I
really had low hopes for this new autobiography from Gene Simmons. We
have all read the countless intereviews that seem to contradict the one
the year before. Thats life in KISStory.
When I started the book I was pleasantly surprised with the first few chapters. Some very insightful information from Gene's childhood. A lot of stuff that I had never heard before. He really goes deep into his childhood and can get a better perspective of why he is the way he is. Great stuff.
As the book moved on into the teenage years on up to the creation of KISS, still very good information and behind the scenes material. Still going great. Once we move into the KISS related material I have to say I was disappointed. Not because it wasn't good, but because there just wasn't enough detail into the stories. I'm sure its hard to remember those stories as they happened so many years later, but I wanted more. The short stories seemed to pull you in then drop you off. There are some very funny and very sad stories in there involving other members of the band. Some you probably won't like, but they seem very true considering some of he rumors of the past and other KISS related books. Gene does touch on the major points in KISStory such as Peter leaving, Taking the makeup off, Vinnie Vincent, the death of Eric Carr and the reunion. Those things just didn't take up enough of the book. He leads into what the situation is then really never discussed what completely happened.
I know most of the people that pick up Gene's book with want to hear about stories involving his conquests. There is a lot of mention of women he had been with, but not in the story after story sense. He talks about how pretty much women and success make him tick. It does seem like a times the book is beating that into you. Its the one thing that is really overdone in the book.
Gene really lets you in on his personal relationships with Cher, Diana Ross and Shannon Tweed. I have a new found respect for him as a parent. He stated several parental feelings that I have recently had regarding my new son also. I never knew he was so close to his children, as he states some of the fantastic things about being a parent. If you are a parent you will be able to relate very well to some of the things Gene discusses.
The more recent material was also very good. You get more insight into what has really happened with the band since the Reunion. I am not much of a book reviewer, I do read a lot of autobiographies not of musicians, but people I am interested in learning from. I did learn that believe a lot of the same things Gene does to the dismay of my wife. Which is maybe why I have been a fan of the band for so long. It seems to be a very honest book, although I don't know I wasn't there. Its definitely not like the interviews we are used to reading, thank God. Overall I did enjoy the book and gained a new respect for Gene. I just wish the stories would have went a little more in depth than most of them did. If you are a fan you have to read it, you will gain new insight on all the band members. Or maybe justify the feelings you have always had toward them.
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