Burning The Ground Exclusive
When it comes to KISS, few songs capture the wild, space-age swagger of the band’s late-’70s era quite like “Rocket Ride.” Released in 1977, this hard-rocking, cosmic anthem was featured on the compilation album Alive II and served as a showcase for lead guitarist Ace Frehley, the “Spaceman” himself.
While Alive II was mostly known for its thunderous live performances, side four of the album offered something special—five brand-new studio tracks, one of which was “Rocket Ride.” The song quickly became a fan favorite, not only for its infectious riff and interstellar theme but because it was unmistakably Ace—playful, defiant, and dripping with attitude.
Ace Takes the Controls
Unlike most KISS songs of the era, “Rocket Ride” is almost entirely an Ace Frehley creation. He co-wrote it with longtime KISS associate Sean Delaney, and aside from Peter Criss on drums, Ace played all the guitar and bass parts himself. The track feels raw and unfiltered—an electric joyride through the galaxy with the Spaceman at the helm.
Musically, “Rocket Ride” leans heavier than much of KISS’s more radio-friendly material of the time. It’s a perfect mix of thick, crunchy guitar tones, swaggering grooves, and Frehley’s signature leads. The lyrics, full of innuendo and space-travel metaphors (“Baby wants it fast / Baby wants a blast”), are quintessential KISS—equal parts rock ‘n’ roll and tongue-in-cheek mischief.
Chart Flight
Released as a single in the U.S. in January 1978, “Rocket Ride” managed to blast its way up to #49 on the Billboard Hot 100—a solid showing for a track that leaned more toward hard rock than pop. It also reached #39 in Japan, further cementing Ace’s growing reputation as the band’s breakout personality.
A Launchpad for a Solo Career
“Rocket Ride” became something of a calling card for Ace Frehley, foreshadowing the sound he’d explore on his 1978 self-titled solo album—arguably the most successful of the four solo KISS releases. The song’s energy and individuality highlighted Ace’s confidence as a songwriter and performer. It also solidified his “Spaceman” persona, which would remain a defining part of his legacy both within and beyond KISS.
Legacy and Live Power
Though not always a setlist staple during KISS’s tours, “Rocket Ride” has been a mainstay in Ace Frehley’s solo shows for decades. The track’s riff still hits like a booster ignition, proving that its jet-fueled power hasn’t faded one bit since the late ’70s.
Final Thoughts
“Rocket Ride” isn’t just another KISS track—it’s a mission statement. It’s Ace Frehley doing what he does best: blasting off from the confines of Earth-bound rock and taking listeners along for the ride. Even in a band known for larger-than-life personas, “Rocket Ride” stands as a pure, unfiltered shot of Frehley magic—a reminder that sometimes, the best trips begin with a Les Paul, a loud amp, and a little rocket fuel.
Vinyl Notes
For collectors and fans, the 12″ single of “Rocket Ride” is a true gem. The A-side features the studio version of the track, while Side B contains live versions of KISS classics. These live tracks flow seamlessly into each other, preserving the integrity of the original vinyl experience. I’ve kept them as one continuous file rather than separating them into individual tracks, so you get the full live-set feel just like listening on the turntable.
SIDE A:
Rocket Ride 4:06
SIDE B:
Detroit Rock City/
Love Gun 7:37
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #49 | 1978 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Casablanca – CANL117
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Genre: Rock
Style: Glam
CREDITS:
Producer – Kiss
Producer, Engineer, Arranged By – Eddie Kramer
NOTES:
From the Casablanca LP “KISS ALIVE II
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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