Black Diamond (song)
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"Black Diamond" is a song by Kiss credited to Paul Stanley, even though it is said that it was co-written with Gene Simmons [1].
The song ends the band's first album, Kiss, released in 1974. It begins with an acoustic opening sung by Stanley before entering in furious riff with Peter Criss in lead vocals and fading out with Ace Frehley's solo, in a sort of studio trick. The song is also characterized by its noticeable use of chorus.
"Black Diamond" is considered by the fans to be a definitive masterpiece, and the band would indeed often play it to close their concerts throughout the years. Even after Criss left the band the song was still performed in concerts, featuring his replacements Eric Carr and Eric Singer on lead vocals during their respective tenures with the band.
It appears on live recordings such as Alive! and Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.
The Replacements did a cover version of the song on their 1984 album Let It Be.
Black Diamond Brigade, a group formed by norwegians from different profiled rock bands, did a cover version of the song in 2003. This song is much shorter than the live vesions. The band was formed for this cover only.
Yoshiki Hayashi from the Japanese speed-metal band X Japan created an arrangement of "Black Diamond" for a 72 piece orchestra on 1994's Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved tribute album.
Pearl Jam did a cover version of the song during their fan club member only show at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on August 2, 2007. Drummer Matt Cameron provided lead vocals.
[edit] References
- ^ Pearl Jam, retrieved (Feb. 16, 2008). Pearl Jam Set List, 8-2-2007 "Pearljam.com".
