Chelsea was an early 1970s band from
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
, best known for having drummer
Peter Criss before he joined
Kiss
A kiss is the touching or pressing of one's lips against another person, animal or object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely; depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sex ...
in 1973. They released one album, the self-titled album ''Chelsea'', in 1970. Shortly after recording their unreleased second studio album, the band broke up.
In August 1970, the band became "Lips", a trio consisting of Criss and his Chelsea bandmates Michael Benvenga and Stan Penridge. By the spring of 1972, Lips was just the duo of Criss and Penridge. They eventually disbanded completely. Their sound has been compared to the
Moody Blues,
Procol Harum
Procol Harum () were an English rock music, rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", one of the few singles to have sold more than List of best-selling si ...
, and
The Raisins, with whom Criss recorded as a guest musician in 1968.
In 1973, Pete Shepley and Mike Brand recorded an unreleased album which included a post-Chelsea Michael Benvenga, a pre-Kiss Peter Criss, and (on two songs)
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz; ; born August 25, 1949) also known by his stage persona "The Demon", is an Israeli-born American musician. He was the bassist and co-lead singer of the hard rock band Kiss (band), Kiss, which he co-founded wit ...
, as session musicians. It was titled Captain Sanity.
''Chelsea''
''Chelsea'' is the only album released by the band. Peter Criss is credited as Peter Cris in the liner notes.
Track listing
Personnel
*Peter Shepley – lead vocals
*Mike Brand – guitar
*Chris Aridas – guitar
*Michael Benvenga – bass, vocals
*
Peter Cris – drums, vocals
*
John Cale – viola on track 7 and 10
*Steve Loeb – piano on track 8
See also
*
Wicked Lester, another pre-Kiss band featuring the future
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz; ; born August 25, 1949) also known by his stage persona "The Demon", is an Israeli-born American musician. He was the bassist and co-lead singer of the hard rock band Kiss (band), Kiss, which he co-founded wit ...
and
Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley (born Stanley Bert Eisen; January 20, 1952) is an American musician who was the co-founder, frontman, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Kiss (band), Kiss from the band's inception in 1973 to their retireme ...
References
{{Authority control
Rock music groups from New York (state)
Musical groups established in 1968
Musical groups disestablished in 1971
1970 debut albums
Albums produced by Lewis Merenstein
MCA Records albums