Classic Review: Peter Criss - Makeup To Breakup

This past summer, I implemented a self-imposed summer reading assignment. The assignment was to re-read each autobiography written by the members of KISS, including the self-help/second autobiography by Gene Simmons, Sex, Money, Kiss. That reading assignment has spilled over into the fall and may continue into the winter at the pace I’ve been reading lately. Here’s my review of Sex, Money, Kiss (LINK) the first book I re-read for the assignment.

The second book I completed was Peter Criss’ Makeup To Breakup. This has always been my least favorite of the biographies. Partially because Peter may be my least favorite member of the band, and partially because Criss does an awful lot of whining and finger pointing, never truly accepting his part of the blame for his demise with the band.

Makeup To Breakup contains a lot of revisionist history. There are several stories told where Peter plays the hero, but I have my doubts they actually happened the way he explains. There is also a lot of complaining and “feel sorry for me, it wasn’t really my fault” bullshit tossed throughout the entire book. However, there is also a brutal honesty in some of the memories that Criss decided to include. And it is the brutal honesty that makes his memoir intriguing. He holds nothing back. Whether it’s his drugged out lifestyle, his gun touting, near shootout with the local cops, or his over the top antics with his partner in crime, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss shares all the happenings of his wild and crazy life.

And even though he decides to tell all in his memoirs, there are some glaringly different sides of classic KISS tales told throughout this book as well. The ad that was placed in Rolling Stone magazine, how “Beth” was ultimately recorded, the demise of the Cat Man, his return for one more try before the Unmasked tour, and his ultimate firing, are all told through the eyes of Peter Criss. Which are very different eyes than the eyes of Ace, Gene, and Paul that recounted these stories in their respective biographies. That’s the thing about the truth – it lies between the many sides of the story being told.

Criss’ take on why his solo albums did not sell well is definitely sordid. He claims the record company did not want him to be successful; when they still had KISS on their roster, so they buried his albums, or refused to release them in the USA at all. That sounds odd to me, and more like an excuse as to why the records did so poorly. Rather than fess up to the truth, that the albums just weren’t that good and were recorded by someone who was out of his mind on cocaine and Quaaludes, Peter simply blamed the record company for lack of execution.

The problem with Peter Criss is Peter Criss. It’s clear from his memoirs that he felt the world owed him everything. Paranoia and delusions didn’t help him either. He felt that the acoustic shows in 1995 were a “test” and that the reunion tour was just a way that Gene and Paul could make money. He failed to take any blame for things that went wrong in his life. It was always someone else’s fault, never his own, and he always had a reason and a story as to why.

After reading Makeup To Breakup I can understand why Paul and Gene wanted Peter out of the band and didn’t want to work with him anymore. I was getting angry as I read! I wanted to smack Peter around, tell him to quit acting like a baby and to wake up!

At certain times the book isn’t even an autobiography, it’s a pages long diatribe on why Gene, Paul, and Ace are such evil and vile people. Peter comes off as the whiny child that never grew up and is still upset years later that he didn’t get his way. His jealousy over the other members of the band shines bright throughout the tale of his life. He claims anger and disgust with each member of the band in their own way, but when the astute read between the lines it is clear that Peter is upset he is nothing sans KISS.

Peter Criss is delusion and looks at the past with a revisionist sight. His stories are far-fetched and he struggles to find ways that he is better than everyone in the group. His claims of how every tour was unsuccessful until they re-signed him are just exhausting. And his constant bad mouthing of the band mates that gave him a second, third, and fourth chance are sickening. He is just a whiny child in a 60-something year old’s body. And that is as sad as it is frustrating.

Negative feelings aside, Makeup To Breakup is a great read for any KISS fan, or fans of rock and roll music. Just be prepared to feel your blood pressure rise as some of Criss’ claims are read. If you can handle the rollercoaster of emotions, you are going to enjoy Makeup To Breakup.

Classic Book Review: Gene Simmons - Sex, Money, Kiss

13 years ago, Gene Simmons released his second book, Sex Money Kiss. It was the follow up to his best-selling autobiography, Kiss and Make Up. While his first book was a pure autobiography, for book number two, Simmons went in a bit of a different direction, combining biographical elements, with personal finance advice, lifestyle advice, and even relationship advice.

Sex Money Kiss is an enjoyable read filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and interesting behind the scenes looks at the business side of the music industry. Gene takes us on his personal finance/business/music career journey that started at a very young age when he would buy comics in bulk and weed out the valuable ones for resale. His entrepreneurial mind was working at an early age and never stopped.

Simmons goes into detail about projects he’s worked on over the years, both successes and failures and explains how each takes the same amount of time and commitment. The same amount of energy will be put into failures as successes. In order to succeed, one must possess the “never give up” mentality, knowing that eventually one of the ideas is going to strike gold. Simmons also spends a lot of time discussing work ethic and work habits. He provides sound advice about dedicating oneself to their work for the agreed upon time that one is working. He also preaches that if overtime is available, take it. If there is an opportunity to work weekends, seize it. The nights will still be free to do whatever you want, but while there is a chance to earn money during the day, do it.

