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#Post#: 175--------------------------------------------------
Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: Chip Date: July 21, 2011, 8:59 pm
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[CENTER]Kiss And Make-Up (2001)
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I purposely avoided this book for years. I really didn't have
any desire to read this given that I already knew more about
KISS than Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley combined. But out of
sheer boredom and nothing else to read, I decided to give this
one a shot at long last. My first impression when picking the
book up and holding it in my hands was how small the book
looked. For a band like KISS and it's author Gene Simmons, I
would expect nothing less than 500 pages. But this looked like a
book that I would finish in just a few days (3 days to be
exact).
Upon reading the book, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to
get anything new from the man himself. Everything that you have
ever heard about KISS and its humble beginnings, and you KISS
fans know exactly what I'm talking about, you have seen and
heard the stories told a million times over from Gene himself
either in on-camera interviews or print from magazines and other
books over the years.
I was hoping to get a more detailed account of most of the
pivotal moments of the band's history. But that was not the case
here. Most of the back history from his days as a child all the
way to the Farewell Tour is pretty much glossed over, recounting
stuff that most KISS fan's already know. And when the band isn't
being talked about in the book, Gene is bragging about his
sexual exploits. But the way he paints the picture of each woman
he banged, it comes off as a bad cliché of a porn plot. After
awhile it just becomes laughable every time he talks about yet
another conquest. I'm not saying that none of this happened or
that it didn't happen the way he describes. It's just left me
laughing more than admiring his ability to get any woman he
wants.
The only thing that I found fascinating within the pages of KISS
And Make-up was the dirt he dishes on Ace Frehley and Peter
Criss. These are the only things that came off as "new" to me
that I had never heard about. Sure I have heard both Gene and
Paul slam both Ace and Peter for years and years. But getting
first hand accounts of what Ace and Peter did to incur the wrath
of Gene was somewhat eye opening here. But after awhile, it just
seemed a bit harsh and started to feel more and more like
character assassination on them for the sake of just getting
back at them. I'm not saying that none of what Gene described
didn't happen. But there are two sides to every story and it's
why I anxiously await the release of Ace's book to hear what he
has to say on the matter.
All in all, I would recommend this book only to those that know
nothing about KISS and need a quick crash course on the band.
For everyone else, I would just get it from the library, which
is what I did here.
#Post#: 2643--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: Chiprocks1 Date: October 11, 2011, 2:02 am
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Added Poll
This is just a Rent for me.
#Post#: 6036--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: boyinblack80 Date: February 16, 2012, 4:43 pm
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Gene Simmons KISS and Make Up.
I had heard mixed reviews about the book before reading this and
had even heard a few audio clips (I thought) read by Gene that
were excerpts from the book.
For me that is sometimes a good thing though. "Ah that movie
SUCKED" . The cool thing is if it's something I wanted to see
anyway...going in with low expectations as strange as that might
sound...at the very least doesn't set you up to be disappointed.
I really like the early years section of Gene's book. Growing
up in Israel, moving to the United States...there were some
really funny and interesting stories throughout that section.
You can really sense a feeling of nostalgia Gene has for that
period of his life and rightly so...it was very different than
any other part thereafter.
His teen years I found really interesting as well...Gene did a
great job of inserting pictures as you are reading along, so
when he refers to something like his father who stepped out on
his family when Gene was about 3 years old, a comic fanzine
cover he'd drawn as a teen, or he played a school dance for the
first time. The pictures are a great accompaniment to the text
(right when you want to see it)
as we head into the KISS years the pre-KISS (maybe 6 months
leading to the actual formation of the band) you get some
insight into where Gene was living, how he was living, the early
rumblings of an insatiable appetite for sex and women....it's
all good stuff. Unfortunately as the KISS story really starts
to take off....the stories get less and less. There's still a
few very funny stories about the early touring days...and Gene
himself even being shocked that he'd sleep with women sometimes
even in their 60's (an elderly limo driver he nick named
Grandma). It was actually very, very funny...he talked briefly
about sleeping with two girls who were "unattractive" It's so
strange to read that in fact, you almost read that line multiple
times because it's SO unusual for anyone to basically say that
you feel like you misread it..."nope it says unattractive
alright!"
I really wished he'd delved deeper into the experience of going
for a club band, to playing bigger and bigger shows. He does
talk about it....but what was it like? How did it feel to
breath fire and see people freak out, what was it like to see
this basic concept of simple face paint and homemade costumes
turn into a stage that filled 25% of an arena, with platforms
that rose and fell, to see professional artists create the now
famous Dragon boots? Tell us Gene!. He just doesn't touch on
any of that stuff...it starts to get a lot more like...and then
we did Destroyer, and then we did Rock and Roll over...there's a
bit more to it than that...but not much unfortunately.
what's interesting is the book then actually picks up steam
around the time of the Dynasty album and after that...going into
the solo albums, going into dating Cher, then Diana Ross....so
it's ironic...or odd that the final half of the book he seems
more passionate about...or maybe perplexed by how things turned
out. The struggle was maybe more memorable than the successes
of the band...and why not. He touches on his acting career, the
reunion and struggles throughout the years with Ace and
Peter...Peter especially from Gene's perspective sounded very
hard to be around and super high maintenance with complaining,
weak musicianship skills....really a shame to hear that. The
flaw never really showed on the outside. Ace on the other hand
I think is more a disappointment to Gene than anything. I feel
like (and who doesn't if your a KISS fan) that Ace really
squandered his talent. Alcohol and drug use just took it's toll
on the guy. His lack of professionalism and weak ego being an
ongoing problem as well.
