Wicked Lester
Wicked Lester was a New York-based rock and roll band that would later become known as Kiss. The band formed in 1970, under the name Rainbow. Two notable members were bassist Gene Klein (born Chaim Witz) and rhythm guitarist Stanley Eisen, who later adopted the stage names Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, respectively. In 1971 the band changed their name to Wicked Lester, and recorded an album for Epic Records, which was never officially released.
The sessions have been released in bootleg form as The Original Wicked Lester Sessions. Kiss officially released three tracks from these sessions on their 2001 Box Set release. Wicked Lester's music featured elements of rock and roll, folk rock and pop. Simmons and Stanley, feeling that the group lacked a unifying musical vision, began forming a new band in late 1972. Adopting a more straightforward, harder rock sound and an emphasis on stage theatrics, they became the band Kiss in early 1973.
History
Rainbow
The origins of the band trace to 1970, when bassist Gene Klein and keyboardist Brooke Ostrander recruited lead guitarist Stephen Coronel, a childhood friend and former bandmate of Klein. The group took the name Rainbow shortly thereafter. Coronel recommended rhythm guitarist Stanley Eisen, who had actually been rejected by the group after a previous audition. Shortly after Eisen joined, Ostrander recruited drummer Joe Davidson, and the first Rainbow lineup was completed. Davidson's stay did not last long and he was replaced by Tony Zarrella.
Wicked Lester
ALBUMS
- The Original Demos released: 1972
- Wicked Lester released: 1970
Wicked Lester
ALBUMS
- It's the New Hip Hop Thing, Volume 1 released: 2009
- The Honey EP released: 2006
- Sasquatch EP released: 2005
- A Lounge Supreme, Volume 1 released: 2003
- Joia: Chill Out in Miami released: 2002
- Freddy Fresh Presents Abstract Funk Theory released: 2001
When The Bell Rings
[Paul]Too many people been sleeping too long
While the world is breaking up
The alarm is sounding, oh all around
Wake up! Wake Up!
[Gene]
It's ringing out a warning
'Cause the line is forming
Getting plain to see
You know we've got to listen
We can't pretend it isn't
Talkin' to you and me. . .
[Paul]
Too many people been talking too long
Now the streets are filling up
If you hear screaming, no you're not dreaming
Wake up! Wake Up!
[Gene]
It's ringing out a warning
'Cause the line is forming
Getting plain to see
You know we've got to listen
We can't pretend it isn't
Talkin' to you and me. . .
[Solo]
When the bell rings, it's ringing out a warning
When the bell rings, 'cause the line is forming
Getting plain to see
When the bell rings, you know we've got to listen
When the bell rings, we can't pretend it isn't
Talkin' to you and me. . .
When the bell rings
When the bell rings
Whoa-oh
When the bell rings (you've got to listen)
When the bell rings (you've got to now)
(right now)
When the bell rings
When the bell rings
(you've got to listen to the bell ring, the bell ring,
aw. . .)
When the bell rings
When the bell rings