In 1979, KISS did the unthinkable: they went disco. And no, they didn’t just dip a toe in—they cannonballed into it with Dynasty. If you were expecting the same old hard rock anthems, you were in for a surprise. “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” hit the airwaves and shocked the hell out of KISS fans. It wasn’t the gritty, raw sound they were used to—it was funky, it was slick, and it had the kind of beat that made you want to put on platform shoes and strut.
But this wasn’t a band jumping on a bandwagon. KISS was always about pushing boundaries, and Dynasty was no exception. While “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” was the standout disco track, the rest of the album was still classic KISS. “2000 Man” brought the heavy guitar riffs, and “Dirty Livin’” gave us the gritty rock vibe we craved. KISS wasn’t throwing away their signature sound—they were proving they could do everything.
The fans? Oh, they were split. For some, KISS going disco felt like a betrayal, a “sellout.” Too far from what they fell in love with. But for others? It was proof that KISS wasn’t just another band—they were icons, evolving into different sounds. They could experiment with any sound, any genre, and still own it. Dynasty brought in new fans while dividing the old guard, but that’s the power of KISS. They made their own rules.
By the time Dynasty hit the shelves, KISS was already a cultural juggernaut. The album wasn’t just about disco—it was about showing the world that KISS was more than just a hard rock band. They could be anything they wanted to be, and fans who stuck around were along for the ride.
Now, if you were a young rock fan in the early ‘80s, you probably got introduced to KISS with this album, and it probably holds a special place in your heart. I’ll admit, I was a little caught off guard when I first heard it, but hey, I wasn’t mad about the disco vibes. In fact, I’d call it more disco-rock—and it had great riffs.
In the end, Dynasty wasn’t just a bold move—it was KISS flexing their muscle, proving they could reinvent themselves while keeping that signature swagger. Love it or hate it, Dynasty was KISS at their best: unapologetically themselves, taking risks, and still dominating the scene.
I wasn’t sold on it at first, but 46 years later (damn, I sound old), it’s grown on me big time.
What’s your take?
Rock on,
Sam
