I was a big KISS fan as a preteen kid, then discovered Rush a few years later. In different ways, both bands — one a trio of talented yet humble Ontarians, the other a foursome of shock-rock trailblazers from New York — made music that has echoed through the decades.
Now, early in 2026, two new Quarto Publishing books by different authors document the pivotal rock year of 1976 when both Rush and KISS began to have some commercial success, the year after the two bands had toured the States together.
The 50th anniversary of Rush’s landmark 2112 album is celebrated in Daniel Bukszpan’s fancy new book, while Martin Popoff chronicles “12 months that defined the hottest band in the land” in the equally glossy KISS ‘76.
The 176 pages of Bukszpan’s RUSH and 2112: 50 Years, which comes in a beautiful slip-case cover, dig deep into the legacy of the prog-rock masterpiece with track-by-track analysis, rare photos, interviews and more.
Released March 10 for the price of $65, the book would make a fine gift for hardcore Rush fans only. Others might find it too detailed, too focused on one era of a band that attracted legions of fans with dense, challenging music (including the seven-part suite of futuristic sci-fi songs in the first 20 minutes of 2112).
Also 176 pages and of same dimension, Popoff’s KISS book is detailed, too, but a more fun, colourful account of a year that delivered Destroyer (my favourite album of theirs) and Rock and Roll Over.
I enjoyed reading about the many key KISS moments in 1976 including an iconic Barry Levine photo shoot atop Empire State Building, guitarist Ace Frehley getting electrocuted onstage in Florida (“Shock Me” song to come), Peter Criss singing “Beth” live for the first time and Gene Simmons producing a Van Halen demo recording, along with platinum album sales and sold-out concerts.
Both Bukszpan and Toronto’s Popoff are profilic rock authors, but the KISS ‘76 writer takes the crown with more than 100 books to his credit, on many different bands, music genres and record collecting.
Look for their newest books on Quarto Publishing’s website, quarto.com.
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