“When the Earth was young, they were already old…”

30 years ago on this day in KISStory, an album would be issued that would be a turning point, and at the time a low point, for the band and their fans. Music From The Elder, produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin (responsible for the epic Destroyer), was released by KISS on November 16, 1981. The release was a concept album, and a comprehensive departure for the band, which was negatively received by both fans and critics alike.

As time has progressed, however, the album has achieved somewhat of a cult status among both KISS fans and rock/metal fans. For some reason, Music From The Elder has matured well, and while it was perhaps the most obscure and odd of all KISS releases, some now point to the album as their favorite.

28 years ago on this day in KISStory, a bewildering moment arrived for rock and metal fans that for many seemed to have come out of nowhere. KISS had announced they were unmasking, dropping the make-up, costumes, and personae they had previously “worn” for ten years, and moving forward as an “unmasked” band.

The band officially unmasked on MTV (see video below), and the announcement sent shockwaves through the metalhead communities at the time, which was the beginning that this decision was a good move by the band. Up until this stage, KISS enjoyed the height of their career in the 1970s, and as they journeyed into the earlier 1980s, things were beginning to look somewhat dire for the band.

The animated cartoon concept created by KISS drummer Eric Carr before his passing may now become a reality thanks to Rocksville Nation Comics, which will be publishing a comic book including Carr’s Rockheads characters in an April 2011 release. In the second issue of Dyna Meecho’s Rocksville Nation, The Rockheads will be making an appearance in the adventure titled Ticket to Rockheads.

According to a press release, the story sees two young rockers on their own Detroit Rock City-style adventure, desperately attempting to find tickets to the final sold out Rockheads concert. The tale essentially places Eric Carr’s Rockheads as the idols of the main characters, and sounds like a lot of fun.

KISSmuseum.net has somehow managed to get their hands on elements from the drum kit used by Eric Carr during the 1988 KISS Crazy Nights tour, and are making them available for sale online. As KISS fans (and metal fans) from the Eighties would recall, the chrome Chikara drum kit that Carr used: it was an iconic piece of the KISS stage set at the time.

Eric Carr was the drummer of KISS from 1980 to 1991, stepping in the place of original drummer Peter Criss. He took on the make-up persona of “The Fox” and was part of the band as they transitioned into their non-makeup year; help bring a heavier sound to the band, and performed on albums such as Creatures of the Night, Lick It Up, and Animalize. Carr died on November 24, 1991, after battling cancer for several months. He is always remembered fondly by fans around the world.

Part of Eric’s 1988 drum kit was once on display during the KISS Convention Tour in 1995. This is the first time it has ever been available for public purchase. And if that’s not enough, KISSmuseum.net also has Eric’s Porsche — also for sale from their website.

This morning when I checked my Twitter feeds, I noticed that Freddie Mercury was trending — with people celebrating his life on the 19th anniversary of his death. The Queen frontman was most certainly a massive influence, but somebody else important passed away on that day 19 years ago that should also be remembered and honored: Eric Carr from KISS.

On November 24, 1991, KISS fans were shaken to discover that Eric Carr had passed away. The 41-year-old drummer had lost his battle with cancer, and the news shattered the hearts of KISS fans internationally. He had been a major influence on them all, and he is still missed to this day. He was one of the most adored members of the band, and one of the most memorable and talented drummers that emerged in the rock world during the 1980s.

Born in 1950 in Brooklyn, NY, Eric Carr joined the KISS in 1980 while they were still in make-up as “The Fox,” replacing drummer Peter Criss. He was instantaneously welcomed by the fans, and his drumming talents pushed KISS to be a more heavier and modern sounding band in their post-makeup era. Carr can be heard on KISS hits like “I Love It Loud,” “Lick It Up,” and “Heaven’s On Fire.”