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#Post#: 23670--------------------------------------------------
Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: November 4, 2013, 8:35 am
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[center]Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975
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Straight up, Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 is
aimed squarely at die-hard KISS fans that want to get even more
inside information that has never been readily available till
now. When I first heard about this book coming out, I figured at
best I would get a few stories that were new. So imagine my
shock after reading the book that about 95% of everything in
this 550 page book is stuff that I had never heard about and
that goes for the pictures that are scattered through the book.
I consider myself to be a true die-hard fan of KISS as I have
followed them from the mid 70's onward and have never stopped
being a fan, even during the lean years that saw them lose
popularity with the masses. I thought I had seen and heard it
all. With Ken Sharp's new book I realize that there was so much
more to the story. Along with Ken, we get insight from Gene
Simmons and Paul Stanley who helped write the book. Not
surprising though is how very little input we get from Peter
Criss and Ace Frehley. Yes, they contribute some stuff, but it's
clear that a lot was cut out for whatever reason. It took all of
15 pages before Gene and Paul rip into Peter and Ace....again.
The attacks are the one negatives in the book. We all know the
story as Gene and Paul have beaten this dead horse into glue.
It's time to just let it go and move on guys!
As for the books construction, I love it. It follows in the same
manner as Ken's other book KISS: Behind the Mask
HTML http://pennycan.createaforum.com/books/kiss-behind-the-mask-david-leaf-ken-sharp/msg7123/#msg7123,<br
/>written with a series of anecdotes, allowing everyone in and
around KISS, including fans, to have their own voice heard
within the pages. The way the book is put together and how the
stories are told actually do a much better job of painting a
picture then if it were told from the perspective of Ken.
Reading the book really does put you in their shoes and
transport you back to the mid 70's.
There are so many stories from those that worked closely with
the band, including Bill Aucoin to Sean Delaney to Neil Bogart
to bands and singers that influenced them to fans that were
there from the get go, it will enthrall you hearing what they
have to say. There are a lot of great stories to be read, which
had me reading at a feverish pace. I was actually trying to
force myself to not read so fast as I wanted to savor it all. I
think any KISS fan will get a kick out of the pie fight with
Rush and Geddy Lee on stage at the final show of their tour in
San Diego. It's also fun to see pictures of said pie fight,
which is something I have never seen before. Any fan that has
ever worshiped KISS Alive! and stared at the cover (front and
back) will totally dig hearing about he two kids and their sign,
not to mention Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) story of
being there when they took that infamous photo. There's more to
his story as well, but you're just gonna have to read the book
to find out. I'm not gonna spoil it here. It's worth the price
of the book.
I haven't look into or done any research on Ken Sharp, but I
strongly believe that Nothing To Lose is the first of many
Volumes coming our way with each new Volume covering a specific
era in KISSTORY. With this book only covering everything from
Wicked Lester all the way to KISS Alive!, the band is primed to
dish out more stuff and have 40 years worth of material to make
it a reality. My speculation has Volume II covering Destroyer
(1976) to Unmasked(1980), Volume III covering Music from "The
Elder" (1981) to Carnival of Souls (1996), Volume IV covering
Kiss Unplugged (1996) to Monster (2013). Like I said, a lot of
information is out there that the KISS Army would be willing to
shell out hard earned cash for, myself included.
Nothing to Lose is worth every penny and KISS fans will enjoy
the book. Definitely a Buy. For causal fans, it's still worth it
to check out from your Library, but may not care much for the
pages that are devoted to Casablanca Records. This book gets the
rare 10 Stars out of 10.
#Post#: 23671--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Mac Date: November 4, 2013, 11:42 am
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You started off this review with Gene/Paul vs. Peter/Ace rip and
that reminded me of reading the interesting read by Don Felder
of the Eagles period - Heaven and Hell: My life in the Eagles.
Felder’s book is a tell all. So kind of the opposite perspective
of Gene & Paul’s input. From indications grudges and feuds last
a long time. I’m sure Kiss members lives are very eclectic and
interesting read, but Peter and Ace will always be history and
can’t be ignored. Not dwelled on, but it can’t just disappear
either.
#Post#: 23673--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: November 4, 2013, 12:09 pm
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Well, not really expecting it to disappear. It's just that it
gets old hearing Gene and Paul knocking them down every time
they get the chance to do so. After awhile, it just sounds like
a jilted ex that can't 'move on'. I haven't read the Eagles
book. Worth checking out?
#Post#: 23674--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Mac Date: November 4, 2013, 12:15 pm
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Oh, yea, it's a jilted relationship... it does make one wonder
why it keeps coming up.
I really enjoyed Felder's book. It was revealing. It was written
rather well too. I would say it has impact if your fan of Felder
or the Eagles.
Otherwise it is a look into workings of band this huge. Probably
diametrically opposite of Kiss, but still some very strong
characters in both cases.
#Post#: 23697--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: November 5, 2013, 3:12 pm
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I forgot to mention in my initial review another aspect of the
book that I liked a lot and that was the 'Cast of Characters'.
There is so much input from many different people to help tell
the story of Nothin' to Lose that you actually become attached
to them in one form another. So naturally as you're reading the
book, you begin to wonder 'whatever happened to such and
such.....'. Well everyone that contributes to the book does get
a 'where are they now' update. Like I said, a lot of people
contributed to the book and it takes around 20 pages to fill us
in. A cool way to end the book indeed.
#Post#: 23699--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: November 5, 2013, 3:59 pm
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The other thing I forgot to talk about in the review has to do
with 'uncensored' testimonials from those that contributed to
the book. You would naturally expect that a book that is being
overseen by Gene and Paul to be sanitized to make KISS look as
good as possible. So, my hat is off for them for keeping it real
and allowing those who saw KISS in the early days to 'tell it
like it is' and that meant them saying what some would say is
unflattering toward the band with regards to their 'gimmick,
makeup and stage shows'. There are a handful of people that say
that KISS were considered to be a joke band. I'm glad they left
that stuff in there because I as a kid had to endure taunts for
liking KISS and those were the kind of responses that were
thrown at me.
One of the best responses to seeing KISS for the first time
comes from Alice Cooper when he says "....what they need is a
gimmick". Hahahaha! Priceless!!
#Post#: 26737--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: March 7, 2014, 7:43 pm
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[center]Kiss 'Nothin' To Lose' Book Signing (Gene Simmons & Paul
Stanley) B&N @ The Grove, Los Angeles
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79GInPESgwM
Something to whet your appetite before you go to Paul's book
signing. Sign my Cort Axe Bass, motherf*cker! ;D
#Post#: 26738--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: boyinblack80 Date: March 7, 2014, 8:02 pm
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see doesn't that look fun!!!!!! it was very cool seeing OZZY
that way I have to say. I was SO glad I went.
gah...this f*cking blows. I don't want to go that night and
have to deal with driving to LA after the event.
:(
#Post#: 26739--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: boyinblack80 Date: March 7, 2014, 8:03 pm
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here's another longer clip...kinda cool because you get to see
them arrive and walk in
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut4xfbb-5Mc
#Post#: 26740--------------------------------------------------
Re: Nothin' to Lose: The Making of KISS - 1972-1975 (2013)
By: Chiprocks1 Date: March 7, 2014, 8:04 pm
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I'll go and drive your Tank. You can sleep in the back. Problem
solved.
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