments such as Ace Frehley’s guitar solo and Gene Simmons’s famous bass solo.
A Long-Awaited Release For Fans
For generations of Kiss fans, the Anaheim Stadium performance has represented one of the “holy grails” of the band’s live history. Although unofficial recordings have circulated for years, this marks the first time the concert will be available as a professionally mixed, officially sanctioned release.
The album is initially available for pre-order through the Kiss Army fan club before its wider release, giving longtime supporters the opportunity to own one of the most important performances from the band’s classic era in its best-ever audio quality.
The release adds another significant chapter to Kiss’ legacy, allowing both longtime followers and new listeners to experience a concert that helped cement the band’s reputation as one of rock’s greatest live acts.
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