Paul Stanley, the last member of the original fearsome foursome of KISS, has finally put pen to paper by writing his autobiography. Published by Harper Collins, Stanley has said for years that he had no interest in writing an autobiography. Why did Stanley have a change of heart? Well, a lot of factors you could say. We will lead up to this answer and give you a complete review of this great read from Stanley.
Born with a deformity of the ear called Microtia caused Stanley to face years of self questioning. This also caused him to be totally deaf on the right side. Stanley, who grew up with both of his parents and a sister, never really received support from his parents on how to deal with this deformity. To them, he wasn’t different from the others when in fact, he was. For years Stanley dealt with his insecurities including his first 8 years or so in KISS until 1982, when Stanley elected for reconstructive surgery to reformulate his outer ear. Stanley touches upon relationships with former girlfriends, managers and of course his current and ex-band mates. If you think the book is about Ace Frehley and Peter Criss taking the brunt of ridicule; think again. When Stanley does focus in on stories about dealings with all Kiss members (past or present), it really involves dealings with his partner of over 40 years in Gene Simmons. Stanley describes anything but a loving relationship between the two. It took years for Stanley to finally accept Simmons for the way he is and how he presents himself. Stanley had a failed marriage that also took a toll on his psyche as well.
Stanley eventually carved out a path in music that took him to extraordinary heights, but the book isn’t about fame and fortune. Technically, it really isn’t about how KISS rose to become the biggest band in the world. It has deeper meaning and resolve. It’s about how to overcome and rise above anything and making the best out of a situation that was given. Being a KISS fan I truly do understand why Stanley is most happy now than he has ever been in his entire life. He has a family that loves him for who he is. He has a band now that he loves playing with and doesn’t face and drama or stress. Now is the happiest he has ever been and now was the right time to do a book like this. Why write a book when you’re not at your most happiest? That book would be a bitch fest. This makes more sense for the reader and for what Stanley is actually trying to convey.
