Release date: 27 January, 1979.
Without a doubt, the Gene Simmons “Radioactive” 7-inch is the most prolific single produced of the four and the one with the most variants out there, courtesy of PYE Records. With the corny pun of “Red-eoactive Vinyl” and the mask which was given the most pitiful haircut by PYE’s marketing designers, it certainly stood out from other Kiss releases. This page does not include ‘white label’ or test press versions of Radioactive (I know there is at least one white label version out there).
The current variants that are known or suggested to exist are as follows:
- Colour Vinyl – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask – “Normal”
- Colour Vinyl – Promotional Copy – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask
- Colour Vinyl – Mispress – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask
- Black Vinyl – Picture Sleeve – No Hype Text
- Black Vinyl – Company Sleeve – Solid Center
- Black Vinyl – Company Sleeve – Knock-Out Center
- Black Vinyl – Promotional Copy – Company Sleeve – Solid Center
During my research, I have found there are variants relating to the vinyl, the cover and indeed the mask itself. In order to make it easier to read and also not cause anyone to lose their minds as to what mixtures of each variant there could be, I have decided that I simply need to state what each specific variant is, not the combination itself.
Thanks goes to Simon Hidgson for sharing pictures and information about variants described here regarding the masks in particular but also the confirmation of existence of 4-prong colour vinyl.
So, without further ado, here are the variants of each aspect:
Radioactive Vinyl Variants
- Red vinyl, solid centre, a.k.a. the “standard” edition
- Red vinyl, knock-out/4-prong centre
- Red vinyl, mis-pressed with black vinyl “impurity” to varying degrees
- Red vinyl, promo copy, silver “A” on a-side, “not for sale” text on b-side
- Red vinyl, promo copy, only silver “A” on a-side
- Black vinyl, solid centre
- Black vinyl, knock-out/4-prong centre
Radioactive Sleeve Variants
- Picture sleeve, with hype text, long angular cut-out on back
- Picture sleeve, with hype text, shorter oval cut-out on back
- Picture sleeve, hype text blacked-out, long angluar cut-out on back
Radioactive Mask Variants
It appears as though there were separate print runs and/or printing plants making Gene masks, resulting in differing colouration on the blood trickle coming from Gene’s mouth.
- Bright red blood colour
- Dark red blood colour
- Light pink “blush” blood colour
- Dark grey blood colour
Radioactive “Normal”
Colour Vinyl – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask
It’s my belief that the subsequent releases of the other members’ singles were modelled on feedback and/or sales from Gene’s and ‘improvements made accordingly to the sleeve design and/or vinyl quantities produced. Things like the sleeve desig, text on the A-side being different to the others, the number of variations, all lead me to supect there was a bit of guesswork going on in Marketing/R&D. It is without a doubt the single with the most variations.
In my possession: Yes
These are pictures of my own copy
Sleeve – Front
Sleeve – Back
Label – Side A
Label – Side B
Mask
Side A runout groove: CAN ● 134 ● A1 ΔT tone AS
Side B runout groove: CAN ● 1434 ● B1 ΔT I II BB
Any other notable comments: The “AS” text may not be part of original runout text – will check other copies as they come into my possession.
The picture sleeve itself comes in two versions – a large angular cutout to assist with the removal of the record and a smaller, rounder and deeper cutout. This variation is evident in Paul Stanley’s single as well. As earlier Kiss releases such as Hard Luck Woman used the same style of cutout, it’s entirely feasible that the larger cut-out was released first. My memory is not that great to remember back 42 years ago to confirm which version I had when I bought it as soon as came out and I don’t have my original copy now either.
Most likely, the smaller cut-out was produced as a second press and became the norm (almost) for subsequent solo single releases. If someone can show me large cut-outs for Peter’s and Ace’s singles, I’ll happily correct this page.
Radioactive Colour Vinyl – Promotional Copy – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask
At this point, we can assume that the mask and sleeve also came with the colour vinyl. For releases out there with just the company sleeve (brown sleeve with Casablanca logo and with camels design/’wallpaper’) is probably down to loss of sleeve and a replacement with the more common generic company sleeve instead – it would be easy enough to create that partial variant anyway.
In my possession: Not yet, but soon!
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side B
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Side A runout groove:
Side B runout groove:
Any other notable comments: In Discogs, there is a transparent red version of this promotional copy – it’s more feasible that the reason for the colour is down to raw material colour availability rather than a delibertate promotional copy colour.
Radioactive Colour Vinyl – Mispress – Picture Sleeve – Hype Text – Mask
We can assume that the mask and sleeve also came with the colour vinyl. This is essentially the same as the Normal release, but with contamination of black vinyl during the red vinyl press. Sometimes advertised as mispress, others as a splatter effect (implying deliberate/designed effect)
In my possession: Yes!
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
This photo courtesy of Discogs – probably the most ‘blackened’ I’ve seen:
The next 3 are courtesy of Ebay
Label – Side B
These 4 are courtesy of Ebay:
Side A runout groove:
Side B runout groove:
Any other notable comments:
Radioactive Black Vinyl – Picture Sleeve – No Hype Text
This was the interim release where the red vinyl was sold out and the black vinyl sold without a mask but with an amended picture sleeve, blacking out the two corners’ text portions. I would say relatively rare compared to the company sleeve black vinyl variant (see below).
In my possession: Yes
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side B
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Side A runout groove: same as Normal
Side B runout groove: same as Normal
Any other notable comments:
Radioactive Black Vinyl – Company Sleeve – Solid Center (aka small hole)
This is the ‘generic’ black vinyl release that those unlucky to have missed out on the picture sleeve and/or red vinyl would get instead.
In my possession: Yes
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side B
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Side A runout groove: same as Normal
Side B runout groove: same as Normal
Any other notable comments: For my copy, the black vinyl is pretty much opaque too, unlike other PYE releases that have the “it’s black but if you hold it up to a light it has a red/yellow/green tinge to it” type of comment, which sometimes is used to deceive a potential buyer thinking it’s a red vinyl variant.
Radioactive Black Vinyl – Company Sleeve – Large Center (aka knock-out hole)
This is the ‘generic’ black vinyl release that those unlucky to have missed out on the picture sleeve and/or red vinyl would get instead, but with a knock-out hole that could be removed so that it could fit a jukebox and comes in a company sleeve, i.e. the brown sleeve with tan Casablanca logo and camel ‘wallpaper’ motif.
In my possession: Yes
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side B
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Side A runout groove: same as Normal
Side B runout groove: same as Normal
Any other notable comments:
Radioactive Black Vinyl – Promotional Copy – Company Sleeve – Solid Center
This exists apparently according to Kiss Monster (http://www.kissmonster.com/singles/singles_uk.php), so the chase is on!
In my possession: No – open to offers!
Sleeve – Front
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Sleeve – Back
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side A
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Label – Side B
[INSERT PICS HERE]
Side A runout groove:
Side B runout groove:
Any other notable comments: