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.

13 people found this helpful

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.

11 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!

8 people found this helpful

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.

4 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!

4 people found this helpful

Painful at best

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I really AM a fan of Paul Stanley, I was super excited to listen to this book. Sadly you can honestly tell he's reading, he shows very little enthusiasm as he reads. It's almost like he's bored of his own story. Sometimes he rushes through parts and it sounds like a parent just trying to get to the end of the book so their kid will go to sleep.

He spends much too much time on his childhood - I'm on chapter 15 and we are just NOW getting to the part about starting a band with Gene. I'm forcing myself to listen to the book in whole, since I purchased it. But as of now, it's been painful and I rarely turn it on.

Would you ever listen to anything by Paul Stanley again?

No

What didn’t you like about Paul Stanley’s performance?

See above comment

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Face the Music?

There is a lot of ramble about childhood - I would have shortened this to 5 chapters vs 15.

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

Cranky Rock Star

If you want to hear Paul Stanley complaining about everything from why his parents never supported him to why Peter’s inability to sing in the studio this book is for.
Fame? Wealth? Adoration? All might seem pretty worthwhile from the outside but don’t worry - Paul will set you straight & show you how they actually really secretly suck.
The only thing that seemed genuine in the whole audiobook was the often repeated fact that Paul really likes to sleep with women who are already in relationships with other men

2 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!

2 people found this helpful