Customer Reviews

Kiss and Make-Up

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

There's little in Kiss and Make-Up that will come as a big suprise to rabid Kiss fans; Simmons is one of the most intelligent, savvy people around--if he wasn't
a rock star, he could have been a motivational speaker. But the book is largely devoid of much of the wit that he often displays when on TV or radio interviews. The overall theme is one of an kid who came from a foreign country and then proceeded to make it big, a.k.a, the American Dream personified and it comes off with an earnestness you just weren't expecting.
If you know the history of Kiss, you know what's in roughly half this book; if you've read any of the seemingly hundreds of interviews Simmons has done in mags like Hit Parader or RIP over the years, you're aware of the other half. Simmons seems aware of this as he mostly glosses over the most recognizable parts of, um, "Kisstory" in brief, digestible style. He concentrates far more on his personal life (his mother, longtime companion Shannon Tweed and their two kids) and on the roller-coaster behind the scenes business that's gone into Kiss over the years.
There is some dirt; he talks about those 70s front-page relationships with Cher and Diana Ross, all the groupies as well as the troubles he and Paul Stanley have had with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss since the band started . ( There is a picture of Ace in here that ...well, let's just say after Frehley sees it, that may be it for anymore Kiss reunions.) A good book, but no bombshells that would interest anyone other than Kiss fans or
70s [fans].

Gene's book isn't just his side of the KISS story, but it's an attempt at an honest autobiography. Honest is a relative term here, as Gene's entire life has been about bluster and bluff and the art of deception, and so one approaches this book a little warily but hoping for the best, taking a shot at wading through the giant swamp of ego and self-congratulation that is the Simmons style in quest of some real knowledge.

As regards his take on KISS, I had hoped for a lot more road stories, stuff on the songs themselves, and some kind of honesty about the relative levels of success at various times. He does gripe about Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, as who wouldn't?, but there's not a whole lot of credit for much of the stuff Ace did right. Ace's contribution to the band's sound is brick-on-the-head obvious if you compare the early LPs with anything from the 80s. How sad. But anyhow, Gene's relationship with Paul Stanley, which is now at 40 years and counting, gets very little ink. There is no acknowledgement of just how far financially things had gone south by the late 80s, and nothing about the switching of management and agents. Gene has trouble dealing with people as actual people and not merely tools to be manipulated on his way to his idea of success. So the stuff on KISS was, to me, an incomplete and very shallow treatment, a disappointment.

Gene's writing about his family, on the other hand, was often touching and came off as thoughtful and sincere. Yes, there's the bluster about how no woman will tie him down, yada yada yada, but his love and respect for his mother is noble (but his being raised an only child to a single mother with little money and having to learn a new language in his youth goes a long way to explaining everything since then). Likewise, he treats Cher and Diana Ross and now Shannon Tweed with tact and discretion. Finally, his love for his children, which apparently surprised even him, is uplifting and positive.

There is a bit of self-help advice about work, living soberly andfrugally, taking care of business yourself, and keeping one's eye on the ball at all times. None of this is bad advice. The way Gene dispenses it can be annoying sometimes.

The stuff on the girls over the years is just what one would expect; if anything, Gene takes himself less seriously here than elsewhere, as there are funny stories about the truly ugly or superannuated that often shared his bed or couch or breakfast table or car.

The book was worth reading but frankly could have been much better. Those looking for the definitive story of KISS should look elsewhere.

Gene Simmons' autobiography certainly pulls no punches. He is brutally and brazenly honest about his humble Jewish upbringing, constant lust, lack of talent as a bass player, eschewment of marriage and drive to make as much money as possible. I enjoyed many of the anecdotes and photos scattered throughout the book, particularly the details about the beginning and end of Wicked Lester and the birth of Kiss. The writing style is fine, it makes the book an easy, quick read. And while I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, I was very disappointed and at times even angry at Gene's decision to constantly hurl insults at Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, and Vinnie Vincent.

He seemingly refuses to pass on an opportunity to slam those who were pivotal in the band's success. The unending insults were as laborious to wade through as they were unnecessary. If they are so awful musically, drugged-out and incompetent, why rehire them for Unplugged? For Psycho Circus? For the Reunion and Farewell tours?

As a lifelong fan of the band, I really didn't want to read page after page of Gene turning the gun on his bandmates, and I would have hoped one of the people whom I admire most would have had much more to say in a 250-page book about one of the greatest, most prolific bands ever and his role in it.

Two other criticisms - there is very, very little in the book about the music itself. Everything's about the groupies, the stage show, the merchandising, the bickering, living in L.A. and New York, and his time with Cher and Diana Ross. There's virtually nothing about the inspiration for or genesis of their songs. The knock on Kiss has always been the music is simple, lacks substance and is simply not very good. The book only reinforces that. What was going through his mind when he wrote "Deuce"? I have to buy the $175 box set to find out!

Lastly, Gene goes on endlessly about all the merchandizing, at one point mentioning the SPIN Magazine covers before the Reunion tour and how it was his idea to print four different versions, one with a picture of each bandmember. He suggest this to Bob Guccione Jr. because "The KISS fans will want to buy all four of them." Geez Gene, thanks for pimping out your fans so you can get some free advertising from a magazine! Create new and interesting music we'd want to buy, not marketing gimmics designed at prying more money out of our pockets!

