Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode, Robert John Hadfield dives into a vintage 1979 review of KISS Dynasty—a piece written by a rock critic who once hated KISS with a fiery passion… only to be blindsided when the album actually impressed him.
Robert breaks down the critic’s reluctant conversion, the bizarre personal grudges woven through the review, and the hilarious context surrounding KISS’ rise—from being the most mocked band on a crowded 1973 bill to becoming bigger than all the headliners who once towered over them.
Along the way, Robert shares his own memories of discovering Dynasty as a kid—flipping through records at Kmart, trying to understand whether this mysterious album was new or old, and eventually wearing the grooves down from constant spins. It’s a nostalgic, funny, and surprisingly insightful trip back to a wild moment in rock history.
⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – The Summer of ’79 Assignment
Robert introduces the forgotten KISS “Dynasty” review and its skeptical author.
0:33 – “These Buffoons” — The Critic’s Bias Runs Deep
Why he avoided KISS for years, and the personal grudge that didn’t help.
1:22 – New Year’s Eve 1973: KISS at the Bottom of the Bill
A hilarious flashback to KISS playing below Teenage Lust and David Peel.
2:20 – Five Years Later: KISS Blows Past Them All
Robert reflects on the insane speed of KISS’ rise.
3:00 – The Petty Heartbreak Behind the Hate
The reviewer’s girlfriend leaves him… for a KISS superfan. It didn’t help.
3:35 – Forced to Listen to Dynasty
His surprised reaction when the music isn’t bad — it’s better than the “fabled” rock acts of the era.
4:19 – “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” & “2000 Man”
Robert breaks down the critic’s surprisingly positive take… and shares his childhood memories of Ace singing “2000 Man.”
5:18 – “Charisma” — Learning the Word From KISS
Robert recalls hearing the song as a kid and discovering what “charisma” even meant.
6:32 – Side Two: The Throwaway Debate
Why the critic hated the back half — and why nostalgia still carries the album for so many fans.
7:40 – Robert’s Kmart Memory
A heartfelt, vivid story of discovering Dynasty in the racks.
8:33 – Final Thoughts & Then-Classic Comparisons
Why reviews like this are so fascinating to revisit decades later.
8:57 – Outro
Robert wraps with reflections on hindsight, legacy, and the joy of revisiting old rock criticism.
🎸 Hashtags & Mentions
#KISS #KISSDynasty #AceFrehley #GeneSimmons #PaulStanley #PeterCriss #ClassicRock #RockHistory #VinylCommunity #KISSArmy #RockDocumentary #RobertJohnHadfield #Audiomover
In this episode, Robert John Hadfield dives into a vintage 1979 review of KISS Dynasty—a piece written by a rock critic who once hated KISS with a fiery passion… only to be blindsided when the album actually impressed him.
Robert breaks down the critic’s reluctant conversion, the bizarre personal grudges woven through the review, and the hilarious context surrounding KISS’ rise—from being the most mocked band on a crowded 1973 bill to becoming bigger than all the headliners who once towered over them.
Along the way, Robert shares his own memories of discovering Dynasty as a kid—flipping through records at Kmart, trying to understand whether this mysterious album was new or old, and eventually wearing the grooves down from constant spins. It’s a nostalgic, funny, and surprisingly insightful trip back to a wild moment in rock history.
⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – The Summer of ’79 Assignment
Robert introduces the forgotten KISS “Dynasty” review and its skeptical author.
0:33 – “These Buffoons” — The Critic’s Bias Runs Deep
Why he avoided KISS for years, and the personal grudge that didn’t help.
1:22 – New Year’s Eve 1973: KISS at the Bottom of the Bill
A hilarious flashback to KISS playing below Teenage Lust and David Peel.
2:20 – Five Years Later: KISS Blows Past Them All
Robert reflects on the insane speed of KISS’ rise.
3:00 – The Petty Heartbreak Behind the Hate
The reviewer’s girlfriend leaves him… for a KISS superfan. It didn’t help.
3:35 – Forced to Listen to Dynasty
His surprised reaction when the music isn’t bad — it’s better than the “fabled” rock acts of the era.
4:19 – “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” & “2000 Man”
Robert breaks down the critic’s surprisingly positive take… and shares his childhood memories of Ace singing “2000 Man.”
5:18 – “Charisma” — Learning the Word From KISS
Robert recalls hearing the song as a kid and discovering what “charisma” even meant.
6:32 – Side Two: The Throwaway Debate
Why the critic hated the back half — and why nostalgia still carries the album for so many fans.
7:40 – Robert’s Kmart Memory
A heartfelt, vivid story of discovering Dynasty in the racks.
8:33 – Final Thoughts & Then-Classic Comparisons
Why reviews like this are so fascinating to revisit decades later.
8:57 – Outro
Robert wraps with reflections on hindsight, legacy, and the joy of revisiting old rock criticism.
🎸 Hashtags & Mentions
#KISS #KISSDynasty #AceFrehley #GeneSimmons #PaulStanley #PeterCriss #ClassicRock #RockHistory #VinylCommunity #KISSArmy #RockDocumentary #RobertJohnHadfield #Audiomover
