Speaking as an 11 year old me in 1979, you would have heard no such complaints. Kings Island was in need of a new coaster. And what they gave us, at the time, was a coaster on steroids.
I still remember being a little apprehensive getting onto the ride. When I went up the first hill, I remember thinking, "What did I get myself into here?". By the time the ride was over, I wanted to go stand in line for another two hours and do it again.