The years of KISS are covered throughout Sex Money Kiss as well. From their humble beginnings to their mega farewell tour, Simmons discusses what was happening in the background to make the career of KISS such a success. He details how he was involved in a lot of the business side of things in order to get a better understanding on where the money was going and who was actually pocketing it. From dealing with promoters, to distributors, to record executives, Simmons tried to be involved with as much as possible. As he states several times throughout the book, “No one knows YOU better than you.” It is important to be involved in these aspects of your life. And while he was discussing it from a music industry perspective, the advice is applicable in all of our daily lives. How much involvement do we really have in our own investments?

Failed ventures are well documented in Sex Money Kiss also. From a KISS sneaker line, to unmade movies, Simmons discusses all of the projects that he is or was working on and their various stages of success and while ultimately some of them never came to market. He also discusses his own personal involvement in negotiating the terms for all of these projects, which ultimately led to more money into the band’s (and his) pocket. And while a lot of it may appear that Simmons is bragging about all of his successes, there is much more that can be read into these stories. It is an inspirational read meant to fire the reader up to take charge in their own lives. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Work and work hard, while pursuing a fun hobby that may eventually turn into a career. And always pursue a way to get paid for what you are doing. And make sure that you are paid well for it.

Overall, Sex Money Kiss is an enjoyable read filled with solid advice on relationships, work, and money. And while most of it may be taken with a grain of salt and admired from a far perspective, Sex Money Kiss has plenty of good advice throughout. It also serves as a companion to Kiss and Make Up, giving more details to certain stories that happened throughout the career of Gene Simmons. If you are a fan of KISS, the music industry, or if you are looking for a light read on saving and investing money, I highly recommend that you seek out the classic gem, Sex Money Kiss.

Book Review: The Living Years - Mike Rutherford

It’s hard to remember a time when Genesis wasn’t a superstar band with a multitude of chart topping hits. It is also hard to remember that the band started with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins was virtually unknown to the group. Yet, that is the exact origin of the band Genesis, which Mike Rutherford formed with three other classmates in England during the late 60s.

The Living Years is the poignant tale of Mike Rutherford told through his eyes and mirrored by an autobiography that his father wrote but never published. Throughout the memoir, Rutherford splices in sections of his father’s autobiography comparing the happenings of his life at the time of his father’s. Looking at both what his father was doing at Mike’s age, and showing glimpses of his father’s reflections on Mike during certain points of his life. The Living Years is a magnificent remembrance of a rock musician’s journey. It is also the first memoir written by any member of the band.

Genesis’ first album would sell less than 700 copies and was recorded while the band was still in school, figuring their way in life. Even Rutherford wasn’t sure if it would become a full time career. His self doubt and uncertainty resonate through the early part of the memoir, as Rutherford still held on to the possibility of pursuing a career in something other than music. All of those uncertainties would be swept away when Phi Collins entered into Rutherford’s life.

Collins grounded the band in many ways both musically and as the calming force amongst a band rife with internal conflict and turmoil. While the rest of the band would argue endlessly to get their point across and attempt to strong arm the other members, Collins remained calm and stayed out of the quarrels. In that regard, the other members of Genesis seemed to listen to his points with more interest.

For the first part of their career, Genesis was led by Peter Gabriel, but when he departed the band, Genesis found themselves at a crossroads. Losing both their lead singer and most creative voice of the band was a devastating blow, one that would have crippled almost any other band. But Genesis preserved and ultimately thrived after the departure. After many auditions of new singers, it was ultimately decided that Collins should take over lead vocals. He would go on to become the singer/drummer of the band until his departure in 1996.

The Living Years is more than just the tale of a guitarist from an international renowned band; it’s also the story behind the members of that band. From the quirky intricacies of ex-leader Peter Gabriel, to the levelheaded calmness of late arrival Phil Collins, Rutherford is clear, concise, and ultimately honest in his assessment of the members of his band, his relationship with his parents, and the frame of mind that he was in during each stage of his career. The Living Years is a memoir of a boy who grew into a man. As a young man, Rutherford made decisions that he wouldn’t necessarily make as an older gentlemen, and he reflects upon that as The Living Years unfolds. And intertwined throughout it all are the memories of the father. Key excerpts of his father’s memoir are strategically located throughout the book, enhancing the narrative and adding to the overall brilliance of the writing.

Anyone interested in understanding Genesis from an insider’s viewpoint and obtain the true documented history of the band needs to read The Living Years. Beyond that, any fan of rock bands and memoirs would also thoroughly enjoy this wonderful writing. Above all else, The Living Years is the story of a man filled with many self doubts who went on to be the founding member for one of the most influential and critically acclaimed bands in the history of rock and roll. It is an interesting insight into the world of a rock musician and all of the fun, fame, and uncertainties that come with the career. Rutherford’s composition on the history of his life is brutally honest and brilliantly attractive. The Living Years is documented proof of his legacy and a fantastic historical piece for the fans. A better recollection of the entire history of Genesis cannot be found, nor should it. This is a story best told by the band’s one true founding member.

The Living Years is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and wherever books are sold.