Kiss and Make-Up

Loved it

I listened to this in the car commuting. It was like Gene was sitting in the car with me telling me his story and the birth on The Hotest Band in the World..............I really loved this book.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

This needs to be in your library

Gene Simmons's open, frank and honest work here is excellent and deepened my respect for him as a person. Regardless of your like or dislike of Kiss or Gene Simmons he solidly demonstrates fundamental principles about commitment, perseverance, integrity, and respect. I do think that there is corporate and educational edition that could be done by taking out some of the profanity and sexual content. There is not a lot of it but it will offend the thin skinned who would be more fixated on those facets instead of the very solid life principles Gene does solidly present.The audio book read by Gene himself will keep you listening to the very end. You want the best you got it from Gene Simmons.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

The life of a Rock-Star, a Super-Hero, & an Artist

What made the experience of listening to Kiss and Make-Up the most enjoyable?

Hearing Gene's life in Gene's own voice - the good, the bad, and the cuddly.

What did you like best about this story?

This is the American Dream that came true - A boy from far away, but with a dream - what a ride, what a battle, yet Gene is an artist with a vision and a passion who would not let anyone stop him from giving it his best shot... something all artist's need to hear.

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

Honesty. Sincerity. Passion, and emotion from the highest highs to the lowest lows. It's all there in his voice. Made it a special honor to hear it in his own voice.... many great artist's have passed on with out us hearing this kind of very personal story telling of their life. Quite special.

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

His honesty was a bit shocking, and yet refreshing. I enjoyed hearing that he has the ability to look at himself and say he had no idea if what he was doing was going to work or not. You hear the terrible fight it was to go on at some turns in the band's career, and you know a little bit more about why some rock n' roll bands can go on, and others (or most) don't. It takes a lot of heart. Behind the make-up, the black leather and studs, the dragon books, the bat wings, the vomited blood, and the breathing fire - behind the Rock N' Roll Iconic Demon that rocked every teenaged boy's day-dreams in the 70's, you hear the man with all his fears, and foibles. Somethings about Gene are amazingly inspirational. Somethings about Gene are very strange. However, in the end, I love this guy because he unashamedly "Let His Freak Flag Fly!"

Any additional comments?

Much better than I thought it would be. Talks about things, that even as a life long KISS fan I never heard about or knew.Strange urban legends and myths about the band. I understand a lot more about what it took, and I really have so much more respect for Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley now. They changed Pop Culture. They are as important as Paul & John.
I was afraid to listen at first, I kept thinking the Rock N' Roll Demon icon would not be who I wanted him to be... and he wasn't, not really. However, who Gene is - is someone very talented, passionate, afraid (I was going to say fearless, but Gene talks about being afraid, many, many times, and yet going through his fear, so he wasn't fearless, - he faced his fears), and... he's not a genius, but he is a smart guy. Great book. Never a dull moment. What a roller coaster ride of a life! Gene and Paul really changed rock and roll forever, made a huge earth shaking noise in pop-culture, and did something unique and fascinating and oh so damned entertaining. Gene Simmons RAWKS!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gene Rocks

For such a colorfull caracther, Gene Simmons, worte a very touching, sincere, honest book. I was surprise from the get go. Highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This Rocks

I wasn't a Kiss fan growing up. I liked Beth and maybe two others. I still loved this book and call myself a Simmons fan now. A little slow at the start where he talks about his early childhood but then takes off. Good book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Interesting history of Kiss

Although interesting, Paul Stanley's book was more interesting and detailed. I love that Gene speaks to you.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The tougue speaks!!

Great listen! It was interesting to hear about his past and how such a man came to being. Even diehard fans of the band will discover something new in this.

Very cool!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

You wanted the best. ...

You definitely get the best in this book! I'm a 52 year old grandmother who grew up with KISS on my wall and playing on my record player. This book was well written and excellently narrated by Gene Simmons. It's the good, great, bad and sometimes ugly events that made the band who they are. I will always be a KISS Army member and look forward to learning more about them since this book was written.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Story of Kiss from the perceptive of Gene Simmons.

Would you listen to Kiss and Make-Up again? Why?

No. Once you know the story ...

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kiss and Make-Up?

Gene Simmons sexual life was "unusual".

What about Gene Simmons’s performance did you like?

Having Gene reading the book brings lots of energy and credibility.

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

The ups and downs of Ace Frehley.

Any additional comments?

At a certain point I became tired of having Gene Simmons as the cleverest guy in the room. Looks like everything he did was successful and he never has had fear nor frustrations.He hasn't put much importance to the fact that the make-up and the "evil figure" inevitably defined the existence of the band. But who cares? They sold over 80 million albums and played over 2,000 shows to millions of loyal fans !

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Give it a miss

Because I know how hard Gene Simmons worked to gain the fame he has, I was interested in hearing the progression the band took. I found Gene's voice to be irritatingly monotone, he was obviously reading his own book. There was hardly any emotion in it. And he never forgot to tell the listener how many women he had, which after a few hundred times, got really old. Honestly, if you're interested, like I was, read a paperback of this book.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful