Part 6 Could Stand Strongly on Its Own Content

Would you listen to Face the Music again? Why?

I've already started the second listening experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The honesty and sincerity of a man who seems to have finally found the correct road to carry him toward his life's destination gives this book a triumphant personal tone much more so than the chronology of a bank we have all loved for years.

What does Paul Stanley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It was like a 12 hour Paul Stanley interview, leaving no question unanswered.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was, and I almost did.

Any additional comments?

I have been a KISS fan for many years, and I remember the date since I was listening to my first KISS song as I watched the helicopter leaving with President Nixon after his resignation. Since day 1, Paul was my favorite, and as I've aged from that young boy and now near middle age, I have marveled at how underappreciated Paul has been. He writes, he sings, he plays, he creates, he dances, and he, along with Gene, have kept this KISS concept together into their fifth decade. Paul is the true modern day William Shakespeare and Beethoven combined; don't be surprised if 200 years from now he doesn't have his own spot in history books with these other two geniuses. So when I started listening to the book, I wasn't surprised at all when I was totally pulled into the bands 40 year history and found it hard to quite listening when I needed to.

But what I was totally surprised at was Part 6 of his book. This final section of an otherwise brilliantly written book took it to a whole new level. The honesty, sincerity, and openness, along with life lessons he learned the hard way, transformed simple words on pages into some most golden advice any husband or father could even hear. The way he speaks of his wife, his children, and his parents after the stormy seas he survived for many years is heart tugging. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should read Part 6, whether you are a KISS fan or not. You will not regret it.

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Honest, upfront reflection - well worth your time

Would you listen to Face the Music again? Why?

Absolutely. I did't know much about the band of Paul and was very impressed with his ability to tell his story candidly and in a fun, interesting way

What about Paul Stanley’s performance did you like?

My favorite books are those written and read by the authors and this one did not disappoint. Others that are good include Ann & Nancy Wilson (of Heart) and Rosie Perez

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked understanding about his childhood and the challenges he faced

Any additional comments?

Very well done book and I am quite impressed with Paul Stanley. He has learned a lot about himself (both positives and negatives) and taken steps to improve himself and focus on the people/things that are important. He has so many varied interests and is MUCH deeper that what you might think is on the surface.

11 people found this helpful

A Book That Every KISS Fan Need Experience

Where does Face the Music rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easily near the top. Although never destined to be considered great literature, it is a book that held my rapt attention. Being narrated by the author was a must. It simply could not have conveyed the pathos of a life exposed told by anyone else.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book has given me insight into a person I have long admired. At times that insight came with a price that was uncomfortable to pay. It revealed personal struggles that I simply had no idea he encountered and overcame. It gave me greater understanding and empathy, and ultimately, greater appreciation for a personal hero. A hero with self admitted flaws and faults, it is true, but a hero nonetheless.

Which scene was your favorite?

In many ways Paul was the member of KISS most difficult to know. He was never as self aggrandizing, or as self destructive, as the others, thereby rendering himself less accessible to the average fan. His book, in great detail, explains why. He lays bare many painful and poignant secrets that make him who he is.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Very little. There were rare instances when I thought the moment he was recounting was told in an emotionally flat tone, but that could have come as a result of his needing to get through the memory without losing composure.

Any additional comments?

July 23, 1976. My first concert. My first KISS concert. I caught a glimpse of the limo pulling into the venue (venerable Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL) and I caught a briefer glimpse of Paul peering out of the limo window. That night became indelibly stamped into my memory and my imagination. Often I daydreamed if I could be any other person in the world, for just one day, I would have chosen to be Paul Stanley on the day of a KISS concert. I could not imagine anything, or anyone, cooler. Face The Music allowed me a backstage pass into the world and life of a bona fide rock god and personal hero. It was rarely what I expected and occasionally not what I wanted to hear, but it was always enthralling. I found I didn't want the book to end and felt a little saddened when it had. I will be forever grateful to Paul. Grateful for many wonderful memories involving his band, a band that would have ceased to exist long ago if not for his perseverance and dedication. Grateful, too, for allowing us to see the man behind the mask.

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Intriguing and Insightful

I was never a great KISS fan but have found Paul Stanley to be an interesting and engaging person. By their nature autobiographies are, of course, self indulgent and this is no exception. Learning of Paul’s early life and the struggles from his physical disability show a very personal and deep element to the challenges he faced as a young boy growing up in NY and the effect this had on him throughout the vast majority of his life. Of course a book of Paul Stanley’s life is going to be in large part a book about KISS and in this area he pulls no punches, indeed in all areas of the book he is not shy about saying exactly what he feels about people and events that have had happened. At some points I was erring to the side of thinking that maybe he is a bit of a jerk who seemed unable to say much positive about people too often. Then again to be in the arena of work he is, does take a very self focussed drive. In general it did not, however, detract from my positive impression of Mr Stanley. The real interesting part of the story is how he eventually found happiness within himself off stage and not just as the Starchild persona.

