Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Kiss and Make-Up by Gene Simmons ISBN: 0-609-81002-2 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 22 October, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.44 (112 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Remember, it's a GENE SIMMONS bio, not a KISS bio
Comment: So many other reviewers here have bemoaned the relatively small proportion of KISS road stories, recording session stories, etc. But this is an autobiography of just Gene, not a tell-all of the whole band. Have some perspective, guys.
I really liked this book. Gene's gentle and sometimes humorous writing style makes this a pleasure to read. I've been a KISS fan since I was a 10-year old kid in 1976, and I've read or heard all of the glossed-over stories about the band's inner turmoils. Finally Gene has taken the gloves off (or at least one of them, perhaps) and let some of the less-flattering truth about KISS's up-and-down career filter through. Primarily, though, he talks about himself (his favorite topic). He certainly makes no apologies for his choices or lifestyle (nor should we ask him to), and his rather obvious intelligence certainly shines through. He managed to guide a band (that would so often be on the verge of self-destruction and collapse) from their humble beginnings on the streets, to the heights of international stardom, to near irrelevance in the 1980's, and back to the top of the (nostalgia) heap in the 1990's. A helluva ride, and Thank You Gene for letting us tag along. Most of us who grew up listening to KISS learned a LONG time ago that the "Rock and Roll Gods" image has its time and place, and that Gene (just like Paul and Ace and Peter) is basically just another regular guy, although with chutzpah to spare and and an unwavering ambition. Gene is entitled to be Almost Human like the rest of us. That means he is allowed to cry, love, regret, and make mistakes like you and me. He sure does those things, and readily admits it. KISS is a business as much as it is a band, so how is that any less forgivable than any other celebrity selling him- or herself to stay on top and gainfully employed? If you weren't already a KISS fan you probably wouldn't be buying or reading this book anyway. But for the legions of KISS fans everywhere this book is Gene without the make-up - a regular (and singularly driven) guy whose destitute upbringing gave him a sense of perspective on the American Dream that most of us take for granted and even resent when it blesses people other than ourselves. I don't think Gene is trying to hold himself up as the paragon of success or as a role model to anyone else. All he is saying in this book is "Hey! I came here with nothing, but thanks to a lot of hard work, a little luck, and my refusal to run from a fight or let someone else sabotage my dream, I have achieved great success, carved out a name for myself in this world, found true love and happiness as a father and companion, and learned a lot about myself. And I owe a lot of respect to my Mom!" Sounds like a great success story to me. Don't let the fact that he did all this through the fickle medium of rock and roll cloud the facts.
My only wish is that he had delved into even greater detail about the business end of KISS, as C. K. Lendt did in his excellent book "KISS and Sell" (available through...). Not all the KISS years were rosy. Some were downright embarrassing. But at least Gene isn't throwing as big a PR spin on those times as he has in other interviews and books - even the fascinating KISSTORY book pulls its share of punches. But I doubt we'll get much more honest disclosure from any of the band members until after they've hung up their platform boots for good. Because to do it before then, and let fall some of the sheen of mystique before every last promotional buck has been bled out, would just be bad business.
Rating: 4
Summary: More than I expected.
Comment: I was expecting to see more of the same Gene Simmons that I have seen and heard in countless interviews and documentaries. Vain. Arrogant. Condesending. If you've seen Gene in print or video, you probably know what I'm talking about. The book however, is a very candid autobiography of not just Kiss the rock group, but Gene Simmons himself.
I am an admitted Kiss fan, but there were things in the book that I had never heard before, little things about Genes life that you probably won't find anywhere else. Plus he spells out in no uncertain terms what the reasoning was behind the departure of Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Mark St. John, and Vinnie Vincent.
Also, refrefreshingly enough, he admits that he is in the Business (yes with a capitol B) of Rock and Roll. Yes, Kiss is a rock band, and in my opinion, a very good one. But it didn't happen by accident, and it didn't happen overnight, and Gene lays it all out, for good or ill.
I was happily surprised and impressed with the candor in which he relates his story, as well as his discretion. He gives you enough information about what was going on without giving you the blow-by-blow account. Considering some of the subject matter, that was a classy touch. I'm refering to his relationships with Cher, Diana Ross, and Liza Minelli, and his current partner, the lovely Shannon Tweed.
Some of his claims seem outlandish, and some seem as if he was just the right guy at the right place at the right time. Remember, this is an autobiography, and he tells his story well, in an almost conversational way.
I reccomend this book for any Kiss fan, old or new. if you are just curious about Kiss and it's popularity, this book will explain it all.
Rating: 5
Summary: RYANS REVIEW
Comment: This book is called KISS and make up a bkiogrophy on Gene Simmons life or should I say Chaim Witz later changed to Gene Klein then to his rockstar name Gene Simmons a legendary bassist for the band KISS. KISS was not his only thing. Gene was born in Haifa, Israel on August, 1949. He lived there for a good couple years then came to America where he changed his name, he loved hammers as a child. Some of his first influences were Elvis Presley. This book is really good it has so many facts you would never find out if you are a KISS fan this book is way up your alley. It talks about Gene Simmons life and how he formed KISS and fame and his later years with KISS, and the members that break away from KISS. If you wanna know who stays in the band, and who leaves. Read this book, also recomended Sex and Money by Gene Simmons
 |
Title: Sex Money Kiss by Gene Simmons ISBN: 1893224864 Publisher: New Millennium Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
 |
Title: KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography by Ken Sharp, David Leaf ISBN: 0446530735 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: November, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
 |
Title: Kiss: The Early Years by Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Waring Abbott ISBN: 0609810286 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 26 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: Kiss and Sell: The Making of a Supergroup by C. K. Lendt ISBN: 0823075516 Publisher: Billboard Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
 |
Title: Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History by Curt Gooch, Jeff Suhs ISBN: 0823083225 Publisher: Billboard Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