Where to begin his His Majesty Gene Simmons. First off, for long time KISS fans, this book has nothing new for you. Everything in this book is the same old Gene we've been reading in Hit Parader for twenty years. It's the same old rehashed cliches and one liners from this holier than thou, better than everybody, egotistical, mediocre bass player.

Gene SImmons truly is the American dream. A poor immigrant who conquered the world thirty times over. He and his band KISS were household names in the 70's, reinvented in the 80's, and came back in the 90's. Yes Gene we know, you are so great, you can do no wrong, your word is law, blah, blah, blah.

Gene Simmons could put his fave or KISS logo on anything and try to sell it. The man has no reservations of using the KISS banner in any embarrassing way he can to make a buck. Don't believe me? Go ahead and order your KISS Koffin! That's right, a coffin. Women and money may indeed be the God of Thunder's only weaknesses, but who would complain?

The worst part of this book is the bashing of his former KISS-mates. We all know Ace is a lazy drunk, but do we need a picture of him kissing a middle aged balding guy in Austrailia?

KISS was great, but now they are done. At the Farewell Tour I said goodbye. Now they are a joke.(I mean c'mon, we got a fake Ace now!!!!) All I have now is fond memories of a great rock band that they once were. I read this book out of curiosity to see if there was anything new, there wasn't. And you won't see me standing in line for KISS cookie cutters, transmission fluid, or lawnmowers.

If Gene's mission is to destroy Kiss . ..Nice Goin' Pal! Mission accomplished! No matter how many times this ego-driven lunkhead slams Ace & Peter (and no matter how ignorant he seems to be to the fact that the true Kiss fans he claims to serve are sickened each time he does so), the rest of us know a simple truth that continues to elude ol' Cod Piece himself: Ace, Peter, Paul and Gene are Kiss. Very simple equation. Only these four parts equal the whole. Learn it, Gene, or just shut up already, will ya?

That's my question? How could he-a man who has been in rock and roll for over 30 years-write such a boring book? The chapters basically repeat themselves: 1)I was a poor jewish kid raised by only my mother; 2)I don't drink or smoke, but I sleep with anything slightly resembling a woman; 3)Peter and Ace were always trouble-be it alcohol or drugs-but I didn't want to fire them. As for his relationships with Cher and Diana Ross, People magazine wrote better articles. P.S. Does Paul know what Gene wrote about him? That was the only interesting part of a paper wasting, so-called autobiography.

I will readily admit that I am by no means a fan of KISS. I am, however, a fan of rock star autobiographies. Motley Crue's The Dirt and Marilyn Manson's bio book are two of the most entertaining books I've ever read. Both were loaded with enough sex, drugs, and debauchery to keep anyone's interest, Both also happened to be co-authored by able collaborator Neil Strauss, who apparently helped the stars focus their narratives on the most significant, most interesting aspects of their lives.

I think Ol' Gene could've used a little help from Mr. Strauss on this one. Kiss and Make-up is sloppy and unfocused, sure to disappoint all but the most ardent KISS fans. Simmons certainly has lived an extraordinary life, having gone from being a penniless immigrant to an international superstar by playing songs with beautiful, subtle metaphors like "Love Gun." By his own admission, Gene has enjoyed plenty of debauchery along the way (though he has remained curiously sober), and he does recount some of his backstage experiences, but he somehow manages to make all of it seem incredibly boring! I read this book hoping to gain some insight into KISS' unlikely rise to fame, but I'm still scratching my head.

Perhaps it's just that the arrogant star just doesn't care about amusing anyone other than himself. If that is the case, one wonders why he bothered to write a book! Oh yeah... It was probably the money.

The biggest revelation in this book is that Gene Simmons really really likes cake. I mean, he likes it more than caviar, man. If that information seems scintillating to you, order this book. Otherwise, you're probably better off with Hammer of the Gods.

OK. Sex and Money is certainly the basis for many an entertaining read but this guy really has nothing to offer. His nihilistism devalues any insights he might offer - unless you really care about how this guy made money despite the fact that he doesnt care for music - and he is sure you dont either. Hmmm.

I have always been a big fan of Kiss and I followed them through the years( even the terrible ones!). I can remember saving up every dime so I could buy my Kiss records in the 70's. Well, after reading this book I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. Gene Simmons shows to be nothing more than a greedy, arrogant man who thinks he is the greatest thing to hit music. ... Do not waste your money on this or any other Kiss related item. I can tell you the whole book in 1 sentence. Gene hates Peter and Ace because they do not listen to him and He hooked up with some ladies... The book rambles on with story after story about the band. Only to be interupted in mid-thought about a woman he had sex with. The book in terrible and it makes you realize that all of those years of music were for only one thing! MONEY! Well, you have gotten my last dime you blood sucker!

Whether Gene's busy trashing Ace and Peter on almost every single page, or calling FANS "idiots" because they like the original line-up (although Gene should be getting on his hands and knees and praising them - before the Reunion WITH ACE AND PETER he was practically broke), one thing is for sure - Gene will never give you the truth. This book should have been called "KISS and Make-Up Lies about KISS, Ace, Peter, fans, other musicians and about my importance in the world in general." This book is solely for the brainwashed, uneducated masses who believe a band that stopped being relevant 23 years ago is still on top of the rock world.