"Black Diamond" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, written by rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley. "'Black Diamond' was written almost exactly as it is," he said, "except that the riff wasn't there; Gene [Simmons] brought that part in… It's all about arrangement and embellishment. That's what you're supposed to do in a band: come in and add something. But that doesn't mean you wrote the song."Kitts, Jeff: 'Back in black (and white)', Guitar World, September 1996, p79 The lyrics focus on street prostitution.
The song is the closing track on the band's eponymous first album, Kiss, released in 1974. It begins with an acoustic opening sung by Stanley before a furious riff enters, accompanied by Peter Criss on lead vocals. It ends with Ace Frehley's solo, then one chord repeated during a gradual slowing of the tape. The live version is usually sped up in tempo, combined with stage pyrotechnics and a rising drum platform.
Appearances "Black Diamond" has appeared on the following Kiss albums:
Kiss - studio version Alive! - live version The Originals - studio version Double Platinum - remixed & edited studio version The Box Set - studio version Kiss Symphony: Alive IV - live version Gold - studio version Kiss Alive! 1975–2000 - Alive! version + new live version Sonic Boom - new studio version
Cover versions The Replacements did a version on their 1984 album Let It Be. A live recording from 1986 was featured on the 2017 album For Sale: Live at Maxwell's 1986. Yoshiki from the Japanese rock 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. Black Diamond Brigade, a Norwegian American super group featuring Billy Gould of Faith No More and members of Satyricon, Euroboys, Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, and Amulet formed as a one-off project just to cover this song in 2003.
Personnel Peter Criss – lead vocals, drums Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, intro lead vocals Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals Gene Simmons – bass, backing vocals
Notes Pearl Jam, retrieved (Feb. 16, 2008). Pearl Jam Set List, 8-2-2007 "Pearljam.com".
References