Kiss – Rock And Roll All Nite (MTV Unplugged)

KISS – Rock and Roll All Nite (MTV Unplugged 1995)

Few songs capture the spirit of rock ’n’ roll as completely as KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Nite.” First released in 1975 on the band’s third studio album Dressed to Kill, the track quickly became their defining anthem. When the live version appeared on Alive! later that year, it transformed into the high-voltage centerpiece of KISS’s concerts, closing shows with explosive energy and fan participation. Over the decades, it has become not just a hit but a cultural marker—an eternal call to celebration and rebellion.

In 1995, fans were treated to a very different take on the classic when KISS performed it during their MTV Unplugged session in New York City. Stripped of pyrotechnics and makeup, the band revealed a raw, acoustic power that few expected. Joined on stage by both current members at the time—Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer—and original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, it marked a rare and emotional six-man lineup. The performance built toward a spirited finale, with “Rock and Roll All Nite” serving as the closing number, uniting past and present in a way that electrified the audience.

Lineup for MTV Unplugged 1995:

• Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals
• Gene Simmons – bass, vocals
• Bruce Kulick – lead guitar
• Eric Singer – drums
• Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals (original member)
• Peter Criss – drums, vocals (original member)

This rare six-man lineup delivered an emotional and spirited finale, with “Rock and Roll All Nite” uniting past and present in a way that electrified the audience.

The acoustic arrangement highlighted the song’s timeless hook while giving it a warmer, more intimate tone. Fans heard the familiar chant—“I wanna rock and roll all night, and party every day”—in a whole new light, proving that the spirit of the song didn’t rely on amplifiers or fireworks, but on the connection between band and audience. The moment was also historic: it directly paved the way for KISS’s full-scale reunion tour in 1996, which brought the original lineup back together in makeup and returned the band to stadium-filling glory.

Today, the MTV Unplugged version of “Rock and Roll All Nite” stands as one of the most unique entries in KISS’s live history. It strips away spectacle and shows the craftsmanship beneath the legend—a song strong enough to ignite a crowd whether roared through Marshall stacks or strummed on acoustic guitars.

The MTV Unplugged episode aired on August 9, 1995, and immediately became one of the most talked-about installments of the series. Longtime fans were moved by the sight of the original lineup sharing the stage with their successors, while new listeners got to hear KISS in an unexpected and more vulnerable setting. Critics praised the band for showcasing musicianship often hidden behind the spectacle of their usual shows. Many hailed it as one of the strongest Unplugged episodes ever produced, with “Rock and Roll All Nite” serving as the perfect closer—bridging generations of fans and proving the band’s songs stood the test of time.

“Rock and Roll All Nite” – Single by Kiss from the album Dressed to Kill and Alive!, released April 2, 1975 (US)m October 14, 1975 (7″ live version)
Recorded February 1975
Songwriters Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons

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