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"Calling Dr. Love"
Single by Kiss
from the album Rock and Roll Over
B-side"Take Me"
ReleasedFebruary 13, 1977 (US)
Recorded1976 at Star Theatre, Nanuet, New York
Genre
Length3:46
LabelCasablanca NB-880 (US)
Songwriter(s)Gene Simmons
Producer(s)Eddie Kramer
Kiss singles chronology
"Hard Luck Woman" / "Mr. Speed"
(1976) 		"Calling Dr. Love" / "Take Me"
(1977) 		"Christine Sixteen" / "Shock Me"
(1977)

"Calling Dr. Love" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album Rock and Roll Over.

A live version of the song was included on Alive II, released in 1977. Since then, "Calling Dr. Love" has appeared on numerous Kiss compilation albums. In 2003, it appeared on Kiss's fifth live album, Kiss Symphony: Alive IV. "Calling Dr. Love" was also featured in the setlist of the Alive 35 World Tour in 2008.

The Canadian 8-track tape version of the song is extended by about 55 seconds, with a smoothly edited-in repeat of the guitar solo.

Background

It was written by bassist Gene Simmons, who sings lead vocals on the song, at a Holiday Inn in Evansville, Indiana. The song's title came from Simmons' recollection of The Three Stooges film Men in Black, which contained a hospital intercom announcement, "Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Howard."[citation needed]

Reception

Cash Box said that "a hard-driving rhythm line and straightforward vocals combine with Simmons' distinct style to make a top 40 and FM playlist addition."[3] Record World called it a " rocker...in a Humble Pie vein."[4]

Chart performance

The song was the second single released from the album, and the band's fourth US Top 20 single, reaching #16 in Billboard. In Canada, the song reached number two,[5] and is ranked as the 54th biggest Canadian hit of 1977.

Personnel

Covers

Popular culture

References

  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "Rock and Roll Over - Kiss | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Dick, Jonathan (October 2, 2014). "The 10 Best KISS Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 12, 1977. p. 34. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  4. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 19, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  5. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 469.
  8. ^ "Top 100 1977-06-04". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1977". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  10. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "GENE SIMMONS' DR PEPPER Commercial Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. March 25, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Vranica, Suzanne (January 5, 2010). "Dr Pepper Buys Its First Super Bowl Spot". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
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