NEW YORK TIMES and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERIn Face the Music, Paul Stanley—the co-founder and famous “Starchild” frontman of KISS—reveals for the first time the incredible highs and equally incredible lows in his life both inside and outside the band. Face the Music is the shocking, funny, smart, inspirational story of one of rock’s most enduring icons and the group he helped create, define, and … enduring icons and the group he helped create, define, and immortalize.
Stanley mixes compelling personal revelations and gripping, gritty war stories that will surprise even the most steadfast member of the KISS Army. He takes us back to his childhood in the 1950s and ’60s, a traumatic time made more painful thanks to a physical deformity. Born with a condition called microtia, he grew up partially deaf, with only one ear. But this instilled in him an inner drive to succeed in the most unlikely of pursuits: music.
With never-before-seen photos and images throughout, Stanley’s memoir is a fully realized and unflinching portrait of a rock star, a chronicle of the stories behind the famous anthems, the many brawls and betrayals, and all the drama and pyrotechnics on and off the stage. Raw and confessional, Stanley offers candid insights into his personal relationships, and the turbulent dynamics with his bandmates over the past four decades. And no one comes out unscathed—including Stanley himself.
“People say I was brave to write such a revealing book, but I wrote it because I needed to personally reflect on my own life. I know everyone will see themselves somewhere in this book, and where my story might take them is why I’m sharing it.” —Paul Stanley
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Even if you aren’t necessarily a KISS fan, you will readily identify with the writer. A whole new outlook on this guy after reading.
Seemingly honest and transparent, Stanley begins sharing his life story while leading readers through his nightly pre-concert regimen. “First, I wipe my face with an astringent, to close the pours. Then I grab a container of ‘clown white,’ a thick, cream-based makeup. I dip my fingers into the tub of white goo and start applying it all over my face, leaving some space open around my right eye, where the rough outline of the star will be.” And in short order — before he can even lead us to the next step — sketching out that iconic star with the pointed end of a beautician’s comb, the rock legend sets the stage for his rollercoaster tale.
More than the typical “rags to riches” rock and roll saga, FACE THE MUSIC is the rather unlikely story of how Stanley Bert Eisen — a Jewish kid of German / Polish descent, raised in a less than affluent part of Manhattan during the ’50s and ’60s, beat the odds — not only by overcoming a disability, but also by achieving unimaginable success.
Told in an engaging, no-nonsense style, the “Starchild” recounts in vivid, heartbreaking detail how he was taunted and ridiculed from an early age by other children who would wield such verbal daggers as, “Stanley the one-eared monster.” He further reveals the dark realities of growing up in a dysfunctional home with less than nurturing parents and a one-time institutionalized sister who once came at him with a hammer — and then proceeded to use said hammer to break down his bedroom door, Jack Torrance-style.
Of course most of Stanley’s story centers around his epic 40-year career with KISS, including details of his often volatile personal and professional relationship with musical partner, Gene Simmons. And make no mistake, much energy is spent on maligning original KISS members, guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. In fact, despite the love, kindness and God-factor Stanley weaves into his story, his relentless snarky commentary regarding his two former bandmates tends to dilute his effectiveness. I expected that kind of crass language and nastiness from Peter Criss’ book, but I was disappointed that Stanley didn’t seek a higher road with his. Conversely, Stanley extends mad props ad nauseam to current drummer Eric Singer and guitarist Tommy Thayer.
Stanley does however, give credit where its due in portraying original KISS manager Bill Aucoin and choreographer / road manager / songwriter / producer Sean Delaney, yet the role of Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart is somewhat minimized. And while every name and juicy detail of every one of Stanley’s Playmate / actress liaisons made it into print, the names and stories of such key KISStory players as John Hartman, Peter “Moose” Oreckinto, Carl Glickman, Larry Harris, Jeff Franklin, Fritz Postlethwaite, Wally Meyrowitz, C.K. Lendt and many others all are noticeably MIA.
But jamming a 60-year life story of this magnitude into a mere 450+ pages certainly is a tall order. And be sure that despite glossing over a few prime eras, omitting some key players and bypassing such insightful topics as the KISS arena football team, coffee shop, miniature golf course and his series of hip replacement surgeries, FACE THE MUSIC certainly does deliver a slew of salacious stories and plenty of “WOW!” moments. However, one of its biggest payoffs is Stanley’s more recent accounts offstage — starring as a dedicated husband and proud father. A recommended read for KISS fans everywhere.
-Christopher Long
(April 2014)
This is an in depth look at the rock band KISS. I could not believe what I read about Paul Stanley. It explained clearly the reasons behind the band’s current and past members. And some VERY surprising things about Paul Stanley. Things I never in a million years would I have guessed. If you’re a KISS fan, this book is for you!
A Kiss fan must read.
As a KISS fan, I couldn’t wait to read this. I thought I’d already read/heard all there was to know…but this book happily surprised me!! I definitely recommend it to any KISS fan or anyone with a love of biographies. A great book.
Interesting book about the Super group KISS.
This is why I don’t like autobiographies. He is full of himself. I am happy he found peace and happiness in his life.
Good book. About a person searching for a place in the world who finds it