50th Anniversary of KISS's 'King of the Night Time World' Celebrated by The Hollywood Stars

(PMM) The Hollywood Stars revisit their best-known song, "King of the Night Time World," with a new version recorded with legendary producer Michael Lloyd. During his 60-year career, Lloyd has earned over 100 gold and platinum records for his work with Belinda Carlisle, Barry Manilow, Donny & Marie Osmond, Shaun Cassidy, Lou Rawls, and as the music supervisor for the smash Dirty Dancing soundtrack. "King of the Night Time World" is available today on all digital platforms via Rum Bar Records.

The original version of "King of the Night Time World" was co-written by producer Kim Fowley and Hollywood Stars guitarist Mark Anthony in 1973. Signed to Columbia Records in early 1974, the Stars recorded the song for inclusion on their intended debut album, but due to layoffs in Columbia's A&R department that album was shelved. Fowley, however, knew a great song when he heard it, and secured interest from the rock band Kiss to record "King of the Night Time World." After a few songwriting changes by Kiss frontman Paul Stanley and producer Bob Ezrin, the track made its debut on Kiss's fourth album, Destroyer. Released on March 15, 1976, Destroyer was an immediate hit in North America and is now certified RIAA double platinum.

The Hollywood Stars' original recording of the song eventually surfaced on the band's retrospective LP, Shine Like a Radio: The Great Lost 1974 Album, released by Last Summer Records in 2013.

After decades out of the spotlight, the Hollywood Stars reformed for live shows in 2018 with three original members. Unsurprisingly, "King of the Night Time World" was a standout audience favorite, and the band's singer-songwriter Scott Phares started considering an updated version of the song.

"Michael Lloyd called me in early 2024," explained Phares. "He suggested that we should come to his studio to record a 'rock' song. It took over a year to schedule, but we finally got to his studio on March 1, 2025. Our guitarist, George Keller, already had the basic concept for the arrangement. It was a reunion for Michael and me since he had produced a pair of albums for my late '70s band, Hero. It felt like no time had passed - his ideas were great and the whole experience was a blast."

Today's digital release of "King of the Night Time World" is the first new material from the Hollywood Stars since their 2024 comeback album, Starstruck (Rum Bar Records). The current lineup is the same that recorded Starstruck: vocalist Scott Phares and drummer Terry Rae (founding members in 1973), bassist Michael Rummans (joined in 1975), and guitarists Jeff Jourard and George Keller (recruited in 2023).

"King of the Night Time World" is accompanied by a new video filmed at Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles. The clip was shot by the band's manager, Loren Molinare (The Dogs, Little Caesar), and edited by Phares.

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