Calling Dr. Love Bass Cover

Chaim Witz was born on this date in 1949. So, let us wish a Happy Birthday to Gene Simmons, the man who inspired me (and I'm sure many others) to pick up the bass. As I’ve said before, I think I was just as interested in the blood vomiting, fire breathing, and horror imagery as I was the bass playing.

“Calling Dr. Love” is a cool song off of the “Rock and Roll Over” album which came out in 1976. The album was recorded in Nanuet, NY, very close to where I grew up, in a dinner theatre that had a circular, revolving stage. I knew a guy in high school who worked there as a security guard after it closed and I got a chance to explore the place a little. I even walked off with a nifty tuxedo jacket from the wardrobe department. I believe the building is now, and has been for quite some time, a Baptist church.

I just thought of something else that’s Kiss related…I work with a fellow by the name of Ed Solan and he was with Kiss in the very early days, right when they formed and up until they really made it big. Chances are, any “old” photos of the band you might see were taken by him. His photos are in a ton of books. He even did a book signing with Paul and Gene a few years back at a bookstore in NJ. He’s very good friends with Ace, but is still in touch with Gene and Paul. Ed’s a super nice guy and a great engineer who has worked with many, many big artists. Now he runs the shop at the lumber company I work for and is truly one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I’ve never heard the guy say a bad word about anybody which is a refreshing trait these days, especially in the company I work for.

The bass is a 1976 Gibson G3 that has a pretty unique tone.

And thanks once again to my friend, Jim Trice, who brought the track up to concert pitch for me so I wouldn’t have to tune down. Jim is like a scrubbing-bubble - he works hard, so I don't have to.
   / jimmyjames714