Is this the most expensive re-release of all time? It comes from KISS, of course.
Re-releases and box sets can be high-margin ways of wringing revenue out of old records. Some box sets cost in excess of US$1,000. But as far as I know, there’s never been anything as expensive as this 50th-anniversary release of a single song.
KISS as we know it is done, although Kiss commerce (Kommerce?) is alive and well. The band has announced a 5-inch edition of “Strutter,” their 1974 single. Here are the specs:
- It’s made of 24-karat gold. Only five copies will be sold and will all be made-to-order.
- It’s “specially remastered for gold metal playback from 96kHz 24-bit stereo analogue transfers and playable on any manual record player.”
- “The A-side also includes a special rim engraving with each record’s unique edition number engraved in gold and an exquisite KISS logo made of Swarovski crystals.” Right.
- “A highly premium 12-inch x 12-inch x 4-3/8-inch luxurious coffee table display case is wrapped in imitation leather with gold foil details throughout and crowned off with a gold-plated Kiss logo showcased in Swarovski crystals. Containing two drawers, one housing the record in a protective sapphire crystal glass capsule, and the other containing a book signed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.”
- “Accessories include the gold-detailed pen used to sign each book, a laser-engraved metal certificate of authenticity, a premium cork record mat, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. B-side engraving honours the original Casablanca Records 7-inch single label with a proof quality finish.”
Sure. Great. How much? Just US$50,000. Shop now!