As a performance I really enjoyed the recording. I generally prefer to have British narrators on audio books as I find their vocal tone easier to follow, especially on long recordings. In this case, as with Michelle Obama’s book, it was just perfect being read by the author.

I recommend the title wholeheartedly on all levels.

3 people found this helpful

Excellent Book

Highly recommended- Paul Stanley’s story is both motivating and inspiring! I’m a fan of “read by the author” audio books, and this ranks in my top five! Do yourself a favor and dive in to Paul’s life story of dreams, hard work and perseverance. Well done Mr Stanley!

3 people found this helpful

Great Read!

What made the experience of listening to Face the Music the most enjoyable?

I used to listen to Kiss along time ago. Over the years I've always keep them within ear shot but never really a hard core fan. This book was awesome in explaining the band's trials and tribulations. I thought it was very respectful to all the band members and Paul doesn't brag on himself, in fact he really strived to create just the ultimate band.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Face the Music?

The common theme of just trying to make good music and be a complete band.

3 people found this helpful

THE most well-written of the KISS memoirs

Would you listen to Face the Music again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to Face the Music again! Paul's narration of his own story is so very well done, as a LONG-time KISS fan, it's exciting to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

Paul's narration is definitely my favorite part of this audio book. At times, it felt as though I was sitting at a table with one of my life-long heroes, having a conversation about his life. The colorful tapestry that he weaves about his younger days, his trials and tribulations as an insecure youth, the creation of one of the greatest rock bands in history and the turmoil within make for an outstanding listening experience.

Which scene was your favorite?

There's a point when the band begins to realize that the public wants to know their opinions on topics such as politics and world events. I believe the quote is: "Love Gun wasn't about guns or gun control...it was a song about my dick"! Priceless...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed at numerous anecdotes and revelations throughout the book. Nothing was really shocking, although the story of Paul's family's lack of compassion was pretty sad.

Any additional comments?

Even if you're not a fan of KISS, Face the Music is an outstanding true story of strength and perseverance and achieving success against a great many obstacles! And while Paul dishes a LOT of dirt about himself, his family and his band-mates (Ace and Peter take quite a beating...and probably deservedly so!), you get the impression that he's held a lot back, too. This is a man that didn't wallow in the negatives that life presented. He pulled himself up and met his challenges head-on. His reward? He's the front-man of the Hottest Band in the World!

7 people found this helpful

Paul Stanley

I read Gene Simmons Kiss and make up several years when it first came out. By the end if I were to look up narcissist in the dictionary would be his face. A lot of the facts that were already known about Gene was already known, its all about him. In Paul's book it was all about him, with a very decent approach. Paul makes himself human and it was a very insightful interesting book. Once I started listening to it it was very hard to put down. He does have many negative views but in the end he had a lot walls built into bridges. He of all people you wouldn't expect to have an inferiority complex but in the end, again, he made a lot of progress. Great book!

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An absolute page turner!

This book touches you. In order to touch something, you must first reach it. This book reaches the reader. No small feat, and honestly quite the admirable gift, to be reached like that. The incomparable Paul Stanley has the gift of reaching people, be it through his music and performances or through his ability to connect via the written word. Give yourself or someone you care about the gift of reading this book.

1 person found this helpful

KISS Machine

It was a good read full of Honesty and insightful information.
It's a must have for any Kiss Fan. Be warned spoiler alerts on the way.

There is no denying these guys worked their asses off making this KISS machine.
They deserve all the success they have. they did something no one had done up to this point with the makeup.
They took that to the next level. This would have never worked if the music wasn't good, they Rocked it OUT LOUD, that's for sure.

It sounds from reading this book, If it wasn't for Paul Stanley the band would have
long disappeared from the landscape.
some of his comments of ex band mates validate the lack
of success past members have had in their personal careers.

Peter Criss comes across as a moody old man who never appreciated the opportunities he had. I'm looking
forward to reading the Lydia Criss book which sounds like it will be more insightful. Paul doesn't mention
her at All which was a surprise seeing how they seem to get along behind the scene.

Ace Frehley comes across as a closet Homo, kissing Peter Crisses unmentionables, and making out with Eric Carr.

I loved the fact that nothing political was in here at all.
the only instance was the comments made in reference to Gene Simmons not being invited to his wedding.

Gene took credit for the marketing Kiss but he had nothing to do with it, that was a surprise, Myself, like most fans
thought Gene was the mastermind business man behind KISS.

it's good to know there's a balance in the Band. The truth is obvious Kiss is a business and Gene and him are partners.
Again towards the end chapter 65 Gene was not available to do the Album Monster in 2011.
then he says we collaborated as a band, isn't that a contradiction in the what he just said ?
I like the way he keeps the music in perspective, they can never out due the past success they have had.

Disappointing he didn't mention how Kiss or why Kiss would continue without the original members.

I can't help feeling he only touched on the surface of what happened and what he could have revealed.

Art, vegetable garden, and cooking. I guess this is what he's doing now.

1 person found this helpful