1976 Songs: Beth

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You know I’m old(er). Now it’s time for me to make you feel old…even if you aren’t all that old. Welcome to a song that is turning fifty years old this year. It’s one of those songs that people have very little middle ground about. Let’s get back to 1976 for this one! Beth - Kiss Yes, it’s that song that non-Kiss fans love and Kiss fans hate. Well, I was never a member of the “Kiss Army,” so guess where I am. Here’s something interesting. Peter Criss wrote this with his pre-Kiss band with the title “Beck.” No, not a love song directed at Jeff Beck. The “Beck” was a nickname for a band member’s wife, Becky. Criss was convinced to change it to “Beth” to avoid the Jeff Beck confusion. Of course, this was as much a 180-degree turn from Kiss’s regular sound as anyone they could get. But it became a big hit…probably for that very reason. It’s not a sound you expect out of a band with a fire-breathing bass player dressed up like a demon. As I said, I’m not a big Kiss fan so I don’t know if the “Rock and Roll All Nite” fans ever made peace with this song’s existence. I do know it’s very fondly remembered by people who were around in 1976. Beth Written by Peter Criss, Stan Penridge, and Bob Ezrin Recorded by Kiss From Destroyer, 1976 We just can’t find a sound: