KISS’s The Best of the Solo Albums is a 1979–1980 compilation LP released on Casablanca Records, created specifically for markets like Australia and Australasia. It pulls together standout tracks from the four 1978 KISS solo albums—those by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss—and presents them as a cohesive, hard‑rock‑leaning sampler. This edition is notable because it was not issued in the U.S., making Australian pressings especially collectible.

🎸 Album concept and musical identity

The compilation highlights the strongest and most accessible tracks from each member’s solo project, leaning toward melodic hard rock, pop‑rock, and the more polished production styles of late‑70s KISS. It offers a balanced cross‑section:

• Paul Stanley’s arena‑rock anthems

• Ace Frehley’s guitar‑driven rock (including his hit “New York Groove”)

• Peter Criss’s soul‑pop ballads

• Gene Simmons’s theatrical, eclectic contributions

This makes the LP a concise way to experience the diversity of the four solo albums without owning each one individually.

🎶 Track listing (Australasian Casablanca LP, 1980)

Side A

• Paul Stanley – Hold Me, Touch Me – 3:40

• Paul Stanley – Tonight You Belong to Me – 4:39

• Paul Stanley – Move On – 3:07

• Peter Criss – Don’t You Let Me Down – 3:38

• Peter Criss – Hooked on Rock and Roll – 3:37

• Peter Criss – I Can’t Stop the Rain – 4:25

Side B

• Ace Frehley – New York Groove – 3:01

• Ace Frehley – Speedin’ Back to My Baby

• Ace Frehley – Snow Blind

• Gene Simmons – Radioactive

• Gene Simmons – Burning Up with Fever

• Gene Simmons – See You in Your Dreams

(Track durations for Side B vary slightly by pressing.)

📀 Release details

• Artist: KISS

• Title: The Best of the Solo Albums

• Label: Casablanca Records

• Catalogue: NBLP 2 (Australasian pressings)

• Country: Australasia (Australia/New Zealand)

• Year: 1979–1980

• Format: LP, Compilation

• Genres: Hard Rock, Pop Rock

Some Australian copies also included sticker sheets or KISS Army forms, which increases collector value.

⭐ Why collectors value this LP

• Region‑specific release not issued in the U.S.

• Strong representation of the best tracks from all four solo albums

• Attractive Casablanca packaging typical of late‑70s KISS releases

• Extras (stickers, forms) make certain copies highly desirable