What I found interesting was on youtube I'd heard an audio clip
where Gene referred to Ace as a racist pig...now in the book
unless I missed it...Gene never referred to him as that. I
always thought it was a direct clip of Gene reading the book for
an audio version...but I might be wrong. Although I think Ace
showed a definite lack of sensitivity towards Gene and his
Jewish heritage...I honestly don't feel it was as malicious and
Gene makes it out to be. I understand his mother was in the
concentration camps and a lot of her family was murdered....but
that was her story not Gene's. As protective as he is of his
mother...Ace being a dumb ass and trying to push Gene's
buttons...might not totally qualify as Racist of the Year...more
like friend who doesn't like or respect you...trying to push
your buttons...who knows...only Ace would know how he truly
feels.
I did like Gene's book...it left some things to be
desired....but it was an enjoyable read overall...had some great
pics, and was a fun puzzle piece although maybe smaller puzzle
piece of one of the most interesting rock bands of the last 50
years.
3.75 stars out of 5.
#Post#: 6037--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: Chiprocks1 Date: February 16, 2012, 4:54 pm
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Solid review dude. Personally I would say that the best part of
this book was his upbringing, which isn't something that hadn't
gotten a lot of press. At least before his show Family Jewels
HTML http://pennycan.createaforum.com/tv/gene-simmons-family-jewels-(season-6)/msg408/#msg408<br
/>started airing. So for me, I got more out of this section than
I
did with the rest. The stuff with Ace and Peter is still
fascinating to hear and read about because that 'magic curtain'
between the 4 of them is something we fans never really got to
hear about first hand. If it weren't for these Rock Bio Books
now flooding the market, stuff like this would be more myth than
anything else.
For those that have never gotten into Gene's TV show, I think it
would be wise to read up on his early years so that you get a
sense of what family means to him and his relationship with his
mother.
#Post#: 6038--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: boyinblack80 Date: February 16, 2012, 4:59 pm
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was still doing some nips and tucks as you posted....I always
have to tweak and clarify little things.
yeah I mean for me personally...I just never knew how high
maintenance Peter Criss was....the "moaner" as he was called.
Ace and his partying ways you understand a bit more from the
outside.
Gene still I think has very fond memories of the best times and
I know he's said Peter and he were probably the most similar in
the band and at their best times, got along very well and had
the most in common (television, candy, and a sense of humor)
although most people would assume Gene and Paul are...Gene and
Paul I've gotten from other sources are basically exact
opposites in many ways...which is REALLY interesting.
My hope is we someday get Peter's book (which he for sure was
working on) and then if Paul ever decides to do one...the
quadrilogy will be complete!
#Post#: 6039--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: Chiprocks1 Date: February 16, 2012, 5:04 pm
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I want to hear both Peter and Paul's take on the KISS years for
sure. But if I had to choose one over the other, I would want to
hear Paul more than Peter because at this point, I get the
feeling the entire book would be him defending himself, much
like Steven Adler
HTML http://pennycan.createaforum.com/books/my-appetite-for-destruction-steven-adler/msg5044/#msg5044<br
/>does in his own book.
So, what's your take on No Regrets: A Rock 'N' Roll Memoir
HTML http://pennycan.createaforum.com/books/no-regrets-a-rock-'n'-roll-memoir-ace-frehley/msg5186/#msg5186?<br
/>
#Post#: 6040--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: boyinblack80 Date: February 16, 2012, 5:25 pm
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yeah for sure....Peter did start his book at least 10 years
back...I'd heard a slew of interviews where he talked about
staying in a hotel room and really digging in and working on it.
Based on Gene's book....it could be a similar scenario to the
"I went away for 6 months and learned to read music and now I
can play drums even better"
that's always the run when you are getting info about someone's
work habits from them. Their idea of working their ass off
might not be the worlds view of it.
clearly the book would have been the first of these
books...since Gene's book I believe came out about 7 years back.
That was one small bummer for me was so much had happened since
he'd written his book...I'd almost like a past 6 years version
of what he's been up to. Nick was only 12 when he wrote KISS
and Make Up...I believe he's 19 or 20 now.
Paul's book would be AMAZING. I really hope he does one.
#Post#: 6041--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: boyinblack80 Date: February 16, 2012, 5:27 pm
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I'll probably read Ace's book one more time before I review
it....with Gene's book fresh in my head it will **** things up.
I did want to read it again anyway...so I'll put a hold on
it...and then read it one more time
same with Ozzy's book. I loaned the damn thing to my wife and
she got in mixed in with a pile of her stuff and I can't even
get through the mountain of books and magazines behind the chair
to find it.
women and their stuff
;)
hahahaha
#Post#: 6042--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: boyinblack80 Date: February 16, 2012, 5:28 pm
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hey don't edit me you fuckin mother fucking fuck fuck fuck.
:)
#Post#: 6043--------------------------------------------------
Re: Kiss And Make-Up - Gene Simmons
By: Chiprocks1 Date: February 16, 2012, 5:29 pm
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Peter's been working on it for 10 years? What the hell! Maybe
there's some truth to what Gene says about his work ethic. It
shouldn't take more than a year, two tops, to turn in a first
draft of the book. Paul's book would be NY Times Best seller I
would imagine.
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